Friday, June 1, 2012

DEAR SGT AL: FIXING A BUSTED TAILIGHT TICKET




DEAR SERGEANT AL: Yesterday I received a ticket for a busted taillight. The trooper that issued the ticket told me that if I corrected the light by sunset the next business day, I could have the ticket dismissed. I understand how to do that. The problem is unfortunately the car is an old European model and the light is on backorder from Germany and won’t be in until late next week the earliest. What should I do so that I can get the ticket dismissed and don’t have to pay for it? --BUSTED BOOTY NOW WAITING FOR A NEW TAIL END
Dear BBNWFANTE: In this new law enforcement era of TRAFFICSTAT, the traffic version of the new crime fighting and tracking computer methods of COMPSTAT, the police track traffic accidents and pedestrian fatalities and respond by doing targeted enforcement. As a result, the cops are now more than ever under pressure by their commanders to issue tickets, especially at accident-prone locations, and usually for hazardous traffic violations (speeding, red light, seat belt, cell phones, texting, etc.). In police culture, the push back against this since cops generally don’t like to issue tickets unless they have to (surprisingly they’re the first ones to complain about quotas), is to instead issue equipment violations (headlight, taillight, cracked windshield, etc.). These tickets a) are easier and less stressful to issue, b) give a motorist a reason other than a  failing annual inspection to fix these broken car parts ANYWAY, c) require less court appearances since they really don’t require elaborate testimony and are easily dismissible (cops generally don’t like appearing and testifying in court), and d) still allow the officer to justify his or her time on patrol by showing that he or she is doing their job. For these reasons I stress the importance of ensuring that your car is equipment violation-free. You want to avoid getting pulled over for ANY REASON, especially making sure you’re less prone to getting additional violations when you get initially stopped for just one that the officer first sees.

To resolve your predicament BBNWFANTE, there’s probably no way around this other than to plead not guilty and ask for a court date. Make sure the receipt has the part store’s or the dealership’s stationery on the receipt (preferably with their business or inspection license stamped on it) and preferably with BACKORDER printed or stamped on it. Keep a copy of this receipt in the glove box in case you get stopped again for the same violation until it’s repaired, and then another receipt showing when the violation was finally repaired (either by a certification stamp or receipt) by the repair shop or by visiting a police or state inspection station within a reasonable amount of time. Have an officer/inspector stamp and/or sign off on the completed repair. This way the judge can see you made an effort to repair it in a timely manner. I can’t see where a reasonable judge won’t throw this ticket out if you get it repaired as soon as you can. You should be in good shape, but if you have to pay the piper, try to get a reduced fine for the effort you attempted. Usually there are no points on your license for this type of ticket. AH, next time BBNWFANTE, when you get bumped on the butt, make sure you get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid embarrassment of exposure by the police, OK? Consider yourself warned for next time. Happy tailgating!

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Sgt. Al here. I welcome your comments, ideas, and suggestions. You have questions about the police, and I'm interested in hearing what you have to say as a citizen. Thanks!

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