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Re: ticket quotas
Earlier, Michael Porter wrote:
> Since my last post I have received several messages, like this, relating
> to areas like this where agencies
> are clearly using traffic summonses to create revenue.
I've got to join Michael in this.
I'm a volunteer police officer in Columbus Ohio, and have been with this
enough years to agree with Michael 100%. Most officers aren't going to
write a traffic ticket unless someone really asks for it. Exceptions
around here are CPD Freeway Patrol - and that's their job; and the Ohio
State Highway Patrol ... I won't get started on what I think of them.
Usually an officer isn't going to write a ticket unless it's 100%
defensable in court. Probably one of the first things the officer asked
you was 'do you know why I stopped you?' and, 'do you know how fast you
were going?' If you say you don't know how fast you were going, forget
trying to plead not guilty later. Also, if the officer tells you you
were going twelve over the limit, and you said 'you were only going 5
over' - same deal ... the officer certainly made a written note of what
you said, and you just admitted you were speeding! 5 over is exceeding
the speed limit - and usually the code doesn't say exceeding by any
particular amount - until you get into the codes that cover +20 and up.
And, like Michael said - if you got the ticket in the evening, you can
bet the officer is going to enjoy overtime pay whan they show up in
court! I know officers that hope you *will* plead not guilty and get them
some court time!
- Charlie
Charlie Smith charlie@elektro.cmhnet.org 614-471-1418
Columbus, Ohio USA
4 wheeled fleet: 2 wheeled fleet:
_________________________ _________________________
86 5kCSTQ 12PSI 95 BMW K1100-LT 1,100cc
97 Dodge Ram 95 BMW R100-RT 1,000cc
w/ Cummins Turbo Diesel 21PSI
69 Porsche 911S 3,200cc 62 BMW R27 250cc