Oregon Traffic Attorney

[Beamer Reamer]

I found myself face to face with a Marion County sheriff who seemed to be an angry in general. I was doing 65 in a 65 zone (in the rain, two up, pulling a trailer) when I came up on a car in the fast lane doing like 63...there was room to pass on the right (wrong side) but I pulled up behind the car to first see if they would move over. Not real likely around here, but...low and behold the car did pull over, I passed at exactly 65, and then that same car pulled in behind me and lit up his lights. Hello Mr. Sheriff.

The ticket: Following too closely. He was very angry, wondered why I wanted to pass, told me Oregon had a 65 limit, why did I come up behind him, what was I going to do, blah blah blah.

The other ticket: Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Well in fact, I did yield. In like 2 nano seconds I had pulled off to the shoulder. However, I went to the left shoulder because it was my gut instinct to respond to the light bar immediately. Not to cross 3 lanes of a busy I5 to get to the right shoulder. So I received another loud lecture on which side of the road to pull over to in the future, how things work on Oregon, and a $260 additional citation added to the first one above. Now obviously he was just piling on because he was ticked, I may have broken a record on response time in pulling over and it was obvious my intentions were good.

So, two #260 tickets in an instant when I wasn't speeding and wasn't being an asshole. ( Sometimes I am, so this is important to note) I had been on the road for 6 hours and each time I came up to a slow vehichle, i gave them a chance to move and if they didn't I went around. Did I get close? Yes. Did I tail gate? No. I was there for just a few seconds and he scooted over, I was already starting to signal for a pass.

He actually grumped that he couldn't write me for speeding as well.

Need a lawyer. $520 is steep, insurance will be affected, and now it's personal. Suggestions?

 

[ahchiu]

David,

I have Pre Paid Legal and they take care of any tickets, but if your not a member they can't do anything for pre membership tickets, here is a couple of traffic lawyers you can try the first one is from a meetup group, Greater Seattle and Puget Sound Motorcycle riders meetup they get $50.00 off or 10% off infraction.

https://davidrockvanderpool.com/information.html#traffic

you can also try Tim Couyan @ 253-272-5505.

 

[Panman]

Sorry to hear Beamer, the Gale I used up here only does local stuff but you can call as she maybe able to give you a reference.

Jeannie P. Mucklestone

I just can't let you two out of my sight, always some kind of trouble!

 

[majicmaker]

Call The Ticket Clinic. (800) CITATION. It works every time. I'm sure they are National. I have them on speed dial.

 

[DENCOUCH]

I found myself face to face with a Marion County sheriff who seemed to be an angry in general. I was doing 65 in a 65 zone (in the rain, two up, pulling a trailer) when I came up on a car in the fast lane doing like 63...there was room to pass on the right (wrong side) but I pulled up behind the car to first see if they would move over. Not real likely around here, but...low and behold the car did pull over, I passed at exactly 65, and then that same car pulled in behind me and lit up his lights. Hello Mr. Sheriff.

The ticket: Following too closely. He was very angry, wondered why I wanted to pass, told me Oregon had a 65 limit, why did I come up behind him, what was I going to do, blah blah blah.

The other ticket: Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Well in fact, I did yield. In like 2 nano seconds I had pulled off to the shoulder. However, I went to the left shoulder because it was my gut instinct to respond to the light bar immediately. Not to cross 3 lanes of a busy I5 to get to the right shoulder. So I received another loud lecture on which side of the road to pull over to in the future, how things work on Oregon, and a $260 additional citation added to the first one above. Now obviously he was just piling on because he was ticked, I may have broken a record on response time in pulling over and it was obvious my intentions were good.

So, two #260 tickets in an instant when I wasn't speeding and wasn't being an asshole. ( Sometimes I am, so this is important to note) I had been on the road for 6 hours and each time I came up to a slow vehichle, i gave them a chance to move and if they didn't I went around. Did I get close? Yes. Did I tail gate? No. I was there for just a few seconds and he scooted over, I was already starting to signal for a pass.

He actually grumped that he couldn't write me for speeding as well.

Need a lawyer. $520 is steep, insurance will be affected, and now it's personal. Suggestions?

Sorry to hear of your being set-up. Firstly, from what I have read about the speedometers in the FJR, they usually read a little "soft". I am thinking that if this is the case, then you were driving at an indicated 65, your actual speed was less than. The officer was then aware of his speed, as the speedometers used in traffic control cars are calibrated on a regular basis, and impeding the flow of traffic. Slow traffic MUST keep right in Oregon, and this is why it is illegal to pass on the right. Could have been an attempt by the cop to set you up that way, and failing to take the bait, he settled.

Oregon courts will allow you to plea "no contest", and pay a lesser fine than what is posted. This still has some evil ramifications as it may affect your auto insurance rates.

I was stopped on the interstate by the police & written up for no other reason than not wearing a seat belt! My issue with this was, I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT! I was wearing a Columbia Ski Parka which covered up my lap belt, my car did not have a shoulder strap.

I went to court & faced the cop. I asked him if he remembered me, and the car I was driving. He replied that he did. I asked him if he approached my car for my license & registration, to which he replied "Yes, he did". I asked him if he noticed an unused shoulder restraint in my vehicle, "no, he did not" was the answer.

The killer question was asking him if the interior of my car was out of the ordinary, in the common use of the term. He replied it was typical, as he recalled.

The ticket was tossed out by the judge, as I had managed to illustrate that perhaps the officer had not bothered to inspect whether or not I was wearing a seat belt. My car had absolutely NO INTERIOR at the time of the stop, with the exception of the driver's seat.

Good luck with this, it doesn't sound like you were treated with the respect you deserve, and at the very least, were bullied by someone now tarnishing the image of the good public servants out there doing the tough stuff.

 

[Auburn]

I found myself face to face with a Marion County sheriff who seemed to be an angry in general. I was doing 65 in a 65 zone (in the rain, two up, pulling a trailer) when I came up on a car in the fast lane doing like 63...there was room to pass on the right (wrong side) but I pulled up behind the car to first see if they would move over. Not real likely around here, but...low and behold the car did pull over, I passed at exactly 65, and then that same car pulled in behind me and lit up his lights. Hello Mr. Sheriff.

The ticket: Following too closely. He was very angry, wondered why I wanted to pass, told me Oregon had a 65 limit, why did I come up behind him, what was I going to do, blah blah blah.

The other ticket: Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Well in fact, I did yield. In like 2 nano seconds I had pulled off to the shoulder. However, I went to the left shoulder because it was my gut instinct to respond to the light bar immediately. Not to cross 3 lanes of a busy I5 to get to the right shoulder. So I received another loud lecture on which side of the road to pull over to in the future, how things work on Oregon, and a $260 additional citation added to the first one above. Now obviously he was just piling on because he was ticked, I may have broken a record on response time in pulling over and it was obvious my intentions were good.

So, two #260 tickets in an instant when I wasn't speeding and wasn't being an asshole. ( Sometimes I am, so this is important to note) I had been on the road for 6 hours and each time I came up to a slow vehichle, i gave them a chance to move and if they didn't I went around. Did I get close? Yes. Did I tail gate? No. I was there for just a few seconds and he scooted over, I was already starting to signal for a pass.

He actually grumped that he couldn't write me for speeding as well.

Need a lawyer. $520 is steep, insurance will be affected, and now it's personal. Suggestions?

Sorry to hear of your being set-up. Firstly, from what I have read about the speedometers in the FJR, they usually read a little "soft". I am thinking that if this is the case, then you were driving at an indicated 65, your actual speed was less than. The officer was then aware of his speed, as the speedometers used in traffic control cars are calibrated on a regular basis, and impeding the flow of traffic. Slow traffic MUST keep right in Oregon, and this is why it is illegal to pass on the right. Could have been an attempt by the cop to set you up that way, and failing to take the bait, he settled.

Oregon courts will allow you to plea "no contest", and pay a lesser fine than what is posted. This still has some evil ramifications as it may affect your auto insurance rates.

I was stopped on the interstate by the police & written up for no other reason than not wearing a seat belt! My issue with this was, I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT! I was wearing a Columbia Ski Parka which covered up my lap belt, my car did not have a shoulder strap.

I went to court & faced the cop. I asked him if he remembered me, and the car I was driving. He replied that he did. I asked him if he approached my car for my license & registration, to which he replied "Yes, he did". I asked him if he noticed an unused shoulder restraint in my vehicle, "no, he did not" was the answer.

The killer question was asking him if the interior of my car was out of the ordinary, in the common use of the term. He replied it was typical, as he recalled.

The ticket was tossed out by the judge, as I had managed to illustrate that perhaps the officer had not bothered to inspect whether or not I was wearing a seat belt. My car had absolutely NO INTERIOR at the time of the stop, with the exception of the driver's seat.

Good luck with this, it doesn't sound like you were treated with the respect you deserve, and at the very least, were bullied by someone now tarnishing the image of the good public servants out there doing the tough stuff.

My guess is BR had two speed inidcations, the FJR speedo and his Zumo 550.

I can't help you with any lawyer recommendations. Don't know any down there.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Bad luck is better than no luck at all BReamer! Sorry to hear of the run-in with the angry LEO. I'd have probably done the same thing you did...

I bet you'll be able to get a recommendation from Jeannie for someone down south, hope it works out.

--G

 

[Jay H]

Not good news on the tickets. I have used William R. Baker in the past. He is ex m/c officer and seems to have a good handle on how the cops think in situations like the one you were in. Takes one to know one? 253 887-1101.

Good luck guys,

J

 

[TomInPA]

No contest is the same as guilty. I would take this to the wall. Your statement as expressed in the O.P. is all you need. I'd be surprised if this officer would actually show up. A good local attorney would be a good precaution as it's likely to plea.

 

I'm glad your LEO was not on 395 south of Burns-Hines last summer.

 

[blufjr]

I found myself face to face with a Marion County sheriff who seemed to be an angry in general. I was doing 65 in a 65 zone (in the rain, two up, pulling a trailer) when I came up on a car in the fast lane doing like 63...there was room to pass on the right (wrong side) but I pulled up behind the car to first see if they would move over.

BR: Bummer deal. As if life wasn't hard enough without these kind of people. It sounds like a set up, but impossible to prove unless you can find others that this LEO has done the same too. Sorry to hear this story. Pulling for you. I would inquire in the Salem area.

 

[Fontanaman]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune Beamer Reamer. This is good to know as I will will be on I-5 in Oregun this weekend doing the DamTour thing.

I am sorry I don't have any lawyer advice.

 

[Beamer Reamer]

I guess the humor in the situation is that I just got through telling my son that "they are tough down there in Oregon, be careful".

I was pretty much doing a true 65, that damn Zumo always knows. Interesting though that if you have "track" on it records your speed, elevation, direction, etc. In my case it supports my speed story all the way to the point I am doing zero on the side of I5. However, it won't help with the "following too close".

FYI: IT was a black Ford Mustang.

Anyway, I appreciate the support. There is no doubt I deserve my share of tickets, but this dude just had an attitude issue right from the get go. I am super proud for not saying "thank you officer" at the end of the ordeal.

Thx for the advice, phone numbers, and links. I will check it them all out.

 

[Auburn]

I guess the humor in the situation is that I just got through telling my son that "they are tough down there in Oregon, be careful".

I was pretty much doing a true 65, that damn Zumo always knows. Interesting though that if you have "track" on it records your speed, elevation, direction, etc. In my case it supports my speed story all the way to the point I am doing zero on the side of I5. However, it won't help with the "following too close".

FYI: IT was a black Ford Mustang.

Anyway, I appreciate the support. There is no doubt I deserve my share of tickets, but this dude just had an attitude issue right from the get go. I am super proud for not saying "thank you officer" at the end of the ordeal.

Thx for the advice, phone numbers, and links. I will check it them all out.

You got an email.

 

[Tom Edison]

Unfortunate. The PO has the perfect car for that type of setup, probably a huge attitude

to go along with it.Definitely show up with as much support as you can get. :huh:

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'm staying the heck away from Oregon. I don't need to go there.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

I found myself face to face with a Marion County sheriff ...

I would see if you could get an Ex-DA Practicing Attorney located in Marion County. IF you find one, see if you can work something out BEFORE the Court Date.

They know their system and they are not an Outsider...this would be the most expeditious way to get it resolved without Points, Insurance Cost, and Time Spent on a crapshoot court date.

 

[CAJW]

Our return route from NAFO just misses Marion County (Salem area) so looks like we're safe from that weenie. Good to know, thanks for the heads up and best of luck fighting that obvious county revenue enhancement which had nothing to do with keeping the roads safer. Save for the fact that for the time you had that Mustang off the road, others were safe from his wrath!

 

[beemerdons]

I found myself face to face with a Marion County sheriff ...

I would see if you could get an Ex-DA Practicing Attorney located in Marion County. IF you find one, see if you can work something out BEFORE the Court Date.

They know their system and they are not an Outsider...this would be the most expeditious way to get it resolved without Points, Insurance Cost, and Time Spent on a crapshoot court date.

+1, Gunny; I am with 03HiYoSilver 100% on this issue, you NEED a local Marion Co. Lawyer for this one!

 

[allrider]

Sorry to hear Beamer, the Gale I used up here only does local stuff but you can call as she maybe able to give you a reference.

Jeannie P. Mucklestone

I just can't let you two out of my sight, always some kind of trouble!

FYI,

Jeannie has successfully helped me a number of times around here but when I recommended her to a friend that had a ticket from Oregon she was not successful and it ended up costing him big bucks in the long run. The situation was not unlike this one.

It been over 10 years but last time I got a ticket in Oregon I remember something about being able to send in a written explanation of the circumstances with the ticket, and a check for the full payment, and they make a determination based on that and the report. Whatever they decide is the final answer.

I sent it in with my excuse er, uh I mean explanation, and they reduced the charges but not the charge.