Ask a cop

Cell · 08-28-2013, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

For the most part, my encounters with LEOs have gone very well. With but a few exceptions, the officer was polite, efficient, and helpful. I've run into a few bad cops (usually county, for some reason), but you find that in any profession or large group of ppl. I'm glad you guys are there. Can't say I was glad to get the tickets but I was speeding.

In most jobs, if you don't do something right it's not that big of a deal. You might make life inconvenient for a few ppl but nobody is going to jail or getting shot. When you have the power that LEOs have, it can be a big problem. The bar for LEOs has to be set very high. Just as a few poor drivers reflect badly on the sports car community, so too do the few bad cops affect how the public views LEOs in general.

The main thing about cops that I don't like is the prevalent attitude that exercising one's rights means you're hiding something. No, I'm not hiding anything. I just don't see any need to give up my rights merely because you are curious. If you have reasonable cause to search my car then, by all means, do so - you don't need my permission.

Now for something completely different. What's with "Do you have any illegal guns, drugs, ... in your car?" Has anybody ever answered "Yes" to that question?

People will answer yes to those questions. Some will answer no. I am not joking either.

Mr&Mrs · 08-28-2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Now for something completely different. What's with "Do you have any illegal guns, drugs, ... in your car?" Has anybody ever answered "Yes" to that question?

That is a technique to see the kind of reaction the person gives. Sometimes they will throw grenades or weapons of mass destruction in there as well. A normal person with nothing to hide will generally laugh a little or give a smart remark. Someone with something to hide will be dead serious and answer no or repeat the question.

Its not full proof but it is a good technique.

SouthArk370Z · 08-28-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr&Mrs

That is a technique to see the kind of reaction the person gives. Sometimes they will throw grenades or weapons of mass destruction in there as well. A normal person with nothing to hide will generally laugh a little or give a smart remark. Someone with something to hide will be dead serious and answer no or repeat the question.

Its not full proof but it is a good technique.

Ah. Makes sense. Thanks. Yeah, the two times I've been asked, I couldn't help but laugh - it was still funny the second time.

Bret86944 · 08-28-2013, 01:32 PM

Why do the police always ask "Do you know why I pulled you over?".

m4a1mustang · 08-28-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bret86944

Why do the police always ask "Do you know why I pulled you over?".

Looking for admission of guilt, probably.

fonzo179 · 08-28-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Looking for admission of guilt, probably.

^This.

But my unequivically ridiculous imagination runs wild. I think of having a good laugh after telling the cop, "Because of my devilishly handsome looks"...then I get a ticket anyway

ElVee · 08-28-2013, 01:53 PM

1) What position do you have for people who legally carry a handgun in their car? Good idea, risky? Should that fall under conceal carry, since I doubt anyone should leave a gun in an unattended car? Are there better alternatives for personal safety? My personal opinion is that a gun is a situation escalator, not a situation diffuser.

2) When I see a cop in a car either while driving, stopped at a stoplight, or just sitting along the road, should I wave? I know cops are people, too, and I want to be friendly and supportive, but I also don't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself (not that I'm doing anything bad) nor want to have a wave be mistaken for a more rude gesture or plea for attention/help. (Yeah, I'm in introvert!)

3) Thank you for keeping us safe.

Law enforcement is too often heralded as an annoyance, but it's the rules and keeping people in them that backbones our culture and morals.

fonzo179 · 08-28-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElVee

2) When I see a cop in a car either while driving, stopped at a stoplight, or just sitting along the road, should I wave? I know cops are people, too, and I want to be friendly and supportive, but I also don't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself.

As long as you're not here in Fargo during the "Bar Closing Hours". Cops are like Pumas (yes, the large, vicious cat): Just looking at them while you pass by prompts them to turn around and at the least ask you, "How's everything tonight? You headed home?"

Can't really blame them though. The drunk driving fatalities here in Fargo are rare because our cops OWN the night. Personally, I just go about my business. Small-town North Dakota is different though. Cops/sheriffs out in the south/southwest will wave and honk and smile all the time.

Zbrah · 08-28-2013, 02:19 PM

My buddy wants to be a police officer, he just graduated college with degree in criminal justice, any tips for him to get his start in the field?

dP3NGU1N · 08-28-2013, 07:50 PM

^that is for your arraignment, sir. You can waive the arraignment hearing - it does nothing for you. What you CAN use the arraignment hearing for, however, is to establish your right to traffic school BEFORE you plead not guilty.

Once you plead "not guilty" then you are required to pay the bail amount first, which is your traffic fine, before a judge will actually see for your trial. I suppose this could be where the break down in communication is. What zbrah and I are talking about is the actual trial hearing, not the arraignment hearing - which are two different things.

The point of the arraignment court is to quickly process everyone who wants to plead guilty so they can pay their fine and attend traffic school. They will not hear your case if you wish to plead not guilty. What they'll do in that instance is give you a separate court date to make your case - essentially wasting about 3 hours of your time.

Cbtech · 08-28-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dP3NGU1N

^that is for your arraignment, sir. You can waive the arraignment hearing - it does nothing for you. What you CAN use the arraignment hearing for, however, is to establish your right to traffic school BEFORE you plead not guilty.

Once you plead "not guilty" then you are required to pay the bail amount first, which is your traffic fine, before a judge will actually see for your trial. I suppose this could be where the break down in communication is. What zbrah and I are talking about is the actual trial hearing, not the arraignment hearing - which are two different things.

The point of the arraignment court is to quickly process everyone who wants to plead guilty so they can pay their fine and attend traffic school. They will not hear your case if you wish to plead not guilty. What they'll do in that instance is give you a separate court date to make your case - essentially wasting about 3 hours of your time.

actually the second ticket for the stop sign I pled not guilty hoping that the police officer wouldn't show up. they then scheduled my court date for another 2 months out. two months later I show up for court and as they're getting prepared for trials video of me going through the stop sign comes up on the screen. they gave us one more option to plead guilty or no contest before the judge came out. So since the cop was there with the video of me going through the stop sign I ended up pleading no contest then that is when they fined me $240

unfortunately I'm quite the veteran when it comes to the traffic court system here in Sacramento. The several times over the years that I've pled not guilty I've never had to pay a fine before going in front of a judge.

dP3NGU1N · 08-28-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbtech

actually the second ticket for the stop sign I pled not guilty hoping that the police officer wouldn't show up. they then scheduled my court date for another 2 months out. two months later I show up for court and as they're getting prepared for trials video of me going through the stop sign comes up on the screen. they gave us one more option to plead guilty or no contest before the judge came out. So since the cop was there with the video of me going through the stop sign I ended up pleading no contest then that is when they fined me $240

unfortunately I'm quite the veteran when it comes to the traffic court system here in Sacramento. The several times over the years that I've pled not guilty I've never had to pay a fine before going in front of a judge.

Then it seems we're both right in our respective areas of the state.

Cbtech · 08-28-2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dP3NGU1N

Then it seems we're both right in our respective areas of the state.

sucks that they make you pay up front there though...that is not right at all.

Wonka2581 · 08-28-2013, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbtech

sucks that they make you pay up front there though...that is not right at all.

I agree with you, In TN I set a court date and you can show up or pay it out of court.

///PureSwank · 08-28-2013, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlw2546

I'm an officer in Maryland and I can tell everyone that I will stop u for anything I can reference traffic violations but I will not give u ticket. We use the violation as probable cause for the stop to look for bigger and better things. Drugs guns dead bodies ect. I write warnings if nothing is found. Not all officers are like this though, so if you are not a drug dealing thug all u need to do is be nice and apologize for whatever you did. If your car is full of equipment violations expect to get stopped.

Really? Tell this to a Texas State Trooper aka Highway Road Rapers. They will cite you for having rocks stuck in your tire treads. You sir, are quite nice. Rep for you!!

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

08-28-2013, 01:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
ElVee Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Iowa Posts: 750 Drives: 13 370z 7at t+s grey Rep Power: 17	1) What position do you have for people who legally carry a handgun in their car? Good idea, risky? Should that fall under conceal carry, since I doubt anyone should leave a gun in an unattended car? Are there better alternatives for personal safety? My personal opinion is that a gun is a situation escalator, not a situation diffuser. 2) When I see a cop in a car either while driving, stopped at a stoplight, or just sitting along the road, should I wave? I know cops are people, too, and I want to be friendly and supportive, but I also don't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself (not that I'm doing anything bad) nor want to have a wave be mistaken for a more rude gesture or plea for attention/help. (Yeah, I'm in introvert!) 3) Thank you for keeping us safe. Law enforcement is too often heralded as an annoyance, but it's the rules and keeping people in them that backbones our culture and morals. fonzo179 likes this.

08-28-2013, 07:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
dP3NGU1N A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,682 Drives: 13 PW sport 6mt Rep Power: 19	^that is for your arraignment, sir. You can waive the arraignment hearing - it does nothing for you. What you CAN use the arraignment hearing for, however, is to establish your right to traffic school BEFORE you plead not guilty. Once you plead "not guilty" then you are required to pay the bail amount first, which is your traffic fine, before a judge will actually see for your trial. I suppose this could be where the break down in communication is. What zbrah and I are talking about is the actual trial hearing, not the arraignment hearing - which are two different things. The point of the arraignment court is to quickly process everyone who wants to plead guilty so they can pay their fine and attend traffic school. They will not hear your case if you wish to plead not guilty. What they'll do in that instance is give you a separate court date to make your case - essentially wasting about 3 hours of your time. DEpointfive0 likes this. __________________ 35% Hooper Optik \| Takeda Attack CAI \| F.I. HFC \| Hotchkis Sway Bar \| Stillen 24row \| OS Giken Super Lock LSD \| TK Shift Knob \| EVO-R Carbon Diffuser Last edited by dP3NGU1N; 08-28-2013 at 08:00 PM.

08-28-2013, 01:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bret86944 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 64 Drives: 2011-base-PW-6mt Rep Power: 13	Why do the police always ask "Do you know why I pulled you over?".

08-28-2013, 02:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
Zbrah A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: The370Z.com Posts: 4,956 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 5453	My buddy wants to be a police officer, he just graduated college with degree in criminal justice, any tips for him to get his start in the field?