Re: Stalking

["Barton P. Chambers" <bchambers@atlantic.nos.noaa.gov>]

In message <9503211437.AA00989@chester.lerc.nasa.gov> jim healey writes:
> ..  I actually made a cop laugh with
> >that remark (as if he hadn't heard it before!) and he ended up writing me
> >for 94 in a 65 instead of 96 ... at the time, 30-over the limit got you a
> >trip to the local magistrate, so I was more than happy to pay the fine by
> >mail!
> 
> Actually he was saving himself a trip there also.  he really doesn't want to 
> spend a morning in court - police will often lower a ticket to the pay by 
> mail
> option as long as you don't give them a hard time or look like you'll 
> fight it.

Hi Jim, fellow Lead-footers,

Ummmm, I'd be careful about subscribing to that theory toooo fully.  If he knows
you're out of state, then you *definitely* got a shot.  Otherwise, he's apt
to appreciate a goof-off day in court...

Considering the lasting impact of points on the ol' insurance bill, I never mail
in a ticket, and *always* pay a lawyer to *negotiate* it down beforehand.  This 
costs $250-350 a pop, *plus* the cost of the ticket, but...

Last summer, I broke my self-imposed ban from the DC beltway (for the P-car)
and [long story deleted] got busted.  Cop chews my ass for having xerox of 
registration (P-car is *wife's* daily driver...<sigh>), then angrily states,
"Well, I didn't stop you for this, but for doing more than 30 over!" as he
stalks back to his unmarked ('95 Ponch Grand Prix, Metallic Flame red) to 
do his thing.  When he returns, gives me a ticket for 84 (29 over).  In 
court, lawyer asks for PBJ "...since client has no points" and *gets* it.
(two tickets for more than 20 over in past 8 months, but *Lawyers* prevent 
points).  I get PBJ.  Cop tells lawyer (Hell, he was just enjoying his Porsche, 
and he *Didn't* give me any sh*t) (these three tickets cost $1100+, all told).

BTW, I got a "good driver" *rebate* from Ins co this year, since I have no 
points <vbg>  There's a moral here somewhere...

Cheers, <vbg>

Bart Chambers,
Frau, Dora
'77 Feline Varmint, Felix, Gray
'86 Carrera Cabriolet, Indischrot
'87 Syncro (Stealth Quattro) Alpenweiss