  Cmubryan Member Username: Cmubryan Post Number: 611 Registered: 11-2003 |
So on my way home tonight, decided to drive past the Book-Cadillac. I'm heading down Grand River east bound and stop at the red light at Washington Blvd and then turn right. As I am waiting at the light to make sure it's clear to turn right there is a police car slowly driving and approaching the intersection, heading Southbound on Washington approaching Grand River. He is driving really slow and not going through his Green light so I turn on the red as it's apparent he is pretty much stopped. After I turn, he immediately follows me as I make a left on to Michigan Avenue and stop at the light facing east on Michigan waiting to crossover the northbound lanes of Washington. Once that light turns green he immediately pulls me over. He and his partner get out of their cruiser and approach my car. His partner on my passenger side and this officer on my (driver) side. He then asks for my license, registration, etc. and said "You're supposed to put your seatbelt on before you start driving, not after you see the police." I was wearing my seatbelt the whole time, since I got in the car thirty minutes before in Farmington Hills! I explain this to him and claims his "partner" saw me put it on. He then issues me a ticket, would not tell me his name but only lists the partner name on the citation. However, the partner refused to talk to me and this officer refused to give me his name. I think this is completely ridiculous and I was targeted by them for some unknown reason. How would you guys handle this? Just show up in court and plead my case? I know it's over a $65 ticket but still I don't want this on my record especially when I am completely innocent and just trying to take a look at the Book-Cadillac. It was 1:30am, they obviously couldn't see into my car clearly from 20+ feet away to "see me put the seatbelt on." They obviously couldn't see this as this was not the case. | ||
Zimm Member Username: Zimm Post Number: 88 Registered: 10-2006 |
what i would do would put me in jail for a long time if caught. but it's what should be done. human beings are too important to me to have that kind of garbage making life miserable for the rest of us. | ||
Django Member Username: Django Post Number: 2070 Registered: 10-2003 |
Take it to court like you should any ticket that is not proper. Most likely he wont show up in court. Its all about if its worth it for you to waste a day in court to "hopefully" waive a seatbelt ticket. Personally, I suggest going to court, My luck has been on my side in the past when I have. If your truly innocent, fight it, thats your duty. Could be its the end of the month and cops do have their quotas to fill. BTW. Cops have a hard job with shit for pay especially in this city. Be respectful but expect your rights. | ||
Dannyv Member Username: Dannyv Post Number: 411 Registered: 08-2007 |
You have to admit that your late night curiosity drew the attention of the heat. Conventional wisdom questions what you're doing at 130A, driving around looking at the Book-Cadillac. Maybe they thought you were casing the place or part of a scrapping ring. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 2602 Registered: 02-2007 |
Or looking for drugs. These two sound a bit unprofessional or confused, but at least the city police seem to be improving with their involvement with crime prevention. I've noticed it lately, they are stopping a lot of people. Either go to court or just pay it. One way or the other the money is going to the city, if you care about the city, what's the beef? | ||
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox Post Number: 907 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote:If you don't understand that, I don't think I can explain it to you. Caring about the city has nothing whatsoever to do with it. BTW, as someone who spent most of yesterday dealing with 36th District Court, it's no fun at all. Even if they manage not to fuck up your case, and you get a date and fight it successfully and all that, there are things I'd rather be doing with my time than fighting a stupid and unjustified ticket. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 6516 Registered: 12-2005 |
Curious that the one you can name didn't talk. Is that some kind of strategy for a court argument later? Did you ask for the other's name? Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing? | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 3341 Registered: 07-2004 |
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. | ||
Billybbrew Member Username: Billybbrew Post Number: 347 Registered: 07-2005 |
Not sure if it would have made things worse or not, but you could have asked for their supervisor to come down. Probably would have made it worse, but just a thought. You also could have gone directly to the district that it was issued from and spoken to the desk sergeant, although they probably would have told you to go to court. Either way, when asked, an officer is required to identify themselves if I'm not mistaken. | ||
Jarvo Member Username: Jarvo Post Number: 3 Registered: 09-2008 |
...i know it can be a real pain in the butt, yet my outlook is ALWAYS have your day in court. You never know what might happen??... the cop may not show up, the judge might not like the cop, the case could be dismissed...the worst case scenario is you can only be held accountable/responsible for the original charges, nothing more...at least you can voice/vent your feelings and let it be known to the cop and the court what a pile of bullbleep you feel the whole situation is...i realize it sucks to have to give them any $$$ whatsoever, yet by electing to go to court you could come out ahead... good luck on whatever you decide to do. | ||
Jarvo Member Username: Jarvo Post Number: 4 Registered: 09-2008 |
...i know it can be a real pain in the butt, yet my outlook is ALWAYS have your day in court. You never know what might happen??... the cop may not show up, the judge might not like the cop, the case could be dismissed...the worst case scenario is you can only be held accountable/responsible for the original charges, nothing more...at least you can voice/vent your feelings and let it be known to the cop and the court what a pile of bullbleep you feel the whole situation is...i realize it sucks to have to give them any $$$ whatsoever, yet by electing to go to court you could come out ahead... good luck on whatever you decide to do. | ||
Cmubryan Member Username: Cmubryan Post Number: 612 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yes I am absolutely going to court. I don't care if I was driving at 130a or 330a, I am allowed to drive and not get pulled over if I am doing everything correct. I love this city but don't want to support it financially if it means sacrificing my driving record. I was downtown on Washington Boulevard, I could be leaving the casino, going to my apt at Trolley Plaza, etc. I just don't need another mark on my already not great driving record (I received a speeding ticket in 2007 and improper turn in 2005). I am concerned that the judge will look at these items and just assume I was in the wrong because I have a couple moving violations on my record when I did absolutely nothing wrong this time. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 12343 Registered: 10-2003 |
I am all for enforcing every law but I wonder. We continually hear officers saying that they are understaffed (they are) and that they can't get to emergency calls (they don't) but they waste their time on this shit. I'm sure just a mile north they could have quickly found someone buying drugs, picking up a hooker, scrapping a building, etc.. | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 56 Registered: 04-2008 |
I'm not sure what the rules are in Michigan, but in some states, a seatbelt ticket can also affect your insurance rates. Could be worse than just a $65 ticket. | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 5621 Registered: 10-2003 |
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. | ||
Daddeeo Member Username: Daddeeo Post Number: 165 Registered: 09-2008 |
When you need a cop, they are no where to be found. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 14348 Registered: 12-2003 |
Easy to say, but in the past few weeks, that has not been the case downtown...this is the only bad incident reported among a half dozen good ones I've heard, and ONE I was involved with. I'm not ready to paint Detroit police with the same broad brush any longer, looking for better days ahead. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 3660 Registered: 09-2007 |
I'd rather be harassed by a cop (knowing there's law & order in my town) than live in a lawless wasteland where you can't find a cop to save your life. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 3345 Registered: 07-2004 |
I'd rather be left alone by police and have them go after fu<*ing criminals. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 3661 Registered: 09-2007 |
^In their eyes, maybe you were a criminal.  | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 3346 Registered: 07-2004 |
Why, because the muffler was loose? Pin the medal of honor on Officer "O" then, because if a loose muffler is a crime, then he's really nipped that in the bud. (Not, having not shown up in court.) | ||
Lansingfire Member Username: Lansingfire Post Number: 120 Registered: 07-2007 |
Sounds like a typical pull you over to run your name deal. They like to use no headlight too. Although the seatbelt does suck because it's not a fix it ticket. Good Luck. | ||
Jarvo Member Username: Jarvo Post Number: 5 Registered: 09-2008 |
...generally its all about the $$$ the court will "waive" offenses regarding points and insurance company notifications just to have folks "accept responsibility" and pay the money many times a cop will just write a ticket to make his expected "quota" during his shift...(although they always deny this is the department policy) the ticket/offense can be complete bunk and it makes no differance to the cop he just want to get his expected number of tickets written | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 828 Registered: 06-2005 |
Go to the precinct and file a formal complaint. Perhaps it will make the officer reconsider writing other bogus tickets in the future. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 3708 Registered: 01-2005 |
Um.....next time, try the "Do you know who the #%$& I am?" response. Worked for little mama. | ||
Mschievous Member Username: Mschievous Post Number: 279 Registered: 04-2008 |
Ray, That only works if you have your "get out of jail free" card on you! | ||
Ravine Member Username: Ravine Post Number: 2781 Registered: 01-2006 |
Cmubryan, it sounds like pure bullshit, to me. I, too, have had the cops pull that "you didn't have your seatbelt on" line, when I did. Unless there is something which you're not telling us, I say that you were harassed, and that you should A) fight the ticket and B) make a point of mentioning the officer's unwillingness to identify himself. And, regarding Detroitrise's comment: As a citizen of Detroit, I will say that there is nothing about police activity, of the kind you reported, which gives me any reassurance that "there's law & order in my town." I've always been quick to say that Detroit cops don't usually indulge in the sort of nit-picking nonsense you described, too. Really makes you eager to visit the area some more, huh? | ||
Cmubryan Member Username: Cmubryan Post Number: 613 Registered: 11-2003 |
I actually live downtown (Lafayette Park) and have lived downtown for three years after growing up in Southfield and West Bloomfield. With this incident, of course all my friends and family are like "see, another reason for you to leave" as I reply back "no, another reason for me to stay and fight this crap to help restore this city." Johnny, how exactly do I file a formal complaint against an officer? Is it a complicated process? Do you think it would be worth it? I really don't want this to keep happening as this was pure harassment as I made absolutely no movement that could have even alluded to me putting my seatbelt on. | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 830 Registered: 06-2005 |
I'm not sure how it works in Detroit, but in most cities you simply go to the station and fill out a form or ask to speak to a supervisor. A city the size of Detroit may have a different system for dealing with complaints, if so those at the precinct should be able to direct you. Just be advised that they'll most likely make it difficult and try talking you out of making the complaint at every level. Whether it's worth or it or not is up to you, but odds are pretty damn good that you're not the only person this officer has falsely accused. | ||
Thames Member Username: Thames Post Number: 249 Registered: 02-2007 |
Complaint Information: http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/Co mplaintInformation/tabid/905/D efault.aspx |
