WHAT A WEEK! Can't find work, beloved kitty died, and a crooked cop lied!

[Lorien]

So I'm self employed and haven't been able to find work for most of this year. Things looked like they might be turning around last month when a few jobs came in and the client said that they were very happy with the work (I did far more work than I billed them for), but the economy is killing them-and every other client I have-so no more work is coming. I have no idea what I'll do-I can't pay this months bills and I can't pay for much for Christmas (fortunately I bought a few things early last year, so I have a tiny handful of gifts for friends and family). My beloved kitten Atticus Pye passed away Wednesday of FIP-my second kitty to die of that horrific disease this year. I've been terribly depressed about it, so a friend offered to take me out to a nice restaurant in Winter Park tonight to take my mind off of my troubles. I drove. It was an excellent meal at a place called "hot olives". When we left I drove up to an intersection with a stop sign and my friend said "stop sign"! loudly as I was talking to him. I was about to stop anyway but his voice made me slam on the brakes in surprise. A cop was sitting there in the cross street, waiting. So I waited and waited for him to go through (it was so dark that I couldn't tell if it was four way-but he was there first). Finally he waved at me to go ahead, so I did. I saw him turn around and follow me as I was driving. I drove through several blocks, pausing at the cross streets because it's so damn dark in that area, stop signs or not. After a while his lights came on. So I pulled over. His name was officer Matthew Walker of the Winter Park Police and came to the window and said "you look lost-I pulled you over because this is a known drug area". I said "What?! This is Winter Park"! "Well" he said "You almost went through that stop sign back there" "Which sign"? I asked "That one way back there. I need to run your license" he said. Offer Walker looked like a kid in his early 20's who was grasping at straws. I gave him my license and he went back to his car. "Well, you've had no violations so I guess he's just checking for parking tickets" my friend assured me (I've never had one of those in 20 years of living here). We waited and waited. 15 minutes later Officer Matthew Walker came back with a citation "See, you ran that stop sign back there and almost slammed into me. You didn't even pause" he said. My jaw dropped. "Was there another stop sign that you are talking about officer, because I waited until you waved me through". "No, you went right through it-you didn't even slow down and you almost slammed right into my squad car" he said. Bold. Faced. LIE. Unfreakingbelievable. My friend muttered under his breath "just take it", so I did, stunned at how crooked young officer Walker was.

The ticket is for $139.00-which would have covered most of this month's utility bill. I don't have the money. What can I do? What will happen if I don't pay for this man's dishonesty?

[Arugula Latte]

1. Oh no ... Can you contest the ticket?

Sorry about your troubles, especially your kitty. :hug:

[DarkTirade]

2. A Winter Park cop did something similar to my mom a few years back.

And when she went to court he just showed up and lied again. So she had to pay the ticket.

[Lorien]

3. That's what I'm afraid will happen, but don't they have video cameras

in the squad cars? Can't this stuff be checked?

I'm at the end of my rope. The money problems have been killing me and losing my kitty Atticus Pye has been almost too much to bear. Now this. I swear, at this point I almost don't care if I get arrested for not paying this ticket.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

4. Cops lie, all the time

Around here, if you don't pay a ticket, even a parkign ticket, they will either put a warrant out for your arrest or suspend your license. Warrants are way less of a pain than license suspensions. I speak from experience.

[jeff30997]

7. Some peoples never pay tickets.

Ironically those are the one who could easily afford it.I'm talking about the stinking Rich.

You play golf with the mayor or the police chief ? No ticket.If you don't have that privilege you

can always grease their palms,err I mean make some donations to their charities.

[BrklynLiberal]

14. Go to court with your passenger as a witness.

[Citizen Number 9]

21. Absolutely contest it

By yourself against the cop's testimony there isn't much chance, but with your witness, that throws it back in your favor.

You will almost certainly get a reduction in the amount at the very least and it will be worth it.

[1]

5. do go to court. it could simply work out for you, but if the officer does not show up,..

to testify the ticket should be tossed.

i know... but its worth the effort.

[Lorien]

8. He said that if I lost in court the fine would go up

it's insane-they know they can do whatever they damn well want to us. It's a horribly helpless feeling.

I'm sure he targeted me because I was driving a dinged up 14 year old Camry with an Obama sticker on the back. Hardly the type of vehicle one usually sees in Winter Park.

[DarkTirade]

11. From my experience, which is limited I'll admit, I get the impression

that Winter Park cops will show up and lie in court because A) they don't want to look bad by slinking away and letting you off the hook and B) the same reason they'll pull over people and harass them in the first place. Because they have nothing better to do.

[BrklynLiberal]

15. Who told you that the ticket would goup if you fought and lost?

[Lorien]

17. The kid cop who gave it to me

officer Matthew Walker. He kind of sneered when he said it too.

[BrklynLiberal]

29. I think he was trying to intimidate you cause he knew if you fought it

you would win. This guy sounds like a total ass.

I'll bet that if there was a way to find out, you would find that he has had many tickets thrown out of court.

[1]

19. nope. in america you have a right to take this before a judge...

(this is an american thing, right? if you are somewhere else ignore my misunderstanding and advise. i don't know how they do this in iceland or south africa.)

a ticket has a penalty associated with the infraction. money and maybe some "points" against your driving record.

there is no cost to defend yourself. on a traffic violation you have the right to defend yourself against the accusation in a court of law before a judge (or judge like surrogate.)

the officer will present his case before the judge, you will present yours. your tax dollars paid for the whole shebang. the building, the judge, the bailiff, the officer, the tables, the chairs... everything.

if you are found guilty, you pay the price of the ticket. no more.

pretty much the only other thing that happens is the judge dismisses the case and you pay nothing. except your time.


(fully disclosure. i don't hate all police officers. there are the good. there are the bad. just like life.)


but if i were a lying police officer, i would throw in another lie (after the bogus ticket i just gave you) that if you do go to court you would have to pay more. so that you wouldn't go to court. so that i, the bad guy would win.


you won't have to pay more.

but if you do go to court and this asshole shows up, and the judge rules in your favor, and good triumphs over evil?

just give him the slightest smirk. shake your head from side-to-side ever so slightly. let him know that you know that he knows that you know.

that subtle shit kills them every time. it get the point across and just might stop him from being an ass the next time.



or go def con one on his ass and laugh out loud with a pointing finger. turn around and shake your butt at him.

your call...

[SeattleGirl]

6. What a pain!

My suggestion would be to go to court. Maybe the officer won't show up, in which case, they'll probably dismiss the ticket.

If he does, and if you end up having to pay, talk to the judge and tell him that you can't pay that entire amount right now, and ask to make payments.

I'm so sorry you've had such a bad time of it lately, especially losing your beloved kitty.

[LisaL]

9. If you go to court, bring your friend as a witness.

[Love Bug]

10. Contest the ticket and bring your friend as a witness

[merh]

12. Exactly - go to court and contest it

Ask your friend to come as your witness.

[BrklynLiberal]

13. FIGHT THE TICKET!!!

Plead not guilty and go to the court with your friend who was in the car.

There is a chance the cop won't even show up.

I have fought every ticket I have ever received...except alternate side of the street parking.
The very least is the fine will be lowered...but I think it will be tossed out..
I have won virtually every time I have fought a ticket.

[BrklynLiberal]

16. This site is selling a book, but the info is still good.

http://www.paynofine.com/traffic-ticket/florida/fl-dmv.html
Has Florida Traffic Ticket Links

http://www.paynofine.com/
Did you know that over half of all traffic tickets and speeding tickets contested either result in a reduced fine, found not guilty or the case is dismissed? It's true! The odds are in your favor if you fight. PayNoFine's how-to guide is your ticket to understanding how the system works and to get your speeding ticket, traffic ticket or other traffic citation dismissed.
Remember, the American justice system is predicated on the belief that you are innocent until proven guilty. But if you're not convinced, consider these reasons:

• If you fight your ticket & win, you get your money back. With traffic fines reaching a few hundred dollars in some parts of the country, a traffic ticket can be expensive. Should you decide to fight your traffic or speeding ticket and your case is dismissed or found not guilty, then you can expect to receive a refund check from the court.

• Guaranteed Constitutional Rights. By pleading not guilty, you have certain rights such as a right to a speedy trial, ability to confront and cross examine witnesses. Under a certain set of circumstances, your constitutional rights can help get your case dismissed.


http://www.lawinfo.com/attorney/Traffic-Citation/Florida/Winter-Park/
This site has a list of free legal resources.

[Lorien]

18. Thanks for the links!

I know that hardly anyone ever wins against the Winter Park police, but morally I have a lot of trouble with paying this because Officer Walker slandered me by making up such a huge steaming pile of bullshit. By paying the fine I admit guilt, which would mean that I am then the one who is lying. My passenger keeps saying "never fight the IRS or the police-you'll always lose", but I guess that you are proof that that isn't true!

[BrklynLiberal]

28. Absolutley. i swear that I have won every ticket I fought..including

one for going thru a red light. The cop was on the cross-street..to my left facing me. The judge said that there was no way he could have seen what color the light was for me. It never hurts to give it a fight. Good luck!!

[hamsterjill]

33. You always get something

Everyone that I know who has contested a ticket has walked out of the judge's office with SOMETHING, at least.

I'm sorry that this happened to you. Please stress to your friend that he/she needs to appear very confident when the story is related to the judge. Someone who feels you "can't fight city hall" may approach this with a defeated attitude that the judge will sense as trying to cover up something.

There is nothing wrong with you and your friend rehearsing what will be said in front of the judge, as long as you are both telling the truth.

At the very least, this will allow you to explain your employment circumstances to the judge. If he rules against you, he still might lower the fine, etc. It should be up to the judge (and not Office What's-His-Doodle) to determine the amount of the fine.

[Eurobabe]

20. Contest the ticket

This little loser isn't going to bother going to court to argue with you. Sorry Lorien, you sure didn't need this!! :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. I'm so sorry about your dear kitty...

:hug::hug::hug:

I would contest that ticket if your friend is willing to be a witness. It's possible they've received other complaints about Officer Walker.

What sort of work do you do?

[Lorien]

26. Thanks Goddess of Guinness

Atticus Pye was one of the sweetest kittens I've ever known. I still can't believe that I lost him. :cry:


and the Smug kid has Freeper written all over him:



I'm a freelance illustrator and 2D animator (dinosaur). I mostly do product design for toy and collectible companies, like Disney and MGAE (Bratz dolls-that's over), plus children's book work, that pays almost nothing compared to the commercial stuff. But everything I create depends on people with disposable incomes to buy it-there's not many of those these days.

[BrklynLiberal]

31. Wow! You are right...If there was ever a freeper face, that is it.

Do you, by any chance have any bumper stickers on your car? If so, that is what might have gotten his balls in such an uproar.


BTW..Have you ever considered going into product design for pets? People will spend money on their pets, even when they may not have the money for their kids. I have seen it happen. And sometimes the people have pets instead of kids, so they treat them VERY well.

Think about it...

[Lorien]

34. I have an Obama sticker and two anti-Bush stickers

the only other ticket I've gotten in Winter Park happened in 2000 and I had a Gore sticker on the back of my car. A cop pulled me over for going 38 in a 35 mph zone (coming out of a 45 mph zone). He fined me $265.00-and was glaring at my Gore sticker most of the time eh was standing there. There was no mistaking the real reason why he pulled me over!

I recently did an illustration of my neighbor's dog as a Disney character (as if she were in "Lady and the Tramp" or a similar film). The only problem was that it took me a couple of days to come up with a design he approved of, an afternoon to digitally ink and paint it (if I knew Illustrator it would have been faster), and now he wants me to print it out and frame it and do another of a friend's dog-all for $120.00. That's less than minimum wage when all is said and done. I'm sure that if I had a better grasp of Photoshop and illustrator I could make the process faster, but the first drawings will always take a while when people want changes. I guess that's why I've always stuck with the big corporations; it pays well and everything is very straightforward. But without that as an option I will have to find another way of coming up with $3,500.00 a month (mortgage, utilities, health insurance and huge medical debt)!It does seem like there's a need for some classier pet products out there, but I haven't come up with a way to make anything yet. I'll keep thinking about it.

[Robeson]

23. Go to court, and tell the judge exactly what happened as you stated...

...and don't budge from what you knew happened. Also, have your friend there as an additional witness.

I feel you on the employment thing. I was self-employed, and it's gone down the tubes. I've applied for everything from A to Z and can't get a job. I know I'm not alone, because it's happening everywhere. Actually, it's probably much worse than we're being told.

[Lorien]

27. I'm so sorry to hear that you're in the same boat Robeson

I have a lot of self employed friends who are really struggling now too. And my friends who are employed by corporations are also really scared right now, as everyone keeps hinting at layoffs. I can't believe how fast this all happened!

Hang in there :hug:

[MrScorpio]

24. I've fought two tickets and beat them both

Fight it!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

25. you can talk to the DA and get it reduced. Possibly you can get

PFJ if you have not had that before. Good luck with it :hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

32. Proposed Final Judgment

[Tuesday Afternoon]

36. is that what they call it in Brklyn ?

Prayer For Judgment only allowed One per life time is my understanding.

[Fire Walk With Me]

30. search "how to fight a ticket" or "...traffic ticket"

and remember to mention "QUOTAS". Quotas are real. The city defines a set amount of income per month, and the police have to bring it in. There are rumors that more tickets are given at the end of each month for this very reason. To be able to prove that might help.

[Coyote_Bandit]

35. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday

I visited my parents in another state. Friday morning Mom sent Dad and I out to run an errand and to pick up a couple of things at the grocery store. Dad rode in the front passenger seat and I drove his car - a recent model Grand Marquis with a current tag, reasonably clean and in good repair with no visible damage. We were driving in a group of cars about a half mile from the house when I spotted a city cop parked and apparently looking for speeders. All of the other vehicles were driving faseter than us - and we were within the posted limit. As we passed, the cop pulled out and proceeded to follow us. We turned at the next intersection and the cop continued to follow us. And he continued to follow us for several miles. I was aware the cop was following us. Streets were not busy at the time and I am convinced the cop was looking for any pretext to pull us over and ticket us. So I slowed down and drove about 5 mph under the posted speed limit. I made sure to use turn signals well in advance. When I came to a stop sign I would count to 50 after coming to a complete stop before moving to enter the intersection. I watched the creep in the rear view mirror. Finally the asshat decided he had better things to do and left us to go about our business. Still, I feel violated and harassed. I cannot imagine how upset I would be had the cop actually stopped me and ticketed me for a fabricated offense.

You should have an opportunity to appear in court to contest your citation. Go and tell your story. Take your friend with you to confirm it if possible. If the cop doesn't sho in court to testify against you then the citation will most likely be dismissed. If he does and if you are still convicted then you should have an opportunity to make an appeal to the court to make payment arrangements or to extend the date such payment is due.

I'm so sorry about the loss of your little Atticus. :hug:

[MadMaddie]

37. Get yourself a lawyer

and go to court on the day you are supposed to. More oft than not the cop won't show up. If you get a competent lawyer you should get it dismissed. You have a witness and he has nothing. You have no prior traffic violations and that's a good thing.

You should also look to see if he has had any prior complaints for bogus tickets, I am betting you will find many.

Good Luck!