I Was Ticketed This Morning... Not Much Justice... (Mobile: appointed, insurance)

[FlyboyTR]

This morning while towing my little utility trailer (with one of our vehicles that I don't normally tow with), I was stopped by one of Mobile's Finest. I was ticketed for not having a tag on the trailer...although the officer did comment on the fact that I had working lights. Strange thing is, my trailer is tagged, registered, etc. But, much to my dismay, the tag was missing and since I was in a different vehicle, no receipt.

I was given a ticket and was told that I could call the number on the ticket, 251-208-7055, and they could tell me who to see so I could present the missing tag and receipt and the ticket would be pulled. OK. I have now made 6 phone calls and the phone just rings without being answered. I guess I will continue to try.

If anyone knows who or what to do, please let me know.

Please don't missunderstand my intent...I have no hard feelings towards the officer and greatly appreciate the job they do. I do, however, have a problem with the fact that on my way home I noticed 4 other trailers without tags, non working taillights, busted windshields, texting....etc, etc. But the one that got me was the truck pulling a utility trailer (neither of which had a tag) and an officer was sitting behind him at a traffic light talking and laughing on his cell phone.

Oh...I did find my tag. It was firmly attached to my trailers loading ramp...which I had removed yesterday!

[FlyboyTR]

OK... After many phone calls, no answers, automated hand-offs, etc, I finally had someone answer the phone. It turns out there is no way to easily handle this (which is not what I was led to believe during my visit this morning with the police officer). I have to appear in court on the appointed date/time.

[bigDwiki]

That is your only option. But since the "judges" in traffic court are nothing more than city employees themselves, you probably won't get anywhere with it. And you'll have to pay the additional court costs.

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by bigDwiki

That is your only option. But since the "judges" in traffic court are nothing more than city employees themselves, you probably won't get anywhere with it. And you'll have to pay the additional court costs.

Well... then I guess this is going to be something new. Doesn't sound like there is any way to get out of it. I wonder how much the court costs will be?

[CoreLysium]

Show the tag, gets rid of the ticket.

Did you really expect the cop to say "Ok, I take your word for it."?

What special treatment do you want?

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by CoreLysium

Show the tag, gets rid of the ticket.

Did you really expect the cop to say "Ok, I take your word for it."?

What special treatment do you want?

I live in a real world and would not expect the officer to take my word for anything. And...I did NOT ask for any special treatment, other than what the officer lead me to believe...which in fact was not correct! And please re-read my last large paragraph. It is fairly obvious what part of this is actually bothering me...outside of them not answering the phone or the misinformation.

Your comments, however, are appreciated!

I wish Alabama had required vehicle inspections! Our roads would be safer.

[CoreLysium]

So, do you wish you hadn't gotten the ticket for doing something illegal, you wish others would go through the same situation as you, or that the law didn't exist?

The other option, that the police inspect every vehicle daily, was suggested by you, but I figure you were joking.

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by CoreLysium

So, do you wish you hadn't gotten the ticket for doing something illegal, you wish others would go through the same situation as you, or that the law didn't exist?

The other option, that the police inspect every vehicle daily, was suggested by you, but I figure you were joking.

LOL... Well... YES...I wish I hadn't gotten a ticket for unintentionally doing something illegal. However, If you are going to stop me and ticket me (driving a very nice vehicle and a nice clean trailer (if there is such a thing...) then why should another driver be exempt (sitting directly in front of a police officer); while driving a vehicle with no tag, one busted and non working tail/brake light, cracked windshield and towing a trailer with no tag, no lights and a trashy load that was NOT secured or covered. OH...and more than likely did not have the required liability insurance.

At least I have the comfort of knowing I will probably still have to pay court costs and help support our lovely, yet mismanaged city...that I love. LOL

[CoreLysium]

The officer probably looked at the other car and thought "I don't even want to deal with that."

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by CoreLysium

The officer probably looked at the other car and thought "I don't even want to deal with that."

Probably right! ...you can't get blood out of a turnip!