What would you guys do?

p00kienrayray · 03-03-2009, 07:54 PM

Ok basically last summer my bike was having idle problems, and would die whenever I came to a stop. So on my way home on the fwy, there was bumper to bumper traffic on the junction on ramp, which happened to be on an incline. It was hot as fuck, so I didn't wanna stop and have my bike die, nor did I wanna hold up traffic either. So I slowly (like 5mph) took the shoulder. That's where they got me.

Now I'm going to court to contest the ticket this week. I'm gonna tell the judge the condition of my bike at the time, and that I only did what I did to avoid any further traffic complications. The chipper wasn't havin it that day, but hopefully the court would consider it.

Mr Lefty · 03-03-2009, 07:56 PM

your in cali... doesn't the lane splitting allowance apply?

Homeslice · 03-03-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebbs15

your in cali... doesn't the lane splitting allowance apply?

Still doesn't allow you to use the shoulder..........you still have to be within the lines.

derf · 03-03-2009, 08:03 PM

I'd find a good reason not to show up in court until the cop who issued you he ticket was retired. I have traffic court on the 24th, this will be the 4th time over 2 years hat I've been able to push the date back.

azoomm · 03-03-2009, 08:15 PM

lawyer.

If your bike wasn't in good working order or able to legally maneuver the road the court could argue it shouldn't have been on the road. It isn't a valid legal excuse.

Call a lawyer.

Lamnidae · 03-03-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

lawyer.

If your bike wasn't in good working order or able to legally maneuver the road the court could argue it shouldn't have been on the road. It isn't a valid legal excuse.

Call a lawyer.

agreed.

Porkchop · 03-03-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

lawyer.

If your bike wasn't in good working order or able to legally maneuver the road the court could argue it shouldn't have been on the road. It isn't a valid legal excuse.

Call a lawyer.

SCREW THAT! By the time you took legal advice from a professional, or used said professional in court.... your going to be spending more money than you would be with paying the actual ticket!!!!

I think if you stated your case and said you were trying to get home without creating more of a traffic problem on a machine that was having problems they might consider it. I'm not advocating lying, but its traffic court.... not a murder case, they dont need to know that it was having previous issues. For all the cop knows, it started acting up that day on the way home from work......

askmrjesus · 03-03-2009, 09:52 PM

I'm torn.

On the one hand, Azoom is right. Using a pre-existing mechanical condition is not going to fly in court.

"I would have stopped for that red light your Honor, but my brakes stopped working two months ago."

On the other hand, I'm with Porkchop. When it comes to traffic court, my first reaction is to deny everything. Fuck those people. Legal or not, you were trying to do the right thing for your bike, and for traffic. I can't fault you for that.

It's like that Olivia Newton-John song. "Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool, loving both of you, is breaking all the rules".

Of course, that doesn't really help you, but it does prove two things;

1. I have some really fucked up songs stuck in my head.

2. Olivia Newton-John is a total whore.

JC

Smittie61984 · 03-03-2009, 10:08 PM

Request a jury trial. Often times you can get small cases thrown out. Unless the judge wants to sock it to you.

Mechanical excuse won't fly. You could say "My bike suddenly had issues where it kept dying and I was trying to nurse it home so I could work on it". And then explain you resolved the problem.

Porkchop · 03-03-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smittie61984

You could say "My bike suddenly had issues where it kept dying and I was trying to nurse it home so I could work on it". And then explain you resolved the problem.

Money!!!!! Untrue..... but money! You didnt kill anybody with you mis-working bike.

03-03-2009, 07:54 PM	#1
p00kienrayray dope fiend Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SUNNY SOCAL Moto: JICKSIR SICKS HUNNERD Posts: 184	What would you guys do? Ok basically last summer my bike was having idle problems, and would die whenever I came to a stop. So on my way home on the fwy, there was bumper to bumper traffic on the junction on ramp, which happened to be on an incline. It was hot as fuck, so I didn't wanna stop and have my bike die, nor did I wanna hold up traffic either. So I slowly (like 5mph) took the shoulder. That's where they got me. Now I'm going to court to contest the ticket this week. I'm gonna tell the judge the condition of my bike at the time, and that I only did what I did to avoid any further traffic complications. The chipper wasn't havin it that day, but hopefully the court would consider it.

03-03-2009, 08:03 PM	#4
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	I'd find a good reason not to show up in court until the cop who issued you he ticket was retired. I have traffic court on the 24th, this will be the 4th time over 2 years hat I've been able to push the date back. __________________

03-03-2009, 08:15 PM	#5
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	lawyer. If your bike wasn't in good working order or able to legally maneuver the road the court could argue it shouldn't have been on the road. It isn't a valid legal excuse. Call a lawyer. __________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

03-03-2009, 09:52 PM	#8
askmrjesus Soul Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Everywhere, all the time. Moto: '0000 Custom Turbo Cross (with jet kit). Posts: 6,481	I'm torn. On the one hand, Azoom is right. Using a pre-existing mechanical condition is not going to fly in court. "I would have stopped for that red light your Honor, but my brakes stopped working two months ago." On the other hand, I'm with Porkchop. When it comes to traffic court, my first reaction is to deny everything. Fuck those people. Legal or not, you were trying to do the right thing for your bike, and for traffic. I can't fault you for that. It's like that Olivia Newton-John song. "Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool, loving both of you, is breaking all the rules". Of course, that doesn't really help you, but it does prove two things; 1. I have some really fucked up songs stuck in my head. 2. Olivia Newton-John is a total whore. JC __________________ The way things are going, they're gonna crucify me. Last edited by askmrjesus; 03-03-2009 at 10:10 PM..

03-03-2009, 10:08 PM	#9
Smittie61984 I give Squids a bad name Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fly Over State Moto: 1996 CBR600 F3 (AKA the Flying Turd) Posts: 4,742	Request a jury trial. Often times you can get small cases thrown out. Unless the judge wants to sock it to you. Mechanical excuse won't fly. You could say "My bike suddenly had issues where it kept dying and I was trying to nurse it home so I could work on it". And then explain you resolved the problem. __________________ lifts - R.I.P.

03-03-2009, 07:56 PM	#2
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	your in cali... doesn't the lane splitting allowance apply?