I've been pulled over quite a few times in the past 11 months I've owned my car. Off the top of my head (I never kept a tally) I'm guessing I've been pulled over in that car about 15 times. Majority of it has been for my back license plate light being out. I've yet to get a warning and/or a fix it ticket for said light. Most of the time they've just let me go with no issue. Last time I got pulled over for my "plate light", they brought the K-9 unit out and searched my car up and down for drugs. Do note I had my 12 fat packs full of Magic cards in my car and they opened up all 12 and did a quick look.
Of my other about 14 times, I've had my car searched twice. The only reason that I could think of for them to really search my car is because I once had a bunch of clothes and other things in the back seat because I had just gotten back form a trip to missouri. Other than that, I felt as if they had no cause to search my car.
But, just recently (Yesterday, as a matter of fact) I got pulled over for a "Brake light out." This is why I put that in quotation marks:
I'm leaving Wal-Mart after picking up some BBs for my new airsoft gun. I ran into a friend and we decided to go to Taco Bell for some food. I turn onto the main road going South. I go the speed limit and turn my turn signal on as I get to the right hand turn to go into Taco Bell. I saw a police officer at the turn I'm about to go in, about to turn North onto the road I'm getting on, so he's in the opposite lane, turning left. I make my turn, and as soon as my driver's side door is about even with his, I see his lights turn on out of the corner of my eye. So, that having happened, he had absolutely no idea that my brake light was out when he had the intention of pulling me over.
Because Taco Bell is just off of that road I turned onto, I pull into the parking lot and put my car in park. I open my door when he comes up (My window on that side doesn't roll down). He asks me for my license and Proof of Insurance. Do note he didn't ask for registration. He goes to his vehicle and I just sit and relax. Next thing I know I see him coming back holding a small red box looking item. He asks me to roll down my driver's side window a bit, I tell him it doesn't work, so I roll up my passenger's side window (All other windows were completely down). It turns out it was a window tint gauge. He tests it and goes back to his vehicle again for a short time and comes back to my door. He's got a ticket in his hand for a window tint violation for having my tint below the legal limit (75% is the legal limit, I guess mine was 50%?).
I'm irked mainly for 2 things. One I feel as if I got pulled over for a completely bogus reason and the fact that I've owned my car for the past 11 months and this was the first officer to give me a ticket for it. I've never even gotten a warning about it before. He gave me a warning for my brake light, as well as a warning for my windshield wipers obstructing my view. When I shut them off they don't go down into the recess in the hood like their supposed to (My wipers have also been like that for the past appr. 5 months).
so, my main questions to whoever reads this is:
1) how many times would you get pulled over before you consider it harrasment?
and 2) Would you say I got pulled over bogusly yesterday? (I do have my friend as a witness that was less than 100 yards behind me when he turned his lights on.)
In most cases, you can refuse to let them search your car. I like invoking this right, because they never actually have cause to search my car(I don't drink or smoke, so there is never a chance of weed smell/empty alcohol containers etc).
All of the other cops COULD have given you a ticket for that, they simply chose not to because they're not complete douchebags. This cop obviously was a douche, and he got you. Sadly, some cops are just like that. My cousin is a highway patrol officer in Indiana, and he says that the state has been really leaning on cops to meet 'ticket quota levels' since the economy got bad.
I didn't realize your tint level could be 'below' the legal limit..that makes so little sense to me.
Also, it seems to me that you could avoid alot of wasted time for yourself by simply replacing that light bulb. They cost like 3 dollars(tops) at walmart(ironic that, considering that you were leaving walmart when this happened).
I have been pulled over before because an officer suspected that my window tint was too dark. That's a valid reason to be pulled over. The officer probably noticed the brake light when he came up behind you after you parked.
However, you said you've been pulled over 15 times, mostly for your license plate light. Why have you not corrected that? Not doing so, you're just asking to get pulled over more and more often. If an officer gives you a warning about a malfunction on your car, they are expecting you to rectify that, and you should rectify that.
As for harassment, do you know these officers? Are you notorious for being a trouble maker in your area? Is it the same officer pulling you over every time? If the answers to these are no, then no, it is not harassment. You just need to correct the issues that the officers have pointed out to you.
In most cases, you can refuse to let them search your car.
You can, this is true, but that is just going to make the officer be less lenient than he normally would be. I've always found that being completely cooperative is the best action to take with officers. Of course, there are people out there that are just naturally combative and never, ever, ever cooperate with authority figures just for the principle. *leers at her husband*
Double edit: a nice anecdote. I was arrested once for unpaid traffic tickets. I had to be transferred to another city to sit out tickets there. The officer that came to pick me up was a woman. I asked her if I could be handcuffed with my hands in the front because anyone that's been in this situation knows it's incredibly uncomfortable to be in a car with your hands cuffed behind your back. She said no. We get to the new jail, and she's processing me, and I'm being cooperative, as that's just me. By the time processing was done, she said that she now felt bad for not cuffing me in the front.
In most cases, you can refuse to let them search your car. I like invoking this right, because they never actually have cause to search my car(I don't drink or smoke, so there is never a chance of weed smell/empty alcohol containers etc).
All of the other cops COULD have given you a ticket for that, they simply chose not to because they're not complete douchebags. This cop obviously was a douche, and he got you. Sadly, some cops are just like that. My cousin is a highway patrol officer in Indiana, and he says that the state has been really leaning on cops to meet 'ticket quota levels' since the economy got bad.
I didn't realize your tint level could be 'below' the legal limit..that makes so little sense to me.
Also, it seems to me that you could avoid alot of wasted time for yourself by simply replacing that light bulb. They cost like 3 dollars(tops) at walmart(ironic that, considering that you were leaving walmart when this happened).
I absolutely invoke the right of refusal to search my vehicle. You can alert the local police that a certain officer is pulling you over a lot, but nothing can really be done other than them telling you he is doing his job. If you feel harassed in anyway, contact a lawyer.
You have illumination deficiencies, your tints are too dark...
What kind of car do you have, what year is it?
What other types of modifications besides tinting does the car have?
Does it have a loud exhaust?
Is it lowered?
Does it have rims?
You have illumination deficiencies, your tints are too dark...
What kind of car do you have, what year is it?
What other types of modifications besides tinting does the car have?
Does it have a loud exhaust?
Is it lowered?
Does it have rims?
Yea that's my first thought, young+nice car=cop magnet. Get a simple car that old people drive, no one will ever bother you. My suggestions are an Aztec or a Gremlin, either way if you drive one of those no one will know what to think.
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Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.
He lives in Iowa(that's what his location says, and I assume no one willing says they live in IA unless it's true), so it's safe to assume that he lives in a small town.
Also, I think that the 'buy a ****ty car' line of thinking sucks. If you can have a nice car, there is no reason not to. Just don't do stuff like ignore 12 warnings from cops if you don't want to get tickets.
@MH: It's easy to be like 'just be compliant' when you're a girl. Girls get out of tickets constantly. Guys generally don't.
@MH: It's easy to be like 'just be compliant' when you're a girl. Girls get out of tickets constantly. Guys generally don't.
They probably would if more of them were more compliant.
Seriously, I'm not the best looking girl out there, but my demeanor convinces cops to let me slide a fair amount of time. Either that, or there's a kid in the car.
Off the top of my head (I never kept a tally) I'm guessing I've been pulled over in that car about 15 times. Majority of it has been for my back license plate light being out.
So... why haven't you fixed that?
1) how many times would you get pulled over before you consider it harrasment?
Once, if I was pulled over for no reason at all.
Which is not the same as your case, given that your car seens to have multiple defects that you've refused to fix. I'm pretty sure that unless you fix, at the very least, your tail lights, you _will_ be pulled over again.
They probably would if more of them were more compliant.
Seriously, I'm not the best looking girl out there, but my demeanor convinces cops to let me slide a fair amount of time. Either that, or there's a kid in the car.
*DO NOT HAVE A KID JUST TO GET OUT OF TICKETS
Eh, I disagree. It's human nature to be more lenient and/or helpful to those you find attractive, and odds are most cops won't find a man attractive.
On topic, why not just fix the light? That would probably have saved you 13 of those stops.
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The illumination light is something cops use to go fishing. They have to have a reason to pull you over, otherwise it is harassment or an abuse of power or something to that affect - not sure of the exact term. Once they've got you pulled over, they can start their 'fishing' expedition - fishing of course is them looking for bigger issues or violations. So, first lesson - fix that damn rear plate light.
Next, you've got a lot of crap in your car. Why? Cop sees junk in a car, cop sees lots of spots to hide parefenelia, drugs, etc. You're already driving a busted car, and you don't take care to keep the interior cleared up. You obviously don't care about your car (in the cops opinion, broken parts + messy car), so you've got bigger concerns - perhaps drugs. So, they want to search it. So second lesson - don't keep crap in your car, ESPECIALLY lots and lots of containers, even if they do just contain Magic cards.
Finally, I'd imagine you're starting to get indignant getting pulled over so much. If I were a gambling man - and I am - I'd put money down saying you were giving the cop lip or *****ing / moaning to him about it. Don't. Bite your lip, don't say ****, and just go with the flow. Do not volunteer information about getting pulled over so often, it makes you look suspicious. Do not gripe that he needs to go back to eating his donut or anything like that. Do not do say anything stupid that could remotely get the cop on edge.
While we're at it; fix your car window. Every time you open your door, it puts the cop on edge. If you pay close attention, I'm sure his hand went straight to his gun, out of instinct for his own protection. Traffic stops are not fun, pleasant experiences for cops - we've all heard stories of officers killed during 'routine' traffic stops. So get that window fixed, so you can keep from putting a cop on edge. Do other simple things for the cop; shut the car off completely (don't just throw it in park), take any gloves you're wearing off and put your hands on the top of the steering wheel where the officer can see them, etc. A respectful citizen showing he means no harm will get away with far more than some punk nosed kid flipping the cop **** and putting him on edge. You can choose which of the two you are, in the cops eyes... choose the former, fix your car, and drive safely.
Why aren't you fixing your light? You are wasting their time and yours. I didn't read past there on your thread, by the way. Go to an auto shop, spend five dollars on a light, put it in yourself, and move on.
Cops have a judgemental right to pull you over. There is no definite reason or rhyme. They can just pull you over if they "suspect" something.
I would not "invoke the right for you not to search". This will most likely result in two things. You look guilty in something and you will probably go down town (your car will be towed and searched in the tow lot). I've had my car searched with drug dogs (on a military base) and they made me take apart my subwoofer box because the dog was scratching my subwoofers (not the box).
It's always in your best interest to do what you can to accomodate the cops. When I got a DUI a few years back (i know i know). I was very polite and did everything the cops said with a "yes sir". I got to go home in a few hours.
Now what state do you live in that 75% is the legal limit? Most cars come stock at 50%. The term 75% means that 75% of the light will come in. 25/75 is not even that dark. 50/50 is not even that dark.
Eh, I disagree. It's human nature to be more lenient and/or helpful to those you find attractive, and odds are most cops won't find a man attractive.
On topic, why not just fix the light? That would probably have saved you 13 of those stops.
I've gotten out of far more tickets than I've ever received. I'd say that in my life it's easily 3-4 warning for each ticket. Maybe 6 tix, and at least 20 warnings.
It's human nature to be more lenient and/or helpful to those who are POLITE and RESPECTFUL to you, and thats an easy thing to do.
Also 2 hands on steering wheel at 10 and 2 so he can see them when approaching. Pull over as far as possible so officer doesn't have to endanger himself in traffic. Greet the officer in friendly, maybe slightly sheepish, apologetic manner without being patronizing, suck up, or fake. Throwing in a little bit of non-verbal "yeah y'got me" body language isn't bad either if it's speeding.
Interestingly its the women cops who give me the highest percentage of tix (small sample, but about 50% total). Last one gave me a warning in DC for doing a dangerous pull out in front of her without yielding, onto a huge 55mph 4 lane highway, and then accelerating like a madman to get up to speed. I was pretty flustered, a little lost, and confused in that area... I hadn't even realized that the road was goig to turn into an entrance ramp, quite a weird section of road leading to the highway, then boom, you're "in it". I was definitely expecting a ticket because it was a woman, but she warned me to keep the speed down and be careful merging.
Btw I'm Asian, I've been driving used beater cars most of my life, and dress like a slightly unspectacular, by definitely non-riff-raff adult. Dress shirt or button down & slacks or jeans. Short hair, glasses. Not particularly attractive or anything.
As for the OP, why is he being pulled over? If it's all different cops, it's because he's not bothering to fix the problem. When ONE oR TWO cops pull you over, it might be the cops' problem. When FIFTEEN cops pull you over separately, it's likely YOUR problem. Especially if it's the last 11 months and you never had a problem before. {Do you think you're being profiled? I guess since nobody's asked, I will: what race are you? What race are the cops? How old are you and how do you dress? Describe the make and model and condition of your car. How big is your town? Do the cops know you by name or is this all over the city? 15 times sounds high even if you're being racially profiled as a "black man in a new BMW" } If 15 DIFFERENT cops pulled you over, it's a pretty big city. I doubt the cops of the city are all getting a briefing about you specifically every morning.
Fix your plate light. You have a brake light AND a plate light out.
Also 2 hands on steering wheel at 10 and 2 so he can see them when approaching.
The preferred is now 9/3. lol.
I agree with this poster though. Most likely if you are being pulled over that many times in a short period of time, it's most likely not harassment.
These are cases of harassment:
1. Cop follows you for more than a mile and then pulls you over.
2. The same cop pulls you over daily. On average a cop pulls over 5-10 people a day. Most likely a cop won't remember you, unless he pulls you over alot.
3. Racial.
Here are two incidents I've had where politeness matters.
1. I was running late for work one morning, I jumped in my car and was doing about 80 in a 55 (in an RX-8). I changed lanes and flew past a car and when i looked in my mirror and saw a bike cop. In HI, a bike cop means ticket. Cop walked up and I had everything out and said good morning sir, sorry for speeding, I'm late for work. He took my paperwork (incl mil id) and about 3 minutes later he let me go with no ticket.
2. I got pulled over when I was younger because my rear license plate was not lit up (it was in my rear window cause I had no bumper). I was annoyed because I had been pulled over twice that day already. I was rude to the cop and said I already have 1 ticket from this today. He said, well, you can have another. Have a nice day. But the 2nd cop that pulled me over that day, I was polite and didn't get a ticket.
What it sounds like to me is that your car fits a suspicious profile - tinted windows, rear lights out (plate light being out is a HUGE red flag), messy interior. There is a way around this, if you follow these instructions:
First, fix your lights. Replacement bulbs cost all of a few dollars.
Second, I think you misstated the tint issue - it sounds like the law allows a 25% tint and you have 50%. Tinted windows alone will get you pulled over more often than non-tinted windows. You can have this removed pretty easily, it's most likely the stick-on stuff anyway. Buy a pair of sunglasses, and you won't be a danger on the road at night.
Third, keep your car clean. Clean it out about once a week, keep large packages and whatever in the trunk rather than in the back seat.
They probably would if more of them were more compliant.
Seriously, I'm not the best looking girl out there, but my demeanor convinces cops to let me slide a fair amount of time. Either that, or there's a kid in the car.
*DO NOT HAVE A KID JUST TO GET OUT OF TICKETS
In this case, being compliant is probably why you're getting out of the tickets. I'm not trying to offend you when I say that.
I'm usually not the nicest person to the police, because I get pulled over so the officer can "check to see if I have my seatbelt on" because I have a picture of a pot leaf on the back of my car. After the officer finds out I have my seatbelt on, he asks to search the car, and I ask him if he has a warrant.
I usually get out of this. I've only had my car searched twice.
Anyway, yes, being submissive to an officer is probably the best way to get out of a ticket.
One of my semiclose friends is an officer. He told me that he is more likely to let someone off from a ticket if they are compliant. He said he has never let a girl off because she batted her eyes at him. If said girl is compliant, and the reason wasn't that bad (going 5 miles over the speed limit, running a stop sign) he might let them off.
After the officer finds out I have my seatbelt on, he asks to search the car, and I ask him if he has a warrant.
I usually get out of this. I've only had my car searched twice.
You know they don't need a warrant to search your car right (trunk and glove compartment, only if it's locked). Common misconception. If you have a hatchback, kind of hard to keep the cop from searching (well glancing) at your trunk.
You know they don't need a warrant to search your car right (trunk and glove compartment, only if it's locked). Common misconception. If you have a hatchback, kind of hard to keep the cop from searching (well glancing) at your trunk.
They need probable cause, but you can still refuse the search.
If you refuse the search, then they can either 1. Force you to let them search your car. 2. Leave it alone. 3. Get a warrant.
2. Is the most likely situation when you say "no, you cannot search my car"
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They do not need a warrant to search your car. They already have probably cause as they have you pulled over. They need a warrant to search your glove box (only if it's locked) and your trunk. If you refuse an inspection, they can take it as you are hiding something and arrest you for "questioning" and have your car towed and then they can have your car searched w/out a warrant (get a warrant to search your glove box and trunk) and your car will not be the same when you get it back. This is not a guarantee that they will do these things, however, it's up to you to push the subject and test the mood of the officer.
Probable Cause and Suspicious gives cops all the power in these situations.
Refusing to have your car searched goes along the same line of refusing a breathalizer or sobriety test. It will get you a free cab ride downtown...lol
They do not need a warrant to search your car. They already have probably cause as they have you pulled over. They need a warrant to search your glove box (only if it's locked) and your trunk. If you refuse an inspection, they can take it as you are hiding something and arrest you for "questioning" and have your car towed and then they can have your car searched w/out a warrant (get a warrant to search your glove box and trunk) and your car will not be the same when you get it back. This is not a guarantee that they will do these things, however, it's up to you to push the subject and test the mood of the officer.
Probable Cause and Suspicious gives cops all the power in these situations.
Refusing to have your car searched goes along the same line of refusing a breathalizer or sobriety test. It will get you a free cab ride downtown...lol
You are simply incorrect. I know that you can refuse to let a cop search your car. I know this for a fact, because a cop was the one that told me. I let them search my car once, but was clearly put off by it because I was in a hurry. The cop flat out told me that I could have refused. They do not have probable cause just because they pulled you over. I'm not sure how you could possibly even think that. Pulling you over for whatever traffic/vehicle violation has NOTHING to do with wanting to search your car.
A cop can search your vehicle under probable cause without a warrant and regardless of refusal. I am sorry to disappoint anyone who is mixing the law up with generous police, but NavyJoe is right.
Also, refusing can give the cop probable cause since it now appears you are hiding something. It is mere wordplay on the cops part to decide which way he is going to search it.
Of my other about 14 times, I've had my car searched twice. The only reason that I could think of for them to really search my car is because I once had a bunch of clothes and other things in the back seat because I had just gotten back form a trip to missouri. Other than that, I felt as if they had no cause to search my car.
But, just recently (Yesterday, as a matter of fact) I got pulled over for a "Brake light out." This is why I put that in quotation marks:
I'm leaving Wal-Mart after picking up some BBs for my new airsoft gun. I ran into a friend and we decided to go to Taco Bell for some food. I turn onto the main road going South. I go the speed limit and turn my turn signal on as I get to the right hand turn to go into Taco Bell. I saw a police officer at the turn I'm about to go in, about to turn North onto the road I'm getting on, so he's in the opposite lane, turning left. I make my turn, and as soon as my driver's side door is about even with his, I see his lights turn on out of the corner of my eye. So, that having happened, he had absolutely no idea that my brake light was out when he had the intention of pulling me over.
Because Taco Bell is just off of that road I turned onto, I pull into the parking lot and put my car in park. I open my door when he comes up (My window on that side doesn't roll down). He asks me for my license and Proof of Insurance. Do note he didn't ask for registration. He goes to his vehicle and I just sit and relax. Next thing I know I see him coming back holding a small red box looking item. He asks me to roll down my driver's side window a bit, I tell him it doesn't work, so I roll up my passenger's side window (All other windows were completely down). It turns out it was a window tint gauge. He tests it and goes back to his vehicle again for a short time and comes back to my door. He's got a ticket in his hand for a window tint violation for having my tint below the legal limit (75% is the legal limit, I guess mine was 50%?).
I'm irked mainly for 2 things. One I feel as if I got pulled over for a completely bogus reason and the fact that I've owned my car for the past 11 months and this was the first officer to give me a ticket for it. I've never even gotten a warning about it before. He gave me a warning for my brake light, as well as a warning for my windshield wipers obstructing my view. When I shut them off they don't go down into the recess in the hood like their supposed to (My wipers have also been like that for the past appr. 5 months).
so, my main questions to whoever reads this is:
1) how many times would you get pulled over before you consider it harrasment?
and 2) Would you say I got pulled over bogusly yesterday? (I do have my friend as a witness that was less than 100 yards behind me when he turned his lights on.)
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All of the other cops COULD have given you a ticket for that, they simply chose not to because they're not complete douchebags. This cop obviously was a douche, and he got you. Sadly, some cops are just like that. My cousin is a highway patrol officer in Indiana, and he says that the state has been really leaning on cops to meet 'ticket quota levels' since the economy got bad.
I didn't realize your tint level could be 'below' the legal limit..that makes so little sense to me.
Also, it seems to me that you could avoid alot of wasted time for yourself by simply replacing that light bulb. They cost like 3 dollars(tops) at walmart(ironic that, considering that you were leaving walmart when this happened).
However, you said you've been pulled over 15 times, mostly for your license plate light. Why have you not corrected that? Not doing so, you're just asking to get pulled over more and more often. If an officer gives you a warning about a malfunction on your car, they are expecting you to rectify that, and you should rectify that.
As for harassment, do you know these officers? Are you notorious for being a trouble maker in your area? Is it the same officer pulling you over every time? If the answers to these are no, then no, it is not harassment. You just need to correct the issues that the officers have pointed out to you.
Best of luck.
Edit:
You can, this is true, but that is just going to make the officer be less lenient than he normally would be. I've always found that being completely cooperative is the best action to take with officers. Of course, there are people out there that are just naturally combative and never, ever, ever cooperate with authority figures just for the principle. *leers at her husband*
Double edit: a nice anecdote. I was arrested once for unpaid traffic tickets. I had to be transferred to another city to sit out tickets there. The officer that came to pick me up was a woman. I asked her if I could be handcuffed with my hands in the front because anyone that's been in this situation knows it's incredibly uncomfortable to be in a car with your hands cuffed behind your back. She said no. We get to the new jail, and she's processing me, and I'm being cooperative, as that's just me. By the time processing was done, she said that she now felt bad for not cuffing me in the front.
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I absolutely invoke the right of refusal to search my vehicle. You can alert the local police that a certain officer is pulling you over a lot, but nothing can really be done other than them telling you he is doing his job. If you feel harassed in anyway, contact a lawyer.
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You have illumination deficiencies, your tints are too dark...
What kind of car do you have, what year is it?
What other types of modifications besides tinting does the car have?
Does it have a loud exhaust?
Is it lowered?
Does it have rims?
Yea that's my first thought, young+nice car=cop magnet. Get a simple car that old people drive, no one will ever bother you. My suggestions are an Aztec or a Gremlin, either way if you drive one of those no one will know what to think.
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Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.
Likely, he lives in a small-ish town, has some issues with his car, and the cops are looking to meet their quotas.
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Also, I think that the 'buy a ****ty car' line of thinking sucks. If you can have a nice car, there is no reason not to. Just don't do stuff like ignore 12 warnings from cops if you don't want to get tickets.
@MH: It's easy to be like 'just be compliant' when you're a girl. Girls get out of tickets constantly. Guys generally don't.
2. Refuse to let them search it.
They probably would if more of them were more compliant.
Seriously, I'm not the best looking girl out there, but my demeanor convinces cops to let me slide a fair amount of time. Either that, or there's a kid in the car.
*DO NOT HAVE A KID JUST TO GET OUT OF TICKETS
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Once, if I was pulled over for no reason at all.
Which is not the same as your case, given that your car seens to have multiple defects that you've refused to fix. I'm pretty sure that unless you fix, at the very least, your tail lights, you _will_ be pulled over again.
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Eh, I disagree. It's human nature to be more lenient and/or helpful to those you find attractive, and odds are most cops won't find a man attractive.
On topic, why not just fix the light? That would probably have saved you 13 of those stops.
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Next, you've got a lot of crap in your car. Why? Cop sees junk in a car, cop sees lots of spots to hide parefenelia, drugs, etc. You're already driving a busted car, and you don't take care to keep the interior cleared up. You obviously don't care about your car (in the cops opinion, broken parts + messy car), so you've got bigger concerns - perhaps drugs. So, they want to search it. So second lesson - don't keep crap in your car, ESPECIALLY lots and lots of containers, even if they do just contain Magic cards.
Finally, I'd imagine you're starting to get indignant getting pulled over so much. If I were a gambling man - and I am - I'd put money down saying you were giving the cop lip or *****ing / moaning to him about it. Don't. Bite your lip, don't say ****, and just go with the flow. Do not volunteer information about getting pulled over so often, it makes you look suspicious. Do not gripe that he needs to go back to eating his donut or anything like that. Do not do say anything stupid that could remotely get the cop on edge.
While we're at it; fix your car window. Every time you open your door, it puts the cop on edge. If you pay close attention, I'm sure his hand went straight to his gun, out of instinct for his own protection. Traffic stops are not fun, pleasant experiences for cops - we've all heard stories of officers killed during 'routine' traffic stops. So get that window fixed, so you can keep from putting a cop on edge. Do other simple things for the cop; shut the car off completely (don't just throw it in park), take any gloves you're wearing off and put your hands on the top of the steering wheel where the officer can see them, etc. A respectful citizen showing he means no harm will get away with far more than some punk nosed kid flipping the cop **** and putting him on edge. You can choose which of the two you are, in the cops eyes... choose the former, fix your car, and drive safely.
I would not "invoke the right for you not to search". This will most likely result in two things. You look guilty in something and you will probably go down town (your car will be towed and searched in the tow lot). I've had my car searched with drug dogs (on a military base) and they made me take apart my subwoofer box because the dog was scratching my subwoofers (not the box).
It's always in your best interest to do what you can to accomodate the cops. When I got a DUI a few years back (i know i know). I was very polite and did everything the cops said with a "yes sir". I got to go home in a few hours.
Now what state do you live in that 75% is the legal limit? Most cars come stock at 50%. The term 75% means that 75% of the light will come in. 25/75 is not even that dark. 50/50 is not even that dark.
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=519290
It's human nature to be more lenient and/or helpful to those who are POLITE and RESPECTFUL to you, and thats an easy thing to do.
Also 2 hands on steering wheel at 10 and 2 so he can see them when approaching. Pull over as far as possible so officer doesn't have to endanger himself in traffic. Greet the officer in friendly, maybe slightly sheepish, apologetic manner without being patronizing, suck up, or fake. Throwing in a little bit of non-verbal "yeah y'got me" body language isn't bad either if it's speeding.
Interestingly its the women cops who give me the highest percentage of tix (small sample, but about 50% total). Last one gave me a warning in DC for doing a dangerous pull out in front of her without yielding, onto a huge 55mph 4 lane highway, and then accelerating like a madman to get up to speed. I was pretty flustered, a little lost, and confused in that area... I hadn't even realized that the road was goig to turn into an entrance ramp, quite a weird section of road leading to the highway, then boom, you're "in it". I was definitely expecting a ticket because it was a woman, but she warned me to keep the speed down and be careful merging.
Btw I'm Asian, I've been driving used beater cars most of my life, and dress like a slightly unspectacular, by definitely non-riff-raff adult. Dress shirt or button down & slacks or jeans. Short hair, glasses. Not particularly attractive or anything.
As for the OP, why is he being pulled over? If it's all different cops, it's because he's not bothering to fix the problem. When ONE oR TWO cops pull you over, it might be the cops' problem. When FIFTEEN cops pull you over separately, it's likely YOUR problem. Especially if it's the last 11 months and you never had a problem before. {Do you think you're being profiled? I guess since nobody's asked, I will: what race are you? What race are the cops? How old are you and how do you dress? Describe the make and model and condition of your car. How big is your town? Do the cops know you by name or is this all over the city? 15 times sounds high even if you're being racially profiled as a "black man in a new BMW" } If 15 DIFFERENT cops pulled you over, it's a pretty big city. I doubt the cops of the city are all getting a briefing about you specifically every morning.
Fix your plate light. You have a brake light AND a plate light out.
The preferred is now 9/3. lol.
I agree with this poster though. Most likely if you are being pulled over that many times in a short period of time, it's most likely not harassment.
These are cases of harassment:
1. Cop follows you for more than a mile and then pulls you over.
2. The same cop pulls you over daily. On average a cop pulls over 5-10 people a day. Most likely a cop won't remember you, unless he pulls you over alot.
3. Racial.
Here are two incidents I've had where politeness matters.
1. I was running late for work one morning, I jumped in my car and was doing about 80 in a 55 (in an RX-8). I changed lanes and flew past a car and when i looked in my mirror and saw a bike cop. In HI, a bike cop means ticket. Cop walked up and I had everything out and said good morning sir, sorry for speeding, I'm late for work. He took my paperwork (incl mil id) and about 3 minutes later he let me go with no ticket.
2. I got pulled over when I was younger because my rear license plate was not lit up (it was in my rear window cause I had no bumper). I was annoyed because I had been pulled over twice that day already. I was rude to the cop and said I already have 1 ticket from this today. He said, well, you can have another. Have a nice day. But the 2nd cop that pulled me over that day, I was polite and didn't get a ticket.
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=519290
First, fix your lights. Replacement bulbs cost all of a few dollars.
Second, I think you misstated the tint issue - it sounds like the law allows a 25% tint and you have 50%. Tinted windows alone will get you pulled over more often than non-tinted windows. You can have this removed pretty easily, it's most likely the stick-on stuff anyway. Buy a pair of sunglasses, and you won't be a danger on the road at night.
Third, keep your car clean. Clean it out about once a week, keep large packages and whatever in the trunk rather than in the back seat.
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In this case, being compliant is probably why you're getting out of the tickets. I'm not trying to offend you when I say that.
I'm usually not the nicest person to the police, because I get pulled over so the officer can "check to see if I have my seatbelt on" because I have a picture of a pot leaf on the back of my car. After the officer finds out I have my seatbelt on, he asks to search the car, and I ask him if he has a warrant.
I usually get out of this. I've only had my car searched twice.
Anyway, yes, being submissive to an officer is probably the best way to get out of a ticket.
One of my semiclose friends is an officer. He told me that he is more likely to let someone off from a ticket if they are compliant. He said he has never let a girl off because she batted her eyes at him. If said girl is compliant, and the reason wasn't that bad (going 5 miles over the speed limit, running a stop sign) he might let them off.
scumbag
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You know they don't need a warrant to search your car right (trunk and glove compartment, only if it's locked). Common misconception. If you have a hatchback, kind of hard to keep the cop from searching (well glancing) at your trunk.
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=519290
They need probable cause, but you can still refuse the search.
If you refuse the search, then they can either 1. Force you to let them search your car. 2. Leave it alone. 3. Get a warrant.
2. Is the most likely situation when you say "no, you cannot search my car"
scumbag
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Probable Cause and Suspicious gives cops all the power in these situations.
Refusing to have your car searched goes along the same line of refusing a breathalizer or sobriety test. It will get you a free cab ride downtown...lol
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=519290
You are simply incorrect. I know that you can refuse to let a cop search your car. I know this for a fact, because a cop was the one that told me. I let them search my car once, but was clearly put off by it because I was in a hurry. The cop flat out told me that I could have refused. They do not have probable cause just because they pulled you over. I'm not sure how you could possibly even think that. Pulling you over for whatever traffic/vehicle violation has NOTHING to do with wanting to search your car.
Also, refusing can give the cop probable cause since it now appears you are hiding something. It is mere wordplay on the cops part to decide which way he is going to search it.
Your car can only be searched without cause/a warrant if the police believe your vehicle contains evidence of a crime. It is right there on the page.