That may depend on state. Here in texas I've been asked on an application "Have you been arrested, even if the case was later dismissed or you were found not guilty." Then there is usually a box where you can explain your story in like 4 lines. Keep in mind, I work for a public school district.
Thank you, officer.
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Fact-your license was suspended. You should have known, plain and simple.
Fact-you're required to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle. I can't speak for Texas, but here when you purchase a new/different vehicle you carry a copy of your previous vehicle's proof of insurance, or a copy of your policy until your insurance company gets your new cards to you.
Since your license was suspendended once before because you failed to have insurance, you should have known better on the insurance issue too.
The officer was in the right and you were in the wrong.
Fact-you're required to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle. I can't speak for Texas, but here when you purchase a new/different vehicle you carry a copy of your previous vehicle's proof of insurance, or a copy of your policy until your insurance company gets your new cards to you.
Since your license was suspendended once before because you failed to have insurance, you should have known better on the insurance issue too.
The officer was in the right and you were in the wrong.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Fact-your license was suspended. You should have known, plain and simple.
Fact-you're required to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle. I can't speak for Texas, but here when you purchase a new/different vehicle you carry a copy of your previous vehicle's proof of insurance, or a copy of your policy until your insurance company gets your new cards to you.
Since your license was suspendended once before because you failed to have insurance, you should have known better on the insurance issue too.
The officer was in the right and you were in the wrong.
WWrong. If they do not send you a letter, or otherwise inform you, then there is no way of knowing. Do YOU monthly go online or call the DMV to check if your license is suspended? No you don't, and if you do, then you are a liar. As far as carrying insurance cards goes, I'd have to ask my mom (she works for state farm) you probably do, but it is definitely in the computer if you have insurance or not, that much I know.
He already said his insurance agent said the license is not showing up as suspended, and believe me, they know. Insurance agents can see EVERYTHING on your motor vehicle record, from the most minor of violations (that actually resulted in a ticked) or anything. My guess is the officer was just trying to get an arrest to help get his quota up.
And it is no excuse he could not call to get it confirmed, and being denied a phone call while in jail is, I'm fairly sure, illegal in itself. You have the right to make one phone call to a lawyer, or family.
Fact-your license was suspended. You should have known, plain and simple.
Fact-you're required to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle. I can't speak for Texas, but here when you purchase a new/different vehicle you carry a copy of your previous vehicle's proof of insurance, or a copy of your policy until your insurance company gets your new cards to you.
Since your license was suspendended once before because you failed to have insurance, you should have known better on the insurance issue too.
The officer was in the right and you were in the wrong.
WWrong. If they do not send you a letter, or otherwise inform you, then there is no way of knowing. Do YOU monthly go online or call the DMV to check if your license is suspended? No you don't, and if you do, then you are a liar. As far as carrying insurance cards goes, I'd have to ask my mom (she works for state farm) you probably do, but it is definitely in the computer if you have insurance or not, that much I know.
He already said his insurance agent said the license is not showing up as suspended, and believe me, they know. Insurance agents can see EVERYTHING on your motor vehicle record, from the most minor of violations (that actually resulted in a ticked) or anything. My guess is the officer was just trying to get an arrest to help get his quota up.
And it is no excuse he could not call to get it confirmed, and being denied a phone call while in jail is, I'm fairly sure, illegal in itself. You have the right to make one phone call to a lawyer, or family.
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Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Fact-your license was suspended. You should have known, plain and simple.
Fact-you're required to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle. I can't speak for Texas, but here when you purchase a new/different vehicle you carry a copy of your previous vehicle's proof of insurance, or a copy of your policy until your insurance company gets your new cards to you.
The officer was in the right and you were in the wrong.
First of all, NO, you don't always know your license is suspended. A lot of cases got thrown out in Washington state some years back because of lack of proper notification.
They don't arrest for no insurance here, and I suspect not in Texas either. However they do arrest for DWS.
Since you claim to have signaled a turn, it sounds like an illegal stop. That pollutes everything that happened after. However, you have to be able to prove your signals worked and the court will automatically assume the cop is 100 % truthful.
Don't go into the court, courthouse, clerk's office or anywhere else slamming anything down. You go in as polite as can be so everyone can see the officer was overreacting in the way he treated you. You politely explain and show records that you were insured and your license was current. Then you get the tickets dismissed and leave it at that.
If you go to trial, be sure to have the officer subpoenaed. That way you don't just have to go by his written report (which you ask for in discovery), you get to cross examine him. Plus, in most states, if he doesn't show up the case is dismissed.
Polite, you Texans are supposed to be real good at that anyway.
Another thing, if you harass the clerks at all they won't tell the judge. However, the notes they make in the file will be with a different colored pen. Judges don't like having their clerks harassed and they know the pen color codes.
Remember, POLITE, calm, relaxed and polite.
Fact-your license was suspended. You should have known, plain and simple.
Fact-you're required to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle. I can't speak for Texas, but here when you purchase a new/different vehicle you carry a copy of your previous vehicle's proof of insurance, or a copy of your policy until your insurance company gets your new cards to you.
The officer was in the right and you were in the wrong.
First of all, NO, you don't always know your license is suspended. A lot of cases got thrown out in Washington state some years back because of lack of proper notification.
They don't arrest for no insurance here, and I suspect not in Texas either. However they do arrest for DWS.
Since you claim to have signaled a turn, it sounds like an illegal stop. That pollutes everything that happened after. However, you have to be able to prove your signals worked and the court will automatically assume the cop is 100 % truthful.
Don't go into the court, courthouse, clerk's office or anywhere else slamming anything down. You go in as polite as can be so everyone can see the officer was overreacting in the way he treated you. You politely explain and show records that you were insured and your license was current. Then you get the tickets dismissed and leave it at that.
If you go to trial, be sure to have the officer subpoenaed. That way you don't just have to go by his written report (which you ask for in discovery), you get to cross examine him. Plus, in most states, if he doesn't show up the case is dismissed.
Polite, you Texans are supposed to be real good at that anyway.
Another thing, if you harass the clerks at all they won't tell the judge. However, the notes they make in the file will be with a different colored pen. Judges don't like having their clerks harassed and they know the pen color codes.
Remember, POLITE, calm, relaxed and polite.
Here's an idea: Take your truck in for a state inspection TODAY. This will start a paper trail that all your lights and stuff are/were working.
As for the license suspension, have you been on top of the DMV telling them your address changes etc? I only ask because the people in line in front of me at the DMV
1) lose their license, the actual ID card then
2) no longer live at the address on file and
3) get irate when the DMV mails the replacement license to a dead address and
4) won't change the address on file without some sort of ID.
As for the license suspension, have you been on top of the DMV telling them your address changes etc? I only ask because the people in line in front of me at the DMV
1) lose their license, the actual ID card then
2) no longer live at the address on file and
3) get irate when the DMV mails the replacement license to a dead address and
4) won't change the address on file without some sort of ID.
The economy is in bad shape and many cities need to somehow increase their revenue.
So what does the cities do if they can't raise taxes ?
Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets.....
it doesn't matter what kind as long as they keep writing them. BTW, cops don't have monthly quotas, they have 'enforcement goals' they are required to meet or they won't get promoted or get a raise. Could you imagine a cop not writing a ticket in a 3 month period.
So what does the cities do if they can't raise taxes ?
Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets.....
it doesn't matter what kind as long as they keep writing them. BTW, cops don't have monthly quotas, they have 'enforcement goals' they are required to meet or they won't get promoted or get a raise. Could you imagine a cop not writing a ticket in a 3 month period.
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Quote:
The insurance companies feed data to them to be up to date. That cop probably knew you had insurance
Yep, he could have gotten that info within 5 minutes very easily
The bad part is that any job you apply for now or days will run a background check and your arrest record will automatically disqualify you for any position with that company.
The insurance companies feed data to them to be up to date. That cop probably knew you had insurance
Yep, he could have gotten that info within 5 minutes very easily
The bad part is that any job you apply for now or days will run a background check and your arrest record will automatically disqualify you for any position with that company.
I'm from the government and I'm here to help you! Great to see that our government databases are up to date. I sure hope my wive's van's registration is up to date on the database. She missed providing proof of insurance on a random check mailing and they threatened to revoke registration until we provided the info, which we did. I sure hope some over worked civil servant did his or her job without screwing it up.
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
The economy is in bad shape and many cities need to somehow increase their revenue.
So what does the cities do if they can't raise taxes ?
Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets.....
it doesn't matter what kind as long as they keep writing them. BTW, cops don't have monthly quotas, they have 'enforcement goals' they are required to meet or they won't get promoted or get a raise. Could you imagine a cop not writing a ticket in a 3 month period.
A goal is a target or a quota by any other name. You can try, but you can't polish that turd of quotas. Budget shortfalls need to be made up and what better way to do it by writing as many tickets as possible? Today I went to an affluent suburb I used to work until a couple of years ago and the cops were out en force, worst I remember in 15 years of having an office in that suburb. The suburb is split by a state road through downtown and the cops were enforcing every traffic law they could on it. They were running plates of every car they had a chance, especially the non-status symbol models (they may not profile individuals, but they sure can profile cars). On the way back home, a squad car was waiting for the rich HS kids to leave school in their Bimmers, Audis, etc...
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
The economy is in bad shape and many cities need to somehow increase their revenue.
So what does the cities do if they can't raise taxes ?
Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets,Tickets.....
it doesn't matter what kind as long as they keep writing them. BTW, cops don't have monthly quotas, they have 'enforcement goals' they are required to meet or they won't get promoted or get a raise. Could you imagine a cop not writing a ticket in a 3 month period.
A goal is a target or a quota by any other name. You can try, but you can't polish that turd of quotas. Budget shortfalls need to be made up and what better way to do it by writing as many tickets as possible? Today I went to an affluent suburb I used to work until a couple of years ago and the cops were out en force, worst I remember in 15 years of having an office in that suburb. The suburb is split by a state road through downtown and the cops were enforcing every traffic law they could on it. They were running plates of every car they had a chance, especially the non-status symbol models (they may not profile individuals, but they sure can profile cars). On the way back home, a squad car was waiting for the rich HS kids to leave school in their Bimmers, Audis, etc...
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I mis-typed when I wrote "expired." I also didn't mean to imply, like others have, that you should have known. All I meant was that the officer wasn't necessarily in the wrong for arresting some one with a suspended license and no proof of insurance.
FWIW, I had something similar happen with a truck I had previously sold. A family member was taking care of the sale (since I was letting her keep the proceeds) and said she'd mail in the tags when the buyer came through with the cash. The buyer came through, but she didn't. Since I had moved a while back, but hadn't changed my address with the DMV, the notice for not being in compliance (no insurance on registered vehicle) was sent to my old addreess, and not forwarded. I didn't know my license was suspended until I tried to register a new vehicle a little while later, and was told that not only was my license expired, but I owed back-car-tax to my city.
I would for sure have been [censored] if I was pulled over and arrested, not knowing [censored] was going on.
I was only 22 at the time, but learnedmy lesson: you get what you inspect, not what you expect.
FWIW, I had something similar happen with a truck I had previously sold. A family member was taking care of the sale (since I was letting her keep the proceeds) and said she'd mail in the tags when the buyer came through with the cash. The buyer came through, but she didn't. Since I had moved a while back, but hadn't changed my address with the DMV, the notice for not being in compliance (no insurance on registered vehicle) was sent to my old addreess, and not forwarded. I didn't know my license was suspended until I tried to register a new vehicle a little while later, and was told that not only was my license expired, but I owed back-car-tax to my city.
I was only 22 at the time, but learnedmy lesson: you get what you inspect, not what you expect.
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Originally Posted By: FowVay
Welcome to the world of arrest records, impound fees and lawyers fees.
It will forever more show on your background that you've been arrested whether a conviction came down or not. I'm surprised they didn't get your for resisting arrest, threatening a police officer, drunk driving and having drug paraphernalia in your vehicle. It seems to be the way they operate these days.
Welcome to the world of arrest records, impound fees and lawyers fees.
It will forever more show on your background that you've been arrested whether a conviction came down or not. I'm surprised they didn't get your for resisting arrest, threatening a police officer, drunk driving and having drug paraphernalia in your vehicle. It seems to be the way they operate these days.
Originally Posted By: crinkles
proof of what insurance? 3rd party?
Car insurance. Liability coverage in case you get in a wreck is mandatory.
proof of what insurance? 3rd party?
Car insurance. Liability coverage in case you get in a wreck is mandatory.
I'm guessing we haven't gotten the whole story here. Did you keep the license agency fully up to date on address changes? That is the most common problem. People get their license, and don't bother to change anything until the license is set to or has expired. The usual claim is "nobody told me anything" when the notice was sent to the address on the license, now out of date. In cases like this, there is often a bit more to the story...
Perhaps its the policemen in that area that are the issue. My dealings with law enforcement have always been cordial and respectful. Similar to another MN poster, never a ticket, just a verbal warning. They have tough jobs, as we've reminded of the past few weeks with a point blank execution of a policeman two weeks ago...
Perhaps its the policemen in that area that are the issue. My dealings with law enforcement have always been cordial and respectful. Similar to another MN poster, never a ticket, just a verbal warning. They have tough jobs, as we've reminded of the past few weeks with a point blank execution of a policeman two weeks ago...
Quote:
Perhaps its the policemen in that area that are the issue
Other Texans seem to have confirmed this....
As a point of comparison, I was involved in an accident in CT (I was @ fault) When the state trooper asked for my insurance card (required to carry in the vehicle) I was unable to produce it (left @ home) and the vehicle I hit was from out of state, but still drivable. When the flatbed was clearing the mess, the State Trooper gave me his voice mailbox # and indicated I had until the end of his shift (about 4 hours) to call and leave my insurance company name and policy #, otherwise he would be stopping by house.... No overreaction, no power trip, just a reasonable resolution to minor issue.
Perhaps its the policemen in that area that are the issue
Other Texans seem to have confirmed this....
As a point of comparison, I was involved in an accident in CT (I was @ fault) When the state trooper asked for my insurance card (required to carry in the vehicle) I was unable to produce it (left @ home) and the vehicle I hit was from out of state, but still drivable. When the flatbed was clearing the mess, the State Trooper gave me his voice mailbox # and indicated I had until the end of his shift (about 4 hours) to call and leave my insurance company name and policy #, otherwise he would be stopping by house.... No overreaction, no power trip, just a reasonable resolution to minor issue.
Originally Posted By: 5sfe91
Originally Posted By: Sunabozu
in conclusion, Police: there when they want your money, leaving you hang out to dry if you need help.
Yup sounds about right.. What part of Texas was this?
The Sheriffs where I live (we dont have a PD.) are pretty cool, let me get away a couple times after I ran a red light and did a cali stop at a stop sign.
Originally Posted By: Sunabozu
in conclusion, Police: there when they want your money, leaving you hang out to dry if you need help.
Yup sounds about right.. What part of Texas was this?
The Sheriffs where I live (we dont have a PD.) are pretty cool, let me get away a couple times after I ran a red light and did a cali stop at a stop sign.
Sounds to me you were profiled. You were driving a run-down vehicle and looked like an easy target.
I used to drive a lowrider for 11 years. I was pulled over all the time and once was even told that "I do not know why I pulled you over but give me a few minutes and I'll find a reason." My vehicle was searched multiple times for no infractions, a drug dog went through my vehicle once because I said no to one search, etc. I could go on, but I'm sure you see the point.
I realized if I wanted to live a normal life, I needed to drive a "normal" vehicle. I sold my truck and began driving a 1994 Honda Accord, completely stock, and I never got pulled over driving it. Since then, I've driven my Silverado and was pulled over once in 4 years for a moving violation that was blatantly my fault.
I find it disheartening and disappointing that this even occurs by enforcement officers or anyone else, for that matter. I sympathize with people that have told me they were "profiled." I know exactly what they mean.
I used to drive a lowrider for 11 years. I was pulled over all the time and once was even told that "I do not know why I pulled you over but give me a few minutes and I'll find a reason." My vehicle was searched multiple times for no infractions, a drug dog went through my vehicle once because I said no to one search, etc. I could go on, but I'm sure you see the point.
I realized if I wanted to live a normal life, I needed to drive a "normal" vehicle. I sold my truck and began driving a 1994 Honda Accord, completely stock, and I never got pulled over driving it. Since then, I've driven my Silverado and was pulled over once in 4 years for a moving violation that was blatantly my fault.
I find it disheartening and disappointing that this even occurs by enforcement officers or anyone else, for that matter. I sympathize with people that have told me they were "profiled." I know exactly what they mean.
I was involved in a minor traffic incident (hit a wrong-way yahoo on a bike), and couldn't find the up-to-date insurance card in my borrowed car. This happened in a large city in SC. The officer took the last insurance card, called the ins. co., and verified the insurance on the spot. Then said to get the new insurance card ASAP, which was waiting when I returned.
The other times I've had to deal with law enforcement during a few incidents where I was in the wrong, they were at least professional and fair-handed. They could have made my day a lot worse to be sure.
Like every profession that needs human-human contact, there are good folks and bad folks.
And driving a beat-up vehicle invites unwanted attention. I'm kinda glad for having a completely anonymous car.
The other times I've had to deal with law enforcement during a few incidents where I was in the wrong, they were at least professional and fair-handed. They could have made my day a lot worse to be sure.
Like every profession that needs human-human contact, there are good folks and bad folks.
And driving a beat-up vehicle invites unwanted attention. I'm kinda glad for having a completely anonymous car.
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When I had long hair and looked like a hippie I got profiled a lot. In fact I got pulled over about once a month, sometimes more. Often for no reason or for some petty garbage. Now I have short hair parted on the side, I wear a collared shirt that buttons down, and I drive a truck. In two years I have never once been pulled over. Nothing about my driving style has changed, and I never wear a seatbelt.
Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
and I never wear a seatbelt.
Why?
and I never wear a seatbelt.
Why?
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