Iowa speeding violation, vehicle description on the ticket is incorrect

[Tenshu]

I recently got a speeding ticket for 13 mph over the limit. It was definitely a speed trap. I had seen the cop about a half mile ahead of me with his lights on looking like he had pulled someone over. I moved over to the left lane and drove past him cautiously. When I was driving by him I noticed that the car that I thought he had pulled over was just another cop car. As I went past them one of them pulled out and proceeded to pull me over. I was in disbelief as were the other two passengers in my car. None of us thought I was speeding. The passenger in the front seat got out my insurance and registration from the glove box and I gave it to the officer. However, without knowing, my old registration was given to him. After I got to my destination I looked at the ticket and noticed that the vehicle description was my old car, a silver 98' escort (sedan). I was driving a Black 13' Equinox (SUV).

Now do I have a shot of contesting this ticket? He was obviously in such a rush that he did not care to double check the ticket which means he could have been careless when pulling the correct vehicle over or clocking me. Or is it possible I could some how get in more trouble for "providing false information" on the ticket even though I did not do it knowingly?

Thanks for your input.

 

[sandyclaus]

I recently got a speeding ticket for 13 mph over the limit. It was definitely a speed trap. I had seen the cop about a half mile ahead of me with his lights on looking like he had pulled someone over. I moved over to the left lane and drove past him cautiously. When I was driving by him I noticed that the car that I thought he had pulled over was just another cop car. As I went past them one of them pulled out and proceeded to pull me over. I was in disbelief as were the other two passengers in my car. None of us thought I was speeding. The passenger in the front seat got out my insurance and registration from the glove box and I gave it to the officer. However, without knowing, my old registration was given to him. After I got to my destination I looked at the ticket and noticed that the vehicle description was my old car, a silver 98' escort (sedan). I was driving a Black 13' Equinox (SUV).

Now do I have a shot of contesting this ticket? He was obviously in such a rush that he did not care to double check the ticket which means he could have been careless when pulling the correct vehicle over or clocking me. Or is it possible I could some how get in more trouble for "providing false information" on the ticket even though I did not do it knowingly?

Thanks for your input.

Sounds like a harmless mistake on the part of the officer. He simply copied down the info on the registration YOU gave him. Yes, there is the fact that he didn't double-check the make and model of the vehicle, which points to inattention on the officer's part. But providing false information? Not even close.

You could certainly try to contest the ticket on the questionable items you brought up, but I wouldn't count on it to get you off.

 

[ecmst12]

More likely to get no registration added to your list of charges.

 

[ecmst12]

Also, a police car that is clearly visible on the side of the road is not a "speed trap" by any definition.

 

[Tenshu]

I don't see how I could get that added to the list when I had it in my car and just happened to give the officer the wrong one. If he would have caught it and said something I obviously would have presented the correct one and I can also present the correct one in court.

 

[Zigner]

I don't see how I could get that added to the list when I had it in my car and just happened to give the officer the wrong one. If he would have caught it and said something I obviously would have presented the correct one and I can also present the correct one in court.

In other words, you intentionally presented a FALSE document.

 

[tranquility]

I don't see how I could get that added to the list when I had it in my car and just happened to give the officer the wrong one. If he would have caught it and said something I obviously would have presented the correct one and I can also present the correct one in court.

You have the duty to:

321.32 REGISTRATION CARD CARRIED AND EXHIBITED.
A vehicle's registration card shall at all times be carried in the
vehicle to which it refers and shall be shown to any peace officer
upon the officer's request.

The officer requested it, did you show it?

 

[Tenshu]

I already stated that the passenger in the front seat grabbed a registration and my insurance. He happened to grabbed the wrong one. The registration he grabbed was my old vehicle. That registration is valid until my new one comes in the mail. So if anything I UNKNOWINGLY gave the officer an expired registration and did not notice until later that night. He obviously did not notice at all because he would have said something and then I could have given him the correct one.

 

[Zigner]

I already stated that the passenger in the front seat grabbed a registration and my insurance. He happened to grabbed the wrong one. The registration he grabbed was my old vehicle. That registration is valid until my new one comes in the mail. So if anything I UNKNOWINGLY gave the officer an expired registration and did not notice until later that night. He obviously did not notice at all because he would have said something and then I could have given him the correct one.

YOU gave him the incorrect document.

 

[Tenshu]

I am not claiming I didnt, and the fact you are saying I did it intentially is ludacrous. I presented the officer with what I thought was my current registration. If someone gave him an expired registration and he did not notice what would happen? The person would be asked to present a current one. This is what basically happened to me. I can present current registration that matches my vehicle description. Except this is about the description of the car in question. The fact that he did not notice this hurts his credibility. If he cant notice the vehicle description is completely wrong, that makes me question whether or not he got the correct car or even looked at the speed correctly because quite honestly there was no way in hell I was going 13 mph over the limit when I saw him parked with his lights on a half a mile away at least.

I know this isnt the best analagy but think of it as a teacher grading a test. I may have missed an answer but it was counted correct. Now yes I shouldnt have missed that question but the teacher could have caught the mistake as well and counted it wrong. Who's credibility is hurt in that situation?

 

[Zigner]

I am not claiming I didnt, and the fact you are saying I did it intentially is ludacris. I presented the officer with what I thought was my current registration. If someone gave him an expired registration and he did not notice what would happen? The person would be asked to present a current one. This is what basically happened to me. I can present current registration that matches my vehicle description. Except this is about the description of the car in question. The fact that he did not notice this hurts his credibility. If he cant notice the vehicle description is completely wrong, that makes me question whether or not he got the correct car or even looked at the speed correctly because quite honestly there was no way in hell I was going 13 mph over the limit when I saw him parked with his lights on a half a mile away at least.

I know this isnt the best analagy but think of it as a teacher grading a test. I may have missed an answer but it was counted correct. Now yes I shouldnt have missed that question but the teacher could have caught the mistake as well and counted it wrong. Who's credibility is hurt in that situation?

The problem is that you don't understand the meaning of intent in this context.

 

[Tenshu]

Then please explain it to me.

As far as the iowa code goes:

719.1A Providing false identification information.
A person who knowingly provides false identification information to anyone known by the person to be a peace officer, emergency medical care provider under chapter 147A, or fire fighter, whether paid or volunteer, in the performance of any act which is within the scope of the lawful duty or authority of that officer, emergency medical care provider, or fire fighter, commits a simple misdemeanor.

Do you really think I fall into that context because I dont. It is not like I gave a fake ID, a completely false registration, just simply an expired registration accidently that went unnoticed by both the officer and myself.

 

[Zigner]

Then please explain it to me.

As far as the iowa code goes:

719.1A Providing false identification information.
A person who knowingly provides false identification information to anyone known by the person to be a peace officer, emergency medical care provider under chapter 147A, or fire fighter, whether paid or volunteer, in the performance of any act which is within the scope of the lawful duty or authority of that officer, emergency medical care provider, or fire fighter, commits a simple misdemeanor.

Do you really think I fall into that context because I dont. It is not like I gave a fake ID, a completely false registration, just simply an expired registration accidently that went unnoticed by both the officer and myself.

Doesn't matter - we're not talking about a fake id, so your code section does not apply.

I haven't even touched on the fact that no reasonable person would believe your story...

 

[Silverplum]

I am not claiming I didnt, and the fact you are saying I did it intentially is ludacris.
{snip}
I know this isnt the best analagy but think of it as a teacher grading a test. I may have missed an answer but it was counted correct. Now yes I shouldnt have missed that question but the teacher could have caught the mistake as well and counted it wrong. Who's credibility is hurt in that situation?

You actually think that a rapper's "name" is the correct spelling of the word he mangled.



I always knew those moronic "names" would come to exactly this result.

 

[Tenshu]

That section of code doesnt apply? It is listed on my ticket as the false information clause. And what about witnesses?