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Why would they lie?

Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 3:10 pm
by teacherken
OK, just got back from traffic court. I had been cited for running a red light (making a right turn). I went to fight it because I had stopped, only the officer couldn't see that because of an obstruction. From where he was (about 75 yards from the intersection) he could not have seen me stop at the limit line due to a church sign and shrubs at the corner.

BUT... in court he tells the judge that he was stopped at the intersection having a clear line of sight to the limit line.

BUT... if he was stopped, I would have had a green light...

BUT, the defendant (me) made the turn just after the light turned red for him, and green for me.

BUT, if that's the case, I would have had a collision with his car as he traveled forward...

BUT, the defendant made the turn so quickly that he was able to get in front of me, and another car.

JUDGE: Hmmmm, well the officer is trained to carefully observe their surroundings. I find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Why would an officer lie in a situation like this? I knew going in that the basic officer vs. citizen is a lose for the citizen, but felt it was just an honest mistake on his part.

Are officers penalized, harassed for losing traffic cases? What could be his incentive for blatantly lying? Is this an example of guilty until you can prove yourself innocent?

I am totally disillusioned right now... :(

Ken

Re: Why would they lie?

Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:07 pm
by Brad
How dare you be so uppity in challenging him by showing up in court!! Sorry bro' I'm feeling for ya.

Re: Why would they lie?

Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 11:19 am
by maa0162
In theory, you are right to ask these questions. Unfortunately, theory and reality are two different things.

For instance, suppose I go into a store. Someone comes in with a gun and wants to rob the store. I have nothing to do with it because I do not own the store nor do I work there, I do not try to stop the crime because I am scared, and I am not a criminal assisting in the crime. I end up getting shot anyway.

When I read about your unfortunate circumastance, I am not happy but I am also reminded of what William Chandler Bagley has once said:

"Somewhere along the line, this person's elementary school teacher has failed him."

Re: Why would they lie?

Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:42 pm
by cymtech
a lot of the cops ive met have been dishonest, incompetent, and completely lacking in professionalism. not being able to fill out a ticket correctly or at least TAKING THE TIME TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT KIND OF CAR YOU DRIVE bothers me. you took the time to single me out, pull me over, and get my info to make sure im not some criminal... why cant you correctly identify my car on the ticket?

ive gone to court 3 times for tickets... ive never lost.

1) there was an illegal sign that said "no left turn". why is it illegal? because it wasnt installed by the state or city... rather the school maintenance ppl decided that it needed to be there.

2) cop didnt show up to court. if you are going to take the time to write me up you better take the time to see it through. otherwise, dont write me up.

3) cop showed up, said he didnt remember me. again, if youre going to waste my time and spend resources then you better make sure you are going to see it through to the end.


cops... the highest paying, laziest occupation that has a pension plan that pays them more for retiring at 50 than what most ppl make in their lives...

Re: Why would they lie?

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:33 pm
by bassoonuba
cymtech wrote:cops... the highest paying, laziest occupation...
Wow. Just wow. I'm not an officer but, even I take offense to that. True, there are a certain number of officers that are probably not fit to wear the badge but, I'll bet that a similar percentage of people are unfit for their positions, no matter the field.