Traffic violation procedures
in Criminal and Misdemeanor Law ·
So, here’s the deal—Friday, May 9th, I went to pay for my motorcycle training class for the M1 license. Everything was smooth sailing.
Saturday, May 10th
I headed out in the morning to sort the insurance—got the bike covered immediately—then hit up the mechanic for the inspection so I could get it registered. Failed the inspection. The rear tire is shot and I couldn't find a replacement nearby to swap it out right then and there, so I figured I'd just go back Monday. No biggie, right? I’m out riding with my girlfriend when suddenly this cop on a cruiser pulls up next to me and flags me down. I’m thinking, "Man, I'm not gonna run, I'm just cruising with my girl, he'll let me slide." So I try explaining the whole situation—that I already paid for my rider course (I've got my car license), that I actually went for the inspection today but failed because of the tire, and that I’m fixing it on Monday. I even showed him all my paperwork with the dates clearly marked (May 9th for the school, May 10th for the shop). I didn't even have an M license yet or a registration, just the insurance ready to go. We go back and forth for a bit, me trying to explain I'm just heading out for coffee with my girlfriend, and finally, he lets me off. I felt like I won.
But then, out of nowhere, I get a citation today $667 for both the license and the bike $333 backdated to April 10th
The jerk didn't write anything down at the scene and didn't say a word to me. Now I have to file an appeal, but I'm stuck on what to actually say. It's the damn police—nobody's going to believe me, and even though I know I technically broke the law, I shouldn't be getting hit with a backdated ticket since he didn't log anything on the spot.
If anyone has a good idea on how to handle this... thanks.
Saturday, May 10th
I headed out in the morning to sort the insurance—got the bike covered immediately—then hit up the mechanic for the inspection so I could get it registered. Failed the inspection. The rear tire is shot and I couldn't find a replacement nearby to swap it out right then and there, so I figured I'd just go back Monday. No biggie, right? I’m out riding with my girlfriend when suddenly this cop on a cruiser pulls up next to me and flags me down. I’m thinking, "Man, I'm not gonna run, I'm just cruising with my girl, he'll let me slide." So I try explaining the whole situation—that I already paid for my rider course (I've got my car license), that I actually went for the inspection today but failed because of the tire, and that I’m fixing it on Monday. I even showed him all my paperwork with the dates clearly marked (May 9th for the school, May 10th for the shop). I didn't even have an M license yet or a registration, just the insurance ready to go. We go back and forth for a bit, me trying to explain I'm just heading out for coffee with my girlfriend, and finally, he lets me off. I felt like I won.
But then, out of nowhere, I get a citation today $667 for both the license and the bike $333 backdated to April 10th
The jerk didn't write anything down at the scene and didn't say a word to me. Now I have to file an appeal, but I'm stuck on what to actually say. It's the damn police—nobody's going to believe me, and even though I know I technically broke the law, I shouldn't be getting hit with a backdated ticket since he didn't log anything on the spot.
If anyone has a good idea on how to handle this... thanks.