What's a more seroius charge, one written by law enforcement/police, or a complaint by a civilian?

Question

Also is there a difference in the color, or the nature of the tickets. The ones I usually would get if I did a traffic offense from a cop would be white, and it would say either traffic/parking/other offense.

I recently got a complaint for "reckless driving" that is in yellow and it says complaint summons on it.

How could I get charged for something,..which I wasn't even caught doing by a law enforcement official?

How could any random person walk in either alone or with a witness , complain to the cops or that municipal building, and end up issuing me a complaint, CHARGING me with a specific offense.

Isn't that the least bit insane?

It's a complaint, yet they put an official charge on it.

I'm not sure what the difference is between that, and if a cop were to have given it to me, or what is more credible.

So I can basically walk into any municipal building right now, tell them a licence plate number, claim that person did something wrong, and theyd get a court summons with a charge??

Unbelievable.

Answer 1

Get a lawyer because you have a lot of questions that most people don't have the time nor the knowledge to answer for you.

Answer 2

A civilian complaint doesn't mean anything until the government actually takes action.  Various government agencies can file a criminal complaint (e.g. a police officer, a municipality, or a county/state attorney).  Typically, a civilian witness makes a complaint to a law enforcement officer who then writes the suspect a ticket.  The officer then submits a copy of the ticket to a municipal or state agency such as a district attorney's office, county attorney's office, or a municipal/justice court judge.  From that point on, you need to go to court to get it resolved.

For a reckless driving charge, hire an attorney.  Don't try to deal with it by yourself or you'll possibly make things worse.

Answer 3

A citizen can file a complaint, and you can be ordered to appear. At the appearance, the citizen will testify, and you will have to opportunity to cross examine that testimony. If you don't show up, you can be found guilty by default.

Many persons are convicted without a police officer seeing them commit the offense. A citation after a car accident would be a good example. The officer rarely sees the accident, but you can be cited and convicted if there is enough evidence.

Yes, you could walk into the police station, tell them a plate number, and claim they did something wrong. Then, when the person has a reasonable alibi, you will be arrested for filing a false police report, and the person will most likely sue you in civil court besides. Good luck with that.

Answer 4

Obviously a official ticket buy a cop is binding... a citizen complaint is just that, a complaint. It has to be proven. So you may get something in the mail from the court house for you to appear. Yes, they can do this, you've heard of "citizen's arrest", same principle. You may have encountered what is called a "posse". Which is citizens that sign up for reserve and can do the job of a cop. If they are one of these volunteers, then you will have to get a lawyer if you are to actually get issued a summons and have to fight it. Do you have any witnesses to the incident that can testify that the complaint is unwarented?  

Answer 5

that doesnt seem fair at all

you didnt get into much detail, did it say u had to go to a court date or pay a certain amount fine or what

have you tried researching this somewhere else?

reminds me of when i was with a few friends one time in a car and we got tracked down by a cop on the free way because of a complaint of "reckless driving" and "passing of drinks". two more cops showed up and lined us up on the highway divider breathalized us all even tho we had done nothing wrong. the drinks they supposedly saw were just me and my friend sharing an energy drink in the back seat. we got let off cuz they had no proof we did anything wrong. the cops were such jerks to us tho. ha people are so stupid

i dont see how u can be charged without evidence

Answer 6

Reckless diving is a very series offense, you must go to the court an see a judge Oslo you going to louse 6 points from you license or Evin the judge tack you license right there. also you insurance will go up. you are a dagger's driver.

Answer 7

Here's where it stands where I'm from.

If it was a basic traffic offense such as a speeding ticket you recieve a copy of the ticket that you can pay without going to court.

If it was a more serious offense such as prohibited driving , you would recieve a court appearance ticket where the fine and possible jail time depending on the re occurence of the offence would be decided by a judge.

You may recieve a city by law ticket for illegal parking  etc. which would be a different color too.

If you reported a complaint to the police they would investigate and depending on their findings, it would  result in a fine, charge or an unfounded complaint.

Answer 8

First, with the colors-usually there are many different colors for traffic tickets.  This is because they're Carbon Copy.  This means that when you write something on one paper, it bleeds through the others making a copy.  

also, different areas use different color schemes, but don't really mean anything.  Its for bureaucratic purposes only...I'm guessing they may have sent you the wrong copy, but either way, it doesn't matter...you're still being charged with this...

If you think your innocent, then fight this in traffic court.  Subpoena the witness and put him on the stand.  you may have a decent chance at beating the ticket.  At least, this is what I would do.