Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

So about a month ago I was passing some cars in the HOV lane, and I was alone, so yes I am at fault for that. Here is what I find strange: I passed the cop while he was standing on the side of the road about a mile back. He then comes flying up on my left side, no lights at this point, and I had moved over into normal lanes by then. I'm trying to focus on not rear ending or hitting someone and for about 30 seconds he's on my left side driving right next to me. I think he was motioning something but I couldn't look away in fear of hitting another car.

So then he comes behind me and goes on my right side for like another 30 seconds or so and I finally get a chance to look over at him and he motions two with his fingers and points to the HOV lane. So I acknowledge by nodding my head, and then he comes behind me.. follows me for about 20 seconds or so before he finally pulls me over and gives me a citation for "Fail to obey traffic control signal (hov/carpool)". So I guess my questions is, do I have a case to appeal and is it worth appealing?

And just my luck, today I get another ticket for speeding, I guess I wasn't paying attention. I was clocked doing 72 in a 55, but got it reduced to 64 in a 55. The cop said that since my record is clean, I can do the whole "No same for similar/dimmler law". I just have to tell them that when I call to pay for the ticket. Will my previous HOV ticket screw today's ticket up?

I haven't paid for either yet. I just found out how much the HOV ticket was because it finally showed up in their system a few days ago.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

Foist, I would say don't follow so close to people. That way you'll be able to watch for cops further ahead. Maybe you can argue the HOV ticket, but the cop gave you a break on the speeding ticket. I bet they reduce the clocked speed on the ticket so that people don't argue the ticket, claiming they were going faster. That wouldn't work. lol.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

i know in the town i live in if you take them to court to argue the ticket they bump it back up to the original speed because your being stupid for arguing

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

Yeah I'd say pay it and learn your lesson. He gave you a break on the speeding ticket, Thats the about the best your gonna do

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

fight both if you have the time to do it. Usually if you show up to court, the DA will give you a reduced fine/citation that wont go on your record.
Secondly, enjoy having your RED dsm. I have had nothing but problems with cops and red dsms.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

I called them this morning and they're making me come in to Court because apparently, the officer "isn't allowed to issue a no same or similar". Doesn't make any sense, why'd he say that then? Anyway, I'm going to walk-in at the Hennepin County court office during lunch.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

Sounds weird. Dimler applies since he wrote it up for 64. There shouldn't be any need to tell them anything. Don't admit to having been going more than 64 when you go in there.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

Of course the officer isn't allowed to do that, he was telling YOU what to do, ie go to court and politely ask them to drop it from your record, at which point you will have to pay a reduced "court fee" instead of a speeding fine and promise not to get any speeding tickets for a year. He cut you a huge break by writing the ticket for less than 72mph, because 15mph over is the cutoff for having a ticket dropped from your record.

Nothing you can do about the HOV lane ticket unless you want to go in there and lie about it. Either you did it or you didn't. You can ask them to keep it off your record though and see how that goes. It's worth a shot because those count harder against your insurance than speeding tickets. Ask me how I know.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

Scheduled an appointment to talk to a hearing officer, but the earliest they had was in October, in Edina. So I'm going to try to do a walk-in as well on Tuesday, have to take time off from work because the wait is really long for walk-ins. Thanks for the advice guys.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

I've had my DSM for about 6-7 years now, and these two tickets are the first two I've ever received in my life. But I have heard red cars can be an issue.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

so can speeding.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

Yea i have gotten a speeding ticket in mn and just met with the hearing officer and they gave me the no tickets year deal. Then like 3 years later for a parking ticket and they did the same thing. That ticket was super late too paid it like 8 months after i got it. (was home on leave) But they will work with you!

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

Heres a breif history of my red car to ticket ratio. (yes i like to speed, but regardless)

I will start with my White Ford Tore Ass - Never been pulled over, never had any issues prior with any of my cars.
Picked up a 1999 Red Eclipse GSX - First summer after purchase... 22 tickets. Moved to california shortly after. Recieved 3 tickets and pulled over numerous times in california prior to getting rid of it.
1995 White DSM - 0 tickets and 1 time pulled over in the whole 1.5 years of owning it.
1995 Red GSX - First .5 year of owning it, recieved 2 tickets, and pulled over approx 4 times, painted car flat black with spray cans, never pulled over again.
2002 ford explorer - Currently owned for 2.5 years, never been pulled over.
see a pattern here? I will never own another red car again.

Re: Strange tickets situation, need advice
 

heh, cops say they don't profile, but its just science that your more likely to notice brighter painted cars, basically red and yellow, and orange ones. They profile imports alot too, I've been ticketed cruising down 94 in the center lane going with the flow in my old talon. I have past many troopers in my blazer at 10-15mph over and they don't even look over. I drive the wifes mustang like I stole it, and only been pulled over once in that for going 80 on 35w and no ticket...