Do cops assume you have an attorney on speed dial when you drive an MBZ/Jag/BMW

I was thinking back a few months ago to when I got a ticket. The cop explained what I did, and before I could say anything, he said "you could bring your lawyer to court, but you will lose". I said "Sir, I have no intention of calling my lawyer since I am in the wrong." I guess he liked that answer, so he gave me a much cheaper ticket.

Do people that drive certain cars spout off to cops? I just don't get it. If you messed up, you messed up, period.

Abner

 

I drive a BMW but I've never spouted off to a cop....I let my lawyer do that.

I have two friends that are police officers. One in western Massachusetts, the other in Charleston, SC. They've both told me they target high end cars because its less likely the driver will take the time to show up in traffic court.

 

I'm an ex-cop but when I worked in the field most of my peers had nothing short of a personal hatred of lawyers. Though you'll often see someone in a beat down old car pulled over more often than some of the nicer ones unless of course the cop is exclusively running traffic. A special favorite in North Texas is pulling over cars as they pull out of the various night clubs in Fort Worth that cater to the Hispanic population. From what I've been told they just rake in the DUIs doing that which makes the department look good to well financed lobby groups like MADD...but I digress. The short answer is "no".

As an aside I was pulled over in October and still have not heard anything from the city. I am accused of speeding in a school zone but I had my pregnant wife and baby in the car besides the fact that I just don't speed (especially through school zones). I went up and requested a trial but to date have not heard anything back. I think I'm going to have to hire an attorney but I positively refuse to pay the city one red cent and am fully prepared to spend a relaxing weekend in the pokey if I have to. I think this system of using speeding offenses to generate revenue is not only a conflict of interest but borderlines on un-Constitutional under the financial predisposition towards a "guilty" verdict to generate money. I refuse to participate in that crap and it's one of the myriad of reasons why I cannot be a cop anymore.

 

You should have asked, "So I assume they take AMEX Gold also?" or said, "I will have my 'people' take care of it"

 

Hmm. That interesting. In my mind I wonder if some cops think "oh, that guy is driving a custom MBZ, so he is going to ge an arrogant loud mouthed prick who is going to threaten me with his lawyer". The guy had me dead to rights, so there was no point in getting upset. He said "Do you know what you did back there?" and I said "I sure did, I f*cked up". He than started talking about my lawyer and how I would lose in court. I once again said I knew I F##ed up and i would pay the price. I think kind of surprised him He did give a lesser ticket that saved me about $300.00 duckets.

Now I have to do traffic school. I am debating whether to do it online, or in person. On line seems easier.

Abner

 

Did one of those places happen to be "El Conejo Feliz" nightclub?

Abner

 

A government employ driving a custom Mercedes Benz. Only in California,and people wonder why that state is on the verge of bankruptcy.

 

I know you are just busting my balls, but has it occured to you that I do contract work as well? I do have an MBA after all. Just sayin.

Try not to hate Beemer Boy!

Abner

 

Benz - BMW...how do you people afford such nice cars? I drive a Milan that is 5 years old and my wife has a Camary that is 9 years old...man, I am doing something wrong.

 

I'm still driving my 2004 Jeep Wrangler (Sahara Edition). I got pulled over two months ago in New London. The citation said "Failure to use turn signals." $127.00 fine. The cops were nice about it though. I couldn't argue with them, they were right, I wasn't using my turn signals. I did try to explain to them that I was raised in Boston and that, in Boston, using turn signals is considered to be a sign of weakness. I thought they should cut me some slack based on cultural sensitivity. No way. I paid the fine.

 

I drive a 13 year old Nissan Frontier pickup with thumb tacks holding the fabric of my ceiling up. But I have 2 Harleys in the garage...I've got my priorities straight.

 

Just sell a couple of your Rolex watches Dr. Randell.

Abner

 

My father owned a business that insured car dealerships and boat marinas before he passed away. My family has built relationships with some of the owners of those dealerships so we get pretty good breaks on cars. You're not doing anything wrong, sounds like you've just got more priorities than I do. I don't have a family to support. As it is my fiancé busts my balls about my automobile addiction. Hopefully she'll come around or I'm gonna have to start driving....gulp...domestic. The horror.

 

If anyone reading this believes nothing else I ever post here, believe this: In most cases, attitude is EVERYTHING when you're stopped by the police. There are always going to be police officers who are going to stick it to whatever motorist they stop, but in reality, they're in the minority.

I work a sector car for a city police department, so I often don't have time for dedicated traffic enforcement, but I will obviously take action when I see a violation right in front of me. As I said, attitude almost always decides on how I handle the stop; if I pull you over, there is no room for argument, because the infraction was blatant enough to catch my attention. My opinion is that traffic enforcement should be about educating the motorist on why their actions were unsafe/illegal.

So, if I stop someone who is respectful, and acknowledges they made a mistake, they're most likely getting a verbal or written warning, since they know they screwed up, so no further education is necessary. If someone wants to debate whether the light was red or that they didn't make an unsafe lane change, then they're getting a civil infraction ($$$). If they want to push the envelope and question if I got my quota or why I'm "not out catching real criminals", then I'm going to check every aspect of their vehicle, from lights to inspection sticker, to tire tread depth for additional infractions.

As far as what type of car you drive, it makes no difference to me. People who drive high-end cars do tend to exhibit a bad attitude more frequently than those who drive clunkers, but once again, it's the attitude of the operator that makes the difference. I've let numerous Mercedes drivers off with a warning, but have also given a civil infraction probably equal to the GNP of some third-world nations to someone driving a 12 year-old Camry with no hubcaps, because he wanted to argue with me and insult me.

 

That would be tragic!!

 

Guess you got me there...:wink1:

 

I think you are right Bruce. The cop that pulled me over was cool because he gave me a much lesser violation, thus saving me about $300.00 big ones! Once I politely told the officer that I knew I screwed up, he softened up a bit.

For the most part, the thing to do is remain cool. If you messed up, just admit it and pay the money! That's how the world works. One thing I have learned. When you get pulled over, keep your hands on the steering wheel. Don't make any sudden moves. If you are going to reach under you car seat or glove compartment, tell the cop you are going to do that.

All in all, I think cops have a tough job and I respect them. Are there some bad apples? I suppose, but ANY organization has bad apples.

Get on that rapture bus today Bruce!

Abner

 

Abner:
Just sell a couple of your Rolex watches Dr. Randell.

Yeah, and you are the one that got me to unbox my Rolex and wear it. Now I never want to take the damn thing off! I even wear it to bed!!!!!! I'm glad I listened to you and unboxed though. You have created a monster.

Abner

 

How dare I drive a custom MBZ!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't even go to Harvard so I don't deserve a SWEET SWEET smokin ride. MBZ's, Beemers, Jags or Porsches, Range Rovers, Maybachs, etc. should only be held by Ivy leaguers.

He he he he!

Abner