A Traffic Ticket from a rude cop, what can I do ?

A Traffic Ticket, what can I do ?
Well, I was going to make a left turn on an intersection, when the guy in front of me stopped on green and the light turned yellow then red, my rear bumper was on the rail track so I wanted to back up, but there was a whole line of cars behind me, and the Cop saw me, after explaining the whole issue he still gave me a ticket.. I received it in the mail today, but there is no time to show for court or anything, its just a bill and its $475, my God that is a lot of money, can I go to the court and ask to see the judge, is there any chance the judge will reduce it or may be cancel it ?
can he make it more if the cop shows up and say other wise.
By the way the cop that pulled me over treated me really bad b4 even talking to me, like when he approchs the car he starts yelling "hands on the wheel" and when he was talking to me, every time I take my hand off the wheel he yells at me saying "I didn't say u can let the wheel go now" I was like "I wanna open the glove box to get my insurance and registeration" and he was like "When I want them I will ask for them, KEEP IT ON THE WHEEl before I call for back up"
Horrible day I was done working out and he treated me like a criminal, I was really going to cry.

Jubi_sanjubi

Talk to the judge. Technically, he's really not supposed to discuss the case without when the prosecutor isn't present, but they often bend that rule. But don't be offended if he follows the law and can only set you a time to come back when the prosecutor is there. It's fine for him to talk to you about the case.

kirkvonnegut

There should be a number or something on the back that you can call to schedule a court date. For example, the back of my traffic ticket, about half way down, states:

"You may contact the violations bureau if:
1. You plead "Not Guilty"
2. You plead "Guilty" and wish to offer an explanation.

To contest a ticket, call [number] to schedule an appointment or appear in person before a hearing officer at [address].

Once you have appeared, all fines are due on the day they are imposed"

There should be a number and address on something they sent to you. Use those and have your citation with you so that you can give them the number or code or other information they need, and ask for a court date. Remember, when you go to court, you are innocent until proven guilty. If the cop doesn't show up (from what I understand, they usually don't have much reason to), then there is no one to testify that you actually committed such action as the ticket describes, and they therefore cannot prove anything. And if they do show up, simply explain that you entered the intersection while the light was green, and that you simply got stuck there once the light turned red.

Unfortunately, you probably can't do much about the cop being rude to you. If you have his name and badge number, you could probably file a report at the police station, but I'm not sure how that is done. Sorry.

If they do find you guilty in court, you may have to pay court fees in addition to your ticket. Where I live, those are around $80 right now.

lawagoneer

First-Pay the ticket.

Second you need to understand what the police officer knows and what he saw. More officers are shot in the line of duty during traffic stops than any other call except domestic violence. When walking up to your car he saw you digging in the glove bow or leaning over, gave you a lawful command to put your hand on the wheel and you didn't comply, he repeated the order and you argued with him. The officer feared that you were reaching for a weapon and again repeated the command. You are lucky he didn't pull you out of the car and arrest you. Your comment about feeling like a criminal is correct you violated the law several times and by definition you are a criminal. If you had done that to me during a traffic stop you would have gone to jail.

When pulled over by the police be polite, don't make any sudden moves, reach into anything or talk back. The officer will tell you what he wants. Chances are that if you hadn't been a smart**s to him he would have let you go with a warning.

Rock Firestorm

The cop wasn't "rude" he was protecting himself. He doesn't know what you're reaching for in your glove compartment. His disposition has zero to do with you breaking the law.

The odds of you getting the ticket reduced are pretty extreme but if you have the time to spend the day in traffic court you can try and ask. But don't fight it, if you fight it and lose, which you will, you can't go to traffic school. Go to traffic school and it wont be on your record. What you did wasn't a big deal, it's a bad fine but that's life.

PS - and don't listen to the morons talking about "prosecutors." There are no prosecutors in traffic court. It's not criminal court, it's traffic court. Remember, 95% of the people in yahoo answers are guessing, just as well as you could guess.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: