Quote:
Originally Posted by MotorCDR
So, what's your complaint? That he got YOU for it, instead of getting someone else? Well sorry, there are only so many traffic cops, and if you are the offender who drew his focus, TOO DAMN BAD.
As far as the cop's judgment about your plate, gee, pal, how about just LEAVING IT WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE in the first place? As I have noted, every motor sold for street riding in the US since 1968 comes with a legal place to mount the plate. If your plate is somewhere else, well, it didn't just crawl, someone decided to put it there.
If you ever get a citation for improper plate that you feel was not deserved (that is, you think the plate is legally mounted), then have the cop call for a supervisor to come check it out. Make a note if the cop has a Dashcam, and if so, subpoena the video for court. If you have a camera (or someone who can bring one in a hurry), shoot a pic of the back of the motor, showing the plate (and, hopefully, the cop car parked behind it and the cop writing the cite).
But, really, if you've moved the plate up under the fender, YOU KNOW you're not legal. Is it worth $1000 to you to prove it?
Learn something of the law before commenting. Once the ticket is written there is ULTIMATE leeway.
The citation is only a summons and testimony. It isn't proof of your guilt. That must be proven to the court -- unless you are stupid enough that you just pay the first one cash-and-carry -- either by the testimony on the citation, or by dragging in witnesses (such as the cop) who testify for or against you.
UNLESS YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY BY JUDGE AND JURY, THERE IS NO PENALTY.
That means you've only got to convince ONE PERSON out of THIRTEEN that your stoppie was unavoidable, and the same law that you're whining about says that not only are you not guilty, but the matter ends right then and there, you can't be tried for it again.
Don't like those odds? Well, hey, you know what you can do to make sure it never comes up, ha?
Just FYI, as it is now, improper display of the license plate can get your vehicle impounded anywhere in the US. How many times have you heard of this happening?
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I hear the "look at all those other people doing (enter violation here), why aren't you stopping them?" remark a lot. I explain that working traffic is like fishing - there are lots of fish, but usually I can only get one at a time. (My record is 3 at one time
) In Texas you have to have a plate one the front and back of most vehicles, but people keep taking off the front plate because they think it "looks better". I get the "it wasn't there when I bought it" excuse. NO dealer in their right mind would let a vehicle go off the lot without the plate holder on the front of the car, but people tell me that also. Here the fine isn't that high (usually $200 + court cost), still, I wouldn't pay that bacause my car "looks better" without it.
I usually write warnings for missing or improper display, unless the person is a complete A*&hole. I have never towed one. I will write a hard copy on the first offense to a motorcycle if it is obvious that the plate was moved to hide the plate. I don't even bother with those that are mounted on the side as long as I can read them.
Remember folks, it is less than useless to argue with the officer on the side of the road. You can argue with the judge, you can demand a jury trial or whatever you want, but arguing on the side of the road won't get you anywhere.