IMO, as a police officer you actually are a magnet...you car is black, with black wheels...dark black tint... black tinted tails...u are what we call a perp mobile...we stop cars like this to see who is behind the wheel and if they have any warrants. Truthfully you will and can get tickets for laws u choose to disobey...I don't know the tint laws in your state but he is just enforcing the law. Only thing you can do it bring ur car up to standards so it wont happen....like u said its a small town they dont have anything else to do.

 

I think you are right on. I was driving down the interstate doing about 80ish with a pack of cars and I notice a trooper about a mile back stalking us. My radar detector was quiet and he was to far to pace us but I did start to lay off the gas. Next thing I know he runs up to the pack, (I'm doing about 68 in 65) and ignores all the other car. They didn't even see him. As I slowed and got over to let him pass he stayed with me. Next thing I know he pulls me over. I knew he couldn't get me for speeding. But my windows were tinted at 20% and the limit is 35% where I live. He just wanted to see what was inside the car. In the end I just got a warning.

This car is a cop magnet, so if you do a lot of illeagl mods to it expect to get pulled over.

 

Or you can take to a buddy cop and have them sign it off as fixed. I am assuming these are a Fix-it ticket. Though, it does suk. :halloween

 

nope...only the officer issuing the ticket can do this...

 

I have not received a fixit ticket for about 4 years or so, but I had a buddy of mine right it off for me with no problems, mailed it in and wala, no problems. Maybe it's a Cali thing.

 

Yep. MD does it that way too. Any officer can sign it off.

 

Nevada is the same way. Of course some of them you can fix pretty easily. Remove the license cover, it goes right back on. Order some small red Reflactive concepts decals, even just red squares, and apply anywhere (red HEMI decal for side badge perhaps?") Front plate you may just have to bite a bullet on, and the front tint is illegal is almost every state I think unless you have a doctor's waiver.
A buddy of mine in cali once had an old Belair that he extensively modified. He was pulled over, probably ran his mouth, and ended up with 2,000 in fines and had to return the vehicle to stock (He says there is some law about not changing factory things like lowering it, rims, even the antenae???) I dont know about that but he did say his car was impounded because he never fixed it.

 

I'm still so pissed, I can't sleep!

Great. Then you can go outside and make your car legal.

 

What he said!

 

Its funny when people Mod the car out of the legal limit and then blame someone else . :grin:

 

I guess that's why the vendors that sell these parts put disclaimers on their web sites saying that the mods may be illegal for street use and to check local laws. Might be a good idea before shelling out the big bucks. Of course, just because they may be legal locally doesn't mean you won't get gigged for them if you travel.

 

I've seen more than a few people here say they got pulled over becuase of the cop being jealous of thier car....come on now.....REALLY????? As a cop of over 18 years, I can guarantee that no one is getting pulled over for that reason. Some of the reasons may seem silly and petty, but jealousy of someones car is not the reason. It makes me LOL everytime I read that...serously. Just the fact that someone would really believe that is quite funny.

The bottom line is if anyone makes illegal mods to thier car, regardless of how minor, they are still illegal. If someone make those mods knowing they are illegal, then there is no one to blame but themselves.

Just a thought.....

 

I couldn't help but notice that your front windows are tinted.

 

Or get a petition going and change the CA laws. Good luck with that one.......

 

Mob, Your car does look great! But sometimes I think they let one or two small things go. The front plate & tint will get you stopped around here all the time. The same thing happened to me years ago. Stopped me for no front plate and they got everything else why they had me.

 

You just had an officer that was doing his job. Yeah, at times cops choose to look the other way, then at times, all violations are on the radar (once heard of an officer giving his neighbor a seat belt ticket as the pulled out of the driveway), but hey there is a subjectivity to the objectivity of the law. So basically, you have to take the issues he wrote you up for, turn that frown upside down, and correct them. Sucks for the cool factor, but again, its in the interest of "Public Safety"

 

Great! Another cop bashing thread by someone complaining about getting tickets for something illegal. AND it includes the standard "The cop is jealous of my car" statement as well as some **** and some $$! Whoopeeee!

Isn't there somebody dealing drugs to kids or raping someone that he should be worrying about?

Much to your disappointment........ I guess not.

 

Ooooooooooooooooo. that was a good one.

Agreed. If you have the mods that are not legal, expect to get tickets for it. Take it like it is and pay or fix it. I have 20% tints on my car, and hope that I don't get pulled over, but I know if I do, that is on me. Simple way to avoid fix it tickets is not to put the mods on unless you are ready for the consequences that follow. Just my .02 cents.

Shhhhhhhhhhh....... a good amount of south florida cops on here :silenced:

I just wanna get something straight...if my car has no illegal mods but looks like a "perp" car because it has black rims, lowered and has LEGAL tint on the side windows...can a cop legally pull me over because my car looks like a "perp" car?

I seriously believe that is a very fair question. I don't think it is a fair reason for somebody to get pulled over though.

 

I may be wrong, but I think putting on different CAI's or Catback systems are illegal in some states. I kind of agree, while your car is sweet, it does scream " look at me". Sometimes you get the unwanted kind of attention.

 

Its bad out here in the FF/Suisun area. I had just returned home from a trip out of town and i was driving my wifes armada no plates because its new black w/24's and tint all around. I got pulled over because the offficer wanted to make sure the car wasn't stolen. I'm O.K. with that because I know he is doing us all a service. Black on Black does seem to attract the police, same car visiting colorado officer almost runs over another vehicle to pull me over.I dont believe in advertising for the dealerships so I took off the plates. He pulled me over because they have these huge papers that you have to display showed him I was form Cali and he let me leave with the tip that I would probably be stopped again. Sorry for the long post but we have learn to live with the choices we make, and to our fellow charger bros(officers) cut us some slack and pull over the imports and other less worthy cars out there,.. much respect and thank you for doing your job!!!

 

Hehehehe - hysterical thread..... :grin:

 

It's kinda like people watching in front of the court house. :smoke:

 

I think it's safe to say that most of us would have done the same if we were in his shoes. It's his job, though that sucks for you. But really, would you seriously rather have him chasing down rapists in your small town? I live in a small town too and I also have a daughter. I'd rather be pulled over for routine traffic stuff than have true danger in my town.

 

actually im thankful to the cops that pulled me over one of em could have impounded my car and the other chose not to give me a speeding ticket. Must of been the charger.

 

One would be suprised to know how many "nothing better to do-routine traffic stops for minor infractions" produce large narcotic busts and the arrests of wanted people.

 

You did those mods knowing that they were illegal. I don't have a problem with that. I've got a couple small infractions on my car as well. But when you get stopped for those mods that you know are illegal, take your lumps like a man and go on. Don't get on here and whine about police harrassment.

If you only had one or two minor mods that were illegal, you might slide by. But when you start piling them up, it's hard for the cops to ignore. It's almost like you're slapping them in the face. And, from what I understand, CA is one of the most stringent states when it comes to enforcing equipment violations.

It seems to me that you were sorta asking for it.

 

You did those mods knowing that they were illegal. I don't have a problem with that. I've got a couple small infractions on my car as well. But when you get stopped for those mods that you know are illegal, take your lumps like a man and go on. Don't get on here and whine about police harrassment.

If you only had one or two minor mods that were illegal, you might slide by. But when you start piling them up, it's hard for the cops to ignore. It's almost like you're slapping them in the face. And, from what I understand, CA is one of the most stringent states when it comes to enforcing equipment violations.

It seems to me that you were sorta asking for it.

Depends where in Cali you live. If you live in the desert where there ain't chit but the desert, of course you'll get pulled over for any silly violation. If your in Los Angeles county, the only thing that they will pull you over for is no front or rear license plate or cracked windshield.

 

Agreed. If you have the mods that are not legal, expect to get tickets for it. Take it like it is and pay or fix it. I have 20% tints on my car, and hope that I don't get pulled over, but I know if I do, that is on me. Simple way to avoid fix it tickets is not to put the mods on unless you are ready for the consequences that follow. Just my .02 cents.

 

state inspection

take it to a state inspection place and see if it passes and fight the ticket that way. just cause he's a cop does not make him an expert on the state inspections.

 

take it to a state inspection place and see if it passes and fight the ticket that way. just cause he's a cop does not make him an expert on the state inspections.

You are correct, but in some states the police can use the vehicle code or the inspection code and then write a tag/enforce both. Thats where you get the turn light stuff, lowering or altering the vehicle and yes window tint. Most inspection codes all refer to proper equipment as Stock Equipment or OEM. I would request a hearing, be cool and do your homework, a traffic hearing is your right!!

 

This is why my car will always remain stock on the outside...It's your fault you
got a ticket. The cop was doing his job....

 

I just wanna get something straight...if my car has no illegal mods but looks like a "perp" car because it has black rims, lowered and has LEGAL tint on the side windows...can a cop legally pull me over because my car looks like a "perp" car?

 

What you mean you have nothing illegal?
No front plate is illegal
Tinted tail lights are illegal

 

to the op, all i can tell you is get to know your local pd. if you work in folsom (it is a small fairly crime free place) go out to lunch at the places cops attend on their lunch. bullsh*t with them about whatever.

i can tell you right now your car isnt anything special in folsom. the police wouldnt give you a second look unless you were up to something shady in their opinion. i worked in folsom for 3 years when i was at intel, i had a few run ins but i was always respectful. im guessing by the way this cop wrote you up, you were not.

 

See, GM, I do have some restraint: I waited until the recrimination factor went both ways, and let the rest of them get it out of their system.


Y'all know how I feel about tint laws - the "perp-mobile" comment was hilarious, I thought. Yeah, lots of wanted criminals on the run have a brand-new, financed, and sharply customized Dodge Charger, I see them everywhere - NOT. Chester the Child-Molester was on the run in a white 86 Chevy Celebrity withOUT tinted windows, wonder how he managed to slide by the uber-attentive officers for so long (two years)? Oh, that's right, he drove a smoking POS with cracked glass and pieces falling off of it. Y'all never seem to think it through - CRIMINALS drive junk they stole or can throw away, NICE cars belong to hard-working American Citizens who pay their taxes, and their fines when you harrass them for a MILDLY customized vehicle like the one driven by the OP.

I've watched COPS for twenty years, and I've NEVER seen the guy in the new Corvette busted for crack possession, it's always a couple of idiots in a four-door 89 Caprice or a 92 Honda Civic with ripped up interior. Here's a clue, since I know how tough it is to "protect the public" while respecting the rights against unreasonable search: People who are drug users/sellers, wanted, violent etc. are USUALLY driving the POS with piles of fast-food wrappers, cigarrette packs and trash all over their floors (see COPS). I've never seen a NICE car on Cops disgorge a horde of violent, armed child-molesters on PCP....

You know it's true, y'all just don't want to admit that if you went after the POS kind of car your days would be even busier than they are, and filled with tons more trivial paperwork. Most of those violations would be better service to the public though, as you would be taking the truly 'unsafe' vehicles out of service, along with the person with no DL, no insurance, and probably a couple of warrants.

Geeze, how hard can it be? I can stand on a bridge and point out cars carrying a violater/user, and which ones probably aren't. Betcha I'd be right more times than not, too. Must be my early association with the 'wrong crowd' or something, but it's pretty obvious to me who is and who ain't trying to duck the law. If your gonna profile, admit it and get it right, otherwise it's just prejudice (meaning to pre-judge - like the "perpmobile" comment, clear evidence of LEO prejudice) And let's face it, if you want to check out the driver of the tinted "perp-mobile" fine, do it, and tell them honestly that's what you wanted. Then when you find they are in violation of nothing but a few mild equipment infractions , you could try understanding their annoyance and let them go without that stupid "I have to write it up" line. If you can pass 200 people a day using a cell-phone while driving without writing THEM up, you can let the kid with tints go too. You already know he is doing no harm and not wanted at that point, why make an enemy for life? Because that's what you do. Do you really think the OP has a good and helpful attitude towards police now?


To the OP, you live in a world where getting noticed gets you NOTICED - in your state you're gonna have a lot more issues due to the unreasonable laws against customization passed by your state legislature. Get involved, get active with SEMA, join the campaign to reverse silly-season laws targeting only those legal enthusiasts. Just like gun laws, the bad guys ignore them, the good guys pay the price. Your tint IS illegal, and they'll hassle you for it every time they see you, while in the barrio and ghetto they'll let 50 cars go by with 10% limo on them and let it go - 'cause it ain't worth the paperwork and the driver will just be driving another $1200 POS the next week with the same dark tint. Meanwhile, you'll get written up for your tint, and my 62 year old Dad will get written up for the blue-dots in his street-rod taillights. Once a year they'll catch some uppity drug-dealer in a Caddillac DTS he just bought and use that to justify their actions against nice rides.


Good to see you taking the pole position again GM - getting a little harder to justify every time though on that same weak argument 'sometimes we DO find a bad guy'.....but then I also think searching 80year old grandmothers and confiscating their knitting needles on an airline is silly too, especially when it's justified by 'occasionally we DO find a terrorist plot'. You can use the 'once in a while' justification only so far, until the burden on the population becomes onerous.

REB

 

See, GM, I do have some restraint: I waited until the recrimination factor went both ways, and let the rest of them get it out of their system....
REB

By far, the best post on this subject. Thanks REB, I was beginning to feel pretty alone here.