Problem with Police Delivery of Testimony

**NETWizz** · 07-11-2011, 11:12 AM

Okay, I know from personal experience that the Police lie in Traffic court ALL the time. I was doing jury duty and had to explain it to the rest of the jurors that the officer very well might be stretching the truth to deliver bullet-proof testimony as they are trained and rehearsed. I have heard it dozens of times in court... This is ALWAYS how they deliver it at least in my area and from what I have heard:

Rehearsed Testimony:
I was driving down pickpocket road and estimated Mr. Smith was traveling 63 in a 45 - Using RADAR I clocked Mr. Smith at 61 and issued a citation... Their phony estimate is always about 2 MPH off... it makes them look good and professional to the court's (and the jury), but it is usually made-up testimony.

The truth (verified by my detector and experience):

Scenario 1: I will be driving the Posted Speed Limit (i.e. 35 in a 35) as the only car on the road and still get hit at point blank range via Instant-On to check if I am speeding... They aren't estimating first! If they were estimating there would be no *reasonable* reason to do an Instant-On check... or they are very bad at estimating... Obviously, I don't get pulled over in this case, but if I did I would get the ticket & the cop would then deliver his/her rehearsed speech about estimating the speed, first. It also pisses me off that they check for no reason. I feel the same as when they ask to see my Drvier's licence and I am not driving...

Scenario 2: I am driving and get an alert that very slowly ramps up over time as I get closer to the source or the source gets closer to me... Eventually I drive by a cop and/or he/she drives past me. He/she is relying on Constant-On RADAR and is NOT estimating anything... Probably has the Doppler audio turned off, too.

The point is that the part in red is the part of the story they totally make up. They are liars and cheats. Why not just say, "I was randomly taking speed readings and caught Mr. Smith speeding" or "I was just driving with my RADAR on and when Mr. Smith and I crossed paths, I noticed he was speeding, so I turned around and issued a citation." ???

**johndetroit** · 07-11-2011, 06:00 PM

Most of the videos I have taken show almost a mile of constant on radar. Or the LEOs hide behind a bridge abutment with laser where they have no idea of the vehicle’s approaching speed. The last traffic court I was in was pretty open as to its purpose. Words like speed trap were thrown about freely by the officers. It was pretty much let’s make a deal.

**NETWizz** · 07-11-2011, 08:06 PM

In my area they try to be dishonest about it... they act like it is all about safety and a real, serious crime. Basically, they put on a whole show and the people believe it, when there is a hidden agenda (to make money)

**Oyusan** · 07-12-2011, 09:59 AM

I've been pulled over for going 71/55 when I was actually going 55. My first guess is that he did it for a reason to pull me over and write me a ticket. My second guess is that he mistook my red mustang with another innocent looking car. I got off with a verbal warning for speed and a tint ticket. More accurate is that cops lie and/or stretch the truth in everything - not just traffic court.

In all fairness, I've got to point out that some cops are honest and completely reasonable. I have been pulled over many times and left with a warning when I DESERVED a ticket.

**atticuss187** · 07-12-2011, 02:35 PM

Remember, in traffic court, we are guilty until proven innocent. It's their job to lie, and it's our job to learn the laws and do our research to catch them in their lies. It's unfair, but unfortunately, that's how traffic court works. And btw, cops never estimate speed...ever. They are trained to, but it literally never happens.

**johndetroit** · 07-12-2011, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Oyusan

More accurate is that cops lie and/or stretch the truth in everything - not just traffic court.

In all fairness, I've got to point out that some cops are honest and completely reasonable. I have been pulled over many times and left with a warning when I DESERVED a ticket.

Most State police do have a higher level of honor and professionalism. I was pulled over as the “Ford” in front of me was clocked doing over the PSL. I told the State LEO that he should have pulled the Ford over instead of my Camaro. He asked for all the paperwork. Came back and told be to observe the speed laws and let me off. I just guess that the Ford took an exit and got lucky?

I guess my question is how many months or years does it take before a LEO starts to bend the truth and then just figures it is them against us?

**VanMan** · 07-18-2011, 08:53 PM

It's almost all about money and like any business, police are employees charged to make money. No, public administration should not work that way but it does. Economic times make this worse, as people are getting pulled over for even lower than traditional speed thresholds, charged with more BS, and given harder outcomes in court. If it was about safety, a common outcome would not be after going to court you PAY the system to avoid getting points on your license.

The only people I see as safety hazards are ones doing 100+ on public roads, hauling ass in school zones and construction zones with people everywhere, weaving in and out of traffic like a madman, driving 3 inches from someone's bumper at 75 MPH, getting high off alcohol or other substances and going for a spin, or the like. Driving the flow of traffic like 75 in a 55 with a 10 car following distance in the left lane is not a clear and present safety threat to anyone and may be less of a threat given that 10 car following distance shows the driver knows how to drive drive. That's government for you, and why I left to go to the private sector as there is so much BS within govt.