Speeding and Agressive Trooper in SC

[hosemonkey]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? South Carolina (Ontario, CA)

Recently while driving home to Ontario from holiday I passed through South Carolina and was pulled over for speeding. The trooper who addressed me was quite rude and was actually aggressive, trying to get me to into an argument. He told me that I had been caught on laser radar doing 88mph in a 70mph zone by an officer standing on an overpass. I was NOT speeding at 88mph and in fact was stuck in a clump of about 10 cars, two of which were swerving in and out of traffic, none of which were stopped, all of which had US plates (except of course me!)

At the time I simply sat quietly in the truck and did not engage in discussion with the trooper as it was really obvious that he was looking for a reason to start an argument and did not want to be involved in any trouble while in the US. However, now at home, I want to know if there is something I can do.

The thought crossed my mind briefly to just pay the ticket, however $185 US is a lot to swallow, especially after enduring the troopers completely arrogant behaviour. I also thought about just ignoring it, but after some internet research, it sounds like an outstanding US ticket can come back to haunt you.

Any thoughts or advice?

[cyjeff]

Contact the trooper's boss about the stop.

Pay the fine. Or come back to SC and take it to court.

The trooper's behavior will have no bearing on your ticket.

[LSCAP]

I'll add,

And the trooper's boss will be upset at the trooper.

[patstew]

Originally Posted by LSCAP

I'll add,

And the trooper's boss will be upset at the trooper.

Until the boss hears the trooper's side of the story.

[Maestro64]

I think only NY and Canada have a deal to make sure ticket in either location are paid. However, if you plan to travel through the US or SC specifically you do not want to ignore it.

Now, on your LIDAR ticket if the officer was on an overpass that explains the high speed, they are suppose to aim at the front plate of the car, however since he is above the car, it more likely the beam "slipped" up or down the hood of the car which would make a car appear to be going faster then it really was.

Also, it easy for police in SC to know who is an out of state driver, it is all cars with front plates, SC is one of the few states that do not require a front plate.

Fighting ticket in SC is not easily and usually requires a lawyer.

[I_Got_Banned]

Originally Posted by Maestro64

I think only NY and Canada have a deal to make sure ticket in either location are paid.

I think you have it backwards, Maestro... NY is one of the few states which does not assess points for violations committed in Canada.

Originally Posted by Maestro64

Fighting ticket in SC is not easily and usually requires a lawyer.

Being out of the country (Canada) makes it even more difficult.

[Maestro64]

Originally Posted by I_Got_Banned

I think you have it backwards, Maestro... NY is one of the few states which does not assess points for violations committed in Canada.

Actually, I think i got it right

[url=http://www.nytrafficticket.com/Ontario/]Ontario Drivers WIth A New York Traffic Ticket[/url]

[url=http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmanual/chapter02-manual.htm#out-sta]NYS DMV - Driver's Manual - Chapter 2[/url]

[I_Got_Banned]

Originally Posted by Maestro64

[url=http://www.nytrafficticket.com/Ontario/]Ontario Drivers WIth A New York Traffic Ticket[/url]

What better than an online ad using scare tactics ad to prove half of your point.

Originally Posted by Maestro64

[url=http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmanual/chapter02-manual.htm#out-sta]NYS DMV - Driver's Manual - Chapter 2[/url]

OK, so while this proves the other half, and that I was wrong but it still says nothing about SC.

[Maestro64]

Like I said, NY is the only state I am presently aware of who has a specific relationship with Canada on tickets and it does go both ways. I have not hear or read about any other states with similar arrangements.

[I_Got_Banned]

Originally Posted by Maestro64

Like I said, NY is the only state I am presently aware of who has a specific relationship with Canada on tickets and it does go both ways. I have not hear or read about any other states with similar arrangements.

Gotcha...

And to further support your point as far as SC is concerned, the SC code does not mention Canada per se:

Title 56 - Motor Vehicles

CHAPTER 25.

NONRESIDENT TRAFFIC VIOLATOR COMPACTS

SECTION 56-25-10. Compacts enacted as law; duty of Department of Motor Vehicles

The Nonresident Traffic Violator Compacts of 1972 and 1977 (compacts) are enacted into law by reference and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein. The director of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall execute all documents and perform all other acts necessary to carry out the provisions of the compacts. The department shall maintain a current list of those jurisdictions which have entered into the compacts. The list and copies of the compacts shall from time to time be disseminated to those agencies and individuals who are responsible for enforcement of their provisions.

SECTION 56-25-20. Suspension of license for failure to comply with traffic citation or summons for litter violation; notification of licensing authority in compact jurisdiction.

When a South Carolina court or the driver licensing authority of a compact jurisdiction notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles that a resident of South Carolina or person possessing a valid South Carolina driver's license has failed to comply with the terms of a traffic citation or an official Department of Natural Resources summons for a littering violation issued in this or any compact jurisdiction, the department may suspend or refuse to renew the person's driver's license if the notice from a South Carolina court or the driver licensing authority of a compact jurisdiction is received no more than twelve months from the date on which the traffic citation or an official Department of Natural Resources summons for a littering violation was issued or adjudicated. The license must remain suspended until satisfactory evidence has been furnished to the department of compliance with the terms of the citation or an official Department of Natural Resources summons for a littering violation and any further order of the court having jurisdiction in the matter and until a reinstatement fee as provided in Section 56-1-390 is paid to the department. A person whose license is suspended under this section is not required to file proof of financial responsibility as required by the Financial Responsibility Act (Chapter 9 of Title 56) as a condition for reinstatement.

Upon notification by a South Carolina court that a nonresident licensed in a compact jurisdiction has failed to comply with the terms of a traffic citation or an official Department of Natural Resources summons for a littering violation, the department shall notify the licensing authority in the compact jurisdiction for such action as appropriate under the terms of the compacts.

SECTION 56-25-30. Release of violator on personal recognizance; release of nonresident licensed by compact jurisdiction.

Any law enforcement officer who issues to a person a uniform traffic citation may, in addition to any other action authorized by law and subject to the exceptions noted in this section, allow the person to proceed without first either having to post bond or appear before a magistrate, recorder or other judicial officer if the person accepts the citation. Such acceptance shall constitute the person's recognizance to comply with the terms of the citation.

When issuing a citation for a traffic violation to a nonresident who is licensed by a compact jurisdiction, if the law enforcement officer receives the person's recognizance as above-described, the officer shall not, subject to the exceptions noted below, require the person to post bond but shall allow the person to proceed.

SECTION 56-25-40. Violations for which person not entitled to release on personal recognizance; penalty for failure to appear as required by citation.

(a) No person shall be entitled to be released on personal recognizance pursuant to Section 56-25-30 if the officer requires the person to appear before a magistrate, recorder or other judicial officer or if the offense is:

(1) One which would result in the suspension or revocation of a person's license or privilege to drive under the laws of this State;

(2) A violation of Section 56-1-440 prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license;

(3) A violation of a highway weight limitation.

(b) Any person who willfully fails to appear before the court as required by a uniform traffic citation without having posted such bond as may be required by the court or been granted a continuance by the court shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.