Earlier this year I went to court to fight a MINOR traffic ticket. There was a small trial and during this trial the policeman that pulled me over lied. I later noticed that his testimony was (of course) different that his own notes that he wrote on the back of the ticket. I first spoke to the Brick, NJ Internal Affairs officer, to no avail. I went to the Ocean County, NJ Prosecuter with my story, and as we talked he took notes. I took a quick look at the notes (you know - upside down from my side of the desk) and they weren't at all what I was telling him. I mention that and he quickly covered them up and said he is the investigator and I don't have to worry aboutthe notes. He said they weren't for me to see. Of course nothing came of this.
Now, a year later, it still weighs on me that this police officer lied. I keep thinking if he lie over something as trivial as a driving ticket - what is he doing when in court for more serious cases. Do I have any further recourse?
2007-10-23 09:08:26 · 23 answers · asked by Christina G 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Contact the New Jersey Attorney General's office and file a formal complaint.
2007-10-23 09:16:53 · answer #1 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
This happens all the time. Read the newspapers and you will see that for yourself.
Filing a complaint with the district attorney will do no good because if the policeman were disgraced, it could hinder many prosecutions. The best way to have action is to contact the media. They can put pressure on the police if they choose to report this. You will need proof. And hopefully you do not live in a town where the newpapers and cops are buddies.
2007-10-23 12:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by mama woof 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You could off him. Or find a way to set him up for charges that would make it impossible to be a police officer any longer. Short of these extremes, not too much is available for you in the way of doing anything about it. 1. Too much time has passed to be taken seriously by enforcement types. 2. It comes down to your word against theirs, and they protect their cops, most judges do, so your word means squat as compared to his. Sorry, but the sad fact is, I'm right on this. Hell, I got beat by a cop for running from another one until he got called in. Traffic offenses got me a beating. Reported, and ignored! And you know what he does with more serious cases? Plants stuff that he thought was there if it isn't. Dishonesty is just that, and knows no boundary it will respect, to my knowledge. And a DA is nothing if not a creep you wouldn't have over to your house. They lie and cheat in court worse than most cops, and consider it the cost of doing business, all part of their job. Authorities and the abuses they heap upon our citizenry are out of control. Viva la revoluccion' !
2007-10-23 09:19:00 · answer #3 · answered by ihatepenndot 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The only thing you might be able to do, is write a letter to the editor of your newspaper, and tell your side of the story, and direct the question to the public, if they have been lied about in a court of law, by a police officer. You might get a reaction from someone, but it might backfire, and all the cops will be watching you, and stopping you .
2007-10-23 09:14:28 · answer #4 · answered by LIPPIE 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This brings back horrible memories for me. I could have written what you just wrote. I wrecked my vehicle on a road that was not fixed properly, and didn't have any road signs or barriers up. There were others in the vehicle, and we were all hurt but everyone recovered. I was ostracized by those hurt, their families, and many of my peers. Added to this, the policeman who was first on the site thought that my friend had been driving. He even gave the ticket to my friend while I was passed out unconscious, according to the ER doctors. Later on at the trial, the policeman denied this fact and made up all kinds of lies about how I was speeding and probably on drugs. It took two years of suing him to finally reveal the truth and have some resolution. However, I am still ostracized, and I paid dearly, emotionally and financially. Your only recourse is to sue this policeman. If he did that to you, he WILL do that to other people. Yes, finally .... someone says it for what it is ... what he is doing in court is destroying our system of justice.
2007-10-23 09:20:28 · answer #5 · answered by . 4 · 7⤊ 2⤋
It happens all the time. Like another person said, read the news. You need an attorney to sort this out for you if it is worth it to you. One time I hired an attorney to straighten out a business matter for me. I was proven right, and the other person wrong, and In the long run, I broke even. My point is that I felt sooooo much better paying that money to an attorney instead of to the person who had bullied me.
2007-10-23 19:02:46 · answer #6 · answered by OMG 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Traffic court is revenue for the state. They don't care about the truth. You would have to hire a lawyer and file an appeal against the courts decision on the original case. Prove the office lied and get it thrown out. Then you would have premise to file against the officer and other agency's.
2007-10-23 09:14:53 · answer #7 · answered by truckercub1275 3 · 6⤊ 2⤋
If it's a minor ticket, I'd let it go. It is legal for you to carry a video/audio recorder with you in the car from now on if you are worried about this, but I wouldn't start wwIII over it. Unfortunatly a few cops are bad, but the majority of them are decent, underpaid, people who want to help others!
2007-10-23 09:12:54 · answer #8 · answered by n3utr0n 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
very simple. go to the police departmnet and file a complaint with internal affairs.now be very careful when you file a complaint against a officer.if the complaint id found to be unfounded then he can in return file a cae against you for filing a false complaint against a officer.if you are convicted it has alot of jail time.
----retired texas deputy sheriff----
2007-10-25 23:15:54 · answer #9 · answered by charlsyeh 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact your state Attorney Generals Office.
2007-10-23 09:12:12 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋