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In practice, traffic offenses are processed by the courts in the same manner as infractions that could not possibly have someone arrested. Also, while I'm sure it does exist somewhere, I am unaware of laws in which basic traffic offenses such as simple speeding (up to the point at which it is considered reckless), ignoring traffic control devices, improper signaling, unregistered/uninspected, etc., are grounds for arrest. I doubt such statutes exist in abundance. My original comment was to stress that for the purposes of this discussion it is inaccurate to lump traffic offences in with what in my opinion are TRUE crimes, such as common law offenses (murder, rape, larceny, etc.) Obviously, this is not to say you cannot commit a crime while operating a motor vehicle.
You can be arrested for any offense, at officer discretion, although most departments have the policy to issue citations except for a handful of offenses. All are processed in criminal court where, even for citations, a bench warrant can be issued for your arrest if you don't show up or pay the fine. If you don't show for a civil court date, at worst you lose the case.
Nobody was comparing speeding with rape. There is a wide range of criminal offenses and the fact that some offenses are minor and some are major doesn't change the fact that they fall under criminal code. You clearly labeled theft as criminal, yet by your own logic how can that be when it is inaccurate to lump petty thieves in with "true" criminals who rape and murder people?
My point was that your pompous declaration that traffic offenses are CIVIL is just not true.
You can be arrested for any offense, at officer discretion, although most departments have the policy to issue citations except for a handful of offenses. All are processed in criminal court where, even for citations, a bench warrant can be issued for your arrest if you don't show up or pay the fine. If you don't show for a civil court date, at worst you lose the case.
Nobody was comparing speeding with rape. There is a wide range of criminal offenses and the fact that some offenses are minor and some are major doesn't change the fact that they fall under criminal code. You clearly labeled theft as criminal, yet by your own logic how can that be when it is inaccurate to lump petty thieves in with "true" criminals who rape and murder people?
My point was that your pompous declaration that traffic offenses are CIVIL is just not true.
The majority of traffic code INFRACTIONS, certainly the ones relevant to this topic (non-reckless speeding, disobeying traffic device, etc.) are classified below misdemeanors in terms of severity. Your petty thief has at least a MISDEMEANOR just like all the other criminal offenders in that class.
Just for you, i'll fix the original statement that got you so upset: Let's not confuse misdemeanor/felony level CRIMINAL OFFENSES with CIVIL INFRACTIONS.
Last edited by Lux Hauler; 05-11-2016 at 03:06 PM..
Of course it takes longer to stop if you are going faster, of course the consequences are worse if you hit something at a higher speed, no-one disputes that.
Stopping on a freeway is illegal, as most states have minimum speed limits. If I am driving 90 and hit someone who is driving 80, the consequences will be less than driving 55 and hitting someone completely stopped in front of you - as is common on 2 lane roads.
New Rome, OH was such a notorious speed trap that the attorney general had it dissolved. It was a village of 60 people which was a blink and you'll miss it town along US40...which had 14 policemen and a reduced speed limit that violated state guidelines.
Well, don't speed on I-71 and you won't contribute to their coffers.
Or they could raise the speed limit to where it should be. Note the Ohio Turnpike speed limit is only 70. It used to be 75 before the 55 nonsense started.
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