went to court today

[foss]

so you spend 3,000 dollars on a lawyer when you could have just paid the ticket?

[WhiteXFire]

Originally Posted by foss

so you spend 3,000 dollars on a lawyer when you could have just paid the ticket?

To get out of an automatic 6-month suspension and 5 points? Sounds ok to me...

[DropTopChevy]

See man, I told you get a good lawyer and you would get out of it. I'm glad i did.

[foss]

didnt know about the 6 month suspension.

[Sberk06]

9 times out of 10 they let the suspension go if you fight it. they still keep the charges though, all philly wants is money. obviously they need it.

[97MaximaSE]

Originally Posted by Sberk06

9 times out of 10 they let the suspension go if you fight it. they still keep the charges though, all philly wants is money. obviously they need it.

That's the part that really bothers me. The whole system is such bs. Their focus is solely on being a money making machine. I feel that the traffic system would easily support itself without the police presence. I mean sure it scares people to speed knowing that a cop could be watching right over the hill or whatever, but most people drive within their comfort limits and if american drivers knew what "lane responsibility" meant like the europeans, we wouldn't have as many accidents, road rage cases, and just in general bad driving as we do. It really bothers me how the whole traffic system works. Oh well I'm done my rant.

Also for whoever asked, I was pulled over by an East Whiteland officer and my case will be in W.C.

[Turbo s60R]

Originally Posted by foss

so you spend 3,000 dollars on a lawyer when you could have just paid the ticket?

actually my suspension would have been for 12 months cause i had wreckless driving too, and my fines were $2,500, plus a felony

And for anyone who thinks me getting all the charges dropped is messed up none of the things tht i went to court for happened, the cop basically wrote as many charges as possible, because he pulled me over for tint and i basically told him tht was illegal

[WhiteXFire]

Originally Posted by Turbo s60R

because he pulled me over for tint and i basically told him tht was illegal

What makes you think that's illegal?

[Turbo s60R]

in the city of philadelphia tint is not enough probable cause to pull a car over just like you cant get pulled over for not wearing your seatbelt, there has to be another offense like speeding or wreckless driving

[Raven18940]

So basically you were a smartass and pissed him off.

[dt98gsr]

I know how you feel man, I went through similar crap with my Integra...ticket...court...damage to car...tickets...court...damage to car.

But in the end some of the damage that was from hit and runs led to me fixing the damage and doing some more body work while the car was in the shop. So who knows maybe like you said you'll end up with the volvo lips when its all said and done and your car will look even better than before.

Best of Luck with everything.

[dolphinS4]

Originally Posted by Turbo s60R

in the city of philadelphia tint is not enough probable cause to pull a car over just like you cant get pulled over for not wearing your seatbelt, there has to be another offense like speeding or wreckless driving

Dark tint is an obvious vehicle code violation and they can pull you over strictly for that. Same situation as no working tail lights or headlights.
Your use of the term "probable cause" does not apply here.

[cburwell]

Originally Posted by Raven18940

So basically you were a smartass and pissed him off.

Yep. This is a prime example of how being polite and keeping your mouth shut would have probably made things easier.

[WhiteXFire]

Originally Posted by Turbo s60R

in the city of philadelphia tint is not enough probable cause to pull a car over just like you cant get pulled over for not wearing your seatbelt, there has to be another offense like speeding or wreckless driving

While you are correct about the seatbelt law, you are wrong about the tint law. It is not a secondary offense, and you can be pulled over simply because an officer cannot see inside your vehicle.

Btw, here's an interesting article about liability from the PA Attorney General's website:

Are you considering tinting the windows of your new car to give it a sporty look or to cut down on glare from the sun? Before you go to your local window tint retailer know that Pennsylvania law regulates automobile window tint levels. With some exceptions, light transmittance through all vehicle windows must be greater than 70%. Any motorist who operates a vehicle with windows that do not conform to the Pennsylvania standards may be subject to a citation. The Attorney General wants to alert you that some businesses may try to defraud consumers by selling illegal window tint.

Pennsylvania's Motor Vehicle statute states, "No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sun screening device or other material which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle through the windshield, side wing or side window of the vehicle".

Any side wing or any side window must allow at least 70% of transmitted light to pass through the window, or an amount of light greater than or equal to the window's light transmittance percentage at the time of manufacture.
The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code does not apply to vehicles with windows tinted by the manufacturer. Federal law regulates manufacturers.
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards prohibit tinting of passenger vehicle windshields and front windows where light transmittance is reduced below 70%, just as in Pennsylvania.
Cars purchased out of state and then brought into Pennsylvania are subject to all Pennsylvania laws. Tinting requirements in some neighboring states are less strict than Pennsylvania's.

Businesses that tint car windows may charge hundreds of dollars for their services and never tell you that your new windows do not conform to the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. Some window tint retailers try to defraud consumers by offering illegal tint levels of 50, 20, or even 10% light transmittance levels. Police safety is the main reason for the window tint regulations. Dark tinted windows make it very difficult for police officers to view the inside of cars during traffic stops. Unlawful motorists may try to conceal weapons behind the tinted glass, putting police officers at risk.

Installation of non-conforming window tint is a violation of the Vehicle Code and the Attorney General considers it a violation of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The Consumer Protection Law permits a court to award a consumer reimbursement for the cost of applying the tint and fine the installer up to $1,000 for each willful violation. State and local police enforce the law. The Office of Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection can help consumers who believe they have been defrauded by businesses selling them illegal products.

If you feel you have been defrauded by a business selling illegal window tint, please contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection's toll free HOTLINE number 1-800-441-2555.