[Shotimes] OT: Help! Unfair traffic ticket!

[Chip]

Here in MO, I see cops in unmarked vehicles pulling people over all the time.  I have to assume it's legal as often as I've seen it, but it would be cool if it wasn't  :^)
As for traffic court, in my experience it's generally a joke.  Last time I checked, your accuser needs to prove your guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt", yet cops seem to be able to just say what they "observed" and it's taken as Gospel.  I've fought any number of bogus tickets over the years, and only once did the judge rule in my favor.  Other times the prosecutor has worked out a deal before trial, where I didn't get the points but paid a fatter fine - that's really what they're after anyway - the cash  :^/
I've also watched as the judge listened to both sides, and blatantly disregarded any testimony and/or evidence against the cop, and ruled in favor of the prosecution.  Once, this happened to me and I appealed it to St. Louis County (I won the appeal, as I knew I would or I wouldn't have wasted my time & money).  The problem is, all of this can result in several trips to court, which can waste a lot of your time (If you plead not guilty you can be assured of at least one return trip - another way to encourage you to plead guilty right then and...here is that recurring theme...pay the bastards their money).  I haven't gotten a ticket in a long time, but the last few I've just paid my lawyer to deal with so I don't have to set foot in court at all...it might not feel right if you were truly not in the wrong, but your time is valuable.  Good luck.
 
 Noah South III <RaggTopp@comcast.net> wrote:
At least in Michigan it is VERY illegal for an officer, whether uniformed or
not, to pull someone over in an unmarked vehicle. He can have wigwags and
bubblegums if he wants, but he still can't use them to pull you over with.
I'm sure other states have similar laws so you might want to look into
trying that angle, if the stop was illegal, any ticket he gave you is void....

 

  

  



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