 
Warriorfan
Member
Username: Warriorfan
Post Number: 1013
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 1:05 am: |    |
quote:Lot of people say that the cop won't show up at court. Well, that isn't always true. maybe it depends on your city but in Warren, they show up all the time. They get OT for it.
Showing up to court is part of their job. They get paid for it. It's not like they do it on their own time, they have scheduled court days where they take care of the tickets they write. Betting on the officer not showing up is a losing bet. |
Jhartmich
Member
Username: Jhartmich
Post Number: 181
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 1:18 pm: | |
"Officer "O" (the same guy who popped my buddy for DUI) was pulling people over left and right on Michigan Avenue a couple months ago. No good reason when he pulled us over. And he didn't show up in court, so, no fine, no points, no nothing."
Osborn has been using Michigan Ave. for a long time as his personal "hunting ground." He is an overtime hound and doesn't care what he has to do to get to sit in court on overtime. He is strickly looking for overtime. |
Detroitnerd
Member
Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3347
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 1:25 pm: | |
Jhart: Know where he was a half-hour before he pulled us over? Lighting up a cigarette at the filling station at Forest and Woodward. What a genius. |
Gravitymachine
Member
Username: Gravitymachine
Post Number: 2338
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 1:37 pm: | |
you could fill cobo with the number of people that guy's popped. I can count seven people that i know of off the top of my head... |
Detroitplanner
Member
Username: Detroitplanner
Post Number: 1929
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 2:21 pm: | |
Heads up, the state has fixed the law that made the HOV lane on Michigan unenforceable. Expect to be seeing a clamp-down on enforcement soon.
"Bills approved by the Legislature last week would authorize Michigan to have high-occupancy vehicle, or HOV, lanes."
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/a rticle/20080921/FREE/809219995 /-1
(Message edited by Detroitplanner on October 02, 2008) |
Chitaku
Member
Username: Chitaku
Post Number: 2163
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 4:12 pm: | |
while playing at D'Mongos once, one of Detroit's finest heard me swearing while singing a song. He came in the bar while I was playing and pulled me out. Then while screaming at me told me he could take me to jail. All this is CAPITAL PARK AT 12AM!.
Another wonderful Detroit afternoon while driving down Trumbull by the Casino, a cop cuts me off and then pulls me over for tailgating him (obviously the last thing i would do is deliberately tailgate a cop, that is just asking for trouble!). He makes me get out of the car and starts threatening to take me to jail. i did not say one word and he kept telling me he was a supervisor. 90% of cops are jerks and it is very sad. I can only imagine the good old days with cops like Ray1936 patrolling our fine city. Now law enforcement in this town is obsolete. If you know someone you're cool and can do ANYTHING you want. If you don't, be prepared for trouble. Ask the folks who were at CAID. |
Terryh
Member
Username: Terryh
Post Number: 1016
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 11:02 pm: | |
I would argue that there werent any good old days with the Detroit police. The record would show that, if anything police misbehaviour was much more antagonistic and abusive pre civil rights era.Do the research. There were more police officers killed during the twenties and thirties than than the late seventies 80s and nineties combined. Was there more rage toward the police for good reason? Police tactics in the twenties and thirties were very reactionary,especially when it came to dealing with african Americans Check out the Detroit Police officer down page, some interesting info.
Anyways,Cmubryan, if you feel you were treated unjustly and youre rights were violated, call the ACLU, file a complaint, contact local groups that deal with police abuse issues. Dont let it go. |
Detroitnerd
Member
Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3348
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 11:35 am: | |
Anybody remember Ben Turpin? |
Docterry
Member
Username: Docterry
Post Number: 80
Registered: 08-2008
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 12:13 pm: | |
Just a thought - I ran into a real prize of an officer in Ferndale a few years back, around the same time of day - I suspect they expect they'll get a "drunk" and when they don't, feel the need to come up with another reason for a ticket. I didn't want to take a day off to go to court, so wrote a letter to the magistrate and mailed it in with the ticket and the money. S/he must have seen it for what it was - the entire issue was dismissed and my money was returned. Might be worth a shot if you don't have a day to kill. As for going to the district to complain, I've found it varies - *a lot* - by shift and district. The guys downtown were wonderful. Central is always polite and respectful and will at least let you believe, if you choose, that they are interested and will do their best to resolve the situation. Southwest is "iffy" and best and I've not had positive experiences with them at all. |
Cmubryan
Member
Username: Cmubryan
Post Number: 615
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 12:21 pm: | |
So I have several options
-Write a formal complaint to the precinct
-Ask to speak to a city attorney before my court appearance (advise of a lawyer I know)
-Go to the ALCU
-Write a letter to the magistrate
-Wait and tell the magistrate at my court date what happened
Any other suggestions? Thanks for everyone's advise so far. |
Docterry
Member
Username: Docterry
Post Number: 81
Registered: 08-2008
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 12:54 pm: | |
Yes - talk to the shift supervisor at the appropriate district/precinct. Being local, I'd actually start there. Most systems here, in my experience, react more favorably to informal attempts to resolve issues and really rail against formal (written) mechanisms (with ample reason, of course, given the way business sometimes gets done). However, *do* keep notes - of whom you spoke with, when and the outcome(s). If there is time, do it in a stepwise fashion, so no one can say you didn't follow the food chain (another big political "no no" if you want help). If the shift supervisor can't help, as for the name and contact info for his/her superior and if there is someone else s/he would recommend you speak with. If you don't have the time to mess around with all this, I'd suggest going to court - with a lawyer. It can be difficult to get ACLU involved - they have established priorities, etc. They may be able to point you to an appropriate person, though. Other resources are the law clinic at WSU (don't have current contact info, but it should be available from the web site or by calling) and Neighborhood Legal Services. |
Lefty2
Member
Username: Lefty2
Post Number: 2396
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 5:52 pm: | |
I would like the police to bring out the billy club and harass the drug dealers, scrappers, thugs etc |
Ct_alum
Member
Username: Ct_alum
Post Number: 12
Registered: 10-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 10:59 pm: | |
A little friendly advice - Do not argue with the cop on the street - save it for the judge. Also, DO NOT go to any DPD Precinct or with a complaint against an Officer as you will wind up in a cell. It is a long standing DPD policy that effectively discourages complaints. Even going to the Precinct to inquire about someone who has been arrested will get you put in a cell. |
Cmubryan
Member
Username: Cmubryan
Post Number: 641
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 11:08 pm: | |
My court date is 12.3 and that is what I plan on doing. |
Sean_of_detroit
Member
Username: Sean_of_detroit
Post Number: 2131
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 11:42 pm: | |
Quote:
'as I reply back "no, another reason for me to stay and fight this crap to help restore this city." '
HELLS YEAH!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is always awesome to hear a fellow Michigander think that way (which is unfortunately, outside the box more times than it is not). I have no real advice, but had to deal with such problems before, once with the FAA. I usually won when I really knew I was in the right (but sadly, injustice is a problem we must continuously fight, and you can't win them all).
DPD is doing much better, but still far from perfect.
Seriously, if it was as you say, than thank you for fighting! |
Jerome81
Member
Username: Jerome81
Post Number: 1713
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 11:56 pm: | |
Did he sign the ticket? He only gave you his partner's name?
Just check the details of the ticket. Most places that I'm aware of require the issuing officer identify themselves (badge number) and sign the ticket. If he didn't, or he put his partner's badge number and signed his signature, etc, would be enough for dismissal.
Doesn't it bug you with traffic violations that it is basically the cops word versus your own? What happened to proof?
Sorry, I'm a bit bitter myself after receiving 2 bogus parking tickets here in Chicago. Its obvious they're writing up anything questionable in the hope you'll just pay your $50 and help close the budget gap. Not for me....I fought the 1st in August....hearing is still pending. Called and they said there is a very long backlog the last several months. guess folks aren't gonna just pay any more. So fight it. Especially if you're right. Even if you lose, you got your voice heard (hopefully others will too and the judge can see the pattern...or he won't care) and you drained the courts resources. If they're swamped in endless traffic ticket cases, maybe they'll think about scaling back on the ridiculous ones.
Best of luck. |
Partyhardy
Member
Username: Partyhardy
Post Number: 35
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 12:35 am: | |
"A little friendly advice - Do not argue with the cop on the street - save it for the judge. Also, DO NOT go to any DPD Precinct or with a complaint against an Officer as you will wind up in a cell. It is a long standing DPD policy that effectively discourages complaints. Even going to the Precinct to inquire about someone who has been arrested will get you put in a cell."
If this is the case I suggest when you go make a complaint, go with a friend who has a little tape recorder in his pocket. That case, them throwing you in a cell would be the last thing they do as police officers. |
Softailrider
Member
Username: Softailrider
Post Number: 221
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 1:54 am: | |
The last time I got a ticket ( going 40 in a 25 zone ) on Chicago Blvd going East , around 12th or 14th . I took the day off and went to Stephen Lockharts court . Not one officer showed up that day , everyone who was there for a ticket had it dismissed . This was 4 or 5 years ago . |
Jimg
Member
Username: Jimg
Post Number: 1033
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 12:13 pm: | |
Detroitnerd, I don't remember Ben Turpin but thanks for mentioning a significant figure from Det's past... |
Detroitnerd
Member
Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3593
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 12:26 pm: | |
Thanks, Jimg. From Black Bottomers who do remember, the stories I've heard suggest that Ben Turpin was the ULTIMATE bad apple. |
Gary
Member
Username: Gary
Post Number: 357
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 1:20 pm: | |
You got that right, Detroitnerd...Turpin was bad news personified. Mean, corrupt, ignorant, you name it. He was before my time too, but old time Detroiters have told me plenty stories about him. He got his due during the '43 riots, when his superiors at the DPD confiscated his police revolver, because they didn't trust him with a gun.
BTW...how you been, Jimg? |
Detroitnerd
Member
Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3598
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 1:50 pm: | |
Found some old posts if anybody's interested:
STUBASS on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 01:28 pm:
WHEN YOU GUYS SPEAK OF "BLACK BOTTOM"...ONE MUST REMEMBER THE LEGENDARY DETROIT POLICE OFFICER...BEN TURPIN!!!...OFFICER TURPIN WAS AN EARLY PIONEERING BLACK POLICE OFFICER...WITH A LEGENDARY NO-NONSENSE APPROACH TO LAW ENFORCEMENT!!!...I HAD A FRIEND WITH THE SAME LAST NAME WHO WAS SOME SORT OF RELATION TO OFFICER TURPIN!!!...NOW SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE TO ASK YOUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS ABOUT OFFICER TURPIN...BUT FROM STORIES I'VE HEARD ABOUT HIM...HE WAS THE "IRON FIST" IN THE MAINTAINING OF ORDER IN THE "BLACK BOTTOM" AREA!!!...STU
MONTCLAIR on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 05:31 pm:
I remember my uncle speaking of Ben Turpin-his partner was "Whitey Ford" and they were tough cops in that era. Detroit police continued this enforcement in the 50's & 60's with the patrol tactics of the "Big Four & STRESS".
Unfortunately, it's very hard to find information on the Detroit cop because he shares the same name as the cross-eyed comedian of the silent era.  |
Gary
Member
Username: Gary
Post Number: 358
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 2:17 pm: | |
Yeah, well that might be some people's second hand recollections of Turpin, but from what I've been told by people who knew him and his tactics firsthand, he was nothing like the hard working cop trying to maintain law and order in Black Bottom, as he is portrayed in those posts.
There was a long article about Turpin in the old "Detroit Monthly" magazine years ago. I may still have a copy somewhere in my archives, but Lord only knows where it might be.
Meanwhile, I googled "Ben Turpin Detroit Police" just now and found a couple of links that tend to substantiate his reputation as a thug with a badge. The URLs are rather long, so I didn't include those links, but I'm sure anyone who is interested can find them. |
Detroitnerd
Member
Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3600
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 2:28 pm: | |
Thanks for the input, Gary! |
Flyingj
Member
Username: Flyingj
Post Number: 356
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 3:09 pm: | |
I took a tough-to-miss day off work & fought the last b.s. ticket I got & beat it(cop didn't show up, he was an a-hole, too-@ that courthouse was filled with Los Alamitos cops though) I was on a rally & if your 2-wheeler isn't a police-issue one, the cops tend to dislike you. He'd already cited the guy ahead of me earlier in the day, & was complaining about riders on the rally blowing a stop sign @ the starting point("We saw all you guys this morning from our police copter" wtf?) The best part was the even-keeled judge who set my trialdate("Your going to come back here Mr. Flyingj-and you're going to lose!"). I've heard Night Court is a pain to cops, but the best advice is ALWAYS be courteous & ask the cop if you can "take care of this by mail". They'll think you're a fait accompli & won't write a full report which is Pure Win when you show up to fight it since they almost always "Testify To Their Notes"-i.e., if they wrote down they observed cmuybryan smoking crack with Sarah Palin & the Nain Rouge that's what they'll testify to in court By God-a friend once beat a ticket since a cop listed me the passenger, as a "female". I showed up with my penis & threw his whole case into doubt |
Ct_alum
Member
Username: Ct_alum
Post Number: 16
Registered: 10-2008
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 9:13 pm: | |
Partyhardy:
You don't get it - The friend goes too! Take it from someone who knows. also, there is a reason why no one working in the lockup wears their badge - Care to guess why? |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 7485
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 1:59 am: | |
Cmybryan... I was just out at night... and it is nearly impossible to tell if someone has their seatbelt on at night unless you had a spotlight shining on your car.
This is even true for well lit streets... where it's brighter outside your car than inside it... |
Bobl
Member
Username: Bobl
Post Number: 189
Registered: 07-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 3:20 am: | |
They assumed that you were "out of place". Same thing happened to me years ago when I took my son, who was visiting from Las Vegas, to see the Fox Theater one winter night. The cops apparently thought that we didn't "belong" there: a couple of white guys at 3:00 AM, driving past the Fox twice.
Gave me a ticket for an illegal turn on to Woodward, not from the left turn lane, which was snow covered.
My son was convinced that Detroit was a bad scene. I was pissed off.
Another public relations nightmare for the city. |
Lilpup
Member
Username: Lilpup
Post Number: 5559
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 3:37 am: | |
"and it is nearly impossible to tell if someone has their seatbelt on at night unless you had a spotlight shining on your car."
not really - what shows is whether or not the shoulder belt is extended off the pillar, and seeing that doesn't take a lot of light |
Retroit
Member
Username: Retroit
Post Number: 455
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 5:51 pm: | |
Cmubryan, when you "cross-examine" the police officer, here are a few questions you can ask:
1. "What was I wearing and what color was it?"
2. "What color is my seatbelt?"
3. "Was any part of my clothing obstructing the view of the seatbelt?"
4. "What hand did I use to put my seatbelt on?"
...etc. In other words, try to prove to the judge that he clearly couldn't see if your seatbelt was on.
If his partner (the one who actually wrote the ticket) is not there, ask the judge if you can cross-examine "any witnesses". If not, your rights are being violated. If the partner is there, ask him the same set of questions. Also, ask both why the one who saw the alleged violation did not write the ticket.
In other words, ask a lot of questions to bring up any inconsistencies, and raise doubt in the judges mind. Not saying it will always work, but at least, like Jerome81 said, it will give you the satisfaction of knowing that you tied up a corrupt judicial system. |
Sumas
Member
Username: Sumas
Post Number: 344
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2008 - 7:29 am: | |
A word of warning guys. A boss I had was pulled over for speeding, anticipating a ticket, he undid his seat belt to pull out his wallet. He got a ticket for speeding and not wearing his seat belt. |
Softailrider
Member
Username: Softailrider
Post Number: 226
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 2:42 am: | |
Regarding seat belts :
Got stopped for something in Madison Heights , cop gave me a seat belt ticket ( M.F. acted like he was doing me a favor ) I sent the ticket back in with a copy of an M.R.I. report which shows that I have a torn tendon in my right rotator cuff ( too much golf is how that happened ) So I can't reach around to grab the belt , right ? Ticket got dismissed by mail . Made me happy, total money grab Is all it is , government doesn't care if you get thrown from your vehicle and splattered on the street . |
Cmubryan
Member
Username: Cmubryan
Post Number: 643
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 7:55 am: | |
Retroit, thanks for those questions. I wonder if I will get the opportunity to cross examine. Usually they just give the defendant a chance to explain what happened and not really ask other questions as this is more of an informal hearing and not a trial. Of course the cop can just say that she doesn't remember my specific case as she is involved with so many traffic citations. |
Cmubryan
Member
Username: Cmubryan
Post Number: 647
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 11:19 am: | |
Well my story ends today (hopefully). Case dismissed because the cop didn't show up. |
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