ticketed in Virginia for having a radar detector

[loneshark]

hello everyone, so as the title states, i got pulled today for having a radar detector. cop said he detected my detector, it was an old Cobra that ive used for about 5 years now, for about 2 years here in Virginia. It was given to me and it has worked flawlessly. its saved me hundreds maybe thousands of dollars in speeding fines, and insurance rate hikes. i never thought to look into VG2 and Spectre 1,2 or 3... until now.

reason im posting today is to ask, why are radar detectors illegal in Virginia?

please dont answer because VA sucks, or they need to make income somehow, or because it interferes with police or military operations (if you cant provide substantial proof) or any other open ended answer that is not legitimate as those answer are bureaucratic boloney.

cop was a real ass from the moment he approached the window, mean, and pushy. plus he confiscated my detector.

when he approached he asked for my detector, i told him i no. he said well there 2 things that can happen, you can give it to me, or i can search your car. so i gave it to him. he walked off and came back with a ticket.

so i knew he was in a bad mood, so i tried to be nice to him and talk to him, and not give him **** like most people do when they get pulled, and i asked him, so how did you detect me? he says i have a radar detector detector, i asked, can i see the reading? he says no, but you can turn around and look and see that box on the dash, thats the detector, i said i thought i was allowed to see the reading, arent i allowed to see the reading of a radar gun and the calibration date ? (and mind you i wasnt being a dick about it, i was being cool) but he tells me no, and dont try and tell me how to do my job. i will bring the calibration data to court and show the judge. so i ask him, can i have my detector back? he says no, if you want it the judge will decide if you can have it back. i said, what for real? he says yea when you lie to me about not having one and try to tell me how to do my job you give me no choice. do you have any more questions... i says, yea... can i go now?

i feel naked now driving without one.

[erickonphoenix]

Detectors are typically illegal because they are perceived as devices to aid drivers to break speed limits. VA has a strong central legislature so it's easy for them to activate and maintain laws like this.

Your Cobra is probably one of the easiest detectors for a Spectre to detect. I'm amazed it lasted as long as it did. Also, I didn't know VA confiscated detectors? I thought they took the SN and returned it with the ticket?? Is this your first detector ticket?

At any rate, take the opportunity to upgrade to a Spectre immune RD. All of Escorts top shelf models are immune to the Spectre series. But of course, be advised no windshield mounted detector is immune to an officers eyes.

[loneshark]

thanks. yea unfortunately we all know the truth that the law exists to create income, but that is unjust !

and yes, this is my first detector ticket ever. im looking into the escort redline. yes

but the detector was mounted way high and left, just under the tint line on the top of the windsheild.

[loneshark]

thanks. yea unfortunately we all know the truth that the law exists to create income, but that is unjust !

and yes, this is my first detector ticket ever. im looking into the escort redline. yes

but the detector was mounted way high and left, just under the tint line on the top of the windsheild.

[krypton2]

Nothing requires the officer/trooper to show you the "reading" on the radar detector detector (if there even still is one...do those things lock in?)...

Nothing requires an officer/trooper to show you a speed reading either. If the officer chooses to do so (or for some odd reason his department requires it) then that's up to him, but honestly on the side of the road that's a dangerous thing to do anyway.

Sorry to hear about your trouble with the radar detector though

[SteadySpeedin]

The cop did you a favor... Now, buy a good radar detector that can detect well and not be detected

[loneshark]

thanks, yea i was just trying to talk to the poor guy, cuz its was obvious he hates being a cop. i did my public service in the navy for 6 years and never talked down to civilians like that when i had to search them during gate watches, even when i found pocket knives and contraband... i was just trying to spark a conversation. i ASKED him if i could see his equipment, i never TOLD him he had to show it to me.

a favor ??? 100 bucks for the ticket, 100 dollar loss on a detector, and now 3-500 on a new detector. you say thats a favor ? last i checked we are in a down economy. i dont have this kind of money for this crapola.

im a full time college student, i cant get hired in the field i want, and i live in a common wealth. FML. lol.

this is what i get for waxing my Cobalt blue car last weekend, the shine on her is amazing !

[dr_King]

The mentality of VA lawmakers.........

1) There is no legitimate excuse for a radar detector
2) Detectors are only used to elude police
3) All "extra equipped" vehicles with radar detectors, CB, etc are
running drugs.
This is what your up against.
Confiscated property means there should be an evidence voucher. Property no longer as evidence should be returned as there is no law on mere ownership of a RD. So did he voucher it or just decide to go into business for himself by selling what he confiscates ? The old days they would give YOU the choice of crushing it under the car wheels or you get the ticket cause he has to fill out more paperwork if he takes it.

[titter]

My question here becomes, is his radar detector detector probably cause to search a vehicle? If you stayed firm on your first statement, and denied his search ... then what?

[Hunter]

The redline should serve you well.