Outrageous Police Behavior
 

Ok- so yesterday I got tagged by the police- he says I did not come to a complete stop at a stop sign just before my work.

Ok- this sucks. He writes me a ticket. $41

Ok- still sucks but not as bad.

Last night at 9:52PM. Yes, almost 10 at NIGHT my phone rings. Private name private number- and it's the officer who wrote the ticket.

He tells me there is a problem with the ticket. He says he wrote it for the wrong amount, and would I please write in the new amount and he would write it on his part? I asked what the difference was. Well, the fee schedule changed so the amount is $71 plus a $20 surcharge.

Excuse me?

I told him I would need to talk to my dad, who is an attorney, and would find out what I should do. Then I told him that it was almost 10pm and that I was going to bed so I would not be sleepy driving in the morning! He started stammering at me and I said thank you and hung up.

…and immediately called my dad.

He told me to make copies of everything and send the $41 in to pay the ticket.

Anyone ever seen or heard of anything like this. I thought it was crazy outrageous to call my home at that hour and ask me to write in an amount $50 more than HE put on the ticket!

Dear N~

Firstly, smooch !!!

Secondly, keep the original document and pay the $41 (make sure you enclose a copy of the original) ... I'd be mega-surprised if you ever hear any more again. That is, don't call in the calvalry until yah need's tah.

Love and hugs,

The Stoat XXX.

PS/ Will Bear and I get to see you next year???

Back in the day, the local cops would all share a list licence plate numbers of people that annoyed them. These people would tend to get written up for 1mph over, tail lights, any little thing, etc....

But I'm sure that type of thing does not happen now.

Bwahah, what a schmuck. I'm imagining him getting ready for bed that evening and suddenly it hits him - it should have been $71! Ooh, better call the station and get that lady's phone number, otherwise it's nothing but crap from the chief! Maybe she'll be nice enough to pay more! :rolleyes: Schmuck.

I'd be interested in hearing a legal ruling. If the fine for an infraction is set by statute then is that really overridden by error in writing the ticket? Especially if reasonable effort was made to inform you of the error?

I agree it seems sucky but I'm not sure the same policy applies here as at Safeway where they have to honor the printed price.

And I'm guessing the same principal would not be expected to apply if he had accidentally written $710.0 when he meant $71.00.

Nor would it at Safeway, though.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're responsible for the amount to be paid under the statute. The cop was lame to call you late at home, but probably trying to do a nice thing (for him as well as you, since he made an error) in making sure you didn't underpay ... and then get a warrant issued someday for an unpaid ticket.



Consult with an attorney, if that won't cost you more than the $50 difference (um, what's a $20 "surcharge?"). But be prepared to pay the full amount of the statutory fine.

Here you get a separate bill from the courts that tells you what your actual fine is. There is usually information on the back of the citation on who to call for more information.

Did ya miss the "called dad" part?

You know- the attorney :p

So what is his legal (and parental) opinion?