Quick Legal Advice (Tickets)

[Chicagos13]

Well, I have court today in a few hours and I'm attempting to strengthen my case. I have 2 tickets. First a loud exhaust ticket. Illinois law is a bit difficult to work around. Anyone else ever had a loud exhaust ticket in Illinois and get off? How? Second ticket is more complicated. My license was suspended for not passing emissions and when the cop pulled me over, I was on my way home from failing the third test only a block away. He could have been nice and said get it home, especially since the time on the form added up, but instead gave me the ticket and told me to tow my car to and from emissions and any shop that does work on it. Any suggestions here. I have long since passed emissions so that is on my side. Any help would be great and I'll let you all know how it went after I get back. Sorry this was so long and thanks for any suggestions.

[masticatingcow]

Did the officer take an on-site reading on how loud the exhaust was? If not, then there's one way to bolster your case. Any subjective judgment, such as "too loud" or "too fast" without some hard evidence to back it up, like a radar gun or dB indicator, can easily be fought in court. Also, explain that you did not get the exhaust for its noise, but rather you wanted improved exhaust flow, and therefore engine efficency. The noise is an unwanted byproduct.

I don't know how to help you with the suspended licence and emissions issues. Technically, you ARE at fault. That's a pretty straight forward call, since he doesn't have to run a test to tell that you haven't passed emissions. For that one, just pray the officer that pulled you over doesn't show up.

[Chicagos13]

Thanks for the response. Just got back and recieved $150 in fines and six months court supervision. Sucks, but oh well. What can you do, right? The MAN loves to ruin our fun.

[masticatingcow]

Not that it's necessarily much consolation, but a friend of mine got of pulled over and hadn't had his car smogged/registered for the year. The stickers were on their way and after he fought it in court, his fines were REDUCED to $550. Crazy, huh?