Got a ticket - Advice needed

[polishmafia]

This is not a cop bashing thread, nor is this a "please pity me" thread.

On 7/29, I was pulled over here in Maple Grove. I turned the car off, put my keys and wallet on the dash, and turned on the interior lights.

The officer came to my window, asked for my license and registration, which I handed to him. He asked if I knew why he pulled me over, and I said I wasn't sure. He said he pulled me over for my window tint. He used the tint meter on my front driver and rear driver side windows, said my windows were at 35% percent. He never showed me the reading on the meter.

He returned to his car with my information, and after about 5 or 6 minutes he came back. He handed me my license and sternly said "Fix your car". He started walking back to his vehicle and I said "Ok officer, I will. Thank you."

I am guessing he didn't quite hear me, so he turned back for a second and asked "What?", to which I repeated that "I will get the tint taken care of, I appreciate you letting me go."

Again, but louder this time, he said "Fix your car!"

I believe I got a warning, and drove home.

...

Today in the mail I received a ticket for illegal window tint! It has the date and time of when he pulled me over, and it has all of my information.

- I never received a paper copy of the ticket when I was pulled over.
- I never signed anything or was given information regarding how to pay or contest the ticket.
- The officer never said he was issuing a ticket.

Can I be issued a ticket via the mail?? Even if I did NOT receive any notification when I was pulled over? I'm a bit shocked.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I'd really like to go to court to hear the officer's side of the story - that is, if I should have been given notification then and there when I was pulled over.

*** Cliff Notes
- Got pulled over
- Was never given a ticket or notified I was being given a ticket
- Got a ticket in the mail today

Any advice? If I'm in the wrong, I'll pay the ticket

[Kevin 1G Drummer]

I would start by making an appointment with a hearing officer to see what your options are. My guess is that you're gonna end up getting stuck with the ticket unless you remove the tint. It does seem kinda weird he would give you a ticket after he walked away, he must have been having a bad day.

[FattyBoomBatty]

Oh, you can definitely get a ticket in the mail, remember the red light tickets? All like that.

And is your tint 35%? I bet it is, and I bet you know it is, so why does he need to show you the reading?

I got a fix it ticket for an exhaust that was too loud on my Malibu, and the cop didn't use a decibel meter, nor did they use one after I fixed the system and showed them. But I knew it was pretty loud, so why argue?

I think 50% is the legal limit for tint, so why go darker unless you have Florida plates on your car?

[mlomker]

I would start by making an appointment with a hearing officer to see what your options are.

I've heard that by showing up on the court date you'll usually be offered a reduced fine. If you have more time than money then I'd give it a try.

[slowbubblecar]

Doubt there is a court date for that offense. I would meet one of the people at the court to see what they say about it. I thought they needed you to sign it. Regarding the red light tickets, I thought they ruled against them.

[Kracka]

Meet with the county prosecutor (call the court and schedule an appt). Do you have any pictures of your car pre-tint? If so, bring them with you. I have pictures of my car without tint and with a front license plate for this very reason :)

[mlomker]

Regarding the red light tickets, I thought they ruled against them.

Yup, not allowed in MN.

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/16/1688.asp

[Project2G]

Did they send you a ticket for the fine or a fix it ticket meaning if you fix the tint you can get it written off and just pay like a $10-25 fine? I'm sure every state is different so that's why I ask.

[john]

How much is the ticket. I am about to pull the trigger on tinting my car. I was thinking 20% though...

[Kracka]

How much is the ticket. I am about to pull the trigger on tinting my car. I was thinking 20% though...
Around $130 I think. 20% is almost a guaranteed ticket.