Unbelievable - I just got a ticket for the dumbest reason

[aerofx]

Okay - recently got a ticket just because I forgot to put the current year sticker on my license plate. When I was pulled over I did have the paper with me that showed I paid my dues, so the only thing was I had the sticker at home & had forgotten to put it on. Now I know I should have put it on right away, but when I think about all the times cops just sit waiting at a light while countless people run red lights right in front of them, it just infuriates me that I get pulled over for something as little as not having the current year sticker on!!!!! Come on!

Shouldn't you people be looking for people who are actually endangering other people's lives, like all those people who are speeding, or running red lights, or robbing people's stores... I don't think I'm hurting anyone driving around without the right sticker & the dues are paid- I just forgot the damn sticker! Ugghhhhhh!!!!!!! Sorry but I am just pissed off that I was pulled over just so someone could fill their daily quota of tickets issued. I'm sorry but I thought police officers were supposed to spend their time protecting us, not chasing around people without the right stickers on their license plates. :rolleyes:

[LuvBigRip]

He probably wanted to check to make sure you had valid insurance, since so many people without tags are driving without insurance. I would think that it should be a "fix-it" ticket, that allows you to have an officer sign it off, and then you pay no fines.

[BigLyd1]

<rushing out to her car to put the sticker on>

Yikes, I also have my sticker but haven't put it on my car yet. I guess I better get that taken care of. And you're right, it is a ticket for a dumb reason. It's not like you could cause an accident because of not having the sticker on there.

[Willow]

I'm sorry that happened. Too bad you didn't have a trunk monkey. :D

[aerofx]

I showed him the dmv slip that showed my registration dues were paid & everything was current, but still he gave me a ticket. I think I still have to go down to traffic court & pay some kind of fine, even after I put the sticker back on. :mad:

[JWWB2000]

Sorry to hear that!!! I know what you mean about the running the red lights right in front of them and then not doing a darn thing!!

[sahmsfreeb]

sorry to hear that! maybe if you fight it you can win! wishful thinking...

[rlynn411]

Sorry about the ticket. Maybe you'll get lucky and get by with no fine.

How long had the previous years sticker been expired? By BIL is a cop and if its not that far past and you have proof you have the current years sticker he just gives you a verbal warning.... saves paper work that way :D .

The comment about the trunk monkey was just to funny!

[iluvmybaby]

You had proof that you had paid your registration and tag fee and he still gave you a ticket? Sounds like he didnt make a quota, was in a bad mood, or was just bored. I hope the ticket fine wasnt too bad

[MsLynn]

ok,i know i'm gonna get flamed for this, but here goes..I'm not saying this to be mean in anyway. and like i said i know i'm gonna get FLAMED.

fact... you didn't have your license plate PROPERLY displayed. a law was broken.. thats a fact and you're not disputing it. sounds to me like you were rightfully given a ticket.

lots of cities will drop the ticket if you prove you had it at the time you were given the ticket.

and while I am sorry you got the ticket, fact remains you were breaking the law. yes some get away with thing, but how many times have you been speeding, or something and didn't get caught. shoot I work in Law Enforcement and got a no seatbelt ticket. and everyone things they all just let each other go. NOT TRUE..


ok i'm ready. FLAME AWAY!!

[MamaFairal]

you didn't have your license plate PROPERLY displayed. a law was broken.. thats a fact and you're not disputing it. sounds to me like you were rightfully given a ticket.



ITA~ they give you the stickers to display not collect :)

[aerofx]

I am not claiming that I am faultless for not displaying the sticker. But I do have a child that I am homeschooling & raising and I am a full-time student, not to mention all of the family problems that I was/am having (including being threatened by a family member), so I am sorry if a STICKER that I should have, yes SHOULD HAVE, placed on my license plate was not at the top of my list of things to do.

I am not just some ignorant person who intended to "COLLECT" the sticker, like I said, I'm just human & I happened to have a life with other things happening to me & I just forgot about it.

Like I said, I had other things that were preoccupying my mind at the time the sticker came in & it happened to get buried amidst the papers on my desk, which included papers I was studying for my college finals.

My point was that I did have proof that I paid, I had the paper that showed everything was current and my vent is that the cops in my area do not seem to care about the "real" lawbreakers, whose crimes could result in people's injuries or deaths, but instead they are chasing after people like me, who - God forbid - just happened to get sidetracked & forget to put on their sticker, SIMPLY because they want to fill their quota.

[Angel Lips]

Im sorry, darn those coppers

[Technologist]

I have to agree with.....

Both MsLynn and aerofx!!!

Your bad for not putting on the sticker.... but if you go to court, you might not have to pay any fines (if you prove you had the registration).

and I personally KNOW that cops around here don't have quota's per se... but writing tickets is one one to PROVE that they are working....

I'm wondering how the cop saw that the sticker was out of date.... they usually don't see that until AFTER you've been pulled over for something else... maybe you were speeding, but the cop gave you a break and wrote you a ticket for a NON-moving violation, so your insurance premiums wouldn't go up..... so maybe the COP did cut you a break???? :)

[aerofx]

I have to agree with.....

Both MsLynn and aerofx!!!

Your bad for not putting on the sticker.... but if you go to court, you might not have to pay any fines (if you prove you had the registration).

and I personally KNOW that cops around here don't have quota's per se... but writing tickets is one one to PROVE that they are working....

I'm wondering how the cop saw that the sticker was out of date.... they usually don't see that until AFTER you've been pulled over for something else... maybe you were speeding, but the cop gave you a break and wrote you a ticket for a NON-moving violation, so your insurance premiums wouldn't go up..... so maybe the COP did cut you a break???? :)

I happened to pass by his while he was at a stoplight - I was turning right while he was in the lane right next to me that was going straight. Contrary to popular belief, I was not committing any other kind of crime, like speeding, to call his attention to me. I know that I should have put the sticker on, & I avoided going into detail in my 1st post because I did not want to write a sob story & talk about my horrible family problems & the reasons why I could possibly forget to do something so simple.

All I'm saying is that I am human & I did forget about the sticker, but the cops around here don't seem to do their jobs when it is truly necessary (like I said - I have seen on NUMEROUS occasions people running red lights, and sometimes people even running them on purpose minutes after they've been red - people speeding like crazy, etc. RIGHT IN FRONT OF COPS in the same intersection, and not ONCE have these people been pulled over).

[bell_peaches]

Oh my thanks for reminding me The sticker did make it to my purse but not on the plate yet suppose to be there Aug 1 I hope I remember to do it in the morning. Sorry you got the ticket. (((((((((HUGS)))))))))

[farren]

The stickers in my state are color coded. Maybe that's the reason?

This is just one of the those things you have to do as soon as you get it. I'm sorry you got the ticket though.

[msmom79]

Are You From Missouri By Any Chance???? I See This Crap Happen All The Time Here.people Run The Lights All The Time,and Nothing Is Done To Them (especially If They Come From A Wealthy Family).our Police Officers Here Have To Reach A Quata (sp)here To.my Uncle Used To Be An Officer Here In Missouri,and Yes There Are Alot Of Officers Who Do Alot Of Wrong Things.actually Take Things Away From Minors ,pot,beer,stolen Stuff,and It Never Ends Up In The Evidence Room,hum Wonder Where It Goes? Im Not Acusing Anyone Of Anything,there Are Good Officers And Then There Are The Bad Ones. Maybe The Officer Who Got You,was Just Having A Bad Day.i Remember One Time And This Is So The Trueth,they Police Here Were Having Roadside Inspections.i Got Pulled Over In My 67 P.u. 8 Times In One Day,and It Was Because I Had An Older Vechicle,the Last Time They Pulled Me Over,they Actually Ran My Plate,check My Drivers License Through Jeff City,then The Had A Tow Truck Lift My Truck Off The Ground And They Sat Down And Kicked My Tires To See If They Would Fall Off.needless To Say I Passed All My Inspections But I Garantee After The Last Check I Went Home Crying And I Stayed Home.hope Everything Goes Good For You.hugs Ann

[aerofx]

Are You From Missouri By Any Chance???? I See This Crap Happen All The Time Here.people Run The Lights All The Time,and Nothing Is Done To Them (especially If They Come From A Wealthy Family).our Police Officers Here Have To Reach A Quata (sp)here To.my Uncle Used To Be An Officer Here In Missouri,and Yes There Are Alot Of Officers Who Do Alot Of Wrong Things.actually Take Things Away From Minors ,pot,beer,stolen Stuff,and It Never Ends Up In The Evidence Room,hum Wonder Where It Goes? Im Not Acusing Anyone Of Anything,there Are Good Officers And Then There Are The Bad Ones. Maybe The Officer Who Got You,was Just Having A Bad Day.i Remember One Time And This Is So The Trueth,they Police Here Were Having Roadside Inspections.i Got Pulled Over In My 67 P.u. 8 Times In One Day,and It Was Because I Had An Older Vechicle,the Last Time They Pulled Me Over,they Actually Ran My Plate,check My Drivers License Through Jeff City,then The Had A Tow Truck Lift My Truck Off The Ground And They Sat Down And Kicked My Tires To See If They Would Fall Off.needless To Say I Passed All My Inspections But I Garantee After The Last Check I Went Home Crying And I Stayed Home.hope Everything Goes Good For You.hugs Ann

Hehe, no I'm from California. Sounds like it might even be worse for you in your state, but at least you get the point I was trying to make - I wasn't attacking all police officers - I was just saying that it seems like they have a lot of misplaced time on their hands & some don't seem to be doing their job in situations where it really matters.

[jedmatters]

Just take the paperwork to the courts. It should be done away with there. No fines most likely. They do that here around the middle of the month. They actually start looking for people without proper windshield tags (ours no longer go on the plate, they are on the inside windshield, by the inspection sticker). You have 5 days grace at the end of your tag year. Thenyou can get a ticket. If you have it, and have not displayed it, the ticket is still wrote, and the courts dismiss it later.
The officer stopped you after calling in the reason he was pulling your car over. He must prove what happened, and the ticket is proof. He is not the one that decides what happens based on your circumstances, that is the traffic court judge. So most officers do not even give people time to explain.

Get to the court house quickly. The faster you go, the better you look. It takes a few days to process the tickets from the officer, so if you beat him in presenting you case, the judge usually likes that.

Good Luck.

[llbriteyes]

My father is a police officer. There's no such thing as quota's. The police are paid to do a job. Keep the law.

First off, the law is the law. It doesn't matter if you're having a bad day. If I'm in a hurry and I speed and get pulled over, and the officer gives me a ticket, I deserve it. Extenuating circumstances don't really matter. How does the officer know your car hadn't been stolen and used in the commission of some crime?

It isn't your place to decide who is more deserving of a ticket. It is the police officer's. You broke the law the same as the person running the red light. You don't know what might be happening with the other motorist and police investigations.

Now.... flame away.

Linda

[Tasha405]

My father is a police officer. There's no such thing as quota's. The police are paid to do a job. Keep the law.

First off, the law is the law. It doesn't matter if you're having a bad day. If I'm in a hurry and I speed and get pulled over, and the officer gives me a ticket, I deserve it. Extenuating circumstances don't really matter. How does the officer know your car hadn't been stolen and used in the commission of some crime?

It isn't your place to decide who is more deserving of a ticket. It is the police officer's. You broke the law the same as the person running the red light. You don't know what might be happening with the other motorist and police investigations.

Now.... flame away.

Linda No flaming from me because I agree.

I'm sure they are several people that break the law every day and never get pulled over but you were also breaking the law by not having your sticker on your car. Some get caught and some don't. It sucks, I know but you were in the wrong too. Oh and those other people will get their day too, its karma. ;)

Sorry you got the ticket but I would take the paper work to court and see of you can fight but I doubt you have much luck with it because you know to put the sticker on your car after you purchase it. But ya never know so its worth a shot. :)

[mom2cvam]

No flaming from me because I agree.

I'm sure they are several people that break the law every day and never get pulled over but you were also breaking the law by not having your sticker on your car. Some get caught and some don't. It sucks, I know but you were in the wrong too. Oh and those other people will get their day too, its karma. ;)

Sorry you got the ticket but I would take the paper work to court and see of you can fight but I doubt you have much luck with it because you know to put the sticker on your car after you purchase it. But ya never know so its worth a shot. :)

ITA. I'm sorry that you got a ticket but maybe if you explained the situation to the courts and maybe get it dropped. I know here if you show proof that it was taken care of and you just forgot to put the sticker on they usually drop it with just a warning to no let it happen again. I understand that sometimes things get so hectic that we forget but you did still break the law. My DH was so mad because he got a speeding ticket for going 5 miles of the limit. I told him the same thing, You broke the law. He paid the fine and watches his speed a whole lot closer now. There will always be other people who are breaking the law and their day will come when it will catch up with them. I'm a strong believer in Karma. ;) That officer was just doing his job. Hopefully you can work it all out. :o

[Linus1223]

My father is a police officer. There's no such thing as quota's. The police are paid to do a job. Keep the law.

First off, the law is the law. It doesn't matter if you're having a bad day. If I'm in a hurry and I speed and get pulled over, and the officer gives me a ticket, I deserve it. Extenuating circumstances don't really matter. How does the officer know your car hadn't been stolen and used in the commission of some crime?

It isn't your place to decide who is more deserving of a ticket. It is the police officer's. You broke the law the same as the person running the red light. You don't know what might be happening with the other motorist and police investigations.

Now.... flame away.

Linda
ITA! A law is law...I hope you get everything taken care of!

[aerofx]

I came here trying to vent not to attack all police officers, but merely because it seems like the ones in my area do not seem to be doing their jobs when it truly counts. I KNOW that I made a mistake when I forgot and I didn't post because I needed people to confirm that I was wrong. I think I knew that when I posted that anyone even slightly related to anyone in the police force would get defensive, but let's just all think of how trivial it is to go chasing someone down because of a STICKER. All I was trying to do is voice my frustration that they sit & WATCH people speed by them & run thru stale red lights without doing nothing, thinking it is commonplace, maybe, but then "oh no, someone's got an expired sticker - let's get 'em!"

And for those of you talking about "justice", what do all of you think about the fact that my aunt is stuck with tons of court bills because she got HER dmv sticker stolen off her car. She can prove that she paid, but does that stop them from charging her an arm and a leg in fees, and then her getting stuck with more bills to fight it? No. Seems to me that this is all just about money... not really a need to make sure people don't break the law.

[dlwt]

Vent away kiddo because though it a law you aint killed anyone and it will probably get dropped (hopefully). I to get ticked though that My boat gets stollen, I get ripped off etcetc the cops aint never caught the people but they have the time and inclimation to stop me for turning right into the inside lane rather than the outside lane. Glad you caught all the real criminals and need to take up my time and yours by stopping me. just my opinion and I dont have cops or anything just my opinion

[Tasha405]

Well we didn't mean to make you feel bad but the heading for your thread is.. "Unbelievable - I just got a ticket for the dumbest reason" and we were simply stating our opinions about it. I for one didn't think it was a dumb reason, its a law and it is there for everyone to obey. Just like speeding, stealing, killing and so on.

However, it is a shame that the police officers in your town will let the speeders go on by like you said they do. Maybe you can write a complaint to someone or to a newspaper or something and see if things can start changing?

Again, please vent all you want and don't let some of our comments stop you from doing so. We all have different opinions so you will get some people who doesn't see things your way or whatever but please don't let that stop ya from posting. :)

[Denise1972]

YIKES!! Thank you for reminding me... Our sticker is due at the end of the month, whe have to go pay for ours still. I think it is $78. I hope we have the money for it. My bf goes back to work at the end of the month so, we should be able to get it. I am so glad you reminded me, or I would have been in the same boat as you, aerofx. Its understandable to forget.. after all, we are all only human. Yes, it may be breaking the law, but it isnt killing or hurting someone. One time my bf got a no insurance ticket, because we couldnt afford it at the time... I know, it would have been alot more in an accident. but he only went to work and back, so we could get money for the insurance... Well he paid the $1000 fine with our income tax money, and they STILL suspended the car plates after he paid the $100 re-instate fee. He had to go back and pay another $100 even after they said everything is A-ok. My bf's mom is retired from the Illinois State Police, and she said that wasnt right either, but he learned a lesson. Now watch me forget to put the sticker onw hen we get it hehe. ;) I am going to write it on my yahoo calender and send myself a reminder right now. ;)

[aerofx]

Well we didn't mean to make you feel bad but the heading for your thread is.. "Unbelievable - I just got a ticket for the dumbest reason" and we were simply stating our opinions about it. I for one didn't think it was a dumb reason, its a law and it is there for everyone to obey. Just like speeding, stealing, killing and so on.

However, it is a shame that the police officers in your town will let the speeders go on by like you said they do. Maybe you can write a complaint to someone or to a newspaper or something and see if things can start changing?

Again, please vent all you want and don't let some of our comments stop you from doing so. We all have different opinions so you will get some people who doesn't see things your way or whatever but please don't let that stop ya from posting. :)

Hi Tasha,

Yes I do understand that people do have their own opinions. Maybe some people don't think it is so dumb for me to get a ticket for that reason, but I guess my reasoning is that the time they spent on me for such a trivial thing could be put to good use catching "real" criminals, who actually harm other people or their property.

Where were the cops when my husband's car was broken into not once, but 3 times? Or when a girl was raped & then dumped into a nearby creek in our area. And I don't even live in what I would call a "crime ridden" area. I mean, I may walk off with a small fine & yes, I admit it was my mistake & I am human & do make them, but I just think their time should be better spent don't ya think?

[aerofx]

YIKES!! Thank you for reminding me... Our sticker is due at the end of the month, whe have to go pay for ours still. I think it is $78. I hope we have the money for it. My bf goes back to work at the end of the month so, we should be able to get it. I am so glad you reminded me, or I would have been in the same boat as you, aerofx. Its understandable to forget.. after all, we are all only human. Yes, it may be breaking the law, but it isnt killing or hurting someone. One time my bf got a no insurance ticket, because we couldnt afford it at the time... I know, it would have been alot more in an accident. but he only went to work and back, so we could get money for the insurance... Well he paid the $1000 fine with our income tax money, and they STILL suspended the car plates after he paid the $100 re-instate fee. He had to go back and pay another $100 even after they said everything is A-ok. My bf's mom is retired from the Illinois State Police, and she said that wasnt right either, but he learned a lesson. Now watch me forget to put the sticker onw hen we get it hehe. ;) I am going to write it on my yahoo calender and send myself a reminder right now. ;)

Denise -

You are too funny :) I didn't think of it when I posted, but I'm glad I helped to remind you & some others about the sticker so you don't end up in my situation, too!

[msmom79]

first off let me tell everyone from experience,not all cops are good.here where i live two police officers were kicked off of the force here for stealing.had been going on awhile,then front page news 2 local officers arrested for stealing and breaking and entering a local business and stealing new riding lawn mowers.this is a true story.next yes my uncle was an officer for a few years,when i lived at home with my parents,we were told all the time about taking beer ,pot and stolen items from young teenagers,and then took home by officers :eek: and what about the officer that just recently shot and killed his wife,cause he didnt want to pay child support,and the officer who dealt major drugs on the side,to make ends meet.i just recently watched on court tv,about an officer who actually set people up for drug raids.he would plant the stuff and then bust them.come on everyone,no offense but not all COPS ARE GOOD!! feel free to flame me,but this is my honest opinions. and as far as quata's sorry they do happen here daily.and so does harrassment of some people,i feel i was harassed by getting pulled over 8 times in one day for the same thing,come on you cant tell me that they didnt know i had been checked already 7 times. jmop here!!

[BigLyd1]

Well, I work at a P.D. and have worked at one for 25 years ( :eek: ). Anyway, just like in any other field, there are some excellent cops and some not so good cops. And even cops would tell you that.

<runs out to car to put current sticker on>

[aerofx]

Well, I work at a P.D. and have worked at one for 25 years ( :eek: ). Anyway, just like in any other field, there are some excellent cops and some not so good cops. And even cops would tell you that.

<runs out to car to put current sticker on>

hehe :p

[evrita]

Face it you broke the law thats that. We have have a bunch of stuff on our minds :rolleyes:

[aerofx]

Face it you broke the law thats that. We have have a bunch of stuff on our minds :rolleyes:

It is apparent some people STILL aren't getting the point I was trying to make. :rolleyes: Wow, I thought I had made it pretty evident that I had made a mistake, but some people still insist on beating a dead horse.

[llbriteyes]

It is apparent some people STILL aren't getting the point I was trying to make. :rolleyes: Wow, I thought I had made it pretty evident that I had made a mistake, but some people still insist on beating a dead horse.

I don't think its so much that they don't get what you're saying they don't get. Its that in your post, you keep saying that your level of breaking the law is lesser than someone else breaking the law. At least thats what I get from it. And the point from that is that breaking the law is breaking the law. Murders get investigated. Not by the officer on the "beat." Rapes and robberies are also investigated. Not by the officer on the beat. Traffic cops are traffic cops. A violation is a violation. Yes, there are bad cops. Yes, some will let someone else go. But the law is the law. Your violation was a violation, as much as any other traffic violation.

Linda

[Tasha405]

I don't think its so much that they don't get what you're saying they don't get. Its that in your post, you keep saying that your level of breaking the law is lesser than someone else breaking the law. At least thats what I get from it. And the point from that is that breaking the law is breaking the law. Murders get investigated. Not by the officer on the "beat." Rapes and robberies are also investigated. Not by the officer on the beat. Traffic cops are traffic cops. A violation is a violation. Yes, there are bad cops. Yes, some will let someone else go. But the law is the law. Your violation was a violation, as much as any other traffic violation.

Linda
Exactly! Thats the point I was trying to make. I just didn't do a very good job at it. lol :o

[littlebuggy]

Where in cali do you live? I got a ticket for just about the same reason. We bought our van (used) and the current sticker had been ripped off at the dealership. But when you buy it it has to have current registration, so I had the sticker thing in my window showing current registration. When the cop pulled me over I explained the situation, and he looked at the paid registration, I just hadn't gotten the sticker from the dmv yet. He gave me a ticket anyway, but assured me that it wouldn't be on my record, blah, blah, blah. Then I got a notice in the mail saying that I owed fines for it. It was only $10, but it was all the way in Los Gatos, and I live about 2 hours from there. It would have cost me more money to go to court over it, but it really pissed me off!! I wasn't speeding, he told me that he pulled me over because my tags were expired. But even after I explained the situation he still gave me a freakin ticket.

[justme23]

I have to agree with.....

Both MsLynn and aerofx!!!

Your bad for not putting on the sticker.... but if you go to court, you might not have to pay any fines (if you prove you had the registration).

and I personally KNOW that cops around here don't have quota's per se... but writing tickets is one one to PROVE that they are working....

I'm wondering how the cop saw that the sticker was out of date.... they usually don't see that until AFTER you've been pulled over for something else... maybe you were speeding, but the cop gave you a break and wrote you a ticket for a NON-moving violation, so your insurance premiums wouldn't go up..... so maybe the COP did cut you a break???? :)


Can't they tell cause it's a different color every year? That's how it is here... but we have big stickers on our winshields instead of those itty bitty things on the plates.

I'm sorry you got a ticket... I know Lynn is right, but it doesn't make it suck any less... hope they don't make you pay it!!!