[MissTwisties]

Few weeks ago I got pulled over for speeding. Going 75 in a 55 zone. (I thought the limit was 65, really). The cop was nice and gave me a warning for the speeding part BUT...he gave me a ticket for my "unlawful" license plate cover. It's clear plastic but tinted blue color. He said here in MA we can't have this covering license plates. The reason I had put this cover was to protect my plates that are HEAVILY damaged from the car accident I was in. The plates are literally cut and twisted. I had to bang them with a hammer to straighten them up. I walked by my car one day and scratch my leg against the sharp edges of the cutted plate. I went and bought plastic covers. When I called the DMV to request infos about hos to get new plates, she told me I should contest it and explain my reasons for the putting the covers in the first place.

My question is: if I go that route and contest the $30.00 ticket (or is it $35.00, can't remember), and I loose, can they turn this around and say "hey, you were stopped for speeding? You'll pay a fine for that too". Yes, it was written on the ticket that I was speeding 75 in a 55 zone.

[SSearchVT]

There's a good chance they can bring up the speeding and try to tack it on - you are making more work for them...

Are there any points with the plate ticket? If not - Pay the ticket - take the warning about the speed. Get a new plate - I'm sure Mass has a lost or damaged plate replacement.

[hessogood]

no

[JohnnyV]

Technically it might be a moving violation.... when I got pulled over for the same reason, I got a verbal but the cop said that it can go on my insurance and everything.

[TheIglu]

Just tell them that they singled you out because you are asian.

[mzdagrl]

Originally Posted by TheIglu

Just tell them that they singled you out because you are asian.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I would contest it. Anything having to do with plates is usually considered a moving violation, I would imagine. If they try to tack on the speeding, that had to be done at the time, it can't be charged later because now thye don't like you. At worst, you have to pay your $35 fine, at best you get new plates out of the deal.

[Kham]

Originally Posted by TheIglu

Just tell them that they singled you out because you are asian.

that would make it wors. damnit clayton. dont draw me into this.

[97BladeRider]

Good thing your car isn't a tuner's car, V. Those wings are just screaming to get ticketed.

[Billy]

Hmmm I would just pay the ticket. Similar situation happened to me. I got pulled over doing 42 in a 30 (biker cop in my town will pull you over for ANYTHING POSSIBLE).

Well he intially pulled me over for speeding and I didnt have my seatbelt on at the time (in my car). He said he was going to give me a warning for speeding but charge me $25 for the seatbelt.

So on the ticket he wrote that I was doing 42 in a 30, and the cost next to the violation he X'd out, but next to the seatbelt charge he put $25. When I got this years insurance policy from Commerce there was no surcharge for that ticket.

[SVRACER01]

heres a CRAAAZZYY idea..... take the fucking covers off (because ANYTHING COVERING YOUR LP IS ILLEGAL), go to the DMV and get new plates so you dont injure yourself again, change the plates (try not to hurt yourself), pay the ticket (unless the cop said if you fix it then it will be reduced) and quitcherbitchin

[smf]

Originally Posted by SVRACER01

heres a CRAAAZZYY idea..... take the fucking covers off (because ANYTHING COVERING YOUR LP IS ILLEGAL), go to the DMV and get new plates so you dont injure yourself again, change the plates (try not to hurt yourself), pay the ticket (unless the cop said if you fix it then it will be reduced) and quitcherbitchin

dont you know the logical solution is never the correct one??

seriuosly V, you got away with one. i'd get the plates straightened out, check with your insurance company about it being points or not and pay it. they can bring shit up if you contest.

[MissTwisties]

Ok I don't eally care about the petty $30.00, altho I could really put the money somewhere else right now. I was asking because of the points. I don't want my insurance to go up...so if anyone knows for sure if this will give me points or not, give me a link or osmething, that would be appreciated. I won't contest it if it won't appear anywhere. I will contest otherwise.

And you Mr. smartass SVRacer...I already ordered new plates! lol

[MissTwisties]

This is what I found online regarding inspection rules:

"License plate(s), shall be undamaged, securely mounted, clean and clearly visible. No bumper, trailer hitch or other accessory may interfere with a clear view of the license plates. The license plate must be mounted in the proper location on the rear of the vehicle if the vehicle has been issued one plate. Both license plates must be mounted in the proper location on the rear and front of the vehicle, if the vehicle has been issued two plates. Any decorative license plate or license plate replica not issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles on which the word “Massachusetts” appears must be removed from the vehicle."

When I read this, I don't see anything saying that the plates should not have a clear cover on them and that it is unlawful to have them. I only read that the plate must be clearly visible, with no object "blocking" the view. The covers I have on do not block the view whatsoever, and my plates are still "clearly visible". I am not saying that I will not take them off, I will. But I did call my insurance guy today and they told me I will have points taken and it will affect my insurance and driver's record. So in that light, I think I'm going to fight it.

[beet]

Stop hanging with kham V

[KillBill]

Cut your losses short and pay the fine. I got pulled over for the same thing but did not get a ticket. Did they pass your car inspection with them on? If they did, they shouldn't have. Most shops will be cool and just tell you to take em' off.

Don't give them a reason to milk you for more money

[MissTwisties]

Like I said, it's NOT the petty $30 I have to pay, it's the POINTS that will go on my drivers record and raise my insurances. I'm pissed right now, I'll get my rates racked up for something I didn't know was against "the law". Again like I said, I'm still not convinced as this is not "clearly" written that it is illegal.

[KillBill]

I understand your point. A judge would say to you, it's your responsibilty to know what is legal and not legal. Does that mean that you can claim no responsibilty for your actions simply due to the fact that you didn't know it wasn't legal? I don't think so.

Just playing devils advocate.

[SVRACER01]

Originally Posted by MissTwisties

This is what I found online regarding inspection rules:

" clean and clearly visible. "

this is where it says it. your covering the plate. therefor NOT clearly visible. it may be clear "colored" but it still covers the plate. its not as reflective with the cover on reg stickers could be fake... the list goes on. its the same reason they make you take your license OUT of the little license holder in your wallet when buying beer. they want to see the plate. im with you. its stupid. its clear. whats the big deal. the big deal is, its a grey area and the cop had to write you for something and that was it instead of a speeding ticket. you could try and fight it. maybe he wont show up. not likely. but maybe. maybe hell reduce it. maybe youll get screwed. if you found that under moving violations... then yes ...you will get points.

[ChrisNoF4i]

Originally Posted by KillBill

Does that mean that you can claim no responsibilty for your actions simply due to the fact that you didn't know it wasn't legal? I don't think so.

It worked for Dave Chappelle's buddy.

"I'm sorry officer, I.......didn't know I couldn't do that."

[KillBill]

Originally Posted by ChrisNoF4i

It worked for Dave Chappelle's buddy.

"I'm sorry officer, I.......didn't know I couldn't do that."

Sprinkle some crack on him and let's get outta here

[MissTwisties]

Originally Posted by KillBill

Does that mean that you can claim no responsibilty for your actions simply due to the fact that you didn't know it wasn't legal?
Just playing devils advocate.

I understand that, it's not that I don't want to take responsibility here. I just question stuff like that, when it is not CLEARLY defined where I broke the law, stuff like that pisses me off. In other words, I simply have to STFU, not question the law which I think is unclear, and just endure to get more points on my record. Fine. I'll do it, but just because he "could have" got me with the speeding ticket, more money to pay, and probably more points too. If it was not because of the risk I'd be taking to get nailed for the speeding part, I'd fight it 100mph!!

[slaps76]

You want to find out if it will add points? Call your insurance agent and ask.

I wouldn't think any points will be added...doesn't sound like a "moving violation" to me.

[MissTwisties]

Originally Posted by slaps76

You want to find out if it will add points? Call your insurance agent and ask.

I wouldn't think any points will be added...doesn't sound like a "moving violation" to me.

I did call them, they told me it would. But I don't know, they've been wrong before. I wanted to call teh RMV, but there seem to be no phone number to reach them...weird.