New Jersey Traffic Ticket

Male Speaker1:  Well that settles it man if we couldn’t beat it with this thing, there is no way that you can beat this speed ticket camera no matter how fast you are going I mean you are like under mark one.

Male Speaker2:  No I guess it’s pasted.

Male Speaker1:  I work here as [Inaudible] let’s go.

Male Speaker2:  Not as fast I got a little something whole something… something.

Male Speaker1:  Really?

Male Speaker2:  Yeah.

Male Speaker3:  Something… something it’s a lot of secret squirrel going on here.

Male Speaker1:  If I know one thing about Jammy its… he is going outside the box and probably cheating.

Male Speaker2:  What you got hear is a little bit more of a straight forward no nonsense no chemicals no plastic wrap just basic physics, so beat this speed camera.

Male Speaker1:  Get in charge show me what you got cheater?

Male Speaker2:  Okay we are all set.

Male Speaker3:  The plate lockers failed the very average auto failed Red Ross speed failed in a sea of failure what can Jamie possibly do to succeed?

Male Speaker1:  Nicely done, very … very clever.  Like I said that he was going to cheat.

Male Speaker3:  So how did you do it?  Well remember way back when the car was being made safer and Jamie was busy cutting a huge hole turns out it was fit the old spike car revolving license plate trick.

Male Speaker2:  This is just an air power water actuator the applier that puts it.

Male Speaker1:  That is good nicely done.

Male Speaker2:  It’s got a little trigger.

Male Speaker1:  He will still get a ticket for that mostly I think a ticket for having that on your car is lot worse than speeding.  This one goes on a damp one.

Male Speaker2:  What are you going to do?

Male Speaker1:  Nice words [Inaudible] let’s go home.  Make sure you have the right plate on the way home.

Male Speaker2:  All right.

Welcome to KBTV I am Kate Bohner today I am talk about something that impacts nearly all of us and that is speeding tickets.  How to avoid getting a traffic ticket in the first place, some tactics to use if indeed you do get pulled over by a police officer and also some advice on what to do if you are written a ticket.  So let’s start with how to avoid a ticket.  Well there are a lot of theories out there and a lot of anecdotal evidence.  But let me give you my mother’s theory.

First of all let me tell you something about my mother.  She is speeder at heart.  She loves to drive she has commuter rage she commutes from South Carolina to Denver to Washington D.C where she is a consultant and she actually truly believes that she is a better driver when she is speeding because she pays attention.  Well the name of her theory is Bate and what she does if she gets in her left arm lane and speeds.  Her theory is also that the real speed limit is about 10 miles over with the actual posted speed limit is so if its posted its 65 miles per hour its really 75 miles per hour.

So she gets in the left hand lane and what she does is she finds what she calls Bate which is a teenage boy driving a car that’s see the red or neon yellow and hopefully a sports car and get that person about 50 feet ahead of her and 50 feet behind her, two different cars, so that person will get hit by the radar gun before she does.  Well I used to think that this was such a silly theory until over Christmas she was driving me to the airport sure enough we got behind a teenage boy and a red box wagon [Inaudible], he got nailed by the cops and I made my flight.

So what do you do if you actually get pulled over?  Well I was reading Smart Money magazine and they had some pretty interesting tips.  The first thing in count on the fact that the police officer has seen the show cops, so remain calm pull over turn off the engine, roll down you window and put your hands on the steering well.  Next up is name drop.  If you have a police for Netherland association badge or you know the local officer in town, drop his name.  It might be shameless but it also might work, and third play dumb.  If the officer says mam do you know why I pulled you over, don’t say oh I have a blown pale light just you don’t want to give him any more information so just wait till the officer tells you what you did wrong and work is [Inaudible] up.  Sickishness work so if you can call your officer mam or Sir and most importantly ask for a warning and almost every state the police officer has a discretion to give you a warning but this is really important talk very… very quickly because as soon as that cops starts writing the ticket game over.  So what do you if you get a ticket?  Don’t be so quick on pull on your check book because you have a couple of occasions.  One is to go to traffic school for the day and yes it is an all day affair it will cost a bit of money, fine as a result the ticket will get clear from your record and you won’t get the points and also you won’t get those potential insurance premium hikes.  Next you can go to court going to court is always a gamble but if you do go to court here are a couple of tips.  One is don’t count on a no show, apparently that is one of these miss that the officer is not going to show up in court to testify but  a big part of the traffic officers their job is to actually go to court.  Next up, always plead not guilty and come up with an excuse and again according to Smart Money magazine the best excuse has to be a medical excuse like you had to go the emergency room for your kid or had to go to a doctor’s appointment or fill a prescription or something like that.  Next up you can get the officer’s note.  This is something that lot of people don’t know well the officer is curiously taking notes, you are actually eligible to get those noted before you go to court so you have an idea of exactly what you are going to be charged with.  So if you are like my mother and obeying the speed limit is just out of the question probably your best strategy is just to not speed.  Thanks for joining I am Kate Bohner for KBTV.  For information KateBohnerproductions.com, click on contact add shoot us an e-mail we will be sure to get back to you.

Or you drive down more than a traffic ticket.  I am doctor road map and here is how to avoid getting one in the first place.  The first thing is prevention; you don’t want to attract any undue attention that’s rule number 1 in avoiding tickets.

In other words police officers are trained to look for anything out of the ordinary can be a missing license plate tag or out of date can be a tail eyed bob [phonetic] that’s burned out something hanging from your rear view mirror and some states is enough to attract attention.  So you don’t want to give an officer any probable cause to plea over.  The other thing is when you are driving you don’t all of a sudden jam on your breaks when you see let’s say a police officer up the header or a radar gun that’s like sending up a warning flair for the police.  Don’t suddenly pound on the breaks when you see a car.  The other thing is… is when you do drive and this is just so elemental but don’t break the laws.  The reason is because police officers use two or three things to write a ticket.

So if you are speeding if you are making an illegal lane change and you have something wrong with your car or something simpler or like not wearing your seat belt, they just have so many reasons to pull you over and make that traffic tickets stick in court.  So your job is not give him anything to choose from.  Couple other things is always you should turn signals again please look for any little details and naturally again be observing look for signs where there maybe a speed trap.  Now once you do get pulled over one thing you want to do is stand your car don’t get out it makes him nervous.  Keep your hands on the wheel it also makes him nervous.  You don’t want to reach in your glove box right away or under the seat.  5% of motorists studies show that 5% of motorists have a gun in their car so if you are reaching around that makes them nervous you don’t want to start off that way.  When the police officer does get your car be nice to him smile I know it’s hard but the courtesy does pay I have had police officers they are only human.  If you are nice to them maybe they will get rid of one of the things that they could write you up for again they have always a got a couple of reasons when they pull you over matters will make the ticket as easy as possible on you.  Lastly you may want to check the manual of uniform traffic control devices so that any major library talks about signs and street markings you can help you beat a ticket once you get one.

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At the beginning of each shift we download the complete FCIC and NCIC hot list for Florida could be any state database, so we download of the stolen vehicle and stolen license plate information as well as any information and data from our local Intelligence Units, parole office and other local and state agencies.

This vehicle is loaded with a four camera ALPR system that’s an Automated License Plate Recognition system called [Inaudible] plate.  We have two forward facing camera, a side facing camera and a rear facing camera.  Each of those cameras can capture and check one plate every second.  That’s going to give you about 3600 plates per hour per camera if you are actually to come across that [Inaudible].  The screen gives you hear is an overview picture of the entire vehicle in that one side image is captured the software isolates just the license plate and reads it and that’s what you see in the orange box is the text representation of the plate.  The software then automatically checks that against a local copy of NCIC, FCIC or any other local intelligent databases.  The rear facing camera actually allows us to capture traffic building to the opposite direction, here in Florida where we only have license plate on the rear of the vehicle that comes in handy on too many drivers.  Beside mounted cameras mounted at 90 degree angle from parking lot of the patients [phonetic] its going to allow me to go through any shopping center, hotel mall, apartment complex, rest area and literally capture in one every license plate that’s in the parking lot.  That camera click that you are hearing is coming from the cars that pass by them that lets me know that I have both captured in read a license plate if I don’t hear them sound then I know that I have passed a car with either a [Inaudible] mounted plate or no plate at all.  Hey looks like we have a hit here, the Miami Dade police department vehicle so this confirm that that is a correct read and yes on that shall we [Inaudible] right there.  So we go ahead and call the other theft unit and have them set up surveillance on this vehicle.  You are on the inner state we have two forward facing cameras and they are capturing all the traffic passing into the left or right of our vehicle each of those vehicles is automatically checked against our local copy of the FCIC and CIC local intelligences databases.  We can actually capture these vehicles that speeds upwards of a 100 miles an hour.  We also have ware plate installed in marked units primarily focused on traffic enforcement really picking up drivers who don’t have a license have a suspended license or maybe uninsured.  Traffic enforcement is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what ALPR is capable of doing.  Plans have been planned to place right now in regards to national security sites, ports, airports special event security we have also deployments to counter terrorism and for organized crime.  ALPR invariably in particular is really going to revolutionize the way we police not only in Florida but all across our country.

Male Speaker1:  Hey you don’t move.

Male Speaker2:  Oh hey what’s up officer?

Male Speaker1:  I want to have a word with you.

Male Speaker2:  Someone in trouble don’t worry I can handle it.  I am a super hero.

Male Speaker1:  Someone didn’t trouble all right do you have any idea how fast you were going back there?

Male Speaker2:  Excuse me.

Male Speaker1:  Now don’t play naïve with me buddy.  I have been chasing up you for six blocks now.  I am no mood for any gates.

Male Speaker2:  Sorry got that officer but what can I do for you?

Male Speaker1:  You can stay [Inaudible] I take care of this.

Male Speaker2:  What are you doing?

Male Speaker1:  Writing your ticket.  Now give me your license.

Male Speaker2:  For what?

Male Speaker1:  Speeding now give me your license.

Male Speaker2:  Speeding dude I am a flash just like super power that’s what I do.

Male Speaker1:  Yeah I saw that when you exceeded the speed limit like 275 miles an hour.  [Inaudible] speed limit is around here?

Male Speaker2:  Kidding right?

Male Speaker1:  25 the speed limit is 25 I got at 300 miles an hour and a 25 zone, cop in the [Inaudible] that would let you off in offense like that now license if you please.

Male Speaker2:  I have got legal here this is my just asleep membership card.

Male Speaker1:  You have an address where you can be reached?

Male Speaker2:  Yes… yes now we well get somewhere I [Inaudible] officer I was on foot there is no what that can be a legal.

Male Speaker1:  300 in a 25 buddy?  I don’t [Inaudible] if you were crawling [Inaudible] I don’t know rescue you out here in now.

Male Speaker2:  What is it officer I am the flash don’t tell me you have never heard of the flash I can care of less the [Inaudible] fastest male alive.  Oh come on officer for Christ sake I am a member of Justice League have you heard of them?

Male Speaker1:  [Inaudible].

Male Speaker2:  Call me [Inaudible] central [Inaudible] they will tell you what.

Male Speaker1:  In case you haven’t you are not in central city by the way your license has expired here welcome to [Inaudible].

Hi my name is Shaun Appler, Investigator with the Wrightsville Beach Police Department on behalf of Expert Village I am here to talk to you today about what do when you are being asked the police.

Once the officer stops you he is going to driver’s license registration proof and insurance you established whether there is a weapon in the car or not, you are still being polite he has advised you of why he is stopping you, don’t argue.  The road side is not the place to argue your case.  Remember in United States in our court system for all of its flaws one of the positive aspects of it is that you are in innocent to proving guilty.

Okay you will have your day in court if you wish to plead your case as far as why you are speeding or whatever the deal is you have your opportunity to plead your case in court.  If you think that you are able to outwit the officer, argue with the officer, explain why in satisfaction with the… to the officer why you should be getting excited or why you were doing that he just saw you do, you are not going to win that argument on the side of the road I promise you that that officer one way or another is going to win that argument on the side of road.  It’s not the battle you need to pick on the side of the road.  Someone also think about is that if you are polite courteous and the officer does cite you, in case he doesn’t give you warning he does cite you.  Let’s all stuff to the [phonetic] also remembers.

Okay he is going to document every stop in his notes.  If you don’t give the answer a hard time you meet hey you know probably stood up I don’t think I did it but you know what if you are saying I did it… I did it, yes Sir no Sir be polite. The officer is going to document that as notes and when it comes time for court if you do have your day in court the officer is going to be able to say that the district attorney and to the Judge.  He is going to let them know that you were very cooperative person.  The contrary is true too.  If you give that officer a hard time A, the chance of getting a warning is pretty much up the window.  Okay B, you don’t think officer is going to document very carefully everything that you said, everything that you have done every name that you call them every time you tell him that you pay your salary, he is going to probably document that.  When it comes down for court think when the attorney comes up to him and ask him you know do you mind if we put him down to a lesser charge you think the officer is really going to want to work with you, probably not.  If you have done something remember don’t argue on the side of the road, don’t give the officer a hard time, it could like I mentioned earlier it could be looking at additional charges of especially if you are cursing at him, giving him a hard time not following his instructions and the officer is going to document that.  When you get to court being polite and positive will help you out.  Be a negative, giving the officer a hard time will probably hurt you when you come to court.  The other thing to keep in mind most officers, most patrol cars are equipped with microphones and radio cameras.  You give the officer a hard time chances are very high that is all caught on tape.  So when you turn around and go to court especially if its very egregious and that goes to court you say I wasn’t doing that or I didn’t do that and the officer pulls up the tape and he says look what he called me, look what he did, its probably going to hurt you.  So remember be polite don’t argue.  The side of the road is not the time to argue, get yourself an attorney, go to court have your day in court its on… the burden is on the officer in order to prove that you did what he is saying you did.

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What’s next I will tell next if you have been in New Jersey and you have planned to drive over the next 30 days I watch myself they are [Inaudible] ticket list in New Jersey.  They are planning to make $9 million [Inaudible] in the next month.  They are forcing New Jersey state [Inaudible] to give out a ticket every ten to 20 minutes, its not option they didn’t say then please give out a ticket every ten to 20 minutes if you can, they said you better give out a ticket every 10 to 20 minutes or you can go back to station out you [Inaudible] lose vacation there you are going to lose the sick day you are going to lose to freaking up okay these got to be fourth ticket out of this [Inaudible] tickets and what keep the finger in mouth safe right don’t [Inaudible] it, let me take some what am I [Inaudible] road driver its nothing I go 90 miles an hour and left they don’t worry about.  It’s the guy going 50 miles an hour in the frequent one thing that’s the guy who knows what he speak and do it.  You want to keep the road safe New Jersey get the guy who is [Inaudible] go on 50 miles an hour on the freaky road then the rest of us can go 90 or 100 or 110 and there is not going to be any freaking [Inaudible] and anything speed tickets are bet come home [Inaudible] in New Jersey if you are court drive but have your license, registration and insurance card I don’t think they will [Inaudible] I mean your how about [Inaudible] they are going to raise the fine from $44 to a $173 are you freaking me?  Here you are, are you a citizen a New Jersey tax payer would all of that [Inaudible] in the freaking world to drive and you would have an audio and you will have to $173 meanwhile if you are going to legal [Inaudible] of it send them a sign looking for court, you know what the police had told to do jot my [Inaudible] are you freaking to kill me this is [Inaudible] New Jersey and this is freaking country treat to says this like crab and you are criminals like go I am freaking sick of it, I am freaking sick of it, what’s next, what’s next, what’s next?

Hi my name is Shaun Appler, Investigator with the Wrightsville Beach police department on behalf of Expert Village, New Jersey speeding ticket I am here to talk to you about what to do when you are being stopped by the police.

To sum up everything just remember, the officers are out here we are stopping vehicles for safety.  First thing what I remember is go ahead and pull to the right hand side of the road and what I told you earlier, the officer has already where he want you to stop and his mind where logical place for you to stop is when he activates emergency equipment, you go ahead and look for the next logical place for you to stop.  So turn your direction on, pull over to the right if you are on a busy street and there is a side street coming up, I am going to pull on to the street pull up [Inaudible] of both you and the officer can get in there and you are not affecting intersection okay, remain in your vehicle don’t get out unless the officer instructs you otherwise.  Have you driver’s license registration, proof insurance ready for when the officer approaches the vehicle can stress is enough be polite to that officer.

Have a good attitude and the officer starts talking to you if he has planned on giving you a warning a good attitude will help you and go a long way.  The opposite is also true.  If you are going to give the officer a hard time and you are going to argue with him and you are going to show him an attitude you could talk yourself into additional charges you could talk to yourself and definitely get the citation and possibly arrested.  Just make sure you have a good attitude to the officer and be honest.  If you have a weapon in the car make sure you let the officer know immediately that there is a weapon in the car and then follow his instructions to the letter.

Remember what I told you officers are here during their shift, they want to go home at the end of it, they want to go home safe.  Their number one goal is to go home to their family and if you are in there near the car and you have a weapon you don’t tell the officer about that, that can go bad for you really quick.  So make sure you let the officer that there are weapons in the vehicle.  Don’t try to flirt away out of a ticket, don’t try to cry and don’t try to bribe the officer.  Remember what I told you he don’t enough to offer me to get all that ticket you are not going to [Inaudible] my career all right overall message, pull to the right be polite and you will do fine.

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