What you might do is take a video of your truck proving that it doesn't smoke. Even if they believe the cop, it will be apparent that your truck was now "fixed" and not currently smoking, which might get you a dropped ticket anyway.

 

I agree with Aggie06, check out some on-campus help, our school here in NC has a legal center where students can go and ask questions, and try to figure out what they are going to do with a ticket.

 

Hows the fight goin?

 

Well, I now have a pre-court counseling session with the prosecutor to discuss options. Put in a plea of not guilty and I have the option of trial by judge or trial by jury. I also got in touch with the guy who was in front of me, he offered to come with me and say that it was him and not me. Our thinking is he can take the blame, and they can only find me not guilty and cannot then give him the citation. Not sure if this is right though. I think if I have both him and the guy that was in the truck with me, it will be alot of evidence in my favor. Either way the ticket was for $170 so it isn't as bad as I thought but still I shouldn't have to pay it. We will see....

 

Other Drivers?
This means he's had calls from other drivers about the smoking truck ahead of you?

Or Is he speaking for other drivers?

Sounds like his statement will be part of his report.

 

If you contacted the truck in front of you and he's willing to take the blame he's one heck of a nice guy.

I would let him pay the fine if he wants, then split it with him in the parking lot. This way you'll make the cop think twice the next time he blames the wrong truck.

 

Pay the fine and split it with him?? I'm not following you...

 

I think he was saying that the smoke was reducing the visibility and it was discourteous to other drivers. Also, I don't believe there is a report on a traffic ticket, just what is wrote on the ticket itself.

 

I think hes sayin pay the other guy for half the fine so the judge, cop, and rest of the court room doesnt know. could be wrong

 

Personally I would choose a trial by jury, as they're not influenced by money and it makes no difference to them whether or not cops are out there ticketing people and creating revenue.

I still think that you should take a video of your truck to show that it doesn't significantly smoke.

 

exactly.

this way the burden is split between the 2 parties.

 

I still think that you should take a video of your truck to show that it doesn't significantly smoke.

What if the Jury wants a WOT? LOL

Sorry,

Not funny.

 

Well, for what it's worth, after reading ALL 5 pages here's my advice...

Speaking as a person who only ever fought 1 citation, (the only 1 I didn't deserve) and lost, I would heed the Judge's advice. DO NOT over think this. I was 22 and knew it all once too. Now that I am older AND somewhat wiser, I am pretty danged certain that I could beat my ticket today.

Make use of whatever campus resources you can, but don't overplay your hand.

Judge, or Jury? Hmmmm. Do I want to have to convince 1 person, or 12?

Read what Justwannabeme said a couple of times more. Carefully. Then do it. Seems to me that it's your best bet.

My offense was excessive noise. Riding my Norton at 2500 rpm. Stock mufflers, no wild acceleration, just a biker hating cop. They're around. I overplayed it and lost. Don't make this all too easy mistake.

Oh, BTW, if the owner of the other truck comes to court and says it was him and not you... you may or may not get off, and he will get ticketed as well.

Good luck. Do it right, or just pay it, and save your time and effort.

 

Just got back from the counseling session. DISMISSED. The assistant DA's exact words, "How am I supposed to prove this?"

 

awesome.........good to hear bro. I was easy on the throttle around the campus a few weeks ago when i was up there, i have the truck straight piped. i know how they are around there and didnt want to end up in a similar situation