Ticket beef

mom-from-missouri · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:47 PM

I got a ticket. It was my fault, and I don't disagree that I got the ticket, I was going over (however my speedomoter doesn't agree with the officers radar gun, but I was still over regardless-mine said 69 his said 73).

My beef is this. The cop is calling people and telling them he gave me a ticket. Is he within his rights of doing this???

He noticed I had a scanner and other FD equipment in the vehicle. He called where I am a volunteer and left a message for the chief to call him back. The chief did and he told the chief that I got a ticket. I was in my personal vehicle and that had nothing to do with the fact I volunteer. Then he followed me on down the road a bit to where I go to church and saw me go in, and called and told the minister (in the event that I am in a position to ever drive other members...)

This was just a speeding ticket--not a careless and inprudent, nothing more than a ticket for going 13 over on the highway (was rural highway, not a residential area).

I was accepting the ticket, but I think he is out of line for calling people and telling them (it will be in the newspaper anyway--along with my age and address....but still). I am almost convienced now to fight it simply because of his attitude. Ticket is $140. $200 to fight it and make it go away.

In 34 years of driving this is only my 2nd ticket. Not like I am in the habit of getting tickets.

Acutally I did get another one, but turns out it was a dirty cop writing them off his own pad and it never showed up anywhere and the highway patrol busted him for it--at least 100 that he wrote over a 2 year career...his girlfriend worked the city desk that collected the money and then they split it....

Anyway, am I wrong for fighting this one?? Is he wrong for calling people and telling them I got it--he was a very sassy mouthed young guy.

disneysteve · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 05:14 PM

What an idiot! I'd be reporting him to the police department superiors, the local paper and other news media, the mayor and I'd be on the phone to my lawyer. Even if your town makes tickets issued public info, I don't see where that gives him the right to go calling people personally.

No matter what, I would definitely fight the ticket. At least around here, if you fight it, you pay the fine but they drop the points. Otherwise, you're insurance shoots up.

LuxLiving · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 05:34 PM

Oh I would sooooo report HIM!

Not sure on the fighting it thing, only you can decide if $'s/time are worth it.

Joan.of.the.Arch · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 07:02 PM

What a weirdo. I'm sure tickets are a matter of public record, but I think that just sounds so ,--ewwey,-- bizarrely combining of paternalism, snitchiness, and control freak. I'd hate to think how this person would act in a non-traffic,more serious matter.

I think it would be a good idea to make a very calm, matter-of-fact call followed up by a letter of equally calm description of what happened. The guy might need to be re-evaluated for his job. Perhaps the people he called to tell on you would like to do the same.

Yes, I would fight the ticket. I would use one of those cheap lawyers who negotiates the ticket to a non-moving violation like a headlight out or a bad muffler.

I would do that, not on the basis of the weirdo ticket writer, but on the basis of needing to keep my insurance rates low.

Ooh, ooh, my "odometer" tipped to 2000 posts with this message!