Got my first ticket in years!

I got a ticket that cost me $800.00 that I had to pay in Florida for an oversized permit that expired the day before. I was running late and didn't know it expired. Dec 8th I got a chance to get that back in court. Anyone ever had this problem?

 

EZ Money, I'd like to throw in my two cents here. During my adult life I have 14yrs police experience and nine driving truck. I now do both, full time LEO and part time driver. I'm a local cop in Pennsylvania and I don't do DOT enforcement.

Anyway, one option would be to attend the hearing, get there a few minutes early and ask to speak with the officer. Recognize that he cut you a break but express to him the your CDL puts food on your table and the speeding violaton will have serous consequences with your company and your driving record. Ask if there is anything else that can be done like amending the citaton to a violaton that carries no points or is considered a none moving violation. This doesn't mean payng more money in exchange. Thats just BS, in my opnion. Most officers, myself included, have no problem in doing this. It's never a bad idea to take a lawyer with you. Most officers and local lawyers deal with each other regularly and 99% of the time they work out agreements prior to a hearing. Now, should you encounter an officer that is not willing to work with you, you would have to take your chances with a hearing and I would recommend a lawyer for that, considering whats at stake.

I enjoyed the other posts you received and I'd like to comment on those as well. I know there is bad apples in all walks of life and I can't comment on other specific incidents or how other states operate. I know that every accident starts with a violaton of a traffc law. If I can reduce the amount of accidents I have to handle by enforcing traffc laws then thats what I do. As far as traffic enforcement being a cash operaton for a municipality, I don't know any officers that think that way. The money goes to the state and the municipality sees either 1% or 10% (I dont even know) of the base fine which is normally $25. I'm sure some bean counter likes to see that money come in but if they are pressuring their officers to write more tickets for that money they are just opening themselves up for a nightmare if the right lawyer gets the right officer on the stand and opens up that line of questioning.

I probally issue ten warnings for every one ticket I write. Officers are taught to decide if they are going to ticket or warn prior to making contact with the driver and just base it on the seriousness of what you observed. Most don't follow that rule. The attitude of the driver always comes into play. I expect to take a small amount of grief just don't cross that line. If you want to present argument then theres a place for that which is in the court room. Theres no need to apologize. I represent the commonwealth and you did nothing to me personally. I tell people not to apologize. Just take some responsibility for what happened. Say you'll do your best not to let it happen again and chances are, your driving away with a warning.

 

First off, I finally got smart about 6 months ago and saw trucking for the dead end job that it really is and got the hell out!!! I wised up and decided that my health and my SOUL wasn't for sale anymore! I grew tired of not having friends or hobbies outside of the prison cell of a truck cab! (Not to mention that I finally found a partner that I enjoy spending every minute with!!!)

I didn't put you down for your choices but be prepared and willing to pay the consequences if you insist on bending/breaking the rules!

Just another question: what did you mean "Your one of those drivers...."???

FYI, I probably have more miles backing up than you do going forward! Never had a DOT reportable accident and only 2 stupid attacks that resulted in an incident. (Of course the one where I lost a trailer could have ended very poorly.)

 

Good I am happy for you. I have not had any incidents as of yet but I realize I probably will somewhere down the road. I am not trying to compare myself with you or anyone else. Take care.

 

And the fact of the matter is you hear less and less on the radio of obstructions, back ups, etc.

I am very happy for you that in every situation out there you have always maintained the proper speed and have never caught yourself going a little over. You are to be commended for that. I am sorry you feel that its a waste of oxygen to give a report on a weigh station or a speed trap. I guess the only reason people want to know if a weigh station is open is so they can run illegal....I will keep that in mind the next time I catch myself asking.

 

If your not blaming them why mention they did not alert you? Or brag that you did warn someone else?