What would ya'll do?

[11 footer]

Re: What would ya'll do?

If I were your son I would tell the family. They might be able to get a nice settlement.<br /><br />11

 

[Beaux]

Re: What would ya'll do?

easy now....remember that the police oficer didn't push the old guy off the boat. He did have a duty to pull the young man speeding 20 mph over the limit to the curb. It just delayed him...unfortunately. It sucks, but suing everyone is not how things could be improved. Unless you're the plaintifs attorney that gets 40-60 % contigency fee.

 

[DJ]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Capt. Ken,<br /><br />i would take it to the judge. In the legalistic sense, he was wrong. He was speeding, not "lit up" and has broken the law. However, there are always some extenuating circumstances.<br /><br />When he goes before the judge, he should be humble and admit to the deed-many judges have a disdain for the military also.. He should in no way throw the Coast Guard weight around. Just be prepared with written statements from other memebers/Superior Officers, etc. to explain the situation.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: What would ya'll do?

The station he's at is a ATON unit. Aids to Navigation and there is only seven personal stationed there. Their primary mission doesn't include law enforcement or SAR's. That duty falls under the local sheriff's office. They just assist them when needed. I'm sure there's a regulation stating that no laws should be broken when called out, but when that duty phone rings and you're called in for an emergency, what young man wouldn't get in a rush. Probably what happened is the called came into the SO and being they have only one boat, they called the CG for assistance. Son said it put his boat 15 minutes behind their other boat leaving. I think he was going to attempt to talk to the officer first before going to the courthouse. 15 minutes late and a $150 ticket to boot. He didn't want to pressure his chief over the issue. The chief has been big into public relations and it might look bad on the CG. He's pretty much on his own on this one.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Going to the judge and requesting a jury trial is the easiest way out and most likely a case dismissed because where do you find a jury not already biased when it comes to a traffic ticket???<br />Okay that said is there a local T/V station that can "somehow" get the story? A local paper will work but the T/V gets better results. Personally I would pay my fine to see the police being chewed by an investigative bulldog! I don't care what was going on but if you tell an officer you have an emergency situation they are then supposed to get you to where you need to be ASAP. If he wants to write you a ticket he can do it after the crisis. I have seen the time firefighters were driving the wife's car and get stopped because they were responding. Usually it's not a problem but when it is it's a new officer who is looking to prove himself not one who knows that the next call may be for the firefighter to cut him out of his car.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: What would ya'll do?

All good responses. I would also suggest that he get the legal officer responsible for the station involved. This may also help the Coasties get a better definition of how they are to respond in future situations.

 

[BillBill]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Actually PFB, in six years, I only lost one traffic ticket case at Jury trial. We did, however have a policy that we would show up at all trials we were subpoeaned(sp?) for. Don't show up, get three days off. I guess policing comes down to using common sense like juat about anything else. Unfortunately, there are those hell bent on making their glory on stopping people and making themselves seem like tough guys. <br /><br />Funny story, I stopped a car for weaving and had several 911 calls on it. The driver steps out of the car with one sock and nothing else but his skivvies on. When I asked for his insurance and Drivers License he pointed at the passenger and said, "he's the sober one sir!" I found out that he was a soldier at Ft Polk that had let a case of beer help him get lost. You should have seen that guy standing at parade rest in his underwear and one sock. I think I still have the video.

 

[12Footer]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Tell your son to pay the fine, as he was speeding,and is therefore guilty of it. Tell him to then,see to it, that the "law enforcement officer" looses his job,or gets to ride a desk.<br />He is a moron who should not even be on the road,much less on it in a uniform!

 

[bubbakat]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Capn Ken as i work in law enforcement i can tell you by experence derwood is right have your son do as derwood sugested and take the letter to the judge and he will talk with the officer and most likely it will be dismissed. don't let him pay it without doing this it can send a red flag up to other officers in this situation as for my self we don't have coast guard here but we do have search and rescue, you know first responders and all . I will contact dispatch when I go 1081 with a vech. and then ask why in a rush, call in confirm and escourt . All in less then a min. just my way of doing things though and makes for good P.R. in the home town

 

[flashback]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Well Ken, since you used the "Ya'll" word I kind a figured i might join in this.. down here in georgia. one of the problems is back 25 years ago a fella could go out in his back yard and go hunting. grab a 6 pac and head down the road for a drive, if he got picked up, more than likely he knew the cop and the cop knew him. too high to drive, no problem, cop would drive you home. those days have changed. now, our population has exploded, we have a lot of crime, and cops are not as friendly as the were years ago. they can't afford to be. I would go along with bubba, and try and talk to the cop that stopped him and if that doesn't work, then go to court with all the supporting evidence he can get his hands on..good luck........

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: What would ya'll do?

captKen just want to wish that it is all solved, and that the fact of the delay didn't affect the death of the person. and thanx for sharing this, as 2 heads are better than one