On 2010-03-10, Bruce L Bergman wrote:
On Sat, 6 Mar 2010 17:36:27 -0800, "azotic" wrote:
"Ignoramus26053" wrote in message
...

I am now taking a dimmer view of this situation. I think that these
policemen were on the prowl for suckers to replenish the coffers of
that particular town. But, they had enough common sense to know that
when someone figured out their BS, they should promptly back off.

Check out the violation number on the ticket, it may be bogus.
A chicago cop gave me a ticket once and just made up a violation.
Went to court and asked for a reading of the law, thats when the
judge dismissed the ticket. They are hoping most people will just
pay the the ticket.

Illinois $13 billion budget deficit.

Or they heard the Heavy Russian accent on the first "Is everything
all right?" stop (Sorry Iggy, but the welder video doesn't lie...)

And got up the courage for the second stop - they thought they could
get away with hitting you up for a "donation to the Policeman's Ball."
You slide them a $100 bill or two each, and the problems mystically
vanish - "You're good to go, sir, Have a nice day!!"

This is Chicago and environs, that's Standard Operating Procedures.

But you showed initiative and proved that the "charges" they thought
up clearly do not apply to your situation - and even then, if this
goes to court for that last little charge you be sure to tell the
Judge all the interesting details of this traffic stop.

Sit down and take VERY detailed notes of everything that was said,
every detail you can remember, because I guarantee that the Cops did.
The Judge gives your word a lot more weight in court when you say "let
me refer to the notes taken ten minute after the stop..."

If you have audio or better video of the encounter... ;-)

I wouldn't be surprised if the judge tosses the whole thing out, or
the cops move to dismiss the ticket before even going to court when
you show intentions of talking to a Judge about it.

Bruce, I do not think that they were soliciting a bribe, and it was
not even in Chicago. I think that they were collectig money on behalf
of the village.

i


Okay, on to the legal points.

There ARE rules that trucks in commercial use have to post the
company legal name, any federal MVC or State Motor Carrier permit
numbers, and the rated GVWR on the doors.

But that is for Commercial trucks and usually for Over 10,000# GVWR
only, there are exemptions for Personal use of medium trucks "Not For
Hire"

I checked - I have a 4-tire C-3500 that is (just!) under 10,000#
gross, and doesn't trigger any of the other rules for commercial use
requiring the extra inspections, and a Federal MVC or CA MC Permit,
and a Class B commercial license, Medical Certificate and all the
other falderol.

If it did, I'd have to pull through every Weigh Station every time
I pass one, and that's just asking for trouble. They can always find
something I'm out of compliance on, and crank up the revenue machine.

-- Bruce --