Cops love this car. My newest window tint problem.

[AppleBonker]

Well, I'll apologize right away for the length of this, but the whole thing is BS. I'm not sure how I am going to proceed with this, but Illinois law sucks balls.

I was heading to work from the gym Friday morning (I do cardio in the morning, so I was wearing a wife beater and no work shirt yet so I don't sweat in it). I was merging from I-55 inbound (to Chicago) onto I-294 south (just for those around the Chi-town area that would be familiar). There were some semis in front of me and an SUV between the semis and myself. Since I love driving this car, I lagged back a bit and kept it in third gear (going about 35-40). Once the merge lane got to the highway, I punched it and merged over (into lane four if the far left lane is designated lane one). I was up to about 60 when I saw a car in my driver's side mirror. I recognized the yellow stripe on a white car (state trooper), so I began to coast. I didn't really merge that aggressively (and I certainly didn't cut anyone off or blow by people).

At this point, I rolled down my passenger window and opened the sun roof to let more light in so my front driver's window didn't look so dark. The cop then got behind me, so I thought I was screwed. Once behind me, I rolled down the driver's window and continued on at just under the speed limit (about 53 mph). I figured he was running my plates or something since he sat behind me for a while. I had to change lanes to get over to the IPass lanes (no stop tolling for those outside of Illinois). The cop continued to follow me. After the toll, he got over into the right line and pulled up beside me. He then dropped back a bit before pulling beside me and passing me again. I figured I was clear at this point, since he was now in front of me.

About this time, we are beginning to enter a construction zone, so I slowed down to the construction speed limit of 45 and moved into the right lane (since I was now being passed fairly consistently). I was being passed by numerous cars, semis and another three state troopers (not sure why they seemed to be out in force). A few cars even managed to get in between me and the trooper that was paying attention to me. I continued at this pace for a while longer (had I been smart about it, I would have gotten off the highway and taken side streets the rest of the way because I was in no rush, but I figured I was safe since the cop drove past me and seemed to leave me alone).

A bit further up the road, the cop got over as though he was going to get off the highway (I think at the 95th street exit). Once on the shoulder (and myself and a few other cars passed him), he jumped back into traffic behind me with about three cars separating us. I was still going the speed limit (and being passed mind you) and I remained in the far right lane. Eventually he moved to the middle lane and got back in behind me. At this point I knew I was in trouble, so I just waited to be pulled over. He finally flipped the lights on near the 127th street on ramp (where there is a shoulder - the construction zone has very limited spaces for stopping). So I pulled over and waited. Keep in mind that when he originally saw me and when he pulled me over were 10 miles apart (I double checked this distance on google maps).

When he approached the car, he asked like most cops, "Do you know why I pulled you over?". My response was completely honest, "Sir, to be honest I have no idea." He proceeded to tell me that my front windows were tinted, and I knew it was illegal and that is why I rolled them down when I saw him. I corrected him by saying that I rolled them down because I was coming from the gym and was still warm (not completely untrue). He then told me I also violated the proper lane usage law. He took my license and insurance and said he was going to issue me two citations. Side note: I've only had one other moving violation in my life (last June) but it was removed from my record once I completed the driver's safety course (though I'm sure removed from my record doesn't mean the police can't see it).

I waited 20 minutes for him to finally return to my car (yes, it took him that long to write the tickets). He gave me both and explained to me that the tickets would require a mandatory court appearance (WHAT?!?!?). He claimed that two tickets was a court appearance (I have never heard of this before), so I asked him to clarify that two tickets in the same traffic stop meant that I would have to go to court and he said yes. I then asked him to explain "improper lane usage" since I was unfamiliar with that violation. He told me that I needed to signal and check next to me before proceeding (which I obviously did). He then told me that I changed lanes in a "jerky" not "smooth" fashion, and that this is unsafe and can cause an accident. Completely baffled, I left it alone and let him continue talking. He then told me that had I seen him I would not have done this (remember he told me that I rolled my windows down because I saw him - two seemingly contradictory statements). Finally, he complimented me on my car and said it has a lot of "get up and go", but I needed to slow down (WTF is this guy talking about? I was going the speed limit and he didn't even issue me a warning for speeding, let alone a citation. What does speed have to do with any of this). Finally, he cautioned me about pulling back into traffic.

When I got to work, I asked a volunteer cop I work with to explain, and he couldn't. I then began looking up the laws I supposedly violated, and learned that improper lane usage is completely ambiguous. It states something about changing lanes safely, so it's a he-said-she-said deal. I can claim I changed lanes safely and he can claim I didn't. A judge will clearly side with him (cause let's face it, they're all going to look down on a "punk kid" like myself).

I figured I'd try to get out of the tint ticket by removing the tint on the front windows (the only part of my car that is illegal) and taking pictures to show the judge. Then I'd put them right back on since the law is completely bunk to begin with. I then found the vehicle code and looked up the window portion. Apparently, two tickets for window tints can get you charged with a Class C Misdemeanor. My jaw dropped. Apparently, in Illinois, window tints are considered comparable with assault and possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis (both also Class C Misdemeanors). I could actually end up with a criminal record over this? I am assuming this is what the cop meant by two tickets requiring a court appearance, though he was clearly a moron and couldn't explain the law that he was trying so very hard to uphold.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what I should do? I really don't want to have to keep my car with the front windows untinted and the back limo to appease the law (not only does it look like crap, it defeats all of the reasons I tinted the windows in the first place). Can I get out of the moving violation since it took him 10 MILES to pull me over? This law is completely bogus, and I am so very pissed off right now. I can't even begin to explain how disillusioned I am with the whole legal process right now. I have now lost any and all respect that I have for cops and the law any more. In fact, I keep hearing stories about cops getting injured and killed during drug raids and I am now completely indifferent to it. I would be more upset at this point to see a dog down by a car than a cop. I know it sounds terrible, but that is exactly how I feel. I am appalled that I've had roughly 6 run-ins with police in the last 15 months, when hardened criminals don't even get that much attention. And all I can ever be busted with is speeding (like every other driver on the road) or tinted windows. What am I doing so wrong that the cops like to pick on me?

I think my windows will still be tinted for Carlisle, but it seems the tints will be coming off indefinitely right after that. It's not that I mind the criminal record so much (especially if it is over something so flippin' lame), but I doubt I'd be able to explain that well to potential employers if it comes up. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I'll gladly take them. Thanks.

[rjdmmfl1]

that is the longest non -"how to / write up" post in the history if NICO.. but t answer your question, it def seems like the cop was giving you a hard time just to be a jerk... some cops really have better things to do with their time... some of them just get bored and have nothing better to do...

I have 5% tint all around, but NOTHING on the front window... that's one thing I've seen that pisses cops off more than anything.... regarding the two ticket rule and class C misdimeanor, I doubt the judge will throw the book at you over these two seemingly insignificant things.. especially if you say that you used your turn signals, and you weren';t speeding... he may throw that one out... in any case. please keep us updated bruh... sorry some cops are such jerks

[phazePA]

That was ridiculously long, yet amusing. That trooper was a douche, go to court and fight it, you'll be fine :]

[LongBeachCoupe]

Lol... what a rant!

Ok, does IL have a "fix it" ticket situation?In NY, if you get a lighting/tint/maintenance ticket you have 24 hours to fix the issue, and provide proof (from a shop) that it was completed, and present that in court. If so, let me know and I can help you with that.

In regard to the lane change violation, he wanted to issue a ticket, very simple.

You will be going to court anyways, and you will most likley be able to get it knocked down to a no point violation which is all that matters for the most part. But you will still have to pay a fine.

The points you had before (but took the class) are still visible to police, it just doesn't count toward insurance.

Also, many times cops will watch you for an extended time to see what else they can "get you for" I have been followed in excess of 10 miles a couple of times where I wasn't pulled over, and once when I was pulled over although not issued a citation.

[losenone]

Go to court. The douche wont show up. And if he does, ask him what he clocked you at to define his "get up and go" statement and why he cited you for "inproper lane change". The high school jock, I mean cop, will fumble his words and usually the judge will throw it out. But thats just my .02, Im not really sure how everything is over there in Chitown but I hope everything works out for ya.

I love how cops just like to be jerkoffs for no reason.

[LongBeachCoupe]

The cop isnt going to be there on the 1st date, thats typically a "discussion" date, and a TRIAL date (where the cop does show up) will be set if you cant work something out in that initial court meeting with the DA.

In my personal experience, its always better to get things resolved with the DA before a trial date, every time I have gone to trial, the cop has shown up, and once the trial begins, theres no "pleading guilty to a different charge" you are either guilty or not-guilty, and with the cop's testimony, its usually GUILTY!

[alticoupe3.5]

im guessing u dont have much knowledge of cops anywhere....what u did wrong was..U ROLLED DOWN YOUR WINDOWS WHEN U SAW HIM!!!!- cops arent stupid..they can see a tinted car from a pretty far distance. as soon as u roll down your window..its gonna get from dark as hell...to light in the car.never roll down your windows if there is a cop in your sight, cause if hes in your sight....your in his. (from numerous past experiences)

anyways...one of your tickets will be dropped, probably your tint ticket because its not as bad as an unsafe lane change.

you probably did do unsafe lane changes...cause u knew there was a cop tailin you so u got nervous and THOUGHT u were drivin fine, but in reality, u were driving in a paranoid, jerky fashion.

a tint ticket is nothing...dont add to it by getting nervous and driving even the slightest bit in a "jerky" way.

they are just PIGS...u should have stayed right in front of him so it didnt look more suspicious and he could have pulled you over faster so u could have only gotten a tint ticket.

i say all this becuase ive been pulled over atleast 5 times before removing my tints in the front. and a lot of those times, i have gotten unsafe lanes changes or some other bs tickets to go along with it.

[Sensors]

I would go to court on this issue, but I would not walk in there with an attitude that you hate cops. Some cops are bad, which then give a bad name to the rest. You can trying calling the State Police Barracks and requesting the video from your stop. Have the video in court with you and show that you were not speeding or doing anything illegal. Now if the Statey did not put the camera on, then its his word against yours, but he will probably not show up for the court date. The cop is just out to issue summons and citations, anything after that he really doesn't have control over, nor does he care. Go to court with a nice outfit on, and present yourself to the best of your ability, to show the judge you are a respectful kid. But your best bet is to try to have the video in court. Hope this helps, and you go on your merry way.

[DAAN.]

did I read your sig right ?

"5 Tint Tickets"

[alticoupe3.5]

did I read your sig right ?

"5 Tint Tickets"

yes...5 atleast..honestly i have lost count..5 or 6 times i have been pulled over because of tints...and gotten a ticket each time. the last time i got pulled over for my tints....i ended up in the back of the cop car with cuffs on

dont put tints on the front windows unless the cops around you are very cool with it..or if its LEGAL in your area....if u have tints on the front...your just askin to get pulled over...it give them a reason to pull you over n do w/e they want

[Sensors]

yes...5 atleast..honestly i have lost count..5 or 6 times i have been pulled over because of tints...and gotten a ticket each time. the last time i got pulled over for my tints....i ended up in the back of the cop car with cuffs on

dont put tints on the front windows unless the cops around you are very cool with it..or if its LEGAL in your area....if u have tints on the front...your just askin to get pulled over...it give them a reason to pull you over n do w/e they want

it just sounds like you give the cop an attitude by the way you post about how you hate cops, prob why you have gotten so many tickets. I've had tints on my car, 20% in the front and have not gotten the ticket once. (knocks on wood)

[losenone]

it just sounds like you give the cop an attitude by the way you post about how you hate cops, prob why you have gotten so many tickets. I've had tints on my car, 20% in the front and have not gotten the ticket once. (knocks on wood)

Same here. I get a "stern warning" about them but thats pretty much it.

[alticoupe3.5]

it just sounds like you give the cop an attitude by the way you post about how you hate cops, prob why you have gotten so many tickets. I've had tints on my car, 20% in the front and have not gotten the ticket once. (knocks on wood)

nah not at all.well yes i talk sh*t about them all the time, becuase the cops in my town have no lives (i always hear that from the neighboring town cops...since my best friends sister is married to one)but once I myself come into contact with a cop...im the nicest person and NEVER question them and just say yes sir, no sir and etc.there also has been a couple times where a cop will pull me over(from my town) for NO REASON...really...no reason at all they will pull me over and tell me to get out and will talk to me for 10-20 minutes about whats going on inthe town and tries to get me to rat people out.

when it comes to the cops...i respect them face to face...but they still are PIGS and the ones in my town harrass all the teens what not

[AppleBonker]

Doc, I don't know if I was unclear, but I meant the front side windows. I'm not even dumb enough to tint the windshield.

A few of my tint tickets were left on my car in Chicago (similar to a parking ticket). Only two were issued when I was pulled over.

Also, my opinion of cops has nothing to do with my demeanor when they talk to me. I am always completely courteous because I know that anything else will definitely land me additional tickets/hardships. I'm definitely not a complete moron.

Also, the unsafe lane change was my initial merge. It was definitely not anything after that. I don't get nervous when I see cops, mostly because I'm almost certain I'll always be pulled over. No need to get nervous when you already know the outcome.

The more I think of it, I don't think there's any way for me to keep tints on my front windows. I'm going to pull it off for the court date and bring pics of it removed. I wanted to put it back on, but another ticket could land me that misdemeanor charge. I guess I'll have to just keep watching for a bill that is in our state senate that will allow some tint on the front windows (though not the 20% that I currently have). So maybe if that passes I'll just get it tinted to the legal limit (unfortunately it may be as high as 50%, but I'm hoping for 35%).

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

That was ridiculously long, yet amusing. That trooper was a douche, go to court and fight it, you'll be fine :]

agreed....i hate d!ck cops like this i had a trooper do this to me with my last car

[sr20deTsomeday118]

im in the Chicago area, around the 95th st. exit, and over the past month troopers have been out in force, so it def isnt your imagination. as for the tickets, Chicago does offer fix it tickets but they have to be given either before or during court, i had to fix my exhaust noise since it was extremely loud and once i did, all bueno. took a video of me, my license plate and the exhaust noise and bam outta the ticket. Same thing applied for my license plate being in my window. So i avoided a potential $200+ court appearance ticket for snappin a vid and taping my plate on my car. Get what needs to be fixed, snap a pic of it fixed and you should be good to go. i would def call up the state trooper office and ask for the tape of you getting pulled over. Finally, you shoulda just pulled off the highway. He passed you up and let you get away and you stayed on the highway and taunted him for not pulling you over 10 miles before that.

[stsxcrle]

D@mn, that's some pretty hardcore stalking. I feel you on the tints. I recently moved to NJ and need to get my car inspected, it's impossible with tints. I went to 5 of the shadiest places you'll see and they all said there was nothing I could do to get by with the tints... Although I haven't had any cops hassle me here about it.

Once I was pulled over with the tints by a state cop in CT he told me they were illegal, didn't cite me fore it, but said my town cops might because "they have nothing else better to do".

I pulled the tint this weekend, looks like crap and I hate it... I'll probably put it back on seeing that I haven't had any problems with the police regarding it, but it's definitely annoying.

I've gotten the lane change thing once and a cop pulled me over another time for it but let me go. Both were for crossing over solid lines though.

[Heels1010]

if it was a state trooper and you are absolutely positive you did not do unsafe lane changes...could u ask to see the police officer dash cam in court as evidence? just curious.

[Sensors]

if it was a state trooper and you are absolutely positive you did not do unsafe lane changes...could u ask to see the police officer dash cam in court as evidence? just curious.

yea you have the right to see the video, thats if he did put the camera on. On some of the newer cars, they have the camera come on as soon as they flip on the lights, some don't though. Some officers just flat out refuse to use the camera though.

[Curtieson]

Wow, this thread has turned into a noval! I read most of the posts but not all...but agree with the general consensus here...

I think he just gave you two tickets to push you into having to go to court. Both tickets can easily be faught at only the cost of tint removal (yourself = free) so he isn't trying to steal your money, just your time. He was actually being nice in the fact that he gets what he wants (tint free car) and you get what you want (Money in your pocket) and the only loss is maybe 4 hrs of your time...MUCH better then 150-200$ fines. (Assuming you make less then 50$ an hour, haha; and if you make more then $50...go get a Z!!!)

[AppleBonker]

Wow, this thread has turned into a noval! I read most of the posts but not all...but agree with the general consensus here...

I think he just gave you two tickets to push you into having to go to court. Both tickets can easily be faught at only the cost of tint removal (yourself = free) so he isn't trying to steal your money, just your time. He was actually being nice in the fact that he gets what he wants (tint free car) and you get what you want (Money in your pocket) and the only loss is maybe 4 hrs of your time...MUCH better then 150-200$ fines. (Assuming you make less then 50$ an hour, haha; and if you make more then $50...go get a Z!!!)

Well, he already wasted about a half hour of my time, and I need to take a half day to go to court.

Also, I'm not concerned so much about the fines. I want to keep my window tint. I would like to see laws enforced without bias, but that is obviously impossible for cops to do. Since you're not allowed to suspend anything between you and the windshield (at least in Illinois according to the vehicle code), why aren't more cars pulled over for having a Garmin in the window? Can they put out a chart of illegality (crimes arranged from least illegal to most illegal)? I want to know where tints is in relationship to everything. It's obviously more illegal than other equipment problems. What about murder (probably less illegal)? Or maybe grand theft auto (I've had a car stolen and cops did little to help me)? Maybe window tints are more illegal than this, since it seems to be something they're much more concerned with policing. Though I guess I can understand this. Window tints seem far more likely to infringe on somebody's rights than, say, stealing their car...

[RobPaulson]

The high school jock, I mean cop

qft, and sorry to hear about the hassle apple =(
Modified by RobPaulson at 6:36 AM 5/4/2009

[alticoupe3.5]

D@mn, that's some pretty hardcore stalking. I feel you on the tints. I recently moved to NJ and need to get my car inspected, it's impossible with tints. I went to 5 of the shadiest places you'll see and they all said there was nothing I could do to get by with the tints... Although I haven't had any cops hassle me here about it.

Once I was pulled over with the tints by a state cop in CT he told me they were illegal, didn't cite me fore it, but said my town cops might because "they have nothing else better to do".

I pulled the tint this weekend, looks like crap and I hate it... I'll probably put it back on seeing that I haven't had any problems with the police regarding it, but it's definitely annoying.

i heard there is one place in north jersey that will pass anyone with front tints if they went there for an inspection

I've gotten the lane change thing once and a cop pulled me over another time for it but let me go. Both were for crossing over solid lines though.

[fun240]

You know you completely f*** up the seals in a sunroof when you open it on the highway

or for that matter when you open it doing more then 5mph

heads up

[xeene]

my experience tells me otherwise.

[SHIFT_confucius]

Elder lawbreakers perspective:Unless you wish to live in CA AZ GA or FL (or other extreme sunny spots) you are gonna have to live without the front tints. Your breaking point will be the fact that troopers don’t care – nor do the local ChiCops - about your style. They will write you\your car up as often as they wish. You will break when the cost of insurance &\or fines becomes greater than the cost of style…Sounds defeatist but it’s the way it is here – from someone that has swam up the same stream for years.

[stsxcrle]

I want to know where tints is in relationship to everything. It's obviously more illegal than other equipment problems.

This is a good question, but to your other point, apart from the fact that two tickets are a class C misdemeanor, I think it's primarily a stereotype issue. Dark tints on the front windows of a sporty car, you're a punk out racing around. Like a nail sticking up, it makes you a target. Granted the actual law is based on a legit issue (not being able to see at night) in practice, you're a red flag to a bull.

[kuhan]

hey applebonker,

so you know. Illinois is about to have a new tint law....Might pass very very soon...

35% fronts and rears..

[sjbaltimaproject]

ok so ik this thread is about a year old lol but i was reading through it and im from the chicago area to applbonkers, and im pretty sure at the beginnin of this year a new bill was passed allowing tint and from what a friend told me that is good friends with a cop that he asked, you can go as low as 20% in the front side window...you might already know this but just thought id tell yaa

[AppleBonker]

you can go as low as 20% in the front side window...you might already know this but just thought id tell yaa

I'm in Indiana now, where they don't seem as concerned. Your friend told you wrong though. If I remember correctly, if your rear windows are any darker than 35%, the front has to be untinted. And if your rear windows are 35% or more, the front can have as low as a 35% tint. At no point is 20% legal on the front in Illinois.

Also, due to Illinois being a touch mental, Chicago cops are still ticketing for window tint, and from what I've heard it is nearly impossible to get out of. Apparently, Chicago is not part of Illinois. Either way, my car is illegal once again (5% rear and 20% front), but the Illinois vehicle code states I cannot be ticketed for it since the car is registered in another state.