I accidently slid in the wrong place/time....

[srJOEYdet]

I woke up this Saturday at 6:30 like I do every week. I put in 8 hours at the grocery store as I always do. I was in the left turn lane behind a ford wagon. I did not scan the intersection for police, because I don’t play in my car during any degree of traffic; nor did I plan to.
The Taurus made the turn; I accelerated moderately in first gear, and casually shifted to second at neutral throttle. While I began to exit the apex of the turn accelerating, I sensed a little bit of lateral traction loss. My ass came out maybe 2 feet, which didn't take me by surprise, although the outcome was not achieved intentionally. I was counter steering according to the oversteer, while I breathed off the throttle. I brought the car back into a straight line promptly. First thing I do is look in my mirror. Flashing lights.
Once in the parking lot, I turned off my car and rolled the window down.
"how are you doing today"
"fine, yourself?"
"not too bad. Lemme ask ya, was that stunt back there intentional ?!?"
"no sir it was not"
"may I see your insurance and license"
"umm..."

I handed him my insurance card, then pretended to search for my license. I knew I didn’t have it. That’s why I cashed a paycheck before I ate lunch. I had forgotten it at home. I gave him the number I had memorized, and all the information.

“I could hear you accelerating into that corner.”
“That’s true, but I was not trying to oversteer”
“How long have you had your license?”
“About 18 months”
“Wait here”

“bla bla bla,… back of the ticket, I could take you to jail for not having your license, until we found out who you were,… bla bla bla.”

Than I made the useless defense he shot down, although he had already handed me the ticket. I couldn’t let what I should have said go unsaid. Didn’t get me far anyway.

“Merry Christmas”
“Did you have something else to say?”
“Yes, I said have a nice Christmas.”
“you do the same, kid”

Offence: 811.135 Careless Driving
No culpable mental state (not intentional, knowing, reckless, or criminally negligent)
Base fine: $175
State: Oregon

I can appear at court and enter a plea, or I can write them and plead guilty, or no contest, or I can write them and tell them I an not guilty, and the 4th one is trial by affidavit. What do you guys think? The only thing that really pisses me off is that he mentioned twice that he “heard me accelerate” My car had a damn 3 inch cat-back exhaust. I think if I hadn’t had the exhaust, and if my brake lights had gone on (to show an accidental panic situation) I would have have got off with a warning, or not even been pulled over.

Joey

[mrdirty]

Fight it, we're a magnet for cops and their B.S. I fight every infraction especially things like this; don't let these cops think that just because we drive a sports car we can be nailed for anything they can think up...

[KoukiS14]

I used to think cops were cool. Then I got a 240sx.

I get glared at all the time!! And I don't even do anything stupid (except out in tha county)

Yeah dude, fight it, that's complete bull****. Not only have you only had your license for 18 months, but you also demonstrated you know how to control your car when a mistake IS made but none of that was taken into consideration.


-Rob

[transient]

Just fight it, but don't be an ass about it... it sounds to me like he was just doing his job. He didn't give you any extra ****, he did hear you accellerate, regardless of the reason. Just take it to court and explain what happened and they should drop it. Remember, cops do have a job to do, and as long as they aren't being assholes, there's really no reason to treat them like they are.

Now don't get me wrong, I know there are a bunch of ridiculous rules in the legal system and there are definately asshole cops out there, it just doesn't seem like you met one this time, so be courteous, explain the situation calmly, don't BS and you should be fine.

[srJOEYdet]

I was thinking I could get out of it. If I plea not guilty, they will give me a later court date, and it will be me against the cop. Thats the only way I can have it dropped. What do you guys think?

Joey

[transient]

Yeah, that's what you want to do.

[Tubed4evr]

I had a similar situation this summer. I would go to court because you can most likely get it reduced to a lesser infraction. Not sure of the different level of penalties in Oregon, but for example mine was a reckless driving (6pts) and it was reduced to improper driving (3pts I think). I doubt it will be dropped because its your word against the officers's and a cop's word is like gold to a judge. Good luck man . . . I know its just a big pain in the ass.

[transient]

Actually, a cops word isn't like gold to a judge. The cop really does have to prove his case. In the case of speeding he's got radar on his side, but in this case, there's no way he can defend himself. You have a truthful response for anything he says. I'm nearly positive this will be dropped if you just present your case calmly and thoroughly.

[srJOEYdet]

my parents want me to plea guilty. hey said to bring my report card, and proof of empleyment (showing responsability) and just pretty much say i am sorry. Oh, one more thing. I am only 17.

Joey

anyone know a website where I can look up infraction points and what not?

[sykikchimp]

radar is only backup evidence in speeding tickets. Police officers have to got to a training course for 2 weeks to become radar operators. The final test the have to pass is to estimate a cars speed ten times in a row from a stand still, and while moving WITHOUT radar. The police officers word is better than yours b/c they are considerred experts in what they do. you will loose if you go against him. Plea guilty to a lesser charge. Just get to court early, and stand in line with all the other speeders, etc, before court starts, and the magistrate will help you.

[transient]

you will loose if you go against him

Ok, that's bull****. Granted, they are able to estimate speeds and are viewed as experts in that area, but that doesn't mean they have all knowing power as to wether you kick out the tail purposely or not, and the judge realises this. I'm telling you, if you plead not guilty, and explain your position you will win. They have absolutely no proof whatsoever that you purposely lost rear traction, and you have completely logical and truthful answers to any question they might ask. All you have to do is remain calm and explain yourself, maybe even make a small checklist of points that you would like to make that will help you explain your case. And in the end even if you do lose, which I sincerely doubt you will, you can still request a reduced fine, and if you have a clean driving record, you will most likely recieve one.

No matter what, NEVER plead guilty to something you didn't do.

[srJOEYdet]

Transient- I would plea not guilty in an instant if I was half as confident as you were about this case. I am pretty sure I am going to plea guilty. For every defense I can truthfully give, there is a true offence.

I have only had my car six months, and have not had much rain experience

I have only had my license 18 months

I have only had these particular tires for about a week

It was raining for the first time that week

All of these can be shot down with one sentence, "You should have been more careful to compensate for that variable."

And I honestly think I am guilty. When that cop said that after every thing I mentioned, not careful enough is careless. Regardless of how well I handled the sliding situation, or how accidental it was.

sykikchimp-
Your input has aroused my curiosity. Can you tell me a little more about the magistrate, and is it true that the ticket can be reduced to a lesser charge if I plea guilty?

Joey

PS. Transient, I did not mean to come off rude as it may seem.

[Kreator]

Originally posted by mrdirty
Fight it, we're a magnet for cops and their B.S. I fight every infraction especially things like this; don't let these cops think that just because we drive a sports car we can be nailed for anything they can think up...
Hmm. I own my car for almost a year now. The only ever incident with cops we had was when we gotto **** around in parking lot in a middle of nowhere and a cop coming by saw us doing donuts, came in and said "there are folks around this place, how bout you guys call it a day. Have a great thanksgiving"... there were 2 240sxs and a geo prizm with a muffler... That was the only encounter i had with cops in my 240sx. My friend got pulled over 3-4 times and only got a ticket once. All the other times he was let go with the "nice car" phrase.

Get a turbo, or switch to an n/a exhaust. If not for that you'd prolly get away with a warning.

Cops don't really give a crap if you can control a drift or not. All they care about if u did this once and regained control, you might do it again and not regain control and crash. The fact that it was a skillful car control doesn't bother them a smallest amount.

I'd say plea guilty and hope for a reduced fine. All in all, nomatter how stupid the situation was and the fact that it wasn't intended at all, you did gas it up and from a side view it would've looked exactly as if u tried to drift. Cop's word will be taken over yers.

[sykikchimp]

I've gotten 4 or 5 speeding tickets.. done this a few times just got my 2nd PJC. I have finally learned my lesson.. I drive like grandma now. I think having a track for an outlet helps.

anyways.. Just get to court a bit earlier than the time they tell you.. like 30 min or so. The magistrate will ask everyone with a speeding ticket or minor traffic infraction to come to the front.. everyone lines up, and one by one the magistrate goes through all the tickets, and gives everybody a reduced ticket, depending on their situation.

If you go up there and he turns you down for whatever reason, and tells you you'll have to talk to the judge, ask for a "continuance". then talk to an atty, and see what your options are. Sometimes if you can continue the court date 2-3 times, the cop won't show up for one of them, you can just plead not guilty, and there is no one to contest you, and the ticket gets dropped. My dad did this with a dui. Make sure the officer that gave you the ticket is there before you plead anything though.

Pleading guilty isn't a bad thing.. All it means is that the court now has to PROVE you guilty instead of you just admiting it. They have to work harder. Of course sometimes when you plead not guilty, and they prove you guily, and it was obvious you are guilty, they will throw the book at you to make an example so other people won't waste the courts time.



last thing.. Be careful out there. DONT SPEED. because of my speeding tickets I can't get the car I want b/c of insurance rates. I make more than enough for the car, and a decent insurance rate. I just refuse to give 5000-6000 a year to an insurance company. they wanted me to pay 4200 annually for an 01' Civic si.. NOT COOL. It is the MOST frustrating thing.

[srJOEYdet]

Geeze chimp, thats pretty steep. I used to pay 1300/yr for full coverage on my 240. I am 17, I have multi car discount, driver training discount, and good student discount. Insurance on my stealth RT/TT was 2800/year for full coverage. I cancelled it though, the thing is a money pit that is begging to be filled back in. And I have to save a little money (~1000) to fix the tranny. Than I am selling it and I am going to dump the 3k I will have after everything is paid off into my 240.

Thanks for the wealth of wise information everyone.

Joey

[old_s13]

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/avatar.php?userid=2467&dateline=1040262298">

Dude, if this IS you and you were wearing THOSE glasses.. and *I* was a cop, I'de throw your ass in jail.

haha :)

[KoukiS14]

When I was doin' the ABATE thing for motorcycles n stuff...

I wore an old CHiP style helmet (just black tho) and some ray bans hahaha

And I was rollin' on a 250cc haha


-Rob

[KoukiS14]

Damn Joey, for bein' 17... I gotta give ya props!! As far as cars go, looks like you're starting at the top. SR 240 etc.. DAMN =)

I had a POS Rodeo haha...


Here's what's left of it (http://12.222.108.59/WEBSITE/pics/html/Rodeo/)

[Annoying Eric]

Im 17 with an sr20 and i only got pulled over once and that was because i had open headers on my KA... Now im boosting, and i never get pulled over......

Personally if that was my ticket i would say screw it and pay it, the cop saw you oversteer, and no one is gonna know if you did it on purpose or not.. Theres no hard evidence that it was an accident..

who ever said cops pull over people with 240's is bull.. My car looks so stolen that its not even funny, and i never get pulled over.

and kouki i don't think joey as an sr.. well he didn't last time i saw his page... Im so excited... I got my 240 back from the shop abotu 3 weeks ago with the sr installed.. still waiting for the exhaust,BOV, electric fan, radiator, turbo timer.. but the car is still fast.....

[Annoying Eric]

Pic of my sr powered 240.. Ima get some motor shots real soon...

http://club240.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=20166

[srJOEYdet]

kouki- its just a name, I dont have an SR. I do want one.
So eric... how did you get money for your car, SR, and did you swap it yourself, or have it done? Are you the one with a blacktop? I think I saw your 240 in the "post S13 pics" thread.

Oh about the props... my other car was a bright red twin turbo dodge stealth untill it became a F*ing money pit with a bad tranny and poor fuel efficency. (9mpg)

I'm gonna sell it as soon as i fix it.

And that is me, And if it was sunny, I would have been wearing those glasses. I wasn't at the time though.


Joey

[KoukiS14]

Sorry dude, got u confused... All these people here! Hard for old people like me to keep up ya know? =)