car impounded on the way to Bimmerfest

to be continued...

it appears that you were made an example of by over zealous police officers who had an agenda. wrong place, wrong time. sht happens man

If they towed everone who did 80 mph, the police would be doing nothing else. N4S

A ticket is one thing, a freeking tow and impound for 30 days? Did they really impound your car for 30 days? How the hell can they do that?

Originally Posted by NASA43

A ticket is one thing, a freeking tow and impound for 30 days? Did they really impound your car for 30 days? How the hell can they do that?

i wish i knew! but today i start my mission

Originally Posted by highyo

it appears that you were made an example of by over zealous police officers who had an agenda. wrong place, wrong time. sht happens man

+1 sounds like a real injustice....I do feel your pain....

BTW - no consolation but last year traveling to Bimmerfest East - Maryland State Police appeared to be on a hair trigger and closely monitored many attendees driving on 95. I saw a number of guys pulled over and I drove much slower than I usually drive on 95. BMW caravans appear to constitute an irresistible target rich environment.

Quick update;

Thanks for the comments. But i got my car back the Monday following Bimmerfest. $350 bucks!!!! Definitely fighting this!

The problem with activities like Bimmerfest is that you will have an above average traffic laws violations, in and out of the activity itself, in that area. So the Police response will be above average, like it or not.

Good idea of hiring a lawyer.

Originally Posted by Technic

The problem with activities like Bimmerfest is that you will have an above average traffic laws violations, in and out of the activity itself, in that area. So the Police response will be above average, like it or not.

Good idea of hiring a lawyer.

A ticket is one thing. I just dont see how they can impound your car unless you were were charged with other offenses (eg, DUI, drugs, guns, etc...). Cali law allows police to impound your car for speeding? And pretty low level speeding. I assume the speed limit was 70. Jeez, people run 100 mph in Alabama on I65 and all you get is a ticket.

Sorry to hear about that... But bravo for taking it to court. If there's no radar reading and no "evidence" of speed, it's his word against yours. And typically officers are negligent about showing up for their tickets that go to court. If he doesn't show, it's likely it will be thrown out because there's no one to testify against you. This is all hypothetical of course... If this happened to me, I would raise holy hell.... Let us know what happens.

Keep in mind that if the officer does show, his opinion on your speed trumps any other opinion....an officer's visual estimate of your speed is considered the most reliable evidence over any other evidence or your testimony...It is not fair, but that seems to be how it works..been there, done that.......http://s1.bimmerfest.com/forums/imag...ies/cursin.gif

Keep in mind that if the officer does show, his opinion on your speed trumps any other opinion....an officer's visual estimate of your speed is considered the most reliable evidence over any other evidence or your testimony...It is not fair, but that seems to be how it works..been there, done that.......

Originally Posted by taxguru

Sorry to hear about that... But bravo for taking it to court. If there's no radar reading and no "evidence" of speed, it's his word against yours. And typically officers are negligent about showing up for their tickets that go to court. If he doesn't show, it's likely it will be thrown out because there's no one to testify against you. This is all hypothetical of course... If this happened to me, I would raise holy hell.... Let us know what happens.

An expert witness (which a police officer is considered one) wins in a she-said-he-said argument. Also, the cops are typically given a financial incentive to show up at the court. So, it probably won't be as simple as you describe.

How exactly would you raise "holy hell"? As unfortunate as it is, "raising hell" isn't a good course of action.

I think the OP is doing the right thing by securing a competent legal counsel who can deal with the issue.

I agree with the plan. Too bad, very sad.

Originally Posted by leejak

Keep in mind that if the officer does show, his opinion on your speed trumps any other opinion....an officer's visual estimate of your speed is considered the most reliable evidence over any other evidence or your testimony...It is not fair, but that seems to be how it works..been there, done that.......

The officer will show. Unfortunately for me the citation given was a misdemeanor and is a mandatory appearance for me. So I’m guessing he will be there. And officers are paid overtime for court appearances as they are usually scheduled on their days off.

Update:
Charges were dropped to a 1 point speeding ticket and fines were dropped due to the fee's i paid to get the car out of impound. traffic school here i come.