Definitely. I don't understand how someone can even argue this. Your appearance directly plays on people's perception of you. Judges ARE human, contrary to popular belief, so little subtle things will play on them as well. Just put yourself in their shoes. You'd want someone to show respect for your courtroom and look presentable. I'd say a suit may be overkill for a traffic violation, but a dress shirt w/tie and dress pants with nicely polished shoes would be appropriate.

 

You've been to court once and you're an expert... spouting off "oh, that isn't true" and "oh, that won't work" or "hey, try this..."

Whatever, dude. Have fun.

Oh, and I can guarantee that 99% of us speed or have sped at one or another point in our lives. The other 1% is lying. I never claimed to be an expert or an angel... I claim to own a Maxima and as far as expertise, well, that has to do with my career fields (both civilian and military).

You respect cops? Read your posts again... no respect there... just all 'stupid cops' and 'donuts' and 'they give you a ticket for no reason' etc.

 

Well put!!

I just can't stand any more of these whining posts about 'how can I get out of this' BS. These people need to grow up and take responsibility for their actions.

Yes, I have been pulled over...I am NO angel...I just don't come here whining about it.

 

 

You always thought? I thought you "had a friend"?

"I think" you're making this stuff up because you don't know what you're talking about. Maybe you've been lucky, maybe it's where you live... heck, maybe you're lying... all I know is when I've gone to court the officer has NEVER had a "printout" of my speed. His testimony is all that was needed as evidence of my speed and, like it or not, I had to prove I was not speeding (so I was guilty until proven innocent).

 

Not sure I agree with this...this seems to be a fallacy promoted by TV court room shows.

Please, do you not think a person who has made it to the position of judge does not know the 'sham' before their eyes?

 

O dear GOD! I was trying to help out with my experiences. I never quoted laws or anything. I never told him to do it. I just gave him an option that worked for me.
I respect cops. But there are some bad ones out there. Again the dougnut thing was a joke so calm down.
If a cop pulls me over and I know I was speeding and I know he got me with the radar Im an adult and I will pay it. But so far I havent had to. I have been very lucky. Plus I have noticed that there are less cops in "nice" towns. I hardly ever see cops where I live now.
JJS, I was never wining, that was the person that started the post.
By the way, I'm in the military right now

 

What service? Rank? MOS?

 

Air Force, SSgt, Intel.
And you?

 

Army, 2LT, Field Artillery... direct commission after 16 years (8 yrs USMC, 8 yrs Army) and I was SSG as well.

 

Damn, USMC and Army. Cool. I guess I'm just a candy *** Air Force guy then.

 

How long ago did you get out? What do you do now?

 

NOPE... we are ALL equally respected as soldiers/sailors/airmen. We all have different jobs to do... we fight the wars and you get our coffee for us.



Just kidding... actually, the Air Force gets all the cool bombs and does the most damage during any conflict. They just don't have as high of a body count... 'boots on the ground' is for the Marines and Army.

_R

 

I like my job because as the enlisted person I get the officer ready to go into harms way. I respect the hell out of the Marines and Army. I couldnt do it.

 

I'm not saying that dressing nice will hide the "sham" before the judge's eyes. It's more of common courtesy to look presentable in front of the judge. There are judges who take things very personally in THEIR courtrooms (a lot of them treat it like their own house), and will note such things as unkempt appearance.

Put it like this--to be safe than sorry, dress up for it! It will not hurt you, but may only help. If you come in a T-shirt and jeans, it can only hurt you, but not help you. Period!

 

wow jttaylor and 255hp are like best friends now... lol

 

We are cool (military thing). But I still stand behind what I said and I'm sure he does to. We are guys, we dont hold grudges

 

haha.. so true... girls argue over the most trivial things.. and hold grudges for lifetimes...

 

Amen to that! Remember, just when you thought the fight you had with your g/f has been forgotten, well, it hasn't!

 

 

Chicks will hate another chick forever cause she looked at her man. Then talk **** about her to everyone.

 

Heh heh...yes, candy...

J/K dude! Former Navy LT. here (VFA-113 Stingers).

 

Don't get a lawyer, a paralegal (an ex-cop if possible) that specializes in traffic tickets is your best choice. I spend $250 (CDN) to fight a $100 speeding ticket, but it was worth it since my insurance rates won't go up now.

If you can't find a paralegal and have to represent yourself, ask for the tuning fork calibration records for the radar gun the cop used. Usually they either don't have it or aren't willing to show it.

Whatever you do, DONT pay the ticket. It isn't worth it on your insurance.

 

Ummm... here in the United States they use a laser radar system... hence, the calibration does not use tuning forks any more.

Maybe if Canada upgraded their system sometime...

 

jttaylor:

There are lots of cases where this will all break down .... for example the cop's radar printout will not prove which vehicle caused the reading - it was the truck that blew past this guy.

Officers (in CA atleast ) regularly use a technique called "pacing" - they match your speed and they ticket u based on that.
Most of the patrol cars have very accurately calibrated speedometers - so they are proof enough.

Having a radar detector, in sight, just reduces your chances of getting a warning and increases that of a ticket - u are lucky !

Its a common mis-conception that the officer needs to show u the proof ( radar reading ) - this is too dangerous for the cop - they rarely do it ( mostly its done as a courtesy ).

You've been lucky - I wouldn't try and do the exact things and expect to be lucky.

 

max2k1se Telling it like it is!!!

 

Now I wish I hadnt started this whole discusion. I was just giving my advice from my experience. I didnt want to start this.
LET IT DIE