Some cops are really a disgrace...

[MTROIS]

Setting:
Driving home at night after a long day at work.

Get to the traffic light at the intersection between Mt Pleasant and Mt Prospect in West Orange.

Light turns green and since the Honda SUV In front of me does not move (probably busy with their cellphone), I beep my horn.

The car in front of me finally moves and I can make my left hand turn, safely and quietly.

Suddenly, the Police car that was behind me, lights me up!!

I pull over and the LEO asks for my papers, bla bla... And eventually writes me a ticket because I did not use my turn signal!!! 39.4-126

The fact that this being a "special" traffic light where all four sides become green alternately so that you never risk a collision by cutting a car coming in front of you AND the fact that both cops were laughing their ass off as they got in the car to write my ticket tells me that this is really a bogus ticket.

Way to go West Orange PD!
Very productive way to alienate good citizen with this type of despicable behavior.

Needless to say that I will fight this one in court...

[Vic311]

And you will lose. Just because your are in a left turn only lane doesn't mean you don't have to use your turn signal.

But I agree with you the cop was probably desperate to write a summons if he got you for something so lame.

[tjsabec]

Dude, how difficult is it to put pressure on your turn signal stalk? People who are too lazy to signal really aggravate me. You could have had the signal pressed 100 times in the time it takes you to deduce whether using your signal will impact other drivers... Just use the thing

[Ecksman]

I'm a LEO, actually not very far from West Orange. I agree, a failure to signal turn is a cheap ticket. Although it's a moving violation, I don't believe it carries any points. You're gonna waste lots of your valuable time going to court and I'm sure they're will be court fees involved. I would pay the ticket and let by-gones be by-gones.

[1LRM3]

Originally Posted by R.Xavier

I'm a LEO, actually not very far from West Orange. I agree, a failure to signal turn is a cheap ticket. Although it's a moving violation, I don't believe it carries any points. You're gonna waste lots of your valuable time going to court and I'm sure they're will be court fees involved. I would pay the ticket and let by-gones be by-gones.

and be safe out there brother

[Ecksman]

Originally Posted by 1LRM3

and be safe out there brother

thanks.

[Matt@AUTOcouture]

Its tough to rope them all in because there are some true, genuine people who happen to be in law enforcement. That being said there are a lot of scumbags on the force. I was just pulled over in my '72 tii a few nights ago for swerving around potholes to avoid damaging my car. He told me if my car can't handle the road, then to stay off of it.

[Groundpilot]

Originally Posted by Matt@AUTOcouture

Its tough to rope them all in because there are some true, genuine people who happen to be in law enforcement. That being said there are a lot of scumbags on the force. I was just pulled over in my '72 tii a few nights ago for swerving around potholes to avoid damaging my car. He told me if my car can't handle the road, then to stay off of it.

That cop is not a scumbag. He is a retard if he said something like that.

[chris s]

Originally Posted by Vic311

And you will lose. Just because your are in a left turn only lane doesn't mean you don't have to use your turn signal.

But I agree with you the cop was probably desperate to write a summons if he got you for something so lame.

agreed, lame ticket, but you will absolutely lose. Don't even bother. Pay the fine, probably a no-points ticket. If it IS points, then fight it and any decent judge will probably reduce it to only a fine.

[italyix]

Fight it via Trial by Written Declaration. You don't got to court and LEO has to sit down at desk and write up a full report of what happened, before submitting to judge for review. If you lose then your bail is already paid and case is closed. If you win, you get your money back

Either one, you're not going to waste time in court.

[mid-corner fun]

In NJ, a turn with no signal is a 2pt violation. You can try to negotiate down, ultimately the township just wants the money anyway - or you can fight it in court. It comes down to how much your time is worth vs. the potential outcome (points, court + insurance cost).

[chris s]

request a supporting deposition asap.

[MTROIS]

Indeed, I believe this carries 2 points in NJ!

I also stopped by the WOPD last night and spoke with both the Sgt. and Lt. On duty as I was picking up a complaint form that I will be filing with the internal affairs bureau.

This is not just about the money and the points, but about the principle.

These people are supposed to be protecting us and yes, enforcing the law, but they should also have good morale and integrity.
These two LEOs did not display this last night and probably wanted to teach a lesson to the guy who drives a M3 and who beeped his horn at the "innocent texter" in the SUV.
Just a disgrace IMO.

[MTROIS]

Originally Posted by R.Xavier

I'm a LEO, actually not very far from West Orange. I agree, a failure to signal turn is a cheap ticket. Although it's a moving violation, I don't believe it carries any points. You're gonna waste lots of your valuable time going to court and I'm sure they're will be court fees involved. I would pay the ticket and let by-gones be by-gones.

I usually take the high road but this is also a question of principle.
I had my turn signal on... But after sitting at this light for more than 5 minutes, you can sometimes switch it off as you want to simply listen to the radio.

Thanks for your comment though and be safe.

[MTROIS]

Originally Posted by chris s

request a supporting deposition asap.

Can we do this in NJ??
(Thanks for your PM!)

[325rider]

Originally Posted by MTROIS

Can we do this in NJ??
(Thanks for your PM!)

ban cops

[Ecksman]

I'm not a ticket guy, I work in a very busy city, where we have other things to worry about. If it does carry points, then absolutely go to court, I'm sure the prosecutor will downgrade it to something else. Just keep in mind, you can only use unsafe driving once every 5 years. Good luck OP. Takes a few bad apples to ruin it for all of us haha.

[miringrains]

Only way you'll win in court for that is if you state that your car has an optional 3 click turn signal if pressed lightly, and the officer must have seen your car after that period of 3 clicks.

[GRUESOM3]

Looks like you got hit with the M tax

[JBiddy]

Bunch of pigs that don't have anything better to do!

[Bx Tpr]

He was actually doing exactly what he's paid to do lol

[1LRM3]

Originally Posted by JBiddy

Bunch of pigs that don't have anything better to do!

there is good and bad in all walks of life... no need to generalize all PD. don't want to get pinched, gotta follow the rulz especially if / when a pd car is right behind.....certainly could have re-engaged signal on the turn. However, not saying it is a worthwhile summons as bigger issues exist out there.......

Originally Posted by Carpacio

Precisely. Everyone hates cops, until they need one. If the op wants to avoid tickets, he should follow the rules.

exactly!