Sorry if this is over-explained, but I need some advice if possible.

On 3/1, I'm coming home from work around 8pm. I live in a rural area but the road has a good number of houses so the speed limit is 45, which I normally run 54. I come up behind an RX8 who's going about 42-43. After following it at this pace for about 2 miles, the driver slows to turn into his house, nearly coming to a stop in the road. At this point I'm in 1st gear, and when I accelerate, I take it up to about 7500-8000 rpm before shifting. This takes place as I'm going past a state trooper's house, which I realize but don't think much of it as I'm not breaking the law, yet, and my car is not that loud(stock exhaust, Comptech intake). I continue to my street, about 3/4 of a mile away, getting up to about 60 before slowing to turn. As I turn onto my street(quickly, but not losing traction or out of control), I see blue lights come on about 400 yards back. I'm the only car in the area so I know its for me. I know I was speeding for a few seconds, but at that point, I was nearly half a mile from the trooper, who was still putting down his barbecue tongs and hopping in his cruiser. I pull into the driveway and wait for the him. He gets out of his car in street clothes and proceeds to lay into me for using this road as my "personal drag strip" and "taking turns on 2 wheels" . I'm doing all I can to be polite and not argue with him.

Long story long, he gave me a ticket for 60 in a 45. I really don't want the ticket to go on my record at all because I used a PFJ 2 years ago for illegal passing and I don't want to see the insurance bill with that on my record. But in looking at the ticket, it has the court date/time as 3/27 at 9PM. There is no court at 9pm.

So, what would you do?
-Call the courthouse to find out when the hearing really is?
-Go to the courthouse at 9pm?
-Call a lawyer?
-Go to the trooper's house, ring his doorbell and run?

Also, I'm sure it doesn't matter, but it doesn't seem right for an officer to be fartin' around in his yard and jump in his car to chase down his neighbors that he feels are driving a little too spiritedly in front of his house.

 

did the trooper clock you? if you can prove he was not in his car, not paying attention, and possibly drinking at his BBQ, then you have a pretty good case, problem is that the court will believe anything he says over you.

either way, i would call the clerk late this week and see if you can get it reduced over the phone, act confused about the court time and be VERY nice as they are people too. most of the time they will reduce your ticket over the phone. with a PJC, you can have (1) 9 over ticket. if that doesnt work you can chance going to court by yourself, or you can get a lawyer. lawyers dont go after tickets, they just get them reduced, so dont think your lawyer will ask you anything about the situation to try to get you off, only in major cases would they even care to know your name.

P.s. dont go into court with some sure fire way to get off from the internet, they dont work anymore. kid in front of me once used some lame argument from the net and got a week in jail for it.

Dave

 

Ah, I didn't realize you could get a 9 over ticket within the 3 three years after the PJC and it not activate the prior conviction. In that case, I feel much better. Thanks Dave.

 

Ummmm....as crumy as it sounds, your in a tuff spot my friend. Being in your shoes several times, my best suggestion would be to talk with a lawyer. Many of them offer free consultations in which you may ask what the best course of action would be. Second, how did the trooper knwo you were going 60mph? If he was not in his car and grilling out in his yard, I woudl like to know how he was able to get to his car get it started and clock you before you reached your house? Seems to me that is a little strange. As far as the 9pm thing goes, I do not advise trying to use that as an excuse to get the ticket dropped. It should read 9am.

In the trooper defense I think I would be kinda mad to if some was speeding in my neigborhood right in front of me. Most troopers are hard asses in the first place, but I woudl imagine if you went into their domain ie. their neighborhood they could be even more of a dick! Anyway I hope things work out for ya!

 

[QUOTE=s2kmaniac81,Mar 14 2006, 01:36 PM] In the trooper defense I think I would be kinda mad to if some was speeding in my neigborhood right in front of me.

 

Still doesn't answer my question, how did he clock you?

 

Maybe its my age and lack this type of knowledge showing, but I didn't think you could get tickets from off duty officers let alone out of uniform. But the easiest thing to do would be hire a lawyer and have him take care of it. Probably just get it reduced to improper equipment or something that won't effect your insurance.

 

If u get a lawyer iam pretty positive he will be able to reduce it to improper equipment and you will have to take like an 8 hour driving class. Shouldnt effect ur insurance or ur record... i dont think.

 

Next to the speed on the ticket there should be one of these three letters: R, P, or V (Radar, Pace, VASCAR). This is important given the circumstances.

This information will be in the lower middle part of the citation in the section that says Departmental Use Only.

Also I would go ahead and be looking for an attorney. HKStallion is correct, the Trooper can lie his butt off in court and the judge will believe him over you.

 

It says "A 60/65". Would A stand for admitted? If so, that's untrue, because when asked how fast I was going, I said I wasn't sure. But I'm sure he'd lie about that in court.