BMW + traffic offense = pissed cop. - BMW Forum

EcianIce · 07-19-2004, 01:25 PM

driving home last night, from a friends house, i was making an effort to drive the speed limit because we saw a cop on that road the night before.

i cross an intersection doing 45 in, get this. a 45 zone.

i head down the road a little, and it's empty, then all of a sudden i see this pair of head / fog lights rolling up about a 1/4 mile back, pretty fast. i slowed down a little cause i let my speed creep up after that intersection. and this guy keeps comming, and when he starts to get close. i decide to punch it cause hes going to hit me.

we're about 50 .. im 3rd gear full throttle, and hes still right on me. so i start looking for a place to pull off the road and the same time i put on my blinker to get out of his way, the world lights up, and guess what. the world ISN'T BLUE. BUT COP LIGHTS ARE.

he tags me for 76 in a 35 by pacing. also tickets me for reckless driving, and has me call my parents to take me home. thank god they were there, cause otherwise i would have spent the night in jail and had my car towed and impounded.

heres what makes me mad --
cop: whos car is this
me: it's mine, sir.
cop: *in a general snotty tone* oh, this is /your/ car. well why don't you go ahead and get your parents on the phone, cause your not driving anymore tonight.

so basicly i get ticketed for trying not to get hit. great cop work, seriously. my hats off to you.

oct. 9th court date. people have told me to explain what happend to the judge, because it sounds like entrapment - the cop riding up on my tail, pushing me to go faster - which is a serious offense.

what do you think? did i deserve the tickets?

edit: and losing my lisence because i'm looking at 10 strikes and im under 18.

jdmfan13 · 07-19-2004, 01:33 PM

From what you've said... I'd definitely fight it. Have you looked at something similar to Ticket Assassin for your state? Something like that might be of good use to you.

Personally, I think a lot of police see... BMW = easy money. Since I've had my BMW, I've received 3 tickets in a matter of about 6 months of owning it. I had 0 tickets for the past 8 years... and my driving hasn't changed.

jrhaile · 07-19-2004, 01:55 PM

that's just bullshit man... I would hire an attorney for sure. once you get the ticket dropped, sue for harassment and press charges against the cop for "road-rage" which is a crime in all 50 states now. Go down to the station and press charges man. The same kind of thing happened to my buddy and he pressed charges and the cop was suspended for 30 without pay. They investigated and watched the tape of the cop driving and it was prooven. If what you say is true, supena the cops video tape.

Also be aware that because you already have quite a few violations, the judge might not drop this so it would be a good idea to get an attorney.

That kind of cop work is bullshit. Also are you hispanic or any other minority? If so, you've got more reasons to press charges against the department and the cop.

Live_the_Curves · 07-19-2004, 02:35 PM

Was anyone else in the car with you, cause witnesses really help. If the judge is jackass they take the officers word over yours.

mixalot · 07-19-2004, 02:48 PM

There's so much at risk, you need to fight it. It might be worth your time to call an attorney.

If you go to court alone, wear a nice suit and cut your hair, be super respectful and never interupt. Ask to plead down the charges.

e36_m3_Turbo · 07-19-2004, 02:57 PM

shoot the cop. thats the only thing to do.

ck

Gulelin · 07-19-2004, 03:15 PM

I don't think that excuse will work, I had a ticket recently with a similar situation, although it wasn't actually the cop following me(that's your angle, if you have one), and me attourney advised me not to use that as an excuse. I'd talk to a laywer, but it's prolly gonna come down to your word vs his, which means your screwed. Sorry bro.

ghead

brien4787 · 07-19-2004, 03:24 PM

the same thing happened to my mom, sorta... there was a bean machine... a large van in the lane next to her, and they started swirving into my moms lane, so she hit it to get out of their way. next thing she knows is that there is a cop pulling HER over. this was about 1 or 2 weeks after she got her audi a6.

pure crap i must say.

d3ity · 07-19-2004, 04:42 PM

Fight the Powah brother.

EcianIce · 07-19-2004, 05:22 PM

i just found out today that the reason he charged me with reckless driving was because he thought i was trying to outrun him, and then when i saw he wasn't getting off my tail decided to give up.

thats such bullshit. ;(

ghead

n

attorneys arn't a problem. i've got my dad, sister, and 2 uncles that have practiced at some point in their life.

2001BMW325xi · 07-20-2004, 01:58 PM

I have worked with law enforcement as an intern in the past and in this case I dunno if the cops or the judge is goin to be favourable to you. Heres how I think how the judge is goin to see.........if yu did see a car hurtling down to you you do not need to speed up to avoid it ....all yu have to do is still continue on your path and signal to change the lane......takes about 2 seconds if the lanes empty. If the car changed lanes and hit you in the worst case scenario........you hvae insurance for these very reasons bud.......THE ONLY thing goin for you (and that is if yu say like it is) that the cop did not turn his lights on immedeately or at least half way into the pursuit. According to law if a cop follows you for more than 4.5 miles before signaling for you to stop over for an offense......it can be thrown out. Thats cause sometimes cops can be suspicious of a car and call in the registration to check for priors and that takes a coupla minutes while they follow yu........well hope yu get the hell out of it bud...........but keep in mind what I have said when yu talk to the attorney.

jrhaile · 07-20-2004, 02:15 PM

I have a quote for you.. "Fuck da police that are rolling through my neighborhood! Fucking peckerwoods see me in a five speed, I don't care if it's a motherfucking nine speed"

joemac · 07-20-2004, 05:33 PM

"76 in a 35"

That's all you need to say....Hah! You're F'd. Its obvious you don't live in Boston...that type of driving by the cop is the norm around here...

Seriously, why didn't you pull over if you thought someone was gonna rear-end U?
hindsight is 20/20 (pun intended) but I guess next time try pulling over first then try punching it 46mph over the posted limit...

bobs530i · 07-20-2004, 06:43 PM

i am curious to know your age and your driving record. if you were doing the speed limit and punched it to 76 mphs to avoid being rear ended, i am sorry but that story isn't going to fly in any court room. you said something like 10 strikes... do you mean points on your record. If you have a clean record prior to this i would understand, but if you have a few tickets here or there then they will frown upon this. Best of Luck, your going to need it if you stay with that story.

Torque · 07-20-2004, 07:29 PM

You are screwed man. I just don't get how you didn't realize it was a cop car...

When I have cops pacing me like that I just turn off into the nearest gas station, store or whatever. If they follow I get out and into the damn place. What is going to do, wait for me for half an hour ?