I got pulled over by a cop for a non-existent problem

This is in Virginia Beach, Va

I was driving down a city street coming home from work and I signaled and pulled into a left turn lane and stopped for the light. When the light turned green, I pulled forward to turn and the cop behind me flashed his lights. I completed the turn and pulled over.

The officer came up and asked for my license and asked me if this was my car. My car is a 1986 Volvo 240 wagon with 3 political bumpers stickers on the rear: Proud member of the Religious left, Give me liberty, or give me...Security???, and Christian Democrats practice what they preach. I replied that the car is my mother's. (in her name) I asked what happened since I did not have a clue as to why I was pulled and I was told that my license plate lights were out. I didn't think much of it at the time, but I have two of them, and it would be amazing to have both go out.

The cop returned in a few minutes to give me my license and I said I would get new bulbs and that was the end of that. What bothers me is when I got home, I walked to the rear and found that all the lights were working correctly. I even had my mother double check me and everything was working fine. The license plate light is on the same circuit as the parking lights, so i assume I would have notice a wiring problem with the bulb out indicator on the dash.

There are two possibilities I can think happened.

1. The cop could not make out my license plate lights against the brightness of the third brake light 6 inches above. Or :shrug:

2. I was pulled over for a random and BS reason.:mad:

What do you guys think?

ve trust all of your papers ver in order, ja?

Rush Limbaugh has told him that is not possible.

But I understand what you are saying and I am also rather paranoid about this. To avoid any problems, I try and check my lights once a month. Just some tips, check the back up lights by having the car on a LEVEL surface and tightly apply the parking brakes (make sure they work fine) and with the engine OFF put the car in reverse and check the lights. You can also do this with someone sitting in the car with the brakes fully applied and the car in reverse (more safer). Check your blinkers with hazzard on and check the parking lights, low and high beam headlights. But situations like yours are bound to happen and there is simply no telling as I have had the same happen to me.

responded to wrong post

cause" part of the laws governing why you can get pulled over. Haven't read it myself....not that I would clearly understand the jargon...but this was a cop I know who had just finished a "fresher" course at the University here.

This happened to me twice 20 years ago. The first time they actually searched my car. As it turns out my car looked like a hotrod which the police still like to profile to this day. Of course the car was all show and no go. It happened in Clarkstown, NY and again in Manhattan. Both times the tag lights were fine.

but when you came back clean, he had to let you go. bull.

When I lived in Norfolk I actually got a hefty ticket for blocking an imaginary sidewalk! Yes, I say imaginary because there WAS NO sidewalk within 50 yards and I was parked next to a telephone pole in a park. I managed to flag down the cop who was nearby (busily scribbling out tickets to other citizens) and when I asked her how I could possibly be ticketed for blocking a sidewalk that didn't exist, she barked, "Just imagine it in your mind!"

Well I wasn't about to take that bullcrap, so I immediately drove to the city attorney's office and threatened (ever so politely) to expose this B.S. money racket to the papers and then in a court action. He was actually a pretty sane fellow and immediately recognized this was certainly not going to be worth the city's time and money (not to mention the cop was a bit cuckoo) and made a couple of calls and had the ticket rescinded.

Of course, the matter didn't quite stop there. When I went down to the office where tickets are paid to have mine expunged guess who was waiting for me? Yep, the crazy cop! She was a good six inches taller than me and stood right at my shoulder, glowering at me the whole time. The lady at the ticket window whispered to me that it was best not to make that particular cop PO'd; she was a nasty one and they were all afraid of her.

I never even considered that I could have gotten a ticket for my obvious political sentiments, but who knows? The Norfolk/Va Beach area is about as red as it gets, although I think Va Beach is much worse.

Truly, I do respect the vast majority of cops who are hard-working, underpaid men and women who put their lives on the line every single day. Unfortunately, there are always going to be a small number who use their badges to bully others. But don't take that B.S. lying down. Fight back! Most people don't because they figure the time and money involved fighting the ticket is more than the cost of the fine. But that works a two-way street. It also costs the city a lot more than the price of a ticket if you decide to fight the injustice.

So, it is possible (and it has happened) that the license bulb blew out and the parking lights work (at least in my car).

Also, bulbs jiggle lose--on and off at time. Just need to tighen.

I was pulled over for "speeding" -- the cop claimed he had used a radar gun.

Well I know I was going 5 miles UNDER the speed limit -- because all the traffic had to slow down due to a car on the side of the road. No one was speeding.

It was the end of his shift and I got tagged -- middle aged woman with 2 dogs -- a "safe" stop and money for the county and he would make his ticket quota.

However, I did some research:
http://www.motorists.com/issues/tickets/ticket_fighting_info_strategies.html

The organization above has a whole box of information you can borrow -- with detailed information on the mis-use of radar by cops.

What we found is that this cop made every single error a cop can make -- the angle he was holding the radar gun, pointing it at a metal building etc etc. The net result was his mis handing of the radar gun added miles to my SLOW speed.

We also learned that is a good idea to fight a ticket -- not just speeding tickets.

We got quite an education in the money grabbing scheme of small jurisdictions. This is a form of taxation -- and it is unknown how much money counties are bringing in due to bogus traffic stops.

This was in Washington State -- not one of the red necked states.

---------------

How to Avoid getting tickets

http://www.motorists.com/issues/tickets/avoiding_tickets.html

Clean car

Don't stand out (avoid bumper stickers)

(don't ask how many - I'm not telling!) for speeding & er, well, bouncing a cigarette butt off a CHP windshield on the interstate (I don't do that anymore, I use an ashtray - I told you it was many years ago). He was mad, but when he saw the inside of my truck (I had been on the job, sleeping & eating in it for 3 weeks) he lost his mind. I heard more @ how he was sure he could write me up for my junky truck than I did @ the speeding or the butt. Boy, that ticket hurt. Alot. I have learned the value of cleaning out the car, at least semi-annually!

its the beach thats red

The police in Murka have too much power and this has been true for decades now.

WHY DO THE POLICE HAVE TOO MUCH POWER? Because every goddam time the Republicans get in trouble, they start squawking "Lawn Ordah!" and the sheep roll right over!

Sounds like a fairly conservative town you live in. Out here, when I lived in Springfield Mo for four years, I was pulled over by the police, either on foot, or on my bike, eight times. Standard hassle, especially for a guy with a pony tail.

Somewhere around thirty-forty years ago, police actually had the attitude that they were public servants. Now that has changed to where they view their job as being the guard at an outdoor insane asylum.

were looking and he pulled you over, checked you out, you weren't the one so everyone went on about their business. That happens from time to time.

I hope you don't look like Brian Nichols. They also could be looking for a certain car. Might just be good police work for something you may not be aware of.

i was driving through tennessee in my grandmothers LHS, and the cops pulled into the lane next to me, right behind my bumper, and ran the license plates - i was doing 72 in a 70 mph zone - i had a long hair and a beard too, so i probably looked funny in a forty thousand dollar car - i figure they pulled me over because: a) i looked like a meth dealer that was doing really well for himself, or b) i looked like someone they were looking for

hell, maybe they just wanted to see what a floridian looked like.

NT

DWD (driving while Democrat)>

Activists should begin initiative/referendum campaigns to stop tickets for minor equipment problems. Police should be restricted from using them as a way to snoop, fine, or stick it to unaware victims. Drivers with dirty plates and dead bulbs are not bad people with evil intentions -- just folks in need of a helpful reminder. A stop for such should be brief, ticketless, and absent of any computer use to screw with drivers. Any cop who does such a thing is a renegade, dirty cop imho. Life is tough enough without Barney Fife jacking people around.

"violation". When he attempted to point out a car that was compliant I laughed because their plate lights WERE OUT. He then proceeded to run my license and plate numbers. I should point out I have Texas plates and a female driving alone.

He also noted that I was driving below the speed limit on an Interstate Highway. I was doing 60/ speed limit 70. :wtf: I loved the look on his face when I said I drive slower to conserve gas. BAH!

Since I had no outstanding warrants/tickets/ real violations he was forced to let me continue on my way. He did explain to me that many people, after visiting the nearby casinos, tend to drive cautiously after having a few drinks and he had to be extra wary of those drivers.

:shrug:

p.s. my light was working fine.

My boyfriend and I lived in Texas for a couple years in the mid 70's. We moved from there (thank God) to Chicago. We were stopped twice in the first two weeks for inane reasons. We decided it was time to get rid of the Texas plates. I think there is something about Texans that really irritates people from other states, whether cops or not.

I've been stopped for it as well because, well, I'm a slowpoke, and they're cool once they see I'm not drunk. I drive in Mississippi and Louisiana all the time and have been stopped dozens of times, with Louisiana plates, so it isn't just let's get the lady from Texas.

I would prefer not to be stopped but I accept that it is valid to check under-speed-limit drivers for DUI because I've known several drunks who do drive slow for safety reasons.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

Generally means that the driver is drunk or does not have a license/suspended. i.e. they are being to careful.

Btw, its also damn annoying and dangerous.

and am glad to be out of that place.

I now live in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake.

But the entire "Tidewater" area is a cesspool. Great Bridge is no different than any other part of the Armpit of Virginia. How can you tell it apart from any suburb of Va Beach?

(Green Run High, Class of '85, just for fun)

I've heard a lot of horror stories about the cops there. I know they have anti-cruising laws and an anti-profanity law which is ridiculous. Apparently the people there are assholes as well. ( This is from a friend)
Of course cops in Radford are bad as well, at least when I was going to school there.

and we have known all of our lives that most virginia beach cops are a bunch of right wing, gestapo freaks!

How long have you lived here?
Is this your first experience with the CBN police?

Especially in and around ODU.

people a couple of kidney shots.....
they're just not usually as up tight as VB cops.
aren't "p-town" cops all Klan or something?

I only go there occasionaly to patronize the Biergarden.

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever been down to the oceanfront and seen the "Don't block the box. $200 Fine" signs?

Next question, have you ever seen anybody ticketed for violating that?

And yes I have seen people blocking the box..... but there was never a cop around.... they're busy looking for antibush bumper stickers....


You really should eat at Sassafras in Ptown.... yum

The message is:

"I'm WATCHING you, better get your ass in LINE!"

In Indiana, what you were pulled over for is covered under "The Ugly Act of 1934".

or are you black/latino? DWB, DWD - driving while dark?

if not, don't sweat it, blacks and other minorities have had to deal with this shit for many years.

wilkommen aus AMERIKA!

...about 10 years ago. Now, of course I should have been warned, but this highway patrolman just had to run my license. 20/30 years ago a similar situation would have brought a verbal warning, but now days any reason to pull you over is cited for checking you for "wants and warrants."

The irony? The officer told me to drive with my brights on (they were working properly) until I got the light fixed, which is also illegal...

Just curious: Did this officer seem to look inside quite a bit or sniff repeatedly?

We catch alot of people that way.

Just pull over anybody and everybody! Why f*ck around with drivers with a burned-out headlights? That's why I was pulled over, so give me a warning and send me on my way. Why check my license against the computer?

Hey, I bet if you checked every driver regardless if they have a equipment violation or not, you'll catch a lot of people! Let's take this a step further...let's set up roadblocks that everyone will be required to stop at and have their records checked. We'll sweep the roads for justice! Yeah, that's the ticket!

He had you stopped and warned you. I guess he should have just written you a citation. Police are nice and you still complain.

Yes, we check everyone we stop on a traffic stop. It just makes sense. It is our job to enforce traffic laws. Maybe you feel like people should drive around with one headlight. Not very safe in my opinion. Maybe you feel like traffic laws apply to everyone but you.

I have two suggestion for you since you feel laws designed for safety do not apply to you...

1) Do not drive. We regulate driving in the US just like other countries.
2) If you choose to drive insist the Officer writes you a citation once you are stopped since being pulled over and warned about a problem you might not have been aware of seems to offend you greatly.

You think he stopped me to warn me? Then why didn't he just warn me? Why run back to the prowler and run my license?

As for your remark about regulating driving in the US just like other countries, has it ever occurred to you that we in the US have very little choice but to drive? That's right, I wouldn't drive if I didn't have to. But I do. Why, you ask? Because public transportation here stinks, that's why. Why, again, you ask? Because certain corporate entities have made it necessary to drive. Think: oil companies, auto companies, tire companies, insurance companies, etc.

I spent some time in Europe. Public transportation there is an important consideration in planning a community. Driving there is not a requirement. If someone wants to drive, so be it, but many citizens prefer to take public transportation. In fact, I met many adult citizens who did not have driver's licenses. Electric trains join cities; and electric trams join communities. Very efficient; quiet and pollution-free.

But not here. There's too much money to be had by selling gas, oil, auto repairs, automobiles, insurance (required by law), and the like. Anyway, the cities are not set up to accommodate public transportation routes, thanks to a complete lack of urban/suburban planning.

So don't give me this bullshit about not driving. I wouldn't if I didn't have to. And as for your remark about requesting a citation for an equipment violation, it still doesn't address why my license is checked through the computer for having a burned-out headlight.

He had you stopped and warned you. I guess he should have just written you a citation. Police are nice and you still complain. Did I complain about being stopped and warned? No...I complained about having my license run through the computer for something trivial; a burned-out headlight Had he stopped me and warned me, no problem. Had he stopped me to warn me and I was drunk on my ass, then sure I'd expect him to take action. That's probable cause, is it not? You sound like a cop, you tell me. You ever pull someone over with a burned-out headlight to only "issue a friendly warning," or were you looking for something else?

So tell me, are you in support of mandatory checkpoints for drivers to prove they are not wanted by the law?

I wish you well but I only take part in civil discussions.



Peace

Too bad, though. I really would like to hear what a cop has to say about the prospect of mandatory checkpoints to have motorists prove they aren't wanted by the law...

I'd find it highly illuminating...

and unwarranted checking of your 'national ID'. it sure dows smell in here! :nuke:

What national ID would that be?????

papieren, bitte!

it's a matter of time before the aforementioned scenario occurs.

BTW who did you vote for in 2004 for President?

Kerry of course. Why? Because I do not share the exact same views as you must I be a Republican? Are you completely intolerant of people with different views?

you're fairly new and to tell you the truth, many of your posts seem conservative. I didn't mean to insult you. Differences make DU interesting-and provide some good flamewars.

others. If you want a party made up of only far-left people with no tolerence for other views... well you will have a small party that will never win an election.

the Dems are a Big Tent and should include many viewpoints. However, I think they've moved too far to the right on some issues, and need to spend less energy on others (like gun control).

:cry:

I thought you said you were a firefighter, not a cop?

Last time I checked we still lived in a semi-free country. I choose not to reply to post that are uncivil. I see no point.

Also, I never said I was a firefighter.

roger roger

The police are supposed to check the license, registration, etc. on every stop because they would be complete and utter morons if (for instance) they stopped someone driving a stolen car, warned him his tail light was out, and sent him on his way.

No, random checkpoints are not supposed to be normal procedure. But when stopped for some other reason, some basic checks are done.

to check for warrants. I'm sure they would have then if it hadn't been a big deal to call it in to the station to have them run it.

and we got pulled over a lot as teenagers by cops in a neighboring city. They would make us wait - sometimes for over an hour - while they called in to make sure everyone in the car was not wanted for anything. One time they hassled me because I had no ID. I was only 15 and had no license. The cops threatened to 'bring me in' and make me call my parents to come and pick me up. I said go ahead. I had not been driving, I was only a passenger. I was guilty of no crime. The driver had done nothing wrong. I was tired of these cops hassling teenagers. He didn't take me to the station, but when I got home way past my curfew because the cop had detained us for so long, my dad called the police chief and complained. The cops left us alone for awhile after that.

I was pulled over because I was driving in the right lane of a four-lane street and didn't move into the left lane when the cop who was behind me felt like speeding up, even though he didn't have either his lights or siren on, so how was I supposed to read his mind?

Yes, I know it makes no sense. Wasn't he supposed to have pulled into the left lane if he wanted to go faster?

I think traffic cops sometimes get bored and ornery, and if they can't find an actual violator, they'll pick someone at random.

two different states. and though i had expired liscence they both let me go. neither told me of my infaction. i was just tryin to get out of whatever ticket they wanted to give.

maybe it is a new policy. check out all. once kerry sticker in kansas. once no sticker in amarillo city, but poor section of town, cirminal, lol lol drugs. i always put seatbelt on in certain sections cause they want any excuse to pull over and check out. maybe they just dont have cause anymore, something we gave up willingly cause, by gosh...........whatevah

When I had an older car, I was pulled over all the time. "Your light is out on your license plate" was one of the excuses, along with the ever-popular "You were weaving." I stayed calm, never got a ticket (KNOCK ON WOOD), and on several occasions, the cops in question actually apologized for making a mistake. I know one time in a conservative area of Mississippi once the cop saw me, he said, "I'm sorry, I thought your license plate light was out, but now I see it's OK. Sorry." I think they assume that certain categories of cars and beliefs will give them quick, easy drug busts and when they see you're not a druggie, they will send you on your way. I just let it roll off my back, although a few times my partner was considering filing some sort of complaint.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

early twenties, I got pulled over for BS many times, and then hinted at for my phone number so we could meet and have coffee sometime. So if you fit this profile maybe that's your answer. Otherwise, sometimes cops have to meet quotas and will look for stuff to ticket you for.

Next time, go look at the lights.

Cops are always looking for an excuse to pull people over, check their license, search for drugs, check for outstanding warrants. They pick up a lot of people from random traffic stops. We have many rights in theory in this country but not many in practice.

I think that a lot of police are Democrats considering that they are working class salary earners and because they have to deal with all of society's problems on a daily basis.

My personal ideas aside, didn't the national police officers' union endorse Kerry?

...a few years ago late at night by a young woman cop who apparently was either bored or had a quota to fill. She decided that I must be under the influence when I said I'd had a glass of wine four hours earlier. She had me walk the line, recite the alphabet backwards, and wasn't satisfied. She gave me a breath test and when it was normal said the equipment was broken and called for backup so another officer could give me a breath test (which was also normal). Geez. The scary part was that she seemed real trigger-happy, freaking out a couple of times and hollering at me to keep my hands away from my pockets. Hey. I'm about as non-threatening as anyone could ever look. But it was just me and her out there -- she could have shot me with impunity. Of course, with the "backup" there, she had to let me go. I had done nothing; she said she stopped me because I swerved in my lane.

and have bumper stickers on your car that would identify your political affiliation and/or personal beliefs, here are some possible options:

not a bad idea to approach the subject with other Dem/progressive friends you know and see if any such incident has happened to them and/or anyone they know.

and/or write a letter to the editor of your local paper or your local Democratic party headquarters just in case it might be happening on a more than frequent basis.

I think in the climate that we are living in, it's very possible for more harassment to take place and it's not a bad idea for local Democratic/progressive groups to address such an issue.

Of course, it's not about the police. However, it is about a few individuals who might be inclined to abuse their position and take their frustrations out on someone whose beliefs they just don't like.

The fact you had stickers on your car, and your tail lights were working says you were probably being hassled, and whos to say this isn't happening more often than we realize.

One thing a few of us here in LA have been thinking about is looking at creating a coalition of policemen and women with local peace activists. We think it would be an important and worthwhile initiative to create nationwide.

The one time I got pulled there, it was for tailgaiting. I was basically stopped at gunpoint.

Maybe they've eased up a bit now, but when I lived there, the cops were complete hotheads.

One question, though: are you black? If so, that would explain a lot. I know plenty of black kids that get pulled here in Richmond all the time for no particular reason, so it wouldn't surprise me if they're doing it in Virginia Beach as well.

I don't know if it was the Liberal Bend, I haven't decided, but I still find it odd that he lied to me on the lights.

...I'm a VT grad and I know how that worked when I lived in Virginia.

Additionally, when I was stationed in Little Creek, the cops also liked pulling over Navy personnel.

a short in your electrical system. It has happened to me before. If I were you I would have it checked out.

you put them on your car to attract attention and advertise your beliefs.
.
.

Sometimes...they work
.
.


But that doesnt mean that you'll enjoy the attention you get.


I don't put'm on my car. No bumpersticker has ever changed someones vote.

In Yosemite.

2 rangers pulled me over at 11 at night for a burned out tail light. They have a reputation for harassing people up there, and boy did they question me extensively.

Had I been drinking? Where was I coming from? Where was I going? Why did I pull off twice? (I was owling) Was I aware that I needed a backcountry permit to stay overnight? Was I aware I needed a bear canister to stay overnight? What the hell was I doing with pepper spray? Was I aware my registration was expired? Was I aware that I could be cited for leaving food in my car? The questioning went ON and ON.

The ultimate I-am-being-harassed kicker was I had a piece of wood in my glove compartment that I found on the beach. They wanted to see it, sniffed it, wanted to know where I got it, asked if I had picked it up in the park, and reminded me that taking things from the park is illegal. (Meanwhile, I was flashing back to the GIANT sugar pine cone I had picked up the park the previous summer.)

But--happy day!--they let me off with a warning. And they didn't find the GIANT bundle of feathers that I had taken off the back dash THAT MORNING with the thought, "Boy, if a cop saw those I would have big problems." (Not that I would ever illegally collect bird feathers, of course).

So yeah, my vote is that you were caught red-handed Driving While Liberal.

besides, you live in Virginia...and even worse, near the 700 Club, don't you?

They pull that stuff all of the time. I used to get pulled over a lot over some made up "license light" or "brake light" out . . .and it never was out. But then, I don't have those bumperstickers on my car. . ..I'm afraid mine says: "I need to be spanked"

Hmmm..come to think of it, how come someone ISN'T pulling me over. . ?
Now I feel deprived. . .

I shit you not.

And I can tell you with 1000% certainty (no typo there), that the fascist prick was pulling you over to give himself a power boner.

It was the stickers, no doubt, especially in that freeper hellhole.

Hey, I used to live 1 mile from Pat and his gang, behind Brandon Middle Schhol (used to be a junior high when I went to school there).

I really hate Va Beach. Had to live there when I was a minor and my Dad was in the Navy. But we all got the hell out of there ASAP once he retired.

the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps your license plate lights flickered/dimmed and he was concerned. I wouldnt worry about it unless it becomes a repeat issue.

here in the burbs of Los Angeles County and I didn't have any bumper-stickers of any kind. I didn't know the first time that the lights were out and then I was stopped a day or so later before I had time to get them replaced. Both times the cops were pretty nasty and acted like I was a major criminal for a stupid little thing like that. The cops asked me some pretty insulting questions like if I had been in trouble before etc. :wtf: Here I am looking like your average middle class housewife and they act like I am Ma Barker or something. x( I had to take the car to a Chevy dealer to get the lights replaced cause the way they were in required taking out panels or something and then I was charged about 50 bucks for the whole thing. All I can say is that I haven't been stopped since but I still think it was much a do about basically nothing. :argh:

our chief of police has a bush sticker on his personal vehicle. He comes into the shop that I work at, always bitching that we stock french wines... what an asshole.

There are always going to be some bad apples.
But that is a tough job, and I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt most times.

a bullshit reason so he]cop] could check your "papers".Just like nazi germany,"papers please".
:hi: :hi: :hi: :dem:
thats been happening quite often here in "nyc"
let me add my traffic horror story...back in 97'I was pulled over for running a red light,when i asked that officer what triggered that traffic light he replied,"you'll hear my testimony in court".being suspicious,I went back to find that those 2 cops were rigging the traffic light to go red.I came back with a video camera over the next 7 weeks and took video,complained to police plaza and finally called Mayor Rudy Giuliani on his ABC radio call-in show.Rudy was puzzeled,could his cops deliberately rig a traffic light? 2 hours later detectives showed up at my door and viewed my video-tape,they wanted to take the original downtown but I objected and they left.three weeks later the new york Daily News ran a front page story titled,"GOTCHA,cops tricky light show".Needless to say upon reading the story and after interviews Rudy had me arrested that same day for not paying a ticket from 1982.judge threw out the warrant from 1982 and set me free.after 3 days of continuing news coverage Rudy had the NYPD release my 30 yr.old police record and said to the public,"jimmy is a liar and a criminal with an ax to grind".so,I found a lawyer and sued Rudy Giuliani..settled out of court in 2002

Driving While Black is next to a felony offense in Virginia Beach...

I use to attend Norfolk State University. My wife is from Va Beach. I have seen and heard some crazy things happen down at the Beach. I am not surprise in the least! That was definitely a BS stop.