Another LEO question

RockinU

About a year ago I got pulled over and was given a ticket for no proof of insurance (along with the violation that caused me to get pulled over), now I had insurance, I just couldn't find the card. When I got home I did find the card, but due to a brain fart I didn't get it to the JP within 10 days, and when I did get in the JP told me that because I didn't produce proof in that time period that I had to pay the ticket just like I didn't have insurance. I talked to a lawyer friend of mine, and he looked up the law and told me that the JP was wrong, it was black or white, either you had it in which case you paid no fine, or you did not have it, and had to pay it. Long story short, I fought it, and the officer had to come in to testify. Now I never questioned the veracity of his statements, nor the validity of the citations he issued me, just the fact that I was being asked to pay a fine that I shouldn't. The ticket was dismissed, but the officer seemed personally offended, and seems to have a real stiffy for me. He's pulled me over once because he "thought" my registration sticker was expired (they are hard to see) and gave me a ticket for a broken license plate light that I had broken earlier in the day backing up to a trailer. Any advice on how to handle this?

daddo

Just try to keep it legal or wait till he retires. If he stops you for a violation- you have no recourse. If he stops you for no reason, it could be considered harrasment, upon which you will have to prove.

RockinU

I know I have no recourse, I was hoping someone could give me some advise, from a LEO's perspective on how to talk to the guy.

nunn

You are in Texas, right? Here, about 99% of cops videotape all their contacts. If he gets out of line, note the date, time and place and contact his boss.

He should have had no personal hard feelings about losing the case. His job is done when he writes the citation and tells his side in court. After that, what happens is all on the judge.

This bird must be a rookie, and with an attitude such as he has, he won't be around to bother you much longer. Trust me.

SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net

dheffley

I had a simular problem with a patrolman in a small east Texas town I lived in years back. After about the third stop, I offered my hand and said "I sorry we have seen eye to eye in the past, but let's put this behind us. I respect you and the job you do, and I'm not a criminal." We are still very good friends to this day. We shoot together at least once a month.

PS, I was told the law required you to CARRY proof of insurance, and they can ticket you for not have the proof with you, just like they can for not having your drivers license with you even if you are a licensed driver.

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Edited by - dheffley on 05/27/2002 19:38:10

BayouCritter

Don't bet on advice you get from an attorney especially if you are not paying them. In my state the law requires you to carry proof of insurance - so if you can not produce the proof you can be cited. You mentioned you failed to make the 10 day requirement and the tail light was broken - you are not making it easy on yourself though these are minor violations. If the LEO is stopping you more than anyone else, write a letter to his chief and he may be told to back off since he might appear to be bird dogging you - of course you could also stir up a hornets nest so write the letter very diplomatically if you choose this route. I hope you can work this out. Being a LEO for 22 years, I hate to see hard feelings between good citizens and LEO's. I really hate to see LEO's with egos cause these hard feelings.

RockinU

I really have no ill feelings for him, I know he has a difficult job to do every day. I wouldn't have thought he was picking on me on the license plate light except that I pull a trailer every day, and those little lights get broken a lot, so I always have a couple in my truck as spares, when he pulled me over I told him that I didn't realize it was broken, and told him that I would stop at the next convienence store and change it out...every other time I've been stopped for this, that has been sufficient...he never said a word to me, just walked to the back of my truck, wrote out the ticket, had me sign it and got back in his car and left. I wanted to appologize and let him know that I didn't mean any offense towards him, but I didn't want to infer that he was picking on me for that.

Thanks Nunn, he has only been here for about 18 months or so...the old gentleman that he replaced was a great guy, maybe he'll grow into it.

pikeal1

I like dheffley's idea.

Alpine

I like Dheffley's plan also.