Should I fight the Ticket?

[PatsGirl]

This thread is inspired by the one about the boy stopped for not wearing his sesatbelt and the question "Should a formal complaint against the officer be filed?"

Background: Four weeks ago I was stopped in East Boston on the grounds of Logan Airport for Failure to Look when Changing Lanes or something to that effect (I don't have the ticket in front of me) and given a $50 ticket. When I called my insurance company to find out how it would affect my insurance I was told that it would not increase it but something about losing a point. But...the insurance clerk did say that if I was stopped and ticketed again then it would mean a substantial increase of $50+ for a few years.

So my story: at Logan to pick up DS for military leave and being "shooed" by officers "keep moving, keep moving"...at the same time that I'm moving, I'm looking for my son who assured me he had his luggage and would be waiting outside for me. I move slowly and still can't find him and when I get to the split that is either to exit the airport or circle around I make a quick decision to exit and go back to the cell phone lot to call him again. When I did this, I looked in my rear view and put on my directional, no cars coming...good to go.

I exit the airport and am in the middle lane when I realize I need to take a left for the cell phone lot. Again I look in my rearview and spot an officer, put on my directional, look in my rearview again and it appears the cruiser is LETTING me go into the left lane so I do. I will admit that both turn decisions were made "on the spot" so to speak but methodically and cautiously.

Next thing I know the officer has pulled up right beside me and is motioning quite AGGRESSIVELY to roll down my window. Red faced and yelling at me once I did "that is the second time you changed lanes without looking, now pull over, we're going to have a talk". Helllooo, are we in kindergarten here Seriously he was way too upset for the "proposed crime".

My response was "I did look, I saw you in my rearview and put on my directional, and I thought you were letting me go". Well, not the right thing to say apparently because now he was raging. Mind you, I had my mother and daughter with me and have not been stopped in 19 years and then only got a warning for incomplete stop at a stop sign.

"Get your license and registration out and pull over to the curb, I'm done talking with you, you're getting a citation". So, I pull over, hand over my documentation and he hands me my $50 ticket, no conversation at all.

My thought is that he wasn't paying attention when I went into the left lane and came right up on me. He had not advanced on me between the two looks into the rearview...I can think of no other rational reason for his rage. I believe his aggression and rage were way out of line.

So, should I go to "ticket court" and fight this, save myself the possible future insurance increases? It now costs $25 CASH to appear in court to fight a ticket, it'll cost me a day off from work, and it'll be a three-hour drive RT. On the other hand, what if this officer has a history of raging against other drivers?

Tell me what you think, and don't hold back (like that might happen)

 

[mjkacmom]

I wouldn't bother. Now, if you lived her in NJ, and the points were enough for thousands of dollars worth of surcharges for 3 years, and a signficant increase in insurance (much more than $50), I would (my gf got a ticket in NC, and hired a lawyer, because the points kill you here in NJ).

 

[Luvchefmic]

If it was 4 weeks ago I would be concerned that its not too late to pay it....and that is my advice, pay it and move on with life...thank your DS for his service to our country

 

[SueInBoston]

I live in boston and i would suggest to just pay it. $50 not worth your time.

 

[binny]

Ive driven in Boston and Im just impressed you used your directional!


I would just pay it too unfortunately. Stinks but if you want to go to hassle of fighting it you are certainly entitled to it.

 

[PatsGirl]

Well, that's 4-0 and unfortunately I should have posted this question earlier. For me it's a matter of principle but I'm second guessing myself now that I've already filed the "appeal" and got my date. I keep thinking what a pain to go back into Boston on a nice summer day I'll have to look at the fine print and see if I still have an option to pay it before that date. I'm a little incensed that they are now charging $25 to fight the ticket as well. And, with my luck I'll get stopped again the week after the assigned date and really get screwed

 

[Luvchefmic]

Well, that's 4-0 and unfortunately I should have posted this question earlier. For me it's a matter of principle but I'm second guessing myself now that I've already filed the "appeal" and got my date. I keep thinking what a pain to go back into Boston on a nice summer day I'll have to look at the fine print and see if I still have an option to pay it before that date. I'm a little incensed that they are now charging $25 to fight the ticket as well. And, with my luck I'll get stopped again the week after the assigned date and really get screwed

There should be either a phone number on the original ticket or maybe there is a website for DMV in your state that you can pay the ticket on-line...I know NY has that, don't know if FL does and hope I never have to find out...now QUICK close the thread before it gets crazy in here like the other you mentioned

 

[gallaj0]

If you're worried about this trooper having done this to other drivers, fighting the ticket in court will do nothing other than argue whether you did or did not commit the offense for which you got the ticket. You probably won't be able to use his attitude as defense for the ticket.
Now, if you're more concerned about his attitude when dealing with a citizen, and preventing it from happening again, you can make a complaint to the State Police about it. You won't be able to file a complaint as part of the ticket hearing, though.
Good Luck.

 

[IDoDis]

You could show up for the court date and hope the police officer doesn't come. If he's a no-show, your ticket automatically gets dropped. However, if he's there, the best thing to do would be to ask the judge to allow you to go to traffic school and dismiss the ticket.

Saying you didn't do anything wrong will get you nowhere. They hear this a thousand times a day, so it goes in one ear and out of the other.

 

[DisneyFed]

Wow, I was a Trooper for a few years, and the only time I would've written a ticket was if the "Failure to Yield" caused one or two cars to go spinning

....and people think my Southern Trooper bretheren are tough

 

[bumbershoot]

Bet you can't guess that I would fight it.

IMO someone patrolling the airport of all places needs to be a bit more relaxed. Because driving at the airport, ANY airport, is fully of craziness and difficulty.

And I see nothing at all wrong with what you said to him.

 

[John VN]

Research the driving statutes regarding changing lanes. If something is written requiring an eye check by moving your head, you might be stuck, however, if that is written it might mean that anyone who has a neck brace preventing head movement would not be allowed to drive and I would bet that such a statute is not in existence.

Knowing where the officer's car was located, would he have be able to see if your head moved for an eye check. There is a possibility that the construction of your car would have prevented him from seeing your head.

In other words, do your homework and build your defence. Everything you need is online.

Ask me how I know.

 

[Art 1]

If it's how you say I might fight it even though it's not worth it. But remember, you were on a cell phone and may have been driving erratically and not even known, I see it every day.

 

[PatsGirl]

Art1, just for the record, I was NOT on my cell phone. I was driving to the cell phone lot to call my son.

Well, it's my understanding that they no longer require the officer to show up in court, that there is one person who spends their day in court representing them so getting the ticket thrown out on those grounds seems slight and from what others on here have said they most likely will choose not to take my "he-said, she-said" accounting for fact.

I'm going to take a look at the copy of the ticket and see if I can pay it now (plus penalty I'm sure) and write a letter to the appropriate persons. It sure upsets me that this officer can get away with this. And it is VERY difficult for me to suck it up and get over it but I'm inclined to think that's what I should do/should have done. Ahhh, humility....

 

[DawnCt1]

You could show up for the court date and hope the police officer doesn't come. If he's a no-show, your ticket automatically gets dropped. However, if he's there, the best thing to do would be to ask the judge to allow you to go to traffic school and dismiss the ticket.

Saying you didn't do anything wrong will get you nowhere. They hear this a thousand times a day, so it goes in one ear and out of the other.

Traffic school for what was obviously a misunderstanding? Definitely overkill. She made a last minute to decision to turn in a direction that she thought the cop was accommodating. How is that even "ticketable" when it is reasoned out and what could she possibly learn in "traffic school" that she doesn't know now. I wonder if the cop was upset because they are talking about cutting out "Bunker Hill Day" as a paid holiday in Massachusetts.

 

[PatsGirl]

I wonder if the cop was upset because they are talking about cutting out "Bunker Hill Day" as a paid holiday in Massachusetts.

Honestly, I was hoping you'd chime in DawnCt1. We often think the same way. It appears this is a lose-lose for me, doesn't really matter what road I take now, no pun intended but wanted to thank you for acknowledging my biggest concern with the whole matter, the fact that this officer was upset BEFORE ever coming into contact with me or my vehicle.

And with only one other infraction (for which I plead DIS guilty) in my 32 years of driving, I'm fairly certain I could teach the traffic school

 

[DawnCt1]

Honestly, I was hoping you'd chime in DawnCt1. We often think the same way. It appears this is a lose-lose for me, doesn't really matter what road I take now, no pun intended but wanted to thank you for acknowledging my biggest concern with the whole matter, the fact that this officer was upset BEFORE ever coming into contact with me or my vehicle.

And with only one other infraction (for which I plead DIS guilty) in my 32 years of driving, I'm fairly certain I could teach the traffic school

I am sure you could teach driving school as well. Living out of state and having the ability to navigate Logan without having to leave and pay the toll an extra time should be a class in itself. And don't forget, Bunker Hill Day is one of the coveted "hack holidays" in Massachusetts.

 

[bdoyledimou]

seems the Police are just in a generally grumpy mood this week.. here is one from Canada..

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/cri...icer-accused-retards-of-lawn-mower-theft?bn=1

 

[LoraJ]

I would fight it.

 

[luvsJack]

I guess you would have to decide if it is worth it to you to make the trip, but I wouldn't make the choice based on "unless you can prove it, its a waste of time" and "they hear I didn't do it all day long" or "you'll still pay the fine".

The court system is there for a reason and if you feel that you were treated unfairly, use it. Many judges will listen to you, that is their job.