Ask a cop

Wonka2581

Ok I'm going to try this here, If you haven't already figured it out I'm a Deputy Sheriff. I'm making this thread so you can ask questions that may be lingering in your mind. Maybe you have a question about why the cop who just stopped you did something. Maybe you have a question about the legality of a mod. Whatever it is, I am giving you an opportunity to ask. I don't have the answers to everything you may ask but I'll do my best (this especially applies to laws in other states although I've often referred to another state's law to find an answer for someone, because I know law can be hard to read/interpret). At the very least I can give you the LEO point of view. Some things we do may make no sense until you hear why we do it.

I've only got one rule.
Rule #1 this thread is not to bash cops. If this turns into a cop bashing thread, or someone trying to start an argument I will shut it down. I hope that doesn't happen,

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ka24king

Should we have issues with the rear fog light long as its not flashing ??

Got some heat from an officer about it the other day but his reasoning dident make sense. He said its because only police can have red lights on their car. And tried to explain what it was but he "dident want to hear excuses". No ticket though just kinda grilled me about it and threatened me with a fine for unauthorized lights. Is this right?

Wonka2581

There is nothing that states you cannot have a red flashing light in the rear of your vehicle in TX read the link.

TxDPS - PSB Warning Lights




I do think sobriety check points are a good way to get impaired drivers off of the road. Getting them off the road could save you life or your familys life. Now with that being said this has been a big topic here lately in the media of pepole videotaping themselves getting stopped or at a check point. Why people feel they need to do so is beyond me. If the contact is mutual then you have every right to refuse to talk to a LEO and not answer any questions, you can even walk away you are free to do so. now if you get stopped for a traffic violation the you and you vehicle are seized. you are not free to go until the officer is done with the traffic stop. You must exexhibit your license and insurance tothe officer. now if the officer asks you to search your vehicle you hav every right to refuse. When a traffic stop is made lets say for speeding the officer has just opened a investigation about your speeding. you dont have to answer any questions but it might be in your best interest to do so I.E why you were speeding. If its lets say your on your way to the hospital because your having a baby, I would let you go after I made sure you had a valid license.



If you have a green light to turn your fine if its red stop before you turn if its yellow yeld to traffic that has a right away. Unless a sign states no RTOR.


when you get pulled over?

Question 2: just got pulled over a week ago for running a red. 7 AM on my way to work I honestly did not see it changing to yellow until too late. If I had slammed on brakes I would have slid into intersection of this minimal street. My luck -Cop was stopped at intersection & I immediately knew my goose was cooked. EXCUSE: my 93 yo mother fell & dislocated her shoulder. I’d been spending the night at her home sleeping on the living room floor and only for a couple hours. Was dog dead tired – not a valid excuse not to go in to work. Too exhausted to drive yes, but had to. I DO NOT try to beat the yellow ever!
Question for you: should I just pay the $300-400 fine online or go to court & try to explain. My driving record before this is spotless for like 30 years. Thanks for your input. V[/QUOTE]

Yes it is a good idea to explain why you were doing what you were doing, It might get you out of a ticket.

First off driving tired is some times just as bad as driving under the influence, as for the ticket yes I would not pay it and goto court on it. you have a spotless record the judge will see that and may recomend you to traffic school and that would keep it off of your recored. Or with the case you were taking care of your mother he might dismiss the ticket. By paying the ticket you automaticly plea guilty.

No that is profiling and is a federal law. All I do is look for violations no matter make or year of vehicle. Now dosent mean it does not go on. And lets say a Red Ferrari would grab more attention then a Neon.

If a cop is looking at you that hard for having no cats you have really pissed him off. I would not care if you had cats or not. Just tell him you had no Idea you got the car the way it is.

Sorry I have been so busy I try to get on when I can.

Again sorry been busy with the fam, Ill make it a point to geton once a day. And any other LEOs feel free to jump in to answer any questions.

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"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat""Winston Churchill"

dP3NGU1N

For just this short section i think it's largely dependent on what state you're in. In California you have to pay the ticket before a judge will even review your case. So in that instance paying the ticket is mandatory and IS NOT an admission of guilt.

That said, they bloody hell could have fooled me. In cali, traffic violations are basically guilty until proven innocent.

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Cbtech

Sorry but you're incorrect here. If it is a Traffic violation you have the right to face your accuser in front of a judge before you pay any type of fine. Of course California wants you to pay and shut up and take your point. Paying the ticket is NOT mandatory and IS an admission of guilt if you pay.

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dP3NGU1N

That hasn't been my experience at all. I regularly fight my tickets and court clerks WILL NOT schedule you a court date before you pay your fine. If you win your case the money is then mailed back to you in the form of a check. Ofcourse that check comes roughly 8-10 months after you win because our system is just that efficient.

I've contested the notion of paying my ticket first on several occasions. All of which ending in - pay and see a judge OR don't pay and be delinquent.

So in this case, sir, you are wrong. As far as LA county is concerned anyway, it might be different up north.

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Zbrah

Actually he's right, my last ticket (speeding) I HAD to pay the fine upfront prior to my court date, it was Mandatory. However the judge dismissed my charges because the officer didn't show approx. 2 months after the trial I received a refund check

Edit: I'm in Orange County, so maybe different laws where you're at.

6MT

I wouldn't think Tennessee law would mean much above the 49th parallel.

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Andrew

2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold
2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

SouthArk370Z

The laws may not be the same but maybe he can shed some light on what is going through a cop's mind when you reach behind the seat to get your registration from the owner's manual cubby.

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10MPlayer

Is that what that's for? It fits a pint bottle just right. /sarc

Xplicit97

I am curious what your professional opinion is about motorists being stopped at random "checkpoints", or randomly being stopped on the street and then refusing to answer questions or give information to LEO citing the 4th amendment as giving an individual the right to do so? Can you infact refuse to give information and ask if you have broken any laws, and just ask if you are being detained, and if not ask if you are free to go? What is your interpretation of this, and how do you feel about this trend as a LEO? Thanks for the info.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

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venus

Got a new light in my hood on a 4 lane road intersection. Traffic light on right lane shows RED with a Green turn rt arrow/light. WTF? Do I stop then turn or do like everyone else & maintain speed and just turn? Sorry I do not have pic but can get one. Was wondering who I could call to get law.

This is a great thread!

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Finesse is everything.

SouthArk370Z

Don't have to be a LEO for that one. Stop behind the crosswalk, then proceed with your turn when/if safe to do so.

I'm guessing you live in a state that does not have right-turn-on-red. The lights are giving you permission to do so.

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gomer_110

I have these type of lights all over near me. The green arrow means just go. Stopping is not required. If it was just red with no green arrow then you'd stop before making the right turn.

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venus

This is a turn rt on red state. No one else is even slowing down. Yeah and there is no inspection so I run headers w/ no cats on my 240Z and RX-7. Jackson Racing cat & exaust on Miata. Ferrari would pass in any state as I don't F w/ perfection. Thank God for America!

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Finesse is everything.