Ticket for stopping over Stop Bar

[latinleo]

Hello, Just a few days ago I received a ticket from New Mexico State Police for stopping over a traffic light stop bar. (the lines that appear on the road). Initially when he stopped me, he asked for the registration, insurance and license. He become somewhat upset when the addresses did not match. My friend (a elementary school teacher) who was in the car explained to him that is was his car, not mine. The officer returned with a ticket, saying I did not stop behind the stop bar. I explained to him this is my first ticket ever and I did what I thought was best, to stop, rather than speed up at the light.

I know I can't use this as an excuse, but my friends car is full of Democratic/Liberal/Gay stickers. We live in one of the most conservative counties in New Mexico and the US. Both Magistrate Judges are Republicans. Do I even have a chance going to court and asking for probation so that I don't have a blemish on my CDL license?

I am 33, never had a ticket. Never had any trouble with the law. I am a cautious driver. I've driven school buses and tractor trailers. I always drive defensively, scanning the road, not speeding ..... in fact on this day. I had just driven 210 miles from Northern New Mexico to Southern New Mexioc. THe entire trip every car that was behind me passed me. I wish the officer or judge could read my mind and realize I stopped at the last second because I thought it was the safest thing to do. While I can't argue that I did not over stopped, whether the officer is right or wrong, I do not know. I was not in the way of any traffic and I could see the light over head.

What should I do, any advice? Thanks, Leo

[jerrymaccauley]

Go to court and explain the circumstances to the judge/ magistrate. I would refrain from any mention of the Democrat/gay/ liberal bumper stickers. That kinda sounds like you believe that you were stopped because of your political affiliations or cultural beliefs. You were not. You committed a traffic infraction and the officer very thoroughly checked your paperwork before issueing the citation.

[Photogrrlz]

yea, I agree Jerry, but stopping and citing someone that is over the stop bar is chicken poop... Then again, I must ask this, How far over the line was the vehicle. I mean I see people stop dead center in the intersection for a red.....

[jerrymaccauley]

yea, I agree Jerry, but stopping and citing someone that is over the stop bar is chicken poop... Then again, I must ask this, How far over the line was the vehicle. I mean I see people stop dead center in the intersection for a red.....
Personally, I have never written such a ticket. I have seen those guys who pull into the intersection hoping to complete their turn when the traffic lets them. Then the light turns red, they see the police car, then try to back up, but their spot is now occupied by another vehicle.So they're afraid to run the red light and now they're blocking an intersection. I know, it's a stretch to think that this is the scenario, but most troopers will find better violations.

[explorerscout83]

Hello, Just a few days ago I received a ticket from New Mexico State Police for stopping over a traffic light stop bar. (the lines that appear on the road). Initially when he stopped me, he asked for the registration, insurance and license. He become somewhat upset when the addresses did not match. My friend (a elementary school teacher) who was in the car explained to him that is was his car, not mine. The officer returned with a ticket, saying I did not stop behind the stop bar. I explained to him this is my first ticket ever and I did what I thought was best, to stop, rather than speed up at the light.

I know I can't use this as an excuse, but my friends car is full of Democratic/Liberal/Gay stickers. We live in one of the most conservative counties in New Mexico and the US. Both Magistrate Judges are Republicans. Do I even have a chance going to court and asking for probation so that I don't have a blemish on my CDL license?

I am 33, never had a ticket. Never had any trouble with the law. I am a cautious driver. I've driven school buses and tractor trailers. I always drive defensively, scanning the road, not speeding ..... in fact on this day. I had just driven 210 miles from Northern New Mexico to Southern New Mexioc. THe entire trip every car that was behind me passed me. I wish the officer or judge could read my mind and realize I stopped at the last second because I thought it was the safest thing to do. While I can't argue that I did not over stopped, whether the officer is right or wrong, I do not know. I was not in the way of any traffic and I could see the light over head.

What should I do, any advice? Thanks, Leo
What option did you choose when the ticket was given? Did you agree to pay or did you ask for court? I hate to tell you but if you said you will pay it then you are guilty and you have to pay the citation.

[locke1419]

I dont know if i would have wrote you a ticket for it because i wasnt there but I know i would have stopped you because that is a sign of a drunk.

[GatorPD]

What option did you choose when the ticket was given? Did you agree to pay or did you ask for court? I hate to tell you but if you said you will pay it then you are guilty and you have to pay the citation.

In FL you have 30 days to make that decision, its not something you decide on the roadside while talking to the issuing officer. That actually seems rather silly to me, that you would have to decide if you want to appeal the ticket right then and there.

[SgtScott31]

but stopping and citing someone that is over the stop bar is chicken poop

It's a traffic violation just like anything else. It's obviously not as serious an offense as other moving violations, but if you're going to enforce the law, you better be ready to enforce all of it.

[Centurion44]

Hello, Just a few days ago I received a ticket from New Mexico State Police for stopping over a traffic light stop bar. (the lines that appear on the road).

I know what the stop bar is. Hopefully, now you do, too.

I know I can't use this as an excuse, but my friends car is full of Democratic/Liberal/Gay stickers.

You're right, you can't.

Do I even have a chance going to court and asking for probation so that I don't have a blemish on my CDL license?

That depends on whether or not you are guilty of a crime or not.

I am 33, never had a ticket.

Not until lately, that is.

What should I do, any advice? Thanks, Leo

Look, Leo. It boils down to whether or not you broke the law. Here in Georgia, if you fail to stop at the stop bar, technically you run the red light. If you're such a "safe driver" you should know the purpose of the stop bar and use it. Have I, personally, ever cited someone for the violation? No. But I admit it irks me when I see chowder heads role past it.

Quite honestly, if you were here in Georgia, you'd have a good chance of getting the citation thrown out as long as you didn't procede through the intersection thereby not obeying a traffic control device and you were not blocking an intersection.

However, if you are guilty and just want to beat the charge, Johnny Cochrane is dead. You are asking a forum full of people who get paid to enforce the law. If I wanted to "get you off" a charge, I'd charge you a grand an hour and have weekends off.

The only thing I ask of anyone I cite is to do the same thing I do when I'm given a citation: If I know I'm guilty, I pay it. If I believe I'm not guilty, I take it to court. Do the right thing. I know it's hard for liberals, but prove me wrong. :P

[Drunkcop]

Funny this came up. On my last court date, I was early so the prosecutor and I were shooting the breeze. He happened to mention that he'd sure like us to start writing ticktets for that very thing. Seems it's one of his pet peeves.

[SgtScott31]

Funny this came up. On my last court date, I was early so the prosecutor and I were shooting the breeze. He happened to mention that he'd sure like us to start writing ticktets for that very thing. Seems it's one of his pet peeves.

It's hilarious. Especially when dealing with a stop sign. People come flying over the stop bar and see the police car and then stop 1/4 way into the intersection. They think they're not violating the statute as long as they stop "somewhere." :D

[Photogrrlz]

It's a traffic violation just like anything else. It's obviously not as serious an offense as other moving violations, but if you're going to enforce the law, you better be ready to enforce all of it.


hmmm well thanks to discreation.... I can stop, but not cite.... I mean citing for that is crappy... then again how was the attitude?

[SgtScott31]

hmmm well thanks to discreation.... I can stop, but not cite.... I mean citing for that is crappy... then again how was the attitude?

I don't cite for it either, but that doesn't mean I'm going to down other officers that do.

but stopping and citing someone that is over the stop bar is chicken poop.

Use your discretion, but don't give other officers sh** for putting it on paper.

[SgtScott31]

Would you give an officer grief for running radar on the highway and writing tickets for 56/55? I always call it like I see it. If I think it is a CS ticket, then I will let the officer know. Of course that may well be the reason I will never get promoted :D I tend to let my boss know what I think as well.

I wouldn't approach an officer for writing 56/55, but hopefully his supervisor would. I don't think you find too many that write those kinds of cites.

It's best sometimes to let things go. Maybe that's why I'm a Sgt, I know when to bite my lip. I appreciate your honesty. ;)

[Photogrrlz]

Well Go Go at least you got a apperciate your honesty and I get don't get others crap for putting it on paper...

oh well.....

[SgtScott31]

Well Go Go at least you got a apperciate your honesty and I get don't get others crap for putting it on paper...

oh well.....

Thread #15 goes for you too. I'm not trying to be an ***, but if I have an officer in my dept going around giving other officers sh** about tickets they write, they won't have too many friends for very long.

There are officers in my dept that write up things that I consider pointless, but it's not my place to criticize them. That's the reason supervisors check off on our traffic citations, so things like that can be addressed. I am not going to burn a bunch of bridges just because I disagree with citing someone for petty traffic offenses.

[SgtScott31]

I don't run around telling everyone I think they are writing CS tickets, but if something comes up in conversation, I might ask, "You wrote what??" and then when they explain it, I'll say, "Oooookay dokey." in a manner that lets them know I would not have written that. I don't belittle or berate, I have that much tact.

Now my tact has a tendency to go out the window concerning officer safety and more important issues. Like the guy who backed me on a warrant service and parked directly in front of the wanted felons house. :rolleyes: I think I might have made a smartass comment or two. Just because we wear brown uniforms does not mean we work for UPS.

Agree with you on that one. It's one thing to write up petty moving violations, it's another to place my safety (or both of ours) at risk. That's definitely going to be addressed by me.

[latinleo]

I know what the stop bar is. Hopefully, now you do, too.



You're right, you can't.



That depends on whether or not you are guilty of a crime or not.



Not until lately, that is.



Look, Leo. It boils down to whether or not you broke the law. Here in Georgia, if you fail to stop at the stop bar, technically you run the red light. If you're such a "safe driver" you should know the purpose of the stop bar and use it. Have I, personally, ever cited someone for the violation? No. But I admit it irks me when I see chowder heads role past it.

Quite honestly, if you were here in Georgia, you'd have a good chance of getting the citation thrown out as long as you didn't procede through the intersection thereby not obeying a traffic control device and you were not blocking an intersection.

However, if you are guilty and just want to beat the charge, Johnny Cochrane is dead. You are asking a forum full of people who get paid to enforce the law. If I wanted to "get you off" a charge, I'd charge you a grand an hour and have weekends off.

The only thing I ask of anyone I cite is to do the same thing I do when I'm given a citation: If I know I'm guilty, I pay it. If I believe I'm not guilty, I take it to court. Do the right thing. I know it's hard for liberals, but prove me wrong. :P
Hello there, kinda late in this response. I decided to go to court and let the judge decide. I pleaded no contest, he did tell me I broke the law becuase it's writeen in the books ... I totally agreed, but at the smae time, I thought I perhaps deserved a written warning being my first offense. The judge agreed and gave me 90 days probabtion with no fine. Iwas ready to pay whatever the judge thought was right. I was surprised to hear what this Republican judge had to say to me and actually left the courthouse with a slight different view against Republicans, still a Liberal though! Thanks for your advice, Leo :)

[latinleo]

Funny this came up. On my last court date, I was early so the prosecutor and I were shooting the breeze. He happened to mention that he'd sure like us to start writing ticktets for that very thing. Seems it's one of his pet peeves.
Hello there, late reply I know, I actually don't like it either when I 'm in town and a car's front end is almost blocking the road, rather than behind the line. However, I was born and raised in Northern Illinois, where everything seems to be perfect. Here in the south, if you stop behind the bar, at some intersections you can't see anything. You actually have to stop halfway over it to see whether it's clear or not. My ticket was actually out in the desert, on a four lane highway. I was on the right side of the four lanes and only one intersection to the left. I was not in anyone's way, or obtructing anyones view. I seriously think the officer ticketed me for having the far left liberal gay stickers on the car. I went to court, judge agreed I deserved a warning being my first offense ever. I DO think about stopping behind the line though every time I stop, even if I can't see who's coming at me. Leo :)

[Centurion44]

Hello there, kinda late in this response. I decided to go to court and let the judge decide. I pleaded no contest, he did tell me I broke the law becuase it's writeen in the books ... I totally agreed, but at the smae time, I thought I perhaps deserved a written warning being my first offense. The judge agreed and gave me 90 days probabtion with no fine. Iwas ready to pay whatever the judge thought was right. I was surprised to hear what this Republican judge had to say to me and actually left the courthouse with a slight different view against Republicans, still a Liberal though! Thanks for your advice, Leo :)

Thanks for the follow up. It's like I always said, many times in traffic court the judge and prosecutor will work with you. Glad to see in your case honesty paid off. As a cop, I appreciate you doing the right thing.

[operator81]

See...us republicans aren't so bad after all. Although I have not written a ticket for that yet, I have stopped for it. Its great for a pretext stop because most people think that as long as they don't go through the red light/stop sign they are ok.