Ticket in Laval
Our stops at a stop sign are quickly done when summer quick in… we need to be careful since it could be dangerous… dangerous for the other drivers, the pedestrians and cyclists, but also for your wallet… here is a lesson Bobby learned when he got a ticket in Laval.
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Hello!
I got a ticket a week ago saying that I didn’t completely stop at the stop sign, even if I’m sure I did!
Briefly, here are the facts: I left my friend’s home to get to my workplace. I took the Auteuil Boulevard, boulevard where there are many stop signs and mostly, many police operation in order to catch the drivers that don’t make proper stops.
So, I am in my car and drive within the speed limit. I do my stop, and then I notice a police car behind me that ask me to pull over. I don’t really understand, but still I didn’t break the law so I pull my car on the side of the street thinking what he could possibly want. The police officer tells me that I didn’t stop at the sign. Surprised, I tell him that I indeed did my stop. He tells me not the one I just did, the one before. Being sure that I did this stop too (knowing that I am pretty careful in this zone because of the many stopping tickets given in this area), I tell him that I did stop there to. He told me that I didn’t stop long enough, that I seem to just slow down. I took the ticket without arguing more with the officer, being still in shook about his comment.
I think about contesting the ticket since it seems unjustified I am sure, but I am scared of defending myself and mostly, I don’t know on witch facts to insist when I will defend myself.
The police officer, when I’ve ask him seems to hesitate on what he was claiming; I did stop, but not long enough or did I only slowed down? Furthermore, when I looked at the details on my ticket, I notice that he didn’t report the speed I was driving “when I didn’t do my stop” (neither the way he noticed the infraction: radar, air, vehicle or laser). Both box empty!
Could it be possible that he saw me doing a quick stop, have hesitated to arrest me since he didn’t know if it was an infraction or not, to then decide to pull me over 4 blocks away? Was he hidden in a way that he maybe didn’t see well?
Furthermore: My “infraction” occurred at 10h36. I was scheduled to work at 11h00, and I was less then 20 minutes away. Would it be pertinent to say that I wasn’t in a hurry at all, so I had no reason to avoid that stop?
An other thing bothers me: I am 18 years old and I have my driver’s license for only a year. Even if my driver’s case is perfect, could this play against me?
Thank you for your advices!
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Hi… a lot of questions, but here is my general opinion on your story. Yes, I would contest this ticket.
The most important fact of all: you must be convinced that you didn’t do what the police blame you for.
1) Your age certainly doesn’t help you, compared to someone that had his license for 15 years. But, if you never had any other tickets, that’s good. Mention it to the judge.
2) Quickly, mail your ticket indicating that you are pleading not guilty. You usually have 30 days to do so.
3) Ask for the communication of the evidence (see the menu on your right, statistique website, rapport the police’s section).
4) Forget all the details about the police officer. You must focus only on you: explain to the judge how you did your stop.
5) It’s normal that you didn’t see the police officer’s car. You didn’t focus on finding it since you always drive wisely.
6) You need to “perfectly know” the facts before facing the judge… this seems easy, but take notes about all the details you remember… the car that was following you (kind, color, etc.)… Because in a few months, when you will face the judge, all this will be pretty far away… You will need to stay calm and quiet in front of the judge. Be confident… don’t seem confident… but be confident (very easy to say…)
7) Speed is not a factor in your case… since it is a stopping ticket…
Careful with your fact about being only at 20 minutes from your work place… 10h36+20minutes = you were kind of short on time!!!
Good luck and keep us in touch…