I got a ticket 4 U-turn on a residental st. at 11pm. No signs or cars or ylo. cop followd 2 blks B4 stoping Y

Question

I got a ticket 4 a U-turn on a residental street at 11pm on the way to work. There were no signs or cars or solid yellow lines on the ground. The cop was crusing at approximatly 10 miles per hour, coming up to a stop sign nearly a block away and after I made the turn he came flying after like batman chasing the joker. The cop followed me 2 blocks Before stoping me around the corner on a differnet street. Acording to the DMV books and my pre-paid legal attorny, looks like I did nothing wrong. Should I start protesting DWB (Driving While Black). Ticket was in Long Beach, CA.

Google map of location. Cop at 20th street, Me at 1923 Pine, Stopped at Pacific and Pacific Coast Hwy.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1923+Pine+Avenue,+Long+Beach,+CA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.863178,94.042969&ie=UTF8&ll=33.791756,-118.193579&spn=0.004289,0.005858&t=h&z=17

Answer 1

I just located a close-up aerial view of that location. It happens to be a narrow street with houses very close to it. There are few, if any, places to turn around safely. It seems to me that common sense would tell any driver not to attempt a U-turn in a situation like that. You deserved to be pulled over.

You say the only reason the cop decided to come after you was because of your race. He could determine that from nearly a block away at 11:00 at night?

I don't think a traffic court judge would believe it either.

Answer 2

Sounds like it was a business district and you were not at an intersection.

What did you do, forget the way to work?

Why do you want to claim race?  He was a block away, at night, how could he see you?

He followed you while he ran your plates.  

I thought you could only do a u turn at an intersection providing it is not marked otherwise.

PS- Learn to spell or use the spellcheck.  your tween speak is difficult to understand.

Answer 3

California Driver Handbook

Laws and Rules of the Road - TURNS

Illegal U-Turns

Never make a U-turn:

On a divided highway by crossing a dividing section, curb, strip of land, or two sets of double lines.



Where you cannot clearly see 200 feet in each direction because of a curve, hill, rain, fog, or other reason.

Where a "No U-Turn" sign is posted.

When other vehicles may hit you.

On a one-way street.

In front of a fire station. Never use a fire station driveway to turn around.

In business districts. Areas with churches, apartments, multiple dwelling houses, clubs, and public buildings (except schools) are also considered to be business districts.

Turn only at an intersection or where openings are provided for turns...............................

Answer 4

DWB is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of.  There doesnt have to any any signs on the street.  U-Turns are illegal EVERYWHERE! Except where posted.

Answer 5

I would fight it if you did nothing wrong. It didn't sound like you did anything wrong. The only thing you did that I wouldn't do is make a U turn in front of a cop. It best to just drive pass the cop and go until you come to a street or intersection where you can turn left or right and keep going from there or find a drive through or quickie mart to pull into and out of. It's just the smart thing to do.

It's not about right or wrong. It's about a S****y justice system that automatically favors the cop so I would rather not have to deal with it in the first place. Just like the song I fought the law and the law won. Yes people do win but you have better chances at the casinos and that is the truth. There is no justice just an illusion.

Being black probably wasn't a factor as it was dark when he pulled you over however if you were white he might of just given you a warning. If you have a clean driving record he should of just let you go with a warning.

Tinted windows don't help either especially when it is dark. Also the type of car you were driving could have something to do with it and the fact that is was so late. Try to get a different shift or different job if you can.

Answer 6

Take pictures of the intersection where the supposed violation occurred and plead not guilty,  A court date will be set and chances are you will beat it, if there are no "no U turn" signs then it is a slam dunk, but chances are the cop wont show for such a petty violation anyway.

I know what you mean though,  the bottom line is that the police can stop  you for anything anytime for no reason.  All they really have to do is make something up that gives them probable cause.  It is redicouls , they can say that they smelled marijuana and litterly tear  your car apart, all on the basis of suspicion....

And now you have to take off work and go fight something redicouls.... Good luck