Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I work a part time job as a cashier after school and on the weekends. The job is about 10 minutes from my house, and I worked a 4 hour shift tonight and drove about 5 minutes of the drive home with my headlights off. I did notice it was dark, but I didn't think much of it because it's a late January night, but at a light I looked down and realized my speedometer wasn't illuminated and quickly turned on the headlights. Luckily I was not pulled over, so there were probably no cops around, but I am worried that a driver either heading in the opposite direction as me or behind me noted my license plate number and turned me in to the police. Do you think my fear is rational or do you think there is little to no chance of me being reported? And if someone did report me, when should I expect to receive my ticket in the mail and how much will the fine be? I live in New Jersey.
If someone did report you, there will still be no ticket.
Why did my friend get a ticket for hit and run, and leaving the scene, when the cops showed up at his door? Someone said it was him so they showed up at his apartment and gave him a citation. It was for only a tiny scratch. Of course, the cops did not show up at court and it was dismissed. The question, however, still stands. How do they issue a citation for something they didn't see based on what someone said, with no proof?
Why did my friend get a ticket for hit and run, and leaving the scene, when the cops showed up at his door? Someone said it was him so they showed up at his apartment and gave him a citation. It was for only a tiny scratch. Of course, the cops did not show up at court and it was dismissed. The question, however, still stands. How do they issue a citation for something they didn't see based on what someone said, with no proof?
Hit and run is a felony in many jurisdictions, depending on the severity of the accident--so police are always going to start an investigation to start a determination of severity, and they will always issue a citation if they see evidence that an accident occurred. Unlike other kinds of reports, they'll usually be able to examine for themselves whether there is reasonable suspicion that it actually occurred.
It's like difference between reporting "loud noises" and "gun shots."
Let's say someone reported (to who? 911? Flagging down passing police officer?): "I saw license plate 123-XYZ driving without his lights on at 8:30 pm on 1/27/2016."
Let's say a police officer looked up the registered owner, wrote out a ticket, and mailed it to the registered owner.
Let's say registered owner appears in court to context the ticket: "Your honor, my car never left the driveway that day."
Judge to officer: "Officer Fife, did you observe this vehicle registered 123-XYZ on a public street at the date and time in question without lights on?"
Officer Fife: "No, your honor, that information was passed to me by the 911 dispatcher."
Judge to officer: "All you have is hearsay testimony?"
Officer Fife: "Yes, your honor."
At this point, the judge spends the next 15 minutes giving Officer Fife a stern public butt-chew.
Except the scenario you laid out won't happen.
No officer will write a ticket without seeing the violation. Now John Q Citizen can witness the violation and can identify the violator and vehicle and swear out a complaint. Both have to go to court and testify. When John Q Citizen finds out this process, he backs down.
Op, you will not receive a summons for this. Worst case is a verbal chewing out. Otherwise don't worry about it.
No officer will write a ticket without seeing the violation. Now John Q Citizen can witness the violation and can identify the violator and vehicle and swear out a complaint. Both have to go to court and testify. When John Q Citizen finds out this process, he backs down.
Op, you will not receive a summons for this. Worst case is a verbal chewing out. Otherwise don't worry about it.
I work a part time job as a cashier after school and on the weekends. The job is about 10 minutes from my house, and I worked a 4 hour shift tonight and drove about 5 minutes of the drive home with my headlights off. I did notice it was dark, but I didn't think much of it because it's a late January night, but at a light I looked down and realized my speedometer wasn't illuminated and quickly turned on the headlights. Luckily I was not pulled over, so there were probably no cops around, but I am worried that a driver either heading in the opposite direction as me or behind me noted my license plate number and turned me in to the police. Do you think my fear is rational or do you think there is little to no chance of me being reported? And if someone did report me, when should I expect to receive my ticket in the mail and how much will the fine be? I live in New Jersey.
Paranoid much???
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.