Traffic violation

My main concern is that I get a criminal record for this. If I don't pay then I have to appear in court. On the sides of the fine, it has "Written notice TO APPEAR IN COURT (Issues in terms of Action 56 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977)"

:cry:
 
They are using scre tactics. Don't let it get to you - go to Court and tell them to prove that you were flashing your lights to warn motorists. They cannot.
 
KingMikel said:
My main concern is that I get a criminal record for this. If I don't pay then I have to appear in court. On the sides of the fine, it has "Written notice TO APPEAR IN COURT (Issues in terms of Action 56 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977)"

:cry:
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Seems like it is a summons as well (should the fine not be paid). Get in touch with the prosecutor! Chances are that you will be given a reduction - pay it and move on. Too much stress involved in having to get to court and the like. If you don't get a reduction then perhaps consider appearing in court as the amount is really excessive.
 
Would be interesting to challenge this in court (not suggesting the OP does). Surely the obstruction of justice claim would only work if the cops can proved that the people being flashed where actually speeding at the time and reduced their speed after seeing his warning? If they weren't speeding then what justice was being obstructed?
 
I can just imagine. The judge being a myBB forum user, reading all these comments and in walks the accused with all these answers from this thread.
 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/05/flashing-headlights-speed-traps_n_4732443.html

A federal judge in St. Louis, Mo. has ruled that it's within drivers' rights to flash headlights as a signal to other motorists that speed traps lie ahead.

On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Autrey issued an order temporarily blocking a Missouri town from punishing drivers for their warnings, stating that flashing headlights falls under free speech as protected by the First Amendment.
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Interesting...
 
ScottulusMaximus said:
Lying to the courts, genius plan people...

OP if you didn't persuade your way out of it on the spot and signed it you've admitted guilt already. Only "solution" would be to go through the process of reducing it a bit because that is quite steep.
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Just now the officer has a dash cam....



Anyway... I hate how people have all these secret codes for what flashing lights mean... can we rather just stop with this rubbish.

For some it means look out for the cameras
For others it means get out the way
then it could mean thanks for moving over
or even - you go first.

Flashing lights means F-off.
Lets not get confused.
 
Magnum said:
In a civilized country....
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Probably not a good indication, seems a few other "civilized" countries have banned the practise..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight_flashing

United Kingdom

Though not all of its rules represent law, the Highway Code states "Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights in an attempt to intimidate other road users".[1] Drivers warning others about speed traps have been fined in the past for "misuse of headlights".[22]

Headlight flashing in the United Kingdom is mostly used as a signal that the driver flashing you is offering to let you go first. Using it to indicate that you are coming through and the other driver must wait, could lead to an accident
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KingMikel said:
My main concern is that I get a criminal record for this. If I don't pay then I have to appear in court. On the sides of the fine, it has "Written notice TO APPEAR IN COURT (Issues in terms of Action 56 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977)"

:cry:
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In order to get a criminal record one has to be convicted of a criminal offense. In order to be convicted of a criminal offense, the prosecution has to prove, BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, that you are guilty of the criminal offense. The evidence against you is circumstantial at best.
 
deweyzeph said:
In order to get a criminal record one has to be convicted of a criminal offense. In order to be convicted of a criminal offense, the prosecution has to prove, BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, that you are guilty of the criminal offense. The evidence against you is circumstantial at best.
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the last I heard... (could be wrong)
if you pay a fine it counts as an admission of guilt, or something like that.
 
Venomous said:
the last I heard... (could be wrong)
if you pay a fine it counts as an admission of guilt, or something like that.
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Yes, obviously if you admit guilt then you've effectively waived your right to have the evidence against you tested in court and you will be convicted of a criminal offence. The ticket you get should state on it whether or not paying the fine will result in a criminal record.
 
I would take the time to go to court and dispute it. Come up with some other reasonable explanation. Just be sure that what ever you plan to say in court is on paper and you have taken it to a cop shop / commissioner of oath and had it stamped and signed.
 
The fine document is pretty much what I was given in December (different violation though). You have my advice :-). Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
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