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Re: Speed Kills (No LBC content)

To: "MG List" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: Speed Kills (No LBC content)
From: David Councill <dcouncil@imt.net>
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 17:39:30 -0700
Well, I had a somewhat similar experience except mine has LBC content.

I got a speeding ticket several years ago on the way to work in my 71BGT 
(52 mile commute). I was running a little late and one of the managers with 
a company pickup truck goes zooming past me at 90 mph. So I just pulled 
behind him, maybe a quarter mile, and matched his speed. About twenty miles 
later, a cop came around a curve from the other direction. The company 
truck proceeded without slowing, but I slowed my car down. Cop did a 
u-turn, pulled me over, and gave me a ticket for an "estimated" speed of 74 
mph. (I put the brakes on as soon as I saw him round the curve so I know he 
didn't get a radar fix on me and he admitted that).

For the next two weeks, I had to drive the speed limit to and from work 
while getting passed by managers driving company trucks - several times I 
saw the cop just sitting there selectively enforcing the law while these 
company trucks drove by without a worry.

Well, that made me mad. So on court day, I had to drive 45 miles to the 
court house to let the judge  know it. I should mention this is a rural 
county in Montana. I started to talk and he waved his hand, said the fine 
was $20 but if I wanted to plead not guilty, I could face up to 6 months in 
jail and a $500 fine. I said I'd pay the $20 but under protest and I 
explained what had happened.

I have faced corrupt law enforcement before, during my college days. And my 
belief all along is that you have to make your voice heard - just one 
person means nothing. But if enough people are saying the same thing, they 
may take notice.

About a month later, that cop (actually a sherif'f's deputy) was gone and a 
new one assigned. I heard later that he was transferred. I still think my 
complaint may have been one of several, that showed a pattern, and thus led 
to his transfer back to the county seat.

So in short, I think you should at least make a mention of it. Your story 
alone is just your word against the officer - and you know who's word the 
judge will take. But the judge is going to remember if several people come 
in with similar experiences. and maybe the truth will prevail.


David Councill
67 BGT


>Andrew B. Lundgren had this to say:
>
> >I don't know if you will get anywhere with it, but it sounds to me like
> >you did not get equal treatment under the law.  Why didn't he pull over
> >all of your peers that were doing the same thing.  You seem to hav been
> >singled out for some reason.
> >
> >Probably need a lawyer to make that stick..
> >
> >Rick Ehlert wrote:
> >
> >> Boy, do I have a sob story for you guys!!
>
> >> ...And to top it all off,  because the ticket was
> >> written for 29 OVER!!!, I have to appear in court the week of Christmas!
> >> Being such a cronic offender, this my third ticket in the last 11 years, I
> >> need some advice?  Looks like I'm going back to Indiana!!
> >>
> >> Just payin' another tax to drive the road,
> >> Rick Ehlert
> >> Milwaukee, Wi.

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