Signing of fines

[Kal86]

So yesterday on my way home I got pulled over and fined for not coming to a complete stop at a 3 way stop. Fair enough I broke the law and accept full responsibility for what I did.

Once the Metro Cop had finished writing the fine I was expecting him to give me his book and ask me to sign as the infringer. He just tore off the fine and gave it to me and proceeded to pull over another vehicle. When I looked at the fine there is a box that says 'Infringer Signed' with a yes and no box. He simply ticked no and gave it to me.

So my question is, I did not refuse to sign the fine and he just ticked that I did not sign, is he allowed to do that and does it count against anything? I have always been asked to sign fines in the past.

 

[LazyLion]

Hmmm, it's going to be your word against his. And most of the time the courts side with the officers.
If you know you were guilty then it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Kal86]

I agree, and am not trying to get out of the fine, just don't know why he didn't even ask me to sign. He was infact the most courteous and polite Metro Cop I have ever come across.

 

[LazyLion]

Remember to ask the traffic cop to see:

1) His Competency Certificate
2) The Calibration Certificate on the Camera
3) The Site Approval Authorisation

If none of those are up to date, then the fine is invalid.

 

[Kosmik]

Remember to ask the traffic cop to see:

1) His Competency Certificate
2) The Calibration Certificate on the Camera
3) The Site Approval Authorisation

If none of those are up to date, then the fine is invalid.

Problem is it wasn't a speeding fine but a stop violation.

 

[LazyLion]

Problem is it wasn't a speeding fine but a stop violation.

Aaah, helps to go back and read.

 

[deweyzeph]

Hmmm, it's going to be your word against his. And most of the time the courts side with the officers.
If you know you were guilty then it shouldn't be an issue.

I've never understood why the courts side with officers. Everyone knows they are lying scumbags.

 

[crackersa]

I've never understood why the courts side with officers. Everyone knows they are lying scumbags.

actually, I find most are actually decent and it's a few that give the whole lot a bad name. I meet a lot more citizens that are lying, thieving scumbags......

 

[LazyLion]

I've never understood why the courts side with officers. Everyone knows they are lying scumbags.

It's probably a massive generalisation, but that also squares up with my own experiences... at least of the JMPD.

 

[Kal86]

actually, I find most are actually decent and it's a few that give the whole lot a bad name. I meet a lot more citizens that are lying, thieving scumbags......

I can agree with you on this. When the Metro Cop pulled me over yesterday he identified himself, showed me his card and made me aware of his badge number. He was very friendly throughout the issuing of the fine too.

 

[PsYTraNc3]

actually, I find most are actually decent and it's a few that give the whole lot a bad name. I meet a lot more citizens that are lying, thieving scumbags......

Agreed.

I've actually never had a bad experience with a traffic officer in CPT.
Although I've only ever been through road blocks and routine checks and not pulled over for something I did wrong.

 

[Bar0n]

I've never understood why the courts side with officers. Everyone knows they are lying scumbags.

Not really. The attitude of drivers on the road are the most shocking. "I'm in such a hurry and I only ran the stop sign at 10km/h, so why should I have to get a fine? I'm so important, I can't afford to arrive at the mall 20 seconds late. Let's see if I can wiggle my way out of this."

EDIT: Not aimed at OP.

 

[Pitbull]

I have never been asked to sign a fine. Why would it make any difference?

 

[LazyLion]

I have never been asked to sign a fine. Why would it make any difference?

It is supposed to show that the fine was actually served on you, and not just filled out back at the Police Station.

 

[zululami]

Remember to ask the traffic cop to see:

1) His Competency Certificate
2) The Calibration Certificate on the Camera
3) The Site Approval Authorisation

If none of those are up to date, then the fine is invalid.

Actually, I would advise against this... They get very irate if you want to appear to be "clever" ... And they will slap you with more sanctions your head will spin!

 

[Pitbull]

It is supposed to show that the fine was actually served on you, and not just filled out back at the Police Station.

And the fines you get by mail because of the cameras?

I hear you, I just can't think it makes any bit of a difference. No way the guy would have your address, ID number, registration number and the likes without serving you the fine personally next to the road.

 

[Pitbull]

Actually, I would advise against this... They get very irate if you want to appear to be "clever" ... And they will slap you with more sanctions your head will spin!

+1 I just take the fine and drive off. If you're going to get snotty with one of them you're in for a world of hurt.

 

[grok]

actually, I find most are actually decent and it's a few that give the whole lot a bad name. I meet a lot more citizens that are lying, thieving scumbags......

Probably true, but then we're not trained & paid to uphold the law like them..