Police Officer stopped me at the "Stop" sign, sighted me for not stopping; however, I did stop!?

Question

An officer stopped me and cited me for not stopping at a "Stop" sign. Both of my children, ages 14 and 11 were in the car. I stopped at the stop sign, and paused for a while, because I was asking my children a question about a young lady walking on the side walk and then I looked in the rear view mirror, at my hair, which I took both of my hands off the steering wheel while I was completely stopped. When the officer stopped me, I asked him, "Why are you stopping me officer?" The officer told me, "You didn't stop at the "Stop" sign and I wouldn't stop you if you didn't do anything". I informed the officer that I did stop at the stop sign, and my children were trying to explain to the officer that they were witnesses to me stopping at the "Stop" sign; however, the officer didn't want to hear any of us and said, "I am not going to ague with you". The officer then told me to sign the ticket, it's not admitting that I am guilty, but I am stating that I will take care of it before 9/23

Answer 1

Ok  a few things. I'm not sure what state your in so this is a general answer. Most police regardless of common belief don't care to write bad tickets because they really don't like to go to court. So really think about what happened before the officer stopped you. If you went past the limit line on the ground even an inch you ran the stop sign. If you stopped a few feet behind it and then traveled past it you ran it. You must stop at the line and completely stop. Your kids can be taken to court but seeing as how they don't know how to drive you really don't have a reliable witness. As for your insurance going up call your agent. Once citation might not change your insurance. Also see if your state has a way to remove it from your record. Some states will remove it if you attend a traffic school. You can go to court and take care of the citation before the date. Just call the court and ask them the procedure.

Answer 2

All you have to do is go to court and plead not guilty. Being that the ticket is traffic the court will not want to waste time going to  trail so they will reduce it. If you feel that you are inocent then fight it. Like I said they will offer you a deal. Such as pay court costs and we do away with the ticket.

Answer 3

Just ask for a prayer for judgement and get it dismissed. There is no fighting or trial envolved.  If you have a good driving record there will be no problem. Good luck

Answer 4

You can fight it but your children will have to go to court. The judge also might think that you told them what to say. If you lose, it will end up costing a lot more. You would have to pay court cost, plus if you want an attorney that would end up costing more than what you would want to pay over a failure to stop. Taking care means making arrangements with the court before 9/23. Also you have the option of defensive driving which would keep it off your record meaning not effecting your insurance premium.

Answer 5

Take it to court.  However the court will not accept the testimony of minors since they do not know the laws and rules of the road.  It is considered inadmissable do to the competence of the witness.  This is not calling your children stupid, it is because they do not drive nor have the capacity to obtain a drivers license.  Now a slow rolling stop, by law, is NOT considered a stop.  Also going beyond the stop sign, no matter how much also, by law, is NOT considered a stop.  Depending on the size of the city and such, the cop may or may not show up.  In 3 years as a local officer I showed up for all of my traffic citations and all were validated and affirmed.

Answer 6

9/23 is i am assuming the court date right?  well honey i would go see a lawyer and take your kids with you they aren't 18 but they are old enough to give a testimony and understand what is going on.  FIGHT IT!!

Answer 7

Not "sighted"  you were cited. Were you behind the stop sign? Maybe that is the reason.

Answer 8

Go to court and fight it. Take your children as witnesses.

Answer 9

Go to court and take your children and fight it.

Answer 10

The police do this from time to time in order to make their quota of tickets.  If you are moving out of state the ticket will follow you and if you are ever stopped again and the policeman looks you up on his direct line to the station and finds you have a previous summons then you are in for a hard time.  Pay the fine and forget it.  Another possibility is to ask if you can take a special test and if you pass then the ticket will be dropped.  This test is given in person or on the computer.

Answer 11

You fight by pleading not guilty and setting a trial.  Yes, your children can be witnesses.  Yes, your insurance company will here of it.  Maybe your rates will go up and maybe not.  Before the trial, be sure to read the exact law you are alleged to have violated.  It not only requires that you stop, but dictates where you must stop.   If you feel you are not guilty then take it to trial.  Contrary to popular belief, not all judges automatically believe all cops over all citizens.  If you had some explanation for the cop's mistake, that would help.

Answer 12

yes, it will go on your record because it's a moving violation. if you think this guy really is wrong and is probably doing this to innocent people to meet his stupid quota, then fight it. but, i know that's a hard decision to make, because you might lose and so your premiums will go up. whatever you choose, good luck. :)

Answer 13

You can definitly fight this. All you have to do is pay the ticket but make sure you check the box that says you plead "not guilty." In a couple weeks you'll get a court date in the mail, and you can go plead your case. I got a ticket for criminal trespassing once, and that's exactly what I did. I paid the ticket, plead not guilty, and about 6 months later, I went to court. I didn't have a lawyer, I just represented myself. But you can bring witnesses, too, so bring your children! What will happen is you will be questioned by the cop, and then you can question his witnesses. After that, you get to tell your side of the story and question your witnesses. He can also question your witnesses, too. It's highly likely you'll at least have your fine reduced. That is what happened to me. My fine was reduced from $325 to something like $175. So it was well worth it.

Edit: If you've only just gotten the ticket, how do you have a court date already?

Answer 14

Its your word against the law but you will loose so just pay the ticket. Yes your insurance will increase because its a moving violation and a point or two on your license.

Answer 15

You can fight it and bring your kids.  Chances are the cop won't show.  But you can't have it both ways.  You have to be there to challenge.

Answer 16

I'm not sure about the US but in the UK there is a solid white band across the lane - that is the stop line. If you stop across it technically you have failed to stop, even though you did indeed stop at the lights.

It is great fun if you ever see a policeman who stops on or beyond the line. You can report him for a traffic offence, or in my case give him a stern warning and send him on his way.

So check all the technicalities first.

Answer 17

maybe he has videotape of it?  I would go to the court and say i stopped and maybe they can show the tape to see if you went over the line.  did he clarify that part to you?  i mean you paused for a long while, was he nit picking about being over the line and stopping?  i have heard of that before.  i would call the police station and ask for his name and find out how many tickets he gives out to people not stopping a month and see what the occurrence is.  

i just want to add that i agree with the "guerilla" person above me 100%.  Dont fear this guy he isnt doing right you will win in the end!!