Does this cop lack ethics?

I had a clean traffic record. Tonight, my father had a few drinks, but his new prescription unexpectedly had a negative reaction and he was out of his mind.

So, I drove him home on a quicker route than the one I always use. I stop at this one stop sign and there are no cars within sight. Thus, I didn't come to a complete stop, but I slowed down to 5 mph. Then this cop pulls me over, gives me a ticket for that. Then he gives me another ticket because my messed up father unbuckled his seat belt when we stopped although he had it on the whole time prior.

In the end, we got a $169 fine for that. I tried to explain to the officer what was wrong with my dad and that I never use this route. To give you an idea of how bad my dad was: he got in the wrong car entirely and thought it was mine, and he fell down on the road 5 times when he got out of the car when we got home.

No matter what I said and no matter how obviously messed up my dad looked, he didn't care. I can see if I jumped the sign with cars around or speeding, but this? I ALWAYS see cops going through stop signs, and they're just strolling around when they do that.

Would you give someone a fine for something like that even though he's driving home his father who's clearly out of his mind? I thought police officers are to have ethics and integrity. You can say " it's the law" all you want, but there are times when you should be lenient.
Additional Details
Actually I was being self-conscious of my speed, but good answer. He does need help. He's going to the doctor tomorrow.

Dave C

Well considering a legal stop is where the vehicle is no longer in motion yes you didn't come to a complete stop and did a California roll as it is commonly referred too

Whether or not your father was buckled prior to the cop coming up to the window he was unbuckled when he got their and being drunk is no excuse

Should you have gotten a citation that is tough to say some cops are just hard *** and enjoy writing ticket while others (myself included like to educate people and only right citations when it is defiantly needed)

There is a difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law but some don't believe that

If you feel unjust invoke your right as a US Citizen an take the citation to court

stryker

Wow, you ran a stop sign. By the way, I'm pretty sure your dad wasn't suppose to drink while taking those meds. So let me start over, you ran a stop sign, were probably speeding cuz you said you were in a hurry, had a drunk *** in your car, and the drunk *** was acting crazy and not wearing his seat belt. I'd say you should take your fine and run with it. All nonsense aside, you admit to doing what he wrote you for, so I'd just chalk it up as a lesson. On a side note, maybe your pop should get some help......

fido

Why do you question the cop? Dad's the one you should question why is he taking medication and drinking!
You must love your father. Stay on him and hopefully he will get straighted up. He will appreciate your for helping him out.
I have tried for years to get my father to give up the smokes. Still trying though.

Copgirl

Tell it to the judge. Have a nice day.

El Scott

There is nothing wrong with the Officer's ethics. We have total discretion to decide who we want to charge. No excuse prevents us from charging anyone with a traffic violation if we believe we need to issue a citation. The Officer did nothing wrong.

Go to court and plead not guilty if you feel you are innocent.

By the way the meds your dad are on probably have a warning on them somewhere about not taking them when drinking alcohol.

EDIT:
Excuses are like certain body parts...........everyone has one. I hear at least one on almost every traffic stop.

ornery and mean

There is a time and a place to dispute a traffic offense. The time is NOT when you are pulled over ... and the place is not on the roadside!

The time and the place is in court, when you are scheduled to go! Judging from what you wrote here, you have no case! "you never use that route" ... Does the route you normally use allow for "rolling stops" and no seatbelt use?

The officer cited you for the offenses he saw, if you want to dispute the tickets ... fine! The officer will "see you in court!"

Good luck! i have a feeling you will need it! The officer's case is pretty tight!

Jennifer S

i think there are times to be lenient, yes. that said, maybe the stop sign you rolled through was at a high-crash location or something, so maybe the cop would be tougher in that instance. but at any rate it seems like your dad was really having a bad reaction, and based on that you were driving under additional stress. you can always go to court to contest it, especially the issue about the seatbelt.

FQH5256

did you pass the stop sign?? where you wearing your seat belt?? no, you get a summons..tell your story to the judge.

Daniel R

It depends how you handle the situation. You say there were no cars in sight, but obviously there was a police cruiser within sight.
Cops are busy, but they always have time to stop people for minor infractions. In that case, don't argue at all. In fact ask for assistance in dealing with your father. At that point they usually realize they are wasting their time. But if you sit and try to argue they WILL try to egg you on into something more.

broad street bully

All cops lack ethics
And balls

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