Was looking through the state code today and found some interesting stuff that could prove to be useful.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.ex...00+cod+46.2-882

In any court or legal proceeding in which any question arises about the calibration or accuracy of any laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this section used to determine the speed of any motor vehicle, a certificate, or a true copy thereof, showing the calibration or accuracy of (i) the speedometer of any vehicle, (ii) any tuning fork employed in calibrating or testing the radar or other speed determination device or (iii) any other method employed in calibrating or testing any laser speed determination device, and when and by whom the calibration was made, shall be admissible as evidence of the facts therein stated. No calibration or testing of such device shall be valid for longer than six months.

Neither State Police officers nor local law-enforcement officers shall use laser speed determination devices or radar, as described herein in airplanes or helicopters for the purpose of determining the speed of motor vehicles.

Law-enforcement officers using motor vehicle-based microcomputer devices or laser speed determination devices as provided for in this section shall, on request of any affected motorist, permit such motorist to observe the reading on the device. Nothing in this section, however, shall require any law-enforcement officer to allow affected motorists to observe any reading on any microcomputer device on any airplane or helicopter.

 

All i am basically see'ing is as long as a cop has his radar calibrated once every six months he's good to go... and we have the option of asking the officer to see his radar gun for proof of what he clocked us at.
but do keep in mind.. how pissy do you think that officer is gonna get when you say "show me the radar" ?!?!?!?

 

If i'm asking to see the radar, it'll be after i'm sure that i getting the ticket, but before i sign it. If he refuses (and with the new POP radar, they may, since it doesn't lock on), i'll just note on the ticket above where I signed that i was denied my right to view the radar reading.

also states that using airplanes/helicopters with radar or laser is completely out of the question. kinda makes you wonder about those signs on the road?

 

not bad !!!!

as far as the airplanes and helicopters go.. i dont konw how they are around your area. around here we have white lines on the interstate, once you pass one if the helicopter guy is working and thinks your going fast the start a stop watch... once you pass the 2nd line the stop it. they do the math & find out how fast you are going, if you are speeding.. they call in for ground support & have you pulled over & relay down why
i know, my friend got busted for it i havent seen it around in a while, he was busted the opening week they started it

 

That really doesnt work that often. Every state police station calibrates the guns every single morning. Along with that, state police are required to pass tests where they guage speed by their eyesight. They have to pass wtih a really high percentage within a few mph.

If it is a local cop.. you may be able to get out of a iffy ticket, but the judges really dont buy that excuse often. If they deny it, its not like you are going to appeal high enough to matter.

i have seen my fair share of traffic court cases...

 

Yeah, i don't think i have tooo much to worry about, My rescue squad plates have gotten me out of some shit that i definitely should not have gotten off of with just a warning. Just goes to show how far professional courtesy will get you Cops aren't bad guys at all, on the contrary most of them are very very nice guys when treated with respect. Just thought I'd post that here because I found it interesting. I have always heard conflicting reports about whether or not they had to show you the reading, now i know, jsut hope i don't ever have to use it.. (Heh, Escort 8500 coming soon to a S2000 near you! )

 

Some cops are nice.. some are just plain dicks.. when i went to court this weekend the cop straight lied on something that really wasnt to important, but he still lied non-the-less. and i was nothing but VERY poilite with him at the date of the incident

 

Yea I had to chime in here once again,... VA certified police officers do not HAVE to show you the speed they clocked you at. That info incorrect. When I was with the police department, I did nothave to show them anything inregards to the violation. That is for court. Now if you all want to go through the trouble and write things on the citation when the officer asks you to sign it, that's up to you... it only angers the officer even more and he/she may write in their notes section that you were "uncoopoerative" Now how is a judge going to react when he/she hears that a motorist was uncooperative when given the ticket. Trust me, it's better to bite the bullet and save it for court if you want to battle it out.

Now as for the calibration ... yes an officer has to have current calibration dates that are valid for them to use the radar/ ladar gun. When I was in patrol we tested the unit with tuned forks before and after our shift to make sure the unit has been working properly during the entire duration of the shift. Another check that officers sometimes do is shoot the radar/ladar gun at another officers vehicle going the opposite direction, and the officer driving the vehicle will radio to the officer doing the radar/ladar check the speed he was going to double check the radar's effeciency and the moving vehicles speedometer calibration. At the department I worked for, in court, we had all the calibration paperwork in court and ready at our disposal if called upon.

Now, if you all want to get away with a ticket, then I would recommend this. Make sure the radar/ladar gun is matched to the correct calibration paperwork in court. All calibration paperwork is unit specific, meaning it has to match the serial numbers on the radar/ladarunit. Alot of officers are pretty lazy and this is where they make the mistake of not having the correct paperwork that for their specific unit. They may have a calibration paperwork but is it for the unit he has listed? Most dont even have a clue and never even write that stuff down on their notes. Again, some do. So if you do cross this line in court, I am sure you are going to get one pissed off judge that thinks you wasted his/her time with all this just to be proven wrong yourself. Just make sure that if you question the officers integrity and validity of calibration that you are correct... cuz it could be a long day for you and your pocketbook. I hope this helps.

 

Law-enforcement officers using motor vehicle-based microcomputer devices or laser speed determination devices as provided for in this section shall, on request of any affected motorist, permit such motorist to observe the reading on the device. Nothing in this section, however, shall require any law-enforcement officer to allow affected motorists to observe any reading on any microcomputer device on any airplane or helicopter. [/QUOTE]

there is an amendment to that statement above in the amendment section.. its up to the officer discretion to allow or not allow a motorist to view the reading.... based up safety precautions.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2k_PikeStyle