Most often then not I'm asked. How do I get out of tickets? Seeing as how Im sure you'd also like to know I wanna just get that out of the way now and make room for the good posts.
First there are two things they play into your ticket without you knowing.
1st- If the cop that pulls you over is a traffic only cop - Then the likely hood of you getting a ticket went from coin toss to high 90%.
2nd If there is a program being done by the state for grant money and the grant money depends on certain number of tickets and specific types. Such as seat belts. And youve been caught not wearing one. The likely hood is again high 90%.
So If you were to fall into one of those two conditions then may the force be with you.
However most traffic stops dont go into those categories.
Depending on the seriousness of your infraction theres a good chance you can talk your way out.
1st - Be honest - The officer knows why he pulled you over and wants to know If you were paying attention to what you were doing to understand why you got pulled over. Saying I dont know means you arn't paying attention ( Stop sign, speed limit ) and are therefor guilty of driving like you shouldn't have.
2nd- Be respectful - No need to over do it tho sometimes the YES SIR NO SIR is taken as being disrespectful depending on how you say it. Just be polite. Expressing your emotions whether anger or sadness can work against you.
Example- For me when I see a person crying ( Inside my head Im rolling my eyes ) I do this everyday I work. I meet hundreds of people every year. I often see people cry because they lost a family member or their child is lost or were a victim of a horrible crime. So for you to cry because I pulled you over says to me ( Your so sheltered that you have no grasp of reality and need a dose of it, your trying to manipulate me ) Crying adds points against you. However all cops are different , I know some softies that give in to crying every time.
Dont talk your way into a ticket. If I pull you over because you stopped after the white bar at the stop sign. ( very petty reason ) and try to argue to me for whatever reason. Theres a chance Im gonna give you a ticket beacuse of your attitude when I initially had no intentions of giving you a ticket. Maybe I legally stopped you because I wanted to look for drugs.
If a cop asks to search your car. Sighs- If you have drugs say no... If you dont have drugs say yes. Cooperation likely gets you out of any would be traffic infractions. Say no because drug charges are far worse then any traffic ticket.
Fight it in court every time ! You never know when the cop my have vacation, or have an impromptu emergency, or he may be working and is stuck on a call he cant get away from. In all the above cases you win automatically. If the cop shows up just ask the judge to remove the points from your ticket. Most times the judge is all to happy, depending on your driving history. In both of those situations you win.
Unless something very weird happens in your traffic stop thats not normal, IE cop does something unlawful-- Getting a traffic lawyer is a waste of money. Total waste. Unless you value your time more then you do the cost of the lawyer. Because thats the only benefit you get from having one. Otherwise just show up yourself and ask for the points reduces yourself suddenly you saved yourself the cost of a traffic lawyer and now have experience to become one.
Cops are people too- We love to laugh, If you can get the cop to like you in the albeit awkward initial setting you stand a good chance of getting out of it.
Do not say your thinking about going to the academy, any conversation that seriously prolongs the time a cop has to stand on the side of the road ( dangerous ) is more time he has to consider just write the ticket because your costing him.
If your a Leo professional - Working for another police agency. DO NOT FLIP OUT THE BADGE- I hate that and have written the ticket anyway out of spite. We are both cops we know what we deal with everyday. I all ready like you. Be a bit more diplomatic about it. For example If I got pulled over by another cop I say.. Signal -- I am Signal -- ( Each number means different things to different agency's so it doesnt matter what number you use ) Translated it would mean for your information i have a weapon in the car. Even If you dont-- The other cop knows now you work for another agency most times the badge isnt even needed.
If your a working professional - Doctor, nurse, ect.. having your ID laying in the seat next to you or hanging from your mirror is good enough. However depending on your infraction you may get a ticket anyway.
Saying I know Lt , Sgt. or officer so and so doesnt mean anything to us. Now If you say Im so and so's best friend or wife.. then we'll take the time to think about it. Maybe make a phone to to verify. God help you If your caught lying like what happened to one man. His one ticket turned into 3. All legal and justifiable tickets. The guy said he was the boyfriend to a certain female Lt.
The cop isnt going to lie about your infraction... Now Im sure its happened before ...somewhere. Or still happens sometimes. But for all the other 99% of good cops.. We dont care enough to lie about your infraction. If I saw you run the stop sign its because I did and that means you committed the infraction. Its not worth our jobs to lie about any one persons ticket.
Playing the raciest card... - If you play that card you just dramatically increased the chance of you getting a ticket. Because If you claim favoritism / racism whatever the cop will give you a ticket to prove he not playing favorites. If you wanna play that card you have to do a public records search on all his tickets. Take account your local demographics and then one can possibly say something like that to a judge. On the side of the road however nope, wont work every time.
Do not bribe an officer...Sometime cops are tested by our I\internal affairs department and accepting a bribe is a one time mistake to being fired.
So recap
Be honest
Be polite
Be funny
Fight the ticket.
All these things increase your chances of escaping the whole ticket or at least some points.
In all other situations lets face it your most likely guilty of the offense and should be fined anyway.
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