Got a speeding ticket for hitting a deer-read

Jay Dutton

Last week I cruising down the highway at night, doing the speed limit and a deer jumps out in front of me. I nail this deer going about 65 mph, it goes flying off in the median. I did about $2,000 worth of damage to my Jeep (which sucks becuase I just bought a Bronco and was going to sell it soon).

Anyways, I roll home make some calls. I find out I need to get an accident report for my insurance. I meet this state trooper at a gas station. Right at the get go she was a total bitch, asking why I left the scene of the accident and what not. So after an hour of spending time waiting for her to do the paper work, she comes back w/two tickets! One for no proof of insurance, my paper work was at home since I was cleaning it up and getting ready to sell it. The second ticket was for "failure to reduce speed for hazzard". What a crock of Sh**! Sorry if a deer just jumped in front of me. How can they prove I was speeding if the cops weren't there, they have no proof. Complete B.S. I'm going to court to fight this one, any advice?

moblsv · Outlaw Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 228

I hope you don't get that judge I had to see in Coalville when I got my disorderly conduct and public intoxication tickets in the Uintahs. Good Luck

Jay Dutton · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 6:42 am Post subject:

It happened going down Parleys Canyon. I will be going to court in downtown SLC. Did you get those tickets while camping?

We had a a killer time at Rockport. The water glassed up around 7 or so and we rode till dark. One of these days we'll have to ride together.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

Hey Jay, hope everything works out. The Proof of Ins. will be dropped I am sure if you show the judge you have it. And the Deer hitting sounds like a crock of shizzle! I think that will be dropped as well. I just moved to this new place in a wooded area and every single day and night, I have passed at least 1, sometimes 5 deer on the side of the road. So I am always cautious about driving. Plus, I like to drive fast through the windy roads, but I need to stop doing that! Rolling Eyes

Seth Martin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 891 City: Orlando

Dave W · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 7:31 am Post subject:

Does anyone know for sure about the law/legal aspects of this? I would love to hear it. Sorry if I come off as a little bitter towards police and the legal system in general, but it seems to me that they are huge on age discrimination and just plain old trying to screw you whenever they are having a bad day or whenever they feel like going on a power trip. Jay--That sucks big time. I have a hard time believeing that the cop even has the right to write you those tickets. Hopefully they won't stick. If they don't stick and they just get thrown out in court, then that's good for you, but isn't that just confirming that the police officer was just trying to hassle you, waste your time and the courts time? (read:taxpayer money) Not having proof of insurance??? Can they even write a ticket for that if you actually do have insurance?? I thought in most places you have 24 hours to produce stuff like that. Not to mention that the police officer can call it in and check to see if you really do. I was in an accident and I didn't have my insurance card in the truck, and the officer started to question me about it and then he just confirmed that I do actually have insurance by calling it in or whatever they do when they go back to their car. Sounds to me like the cop you talked to just decided to be an a$$ at your expense. I wouldn't have been able to sleep that night I would have been so pissed off. Be sure to let us know how it goes in court. Hope it turns out well.

Jay Dutton · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 7:45 am Post subject:

Yeah, I couldn't sleep for two days I was so pissed. I got a written warning for leaving the scene of a an accident and having out of state tags too. I've never come across an officer so bitter in my entire life.

On another note, yesterday I blew a tire on my boat trailer on a very busy two way road w/a small shoulder. I was sticking out in the road about 2 feet, I thougt I was going to get nailed. I had a buddy of mine waving our orange ski flag to divert traffic for a while. Two state troopers roll up, one pulled up w/ a nice jack, helped me change my tire and the other flagged traffic. I just bought my Bronco friday night and didn't have tags or anything on it yet and my boat trailer is boarderline for having to need tags. These cops were actually pretty cool, b.s.ed w/them for minute about wakeboarding and I was on my way. No questions asked for liscense or anything. They didn't even say anything about having no tags. I guess they made up for the bitch cop I encountered.

J_DOGG · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 9:03 am Post subject:

You know what they say say "One bad apple spoils the whole bunch". I know some good cops and I know some fat a$$ lazy ones.

Fight every ticket, all the time no matter what, it is your right as dictated by the law it's self.

Mister C · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 2:40 pm Post subject:

Thats major bull. Good luck beating it in court.

Bill Y Bob · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 8:39 pm Post subject:

RUSSIAN · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 8:48 pm Post subject:

In cali you have to have proof of insurance in the vehicle at all times, speaking of......

JHrod · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3144

sure you should---here if you fight the ticket and the cop doesn't show it is thrown out and most of the time cops rarely show

DaveBrowning · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 10:05 pm Post subject:

I'm not going to get into this discussion.

JHrod · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3144

not BS at all--i know atleast 10 people who went and no cop was there but for a 110 in 65 he would defianelty show

DaveBrowning · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 10:21 pm Post subject:

Oh... well that's news to me. Anyway, posting in this is gonna do nothing but get me all mad and crap, so I probably won't post anymore in this thread. Rolling Eyes

Josh R · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 11:50 pm Post subject:

Fight that mutha f***ker to the grave... Mad

nick e[V]ans · Posted: Jun 11, 2003 12:45 am Post subject:

amen to that

Dave W · Posted: Jun 11, 2003 8:02 am Post subject:

Mavis, Delilah, I tend to agree that you should fight every ticket as hard as you can. I used to believe more in justice, honesty, and the court system in general until I got my first ticket. It took me very little time to realize that in traffic court, nobody, not even the judge gives a crap about justice or honesty, they just want your money. The system is totally out to screw you in every way possible. From the time the cop pulls you over to the time you show up in court. They're the ones who determine the rules, not the average joe. And the rules they've determined by how they run traffic court pretty much promote the average joe to fight it in every way he can. If you don't, you're just going to get screwed, and they don't give a crap what that means to you and your life, or what kind of person you are. Traffic court is all about generating a little extra revenue for the towns whenever possible. If they're out to make my life difficult--and yes, I've been pulled over for some a$$inine reasons in both a boat and a car--then the least I am going to do is try to make their lives difficult.

base · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 208

haha this stuff will get thrown out by any judge or jury...

women cops suck...

Grouch · Posted: Jun 11, 2003 9:23 am Post subject:

Did it look anything like this? Shocked

Chales · Guest

Or this?

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

I'm 2 for 2 fighting tickets. Both times they showed up and both times I lost.

Dave W · Posted: Jun 11, 2003 11:04 am Post subject:

Bummer Nor Cal. I keep claiming I'll take it all the way, but I always wuss out and accept the plea bargain they offer. One of these days I'll grow some balls. Always, always request the supporting deposition though. ALWAYS. That's the easiest way to get off.

NorCal--what were the tickets for?

Mister C · Posted: Jun 11, 2003 12:01 pm Post subject:

Probably speeding.

Jay Dutton · Posted: Jun 11, 2003 2:13 pm Post subject:

Thank God my Jeep didn't look like those pics. When I hit the deer it flew at least 25-30 in front of me, it was pretty crazy tossing and flipping around. It died. I nailed it w/my left front end of the Jeep. The grill, front left quarter panel, and parking lights are all jacked. About $2000 worth, she goes in the shop next week. I'll be damned if I allow this b.s. to go on my record.