Multiple tickets issued by another officer w/ loss of sight

[kazslo]

Illinois

Hi, the other day I received 3 tickets: 2 for Disobeying a Stop Sign and one for 64 in a 25. The basic story is I was running from an erratic driver who got out of his car to get me after I accidentally cut him off when he was in my blind spot. I knew I couldn't stop, so I went down residential streets (since it was 2 am) to avoid blowing any lights.

An officer claimed to be following us for a good 2 miles staying about a 1/4 mile back. He said he was running parallel to us for most of the time. When he came up, he did not turn on his lights, the person chasing me turned off that street and the officer followed him. About half a mile after that after I turned onto another road I was pulled over by another officer who was going the opposite way.

He asked if I had an altercation and I said yes we did, that someone was chasing me. He radioed the other officer that he was "going to get credit for these tickets". He issued me the 3 tickets, and said I could go to the police station to speak with the officer who saw everything. I did so and thats how I found out the information in the previous paragraph. I said I wanted to file charges against the other driver, they rolled their eyes and told me I'll have my day in court then shut the door.

My issues are that:
1. The officer who issued the tickets did not see anything.
2. There was time in-between when the officer last saw me and when I was pulled over - I had a passenger in the car, so who is to say that I was the driver in the altercation.
3. I was in front of the other driver, so how would the officer be able to radar me going 64.
4. If all of this erratic driving was occuring, why weren't we immediately pulled over, or why did he not turn on his lights.

Would any of the above hold up in court, or should I hire a lawyer?

THANKS!

[JETX]

Originally Posted by kazslo

1. The officer who issued the tickets did not see anything.

Not relevant.. since the officer who did witness your violations will make appearance at court.

There was time in-between when the officer last saw me and when I was pulled over - I had a passenger in the car, so who is to say that I was the driver in the altercation.

The officer that cited you.

I was in front of the other driver, so how would the officer be able to radar me going 64.

Hmmm... pretty easy. Two cars going the same speed (or even you going faster than the one 'clocked').

If all of this erratic driving was occuring, why weren't we immediately pulled over, or why did he not turn on his lights.

Not relevant... though you can certainly ask at court.

Would any of the above hold up in court, or should I hire a lawyer?

Of course, no one can guess what 'might hold up' or not. And an attorney likely can't help you to beat those tickets. The best a lawyer is likely to do is to negotiate a reduction or plea agreement to a lessor charge or charges.