Damn exhaust laws

[SSJ2Gohan]

Ok this is BS.  I have had my apex N1 single exhaust for 2 years now.  Today im sitting at a red light and a cop pulls up behind me.  After sitting for a couple minutes I turn left when the light turns green.  He also goes and flashes his lights so I pull over.

I ask whats wrong?  He says I have an illegal exhaust.  I said that I didnt and how did he figure.  He said it was loud.  I asked him TONS of questions on why this is so.  I tell him ive been pulled over before for speeding and never has a cop mentioned a problem with my exhaust.  I also tell him that I have been told by numerous people that it was very quiet even though its a big exhaust.

So this goes back and forth and he says he'll give me a summons.  I ask him how to avoid this in the future.  I also ask him what my "decibel" level was (after all that is what I was pulled for).  He doesnt have it!>?!  He says that Id have to go to a shop and have it measured and compare it to the stock system.  Now all the while this is going on about 8 cars pass by with their POS civics and loud obnoxois exhausts.  So he basically says its too loud and gives me a ticket.

Im livid now.  Im gonna fight it because he doesnt have shit on it.  No proof of the decibel level in comparison to the stock system.   I was sitting at a red light idling at 800RPM and he had his windows up with the AC on!  You cant hear anything at that RPM!!

Anyways I check the Virginia code concerning this and I have a response to EVERY part.  My mom (who is anti anything loud) says she'll show up to court for me too to say its not loud since she has been in my car (after all, this law is a matter of opinion).

Im feeling very confident and have everything in order to fight it in a couple months when it comes about.   I even called Nissan to get the avg decibel rating for my car and they didnt even know!  So how is a cop gonna know that my stock 1995 system wasnt loud to begin with.  he saw a sports car with a 5.25" exhaust and pulled me for no reason.

Im asking you guys what other ammo can I bring to court.  I have lots on my side right now but more always helps.

Here is a link to the code law.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1049

[jupiterl]

There is some state where they have "loud exhaust" law. In NJ, some county actually have the fine at the back of the ticket saying "loud exhaust fine $44" . The only thing you can do , is to show them the N1 exhaust is street legal , when you buy your Apexi N1 they should have paper work included saying that it is 50 states legal . As long as you show that in court you should have no problem to fight it off.

[SSJ2Gohan]

I dont have the paperwork stating its 50 states legal.  The law in Virginia isnt if its a loud exhaust (a mustang making tons of noise but its STOCK so its legal) but its if its making unusual and excessive noise and is not the original OEM equipment.

The law is like jaywallking.  They guy didnt have anythign better to do.  He has no proof that it is excessivly loud compared to the stock system.  hell Nissan didnt even have proof!?!?

My state inspections show that my exhaust meets VA standards. &nbsp;The dealership states that it meets it. &nbsp;Thats one of my defenses. &nbsp;The other is he has no decibel reader and no comparison to my stock system. &nbsp;(im like the only 240 in my area for christ sake!<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

Extrememly subjective law and its at whoevers discretion. &nbsp;Im also gonna contact a woman at work who's husband is a cop and they owe me some favors anyways. &nbsp;Unfortunately he isnt in the same division. &nbsp;Hes a city cop, and the jackass was a county sheriff deputy.

I have a detailed report on the incident, why I believe im innocent, rebuttals to everything in the law, and a couple (older) people to state it is quiet.

[thelinja]

That is BS. &nbsp;My friend once got pulled over for having an "aggresive start" but he didnt even squeal his tires or punch it. &nbsp;Also, the cop said he heard his DC exhaust a mile away, yet the cop was able to pull him over coming from a different direction within 30 seconds of my friend's takeoff. &nbsp;He took it to court and didnt have to pay. &nbsp;And another thing..I have never seen anyone around here get pulled over for having their stereos too loud even though the noise ordincance laws are supposedly "strict" around Indianapolis. I'm pretty sure a 1000 watt amp and some subs at quarter volume is ten times louder than an idling performance exhaust.

[Dark]

I hate to say this but you need a lawyer. I've delt with virginia courts before and the judge likes seeing a lawyer stand in front of him. If you think you have all the evidence go to the prosecutor and show it to him that's your best shot. If the N-1 is carb approved then i guess you don't have a problem. If you don't know what to do send me a message i have Pre Paid legal so i get unlimited phone consultations.

[SSJ2Gohan]

I dont want to go to the lawyer route. &nbsp;I meant he fine is only $40. &nbsp;Its more that im pissed off at this jackass harassing me when about 8 or 9 cars passed by squealing their POS civics.

Lawyer wouldnt be worth the cost since Im pretty sure they cost more than $40.

I feel confident though. &nbsp;last time I went in for a speeding ticket the judge lowered it since I was the only one appropriately dressed for court!

Thanks for the points. &nbsp;Any more would be good.

[SSJ2Gohan]

Oh and it does meet all emission laws here. &nbsp;It was pulled over only for being loud (which it wasnt).

[Nerfdude]

know what i LOVE about this law? even if you win in court, you'll still have to pay court fees, so the state gets 50 bucks regardless of whether or not they screwed up. this law is bullshit, by the way. until cops have some sort of decibel measurer in thier cars, they shouldn't be able to hand out tickets.

[BlackFox]

Hey, get this. They just passed some law here in Cali where they can pull you over for "modfied exhaust". My friends RX7 got pulled over quite a few times. He's going back to a stock looking exhaust.

This sucks I tell you. It sucks &nbsp;
<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'>
<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>

[HippoSleek]

Its traffic court - not real court. The cost of a lawyer would easily eclipse the cost of the fine. Just stand there and say what you've got to say and be done with it.

CARB = Calif. Air Resources Board... paperwork from them has as much authority in Virginia as a signed note from the Easter Bunny. (all certification for their products is on the Apexi website)

"50 State Legal" has nothing to do with noise pollution. It's all about emissions. You'll notice in many catalogs, items will say "for off road use only." Also, keep in mind that a 2 year old N-1 is louder than a new one. &nbsp;Also, imho, the N-1 is too loud on an NA 240 motor... it would definately be louder than a Civic w/ a fart pipe. &nbsp;Also, it doesn't take a decibelmeter to determine if something is too damb loud. &nbsp;And honestly, as much as I like cars and going fast and all, I can't stand all the damb loud exhausts rattling my windows and generally annoying the hell out of me.

Good luck.
*edit* - b/c it took me an hour to post...

[mr0072003]

I just got a ticket on the 12th for Modified Exuast too, being to Loud. &nbsp;IM in the proceess of buying a new one, (after market) but with a silencer. &nbsp;Then after insalled, IM just going to go to the local sherrif office and take my car there witha a receipt of my new exhuast install and pray that will sign off. &nbsp;IF anyone in Cali has any ideas let me know?

[Starlin]

FIGHT THE MAN!
Last ticket I got was for my truck (thank god I don't have that thing anymore) being to low. I fought it and the cop didn't bother showing up to court, so the judge asked me
"Is your automobile below the legal limit?"
I said "Nope".
He said "Not Guilty"
No Cop, no guilty. You can hope for that!

[SSJ2Gohan]

The thing is its not loud. &nbsp;yes I may think it but everyone tells me, including my mother of 48 years old and who hates anything above a whisper!

Im just gonna go there and give my spill to them. &nbsp;If they throw it out I wont have to pay court costs as Ive checked that before in my county but if I lose I pay the fine plus court costs for taking 5 minutes of their time.


And yes it doesnt take a decibel meter to figure if something is too loud. &nbsp;My N1 is quiet though. &nbsp;the speed shop that I picked it up from was laughing saying how loud it was gonna be but shutup real quick when I came back and it was nice a quiet.

[Dark]

sorry for being vague but my point was don't go to court without physical proof that your exhaust is not loud. The officer will give the judge some bull about being trained to spot loud exhausts end of story. so be preparead if i remeber correctly some places provided this kind of proof. I remember sombody told me that for custom exhausts people could get their systems tested. Call Midas or some exhaust place and ask can't hurt. If all else fails go to a lawyer get a free consultation. Once you have a paper saying your system is not loud the officer will shut up and you will win. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>