Gotta go to court in Jacksboro, TN tonight.........

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I work there weekly and have for 25+years. 1 night I decide to after work go to a nieces basketball game and spend the night at my parents to be in town for work the next day. As I'm leaving the game and heading home I get pulled over. Mind you I'm always a yes sir kinda guy and respect them doing there job. Asks me if I know why he pulled me over and I say no sir was I a little over. He says no, you have a headlight out. Takes my license , ins and registration to his car for 10-15 mins and comes back handing me a ticket. Says replace and come to court to get waived but I know your from out of town so you can just send in the $83 by mail if ya want. Replaced the next morning and took proof to the clerk but the Judge has to make the decision. Guess I'll kill an evening in Jacksboro court tonight.  

My question is what ever happened to a courteous,"get it replaced" when all paperwork is in order. My brother says the town hired 2 new young cops and he was 1 as I've worked in the area longer then he's been alive. All I can say is Jacksboro, TN must be a much safer place with these 2 new guys on the force. Went to my parents after the stop and counted 2 cars with missing headlights on the 2 mile trip to their home. O K, I'm off my soap box. And No I don't feel any better now after posting  

[Ken Tarver]

Dave
sounds familiar to me. Coming up on one year anniversary of DUI arrest. Not been drinking and no meds. Prosecutor knew I blew "0" on breathalizer and negative drug test before court; still went to court 3 times. It was finally dismissed. It's just basically now days a high dollar revenue stream for the cities and counties.
Sorry to hear of your plight, hope it comes out in your favor.

Ken

[Chrisj CMA]

I don't get stopped a lot by cops.  Not a hooligan and take care of my equipment (like you) always polite and respectful when I do get stopped.

I have never gotten just a warning 

[R J]

In my years on the CHP I gave a lot of get it fixed warnings.

Some spoken and some written.  Spoken were recorded in my notebook in my chest pocket.   Others were recorded on the citation book and issued to the driver of the vehicle for a court appearance if they wanted to protest the stop.

I'll not go any further into detail on this.

Thank you and have a safe pair of upcoming Holiday's.

LEO's are just like you, they also have bad days.

[Jess Tolbirt]

LOL when i was 16 i got so many warnings in Tyler Tx. i could wall paper my room with them..i swear them guys could find a loose nut on an exhaust pipe and give me a warning.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

In my years on the CHP I gave a lot of get it fixed warnings.

Some spoken and some written.  Spoken were recorded in my notebook in my chest pocket.   Others were recorded on the citation book and issued to the driver of the vehicle for a court appearance if they wanted to protest the stop.

I'll not go any further into detail on this.

Thank you and have a safe pair of upcoming Holiday's.

LEO's are just like you, they also have bad days.

I believe this was more like "still learning the ropes" then having a bad day. I'm sure he will learn as he gets experience and be a fine officer. Just frustrating to be one he cuts his teeth on. 

[RP#62]

I got two warnings in Illinois within a month of each other.  I took the hint, I don't go there anymore.

-RP

[BobB]

Up until earlier this year, it was at least 20 years that I have not been pulled over.  But I got tagged with a seat belt violation.  When asked why I was not wearing it, I was brutely honest and told the officer "I was not in the habbit".  Wrong answer.  Ended up with a $100 reminender to buckle up...

[Valkjerk]

Sorry for your bad experience Dave. Was the LEO courteous? Was he all business or did you feel like he had an attitude? Like RJ said, all of them have their bad days. Luckily, my last two encounters with my LEOs were polite and favorable. I was stopped for speeding while approaching two oncoming motorcycle cops and did a little courteous wave and they waved back and smiled and as I got past them I checked my mirror and ......yep, they were looping in the street with their lights on and I figured they got a call for something else and they would soon be blowing by me but then I got the little short wurp wurp of the siren so I pulled over and waited for them. One approached and said "don't get off your bike, I'm not gonna write 'cha." He told me I was doing 42 in a 25 zone. I said I was cruising at what I thought to be a safe slow speed and since we were out in the sticks, I never dreamed the speed limit was so low. He laughed and remarked that he could see why all this happened. He said "all you Valkyrie guys have the same problem......our bikes are extremely powerful and also extremely smooth and we don't realize our true speed. I asked him if he ever rode one and he said "no" so told him where I lived and when he was off duty, he could take one of my Interstates out for a ride. He said he'd like that. So we'll see.
  The other stop was about my green LEDs were on. He informed me of the law and said to read up on the law on the internet when I got back home. I told him I was disappointed about the law but that I would comply. He was also very courteous and polite.
  All my stops before these two mentioned were horrific. It's one reason I'll never go back to Florida. Those cops are the worst I've ever encountered. Bullies and punks with guns with no air of professionalism. It's like they hate everybody.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

We'll I got to town and plan on staying at my parents to work tomorrow and low and behold get a call from the clerk. She talked to judge n since I repaired it, he is reducing it to a warning and I do not have to appear tonight. Would have been nice to find out before coming down but I ain't looking a gift horse in the mouth. Wish my parents were here to visit with them instead of New Mexico. Beer,pizza and tv tonight to fight boredom.

[old2soon]

As an ex over the road trucker and now choosing the M/C-weather permitting-over the cage I have had some encounters with L E Os. Most-93% at least-have been decent encounters. And most-90% at least-I have/had been fracturing speed limits!   Being polite and making it-the encounter-easier on the L E Os-generally pays dividends. At night interior lights on and both hands out the window. Daylight both hands out the window. M/C day or night-both hands remain on the handle bars and I ASK to move hands-remove helmet-wallet in windshield pouch etc etc. BUT I have had encounters in states that would have pissed off the Pope had they been me.   There was a CERTAIN scale master in Ky. I absofrikkinlutely REFUSED to help him convict me after the first encounter. He wanted to check brake operation and lights I politely asked to get another L E O in the cab to run the tests. After that when we saw each other he waved me on thru. Every L E O I talked with-over coffee or while being stopped-they all told me the first 15-20 seconds determined whether it was a warning or a real ticket. I've had way more warnings than tickets. Ask either one of my ex wives or any of my 6 children!   RIDE SAFE.

[john]

I got a ticket for speeding one time years ago out in apache junction Arizona .
               speed limit 65 mph ,        ??? I'm drive'in 60 mph.                Arizona trooper shows me his radar gun .
" I have you at 73 mph "             .I explained to him that I had just put tires on the 85 dodge peecup ... way oversized . later I found my speedometer was off 13 mph at my local speedometer and tach shop              .. $150.00 to reset the speedo            ...  two weeks later I show the receipt to the judge ... he says " o k ... I will wave the fine for speeding ...  the but I just gotta have 25 bucks .. court cost "          

[Jess from VA]

On equipment violations, it could be something as simple as a (new) PD policy to write them all tickets. 

All it takes is for some kid to get hit on a bike in town after dark, or anything really. 

A citizen calls the mayor, the mayor calls the chief cop, the chief cop says OK, we'll start writing them all.

Of course there is a very solid trend in America to remove individual judgment calls from front-line decision makers (like suspending a kid from school for taking an aspirin) (Zero tolerance is a failure of leadership, and an admission of stupidity).

Or, lots of times, new guys in any profession, really try hard to show they are up to the challenge of the new job.  They want to prove themselves worthy of their seasoned veteran coworkers and superiors...... and usually this is a good thing.  But not always. 

If I lived out of town on an equipment violation, had it fixed and was in town, I'd call over and ask the court clerk if I could just come right in to get it taken care of, instead of coming back for some future court date.  You're lucky you got a call at all.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

On equipment violations, it could be something as simple as a (new) PD policy to write them all tickets.  

All it takes is for some kid to get hit on a bike in town after dark, or anything really.  

A citizen calls the mayor, the mayor calls the chief cop, the chief cop says OK, we'll start writing them all.

Of course there is a very solid trend in America to remove individual judgment calls from front-line decision makers (like suspending a kid from school for taking an aspirin) (Zero tolerance is a failure of leadership, and an admission of stupidity).

Or, lots of times, new guys in any profession, really try hard to show they are up to the challenge of the new job.  They want to prove themselves worthy of their seasoned veteran coworkers and superiors...... and usually this is a good thing.  But not always.  

If I lived out of town on an equipment violation, had it fixed and was in town, I'd call over and ask the court clerk if I could just come right in to get it taken care of, instead of coming back for some future court date.  You're lucky you got a call at all.

If you read the incident you would see I did go to the clerk but said the judge has to make the decision. She took my number and said she would call. 3 weeks go by and I decided she may have dropped the ball. Got the call today so maybe the traffic judge is only here 1day a month. I dont know, but I followed thru all that could be done at the time. And yes, I was fortunate.......

My bad, I left out the replacing it the next morning and going to the clerk. She made copy of the receipt for bulb and saw the old one I brought in. Said she would call but never heard from her till today.

[Jess from VA]

It's all good Dave.

I would have asked her (Clerk) if she knew anything about a zero tolerance on equipment violations.  Court clerk personnel often know a great deal about what's going on and anything new in town, but they don't talk about it much, unless asked nicely.

In my years around courthouses, I learned that friends in the clerks office was a very good thing.  Even a little warning, like the judge is really pissed off today can save your bacon. 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Sorry for your bad experience Dave. Was the LEO courteous? Was he all business or did you feel like he had an attitude? Like RJ said, all of them have their bad days. Luckily, my last two encounters with my LEOs were polite and favorable. I was stopped for speeding while approaching two oncoming motorcycle cops and did a little courteous wave and they waved back and smiled and as I got past them I checked my mirror and ......yep, they were looping in the street with their lights on and I figured they got a call for something else and they would soon be blowing by me but then I got the little short wurp wurp of the siren so I pulled over and waited for them. One approached and said "don't get off your bike, I'm not gonna write 'cha." He told me I was doing 42 in a 25 zone. I said I was cruising at what I thought to be a safe slow speed and since we were out in the sticks, I never dreamed the speed limit was so low. He laughed and remarked that he could see why all this happened. He said "all you Valkyrie guys have the same problem......our bikes are extremely powerful and also extremely smooth and we don't realize our true speed. I asked him if he ever rode one and he said "no" so told him where I lived and when he was off duty, he could take one of my Interstates out for a ride. He said he'd like that. So we'll see.
  The other stop was about my green LEDs were on. He informed me of the law and said to read up on the law on the internet when I got back home. I told him I was disappointed about the law but that I would comply. He was also very courteous and polite.
  All my stops before these two mentioned were horrific. It's one reason I'll never go back to Florida. Those cops are the worst I've ever encountered. Bullies and punks with guns with no air of professionalism. It's like they hate everybody.

He was courteous and by the book. He was very young and learning his way, almost seemed nervous. We all start somewhere when starting a new job or career.

[Valker]

Yep. I got a ticket for 37 in a 35 driving my mother (in her car) to church on my birthday one year. After he handed it to me, I asked if he had just graduated academy.....yep.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Yep. I got a ticket for 37 in a 35 driving my mother (in her car) to church on my birthday one year. After he handed it to me, I asked if he had just graduated academy.....yep.

[Oss]

Isnt Jacksboro where Bushtec is made

Was there to get a longer tongue for my bushtec about 10 yrs ago I think

Never had the pleasure of being pulled over there

As for Florida Valkjerk if we ever meet ask me to tell you why I think Florida used to be the BEST state to get pulled over driving 57 Olds   

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Isnt Jacksboro where Bushtec is made

Was there to get a longer tongue for my bushtec about 10 yrs ago I think

Never had the pleasure of being pulled over there

As for Florida Valkjerk if we ever meet ask me to tell you why I think Florida used to be the BEST state to get pulled over driving 57 Olds   

Yep, my brother worked there for awhile.

[Patrick]

I'm sure all will deny it, but, some places do have quota's.

[Jess from VA]

And even if they don't have any quota at all, if you drive around all day and don't give any/many out, your shift commander may think you'd make a good dispatcher.

[cookiedough]

I work there weekly and have for 25+years. 1 night I decide to after work go to a nieces basketball game and spend the night at my parents to be in town for work the next day. As I'm leaving the game and heading home I get pulled over. Mind you I'm always a yes sir kinda guy and respect them doing there job. Asks me if I know why he pulled me over and I say no sir was I a little over. He says no, you have a headlight out. Takes my license , ins and registration to his car for 10-15 mins and comes back handing me a ticket. Says replace and come to court to get waived but I know your from out of town so you can just send in the $83 by mail if ya want. Replaced the next morning and took proof to the clerk but the Judge has to make the decision. Guess I'll kill an evening in Jacksboro court tonight.  

My question is what ever happened to a courteous,"get it replaced" when all paperwork is in order. My brother says the town hired 2 new young cops and he was 1 as I've worked in the area longer then he's been alive. All I can say is Jacksboro, TN must be a much safer place with these 2 new guys on the force. Went to my parents after the stop and counted 2 cars with missing headlights on the 2 mile trip to their home. O K, I'm off my soap box. And No I don't feel any better now after posting  

I hear yah,  although no ticket,  have posted before the young gun cop in our small town with no traffic in downtown late at night pulled me over for running the main stop light going at most 1 mph not coming to a complete stop.  Some on hear disagree with me and that is their choice, but I have found out he is doing this to all driver's in town and most are local just living in our small town of 1100 people.  Heck, I've seen numerous times our police chief run stop signs much worse and talking on his cell phone while driving which although not against the law yet (only texting is), he should know better.  yes, a stop is a stop, but can clearly see, especially at night,  both ways being a 3 way stop,  in all directions very clearly if a car is coming from over 50 yards away easily BEFORE coming to a complete stop.   

If not having to take off work,  I'd fight it and hopefully get your money back on that one as well.  Some cops are nice giving you one warning as they should, others just trying to make their quotas for the month.  The cops in nearby town pull over anyone not wearing a seat belt regardless if they do anything else wrong just to give you a 10 dollar ticket.  I haven't been caught on that one yet. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

I'm sure all will deny it, but, some places do have quota's.

no, they dont have quota's , they can write all the tickets they want to...

[0leman]

First MC incident I had was a warning ticket.  I left a gas station on a country road and accelerated a bit fast and over the speed limit.  This was in AZ in the early 70's.  They had to either clocked you between two points or pace you to give you a ticket.   He couldn't pace me cause he could accelerate fast enough.      To got a warning ticket.

Last one was while I was still working.  Got a call late on a Friday afternoon that there were problems at the office (I was an System Admin at the time).  So rode my bike to the  office.   I got caught going a little fast.   Just a verbal warning Thankfully. 

Those are the only two MC stops.  Both the LEO's were nice and polite.