Originally Posted by goodman' post='832491' date='Apr 1 2009, 12:49 AM

You are charged with 38 mph over the limit. You argued with the cop. You absolutely need a good, local lawyer.

Originally Posted by KCooke82' post='834218' date='Apr 2 2009, 01:44 PM

Thanks for all the input.
I'm a bit preoccupied as I get ready to take the GMAT, but these are some interesting suggestions that I will look into.

Originally Posted by KCooke82' post='831718' date='Mar 31 2009, 12:01 PM

Looks like the cheapest engine upgrade might end up being pretty costly! It all started when I removed my charcoal filter...

I decided to give it a test last night on a great cruising road in a small NH town where my parents live. Wow...the engine is so much smoother. I couldn't help bringing it up to about 70 before coming around a bend and noticing head lights in the distance. Since police love patrolling this road because it's so easy to speed (limit should be 40, not 30), I decided to start slowing down just in case. As I got closer to the oncoming car, which had just come up over the oncoming down hill, I first noticed that he was slowing down, as if to take a right into a driveway. Then I noticed the familiar pattern of crown victory lights. Sure enough, it was a cop. Either he was about to park and set a trap or slowed as he saw me approaching at a high speed and was fumbling to turn on his radar. Meanwhile, I was trying hard to slow down at an even pace in order to prevent my front suspension from dipping. The distance covered from start to finish was approximately a 10th of a mile, and when he finally clocked me there were only 20 yards between our cars. When my radar went off (valentine 1, mounted next to my rear view mirror for maximum reception), I glanced at my speed, noted it was approximately 45 (phew), and looked up in time to see him flash his blue lights as he quickly turned around behind me as I passed. I instincitvely pulled over...and you could say that it was obvious I knew I was screwed.

Regardless, I played dumb. He asked me what the rush was, and I said no rush, just starting I long drive back to NYC after visiting my parents, which was true. He stared at me as if I was dumb, and then told me that he clocked me at 68, then 55, then 47, which was enough over the speed limit to warrant an arrest. This of course sent up a red flag because my Valentine 1 has never failed to go off when getting clocked, and it only went off once at the last minute. Nevertheless, I wasn't about to bring this up right away. I was very polite and said that when I saw the oncoming headlights, it made me realize that I was carrying too much speed and I started to slow. "When I realized it was a police car. I looked down and saw that I was doing about 42. I really don't think I was travelling that fast beforehand." I said my driving record has been clean for over 6 years and if I could have a warning. He practically laughed, stating my high speed and damp road conditions, then asked for my license and registration. When he came back, he handed me a court summons and noted on the ticket that he clocked me by radar at 68. Seeing this, I said: "I am not questioning you, but I have a hard time accepting that I was doing 68 when I saw 42. Do you have the 3 speeds on your radar gun?" He said yes, so I then said that when I bought the car used, it happened to come with a factory installed radar detector (a bit of a white lie). He cut me off: "Yea, well radar detectors don't work when I keep my gun off up until I clock you". Thanks for stating the obvious! If his gun was on, he would have had me at a much higher speed. "I understood that, but my detecter only went off once, at which point I glanced down at my speedometer and noted my speed to be about 42. I realize I was probably going a littler fast than that before I slowed, but 68? I don't think I was going that fast."

At this point, we were both cordial, but I think he had enough, and said that if I had any questions I can ask them in court. Well, I couldn't wait that long, so shortly after I got on my way, I called the station. Being a small town, I was actually put on the phone with the same officer. I said that I regretted not persisting to see his gun as I still can't fathom doing 68. He said that there were a number of reasons they don't show their gun speeds, and that if I still want to talk about it we can do so in court. Speaking of which, I asked what the implications were if I was found guilty. Maximum fine is $1,200 and 30 day suspension! Yikes.
So now it's his word against mine! Why can't I see the gun? Perhaps individual states have different laws? But what other leg do I have to stand on? If he noted that he "ESTIMATED" my speed to be about 65, that would be another story. But he would have been too far away and didn't have a clear view of my car due to the surroundings and changes in elevation. Not to mention he was driving and it was at night.
Instead, he made up a speed. It's kind of ironic that it's over double the legal limit, requiring a court appearence even if I plead. He's probably loving the fact that I have to drive up from NYC to appear. Factor in that I'm 26, driving a black BMW, with out of state plates. The perfect recipe for disaster.

Any advice? I realize I was speeding but it doesn't seem right that a cop can make up a number out of mid air. Sorry for the long story...I'm bummed.