Help with a traffic ticket issue

[Allison]

The OP lives in a state that allows students to obtain a permit to drive to and from school and probably to athletic events and practices alone. However, there are rules about taking the most direct route, no passengers, etc.

OP-Your child broke the rules for having a school permit. She got a ticket as a consequence. I am not sure why you are upset with the police officer. He didn't do anything wrong. I also do not know what you are referencing when you mention heresay. The police officer saw her do it.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Well if she wants to explain to the judge why she was off the route, then a judge might consider leniency. But it is not the cop's job to do that. His job is to write up the violation and issue a citation.

 

[hereyago]

Where I live a 15 year old can have a learners permit and only drive when there is a licensed adult in the car with them. There is a school permit to park at school and leave the school early if they have a job but only if they are 16 and have the real license. It doesn't matter where he pulled her over she broke the law.....

 

[hereyago]

Where I live a 15 year old can have a learners permit and only drive when there is a licensed adult in the car with them. There is a school permit to park at school and leave the school early if they have a job but only if they are 16 and have the real license. It doesn't matter where he pulled her over she broke the law.....

 

[Shutterbug]

Maybe the OP is worried about points on the license and insurance rates skyrocketing. They are probably already high to begin with for a 15 year old.
If that's the case, should def retain a lawyer and see about it getting the ticket reduced.

One reason the officer may have followed her was to see if she made any other traffic offenses in which to write tickets on or to see if she was intoxicated.

 

[daughtersrus]

My dd is 15 and has a school permit. She turns 16 in August.

She was picked up for being off the route yesterday. She went to get gas and was going to a baseball game at the school. Her ignition key was stuck so she was going to drive to my sisters house (yes.. 2 blocks off the route) to get help. She saw a cop following her and she panicked and started turning (never went to my sisters).

A cop saw her and followed her until she got to our house. She had already pulled into the garage. He motioned for her to come to his car. He then told her to stand at the trunk of the cop car. She received a ticket and a big fine.

I want to know why he waited until she got home to give her the ticket. The cop told me today when I called that he knew she was 15 and had a school permit. So there is no excuse that he had to put the car plate in the computer, etc. She was not speeding, not drinking, not texting. He knew who she was..

No one will give me an answer.. I want to know why he did not stop her the minute she made a wrong turn. He followed her for over a mile.

He asked if the parents were home (we were not).

I just feel this whole process was handled wrong. Yes she did something wrong but I was told they are basing the reasoning of giving a ticket vs. a warning on hearsay. That is not admissable in court.

I'm also confused about the part about the ignition key being stuck. Would the car not turn off? Why would she go to her aunt's house instead of home? If it was stuck on, why did she pull into the garage?

 

[mjkacmom]

Maybe the OP is worried about insurance rates skyrocketing. They are probably already high to begin with for a 15 year old.

And I'm sure they will! The cop did nothing wrong, but you can always show up on the court date and plead for leniency. The points might be lowered, although you will have to pay court costs. OP, call your insurance company and see what the increase will cost.

 

[lillygator]

My dd is 15 and has a school permit. She turns 16 in August.

She was picked up for being off the route yesterday. She went to get gas and was going to a baseball game at the school. Her ignition key was stuck so she was going to drive to my sisters house (yes.. 2 blocks off the route) to get help. She saw a cop following her and she panicked and started turning (never went to my sisters).

A cop saw her and followed her until she got to our house. She had already pulled into the garage. He motioned for her to come to his car. He then told her to stand at the trunk of the cop car. She received a ticket and a big fine.

I want to know why he waited until she got home to give her the ticket. The cop told me today when I called that he knew she was 15 and had a school permit. So there is no excuse that he had to put the car plate in the computer, etc. She was not speeding, not drinking, not texting. He knew who she was..

No one will give me an answer.. I want to know why he did not stop her the minute she made a wrong turn. He followed her for over a mile.

He asked if the parents were home (we were not).

I just feel this whole process was handled wrong. Yes she did something wrong but I was told they are basing the reasoning of giving a ticket vs. a warning on hearsay. That is not admissable in court.

I'm confused....why does it matter where she got the ticket? why would she go somewhere else if the key was stuck? how did he know who she was?

 

[crashbb]

I'm also confused about the part about the ignition key being stuck. Would the car not turn off? Why would she go to her aunt's house instead of home? If it was stuck on, why did she pull into the garage?

That bit made no sense to me either. Along with the hearsay bit.

 

[LisaR]

I'm also confused about the part about the ignition key being stuck. Would the car not turn off? Why would she go to her aunt's house instead of home? If it was stuck on, why did she pull into the garage?

I don't get that one either. And maybe I've just been lucky but I can honestly say I have never had a key get stuck before in 30+ years of driving.

 

[phorsenuf]

I don't get that one either. And maybe I've just been lucky but I can honestly say I have never had a key get stuck before in 30+ years of driving.

Now surely you aren't insinuating a 15 year old girl is making up a story to get out of being in trouble, are you?

 

[LisaR]

Now surely you aren't insinuating a 15 year old girl is making up a story to get out of being in trouble, are you?

Nooooooooooo! As the mom of two teenagers, the thought never crossed my mind that they may slightly twist a story in their favor.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

It begs he question how did she turn the car off in the garage if the key was stuck? One would assume that she needed a key off the same key ring to gain entrance in to the house.

 

[Princess Dolly]

I don't get that one either. And maybe I've just been lucky but I can honestly say I have never had a key get stuck before in 30+ years of driving.

And how at that time did she know the key was stuck? I mean she was driving the car, not trying to get the key out of the ignition.

 

[crashbb]

It begs he question how did she turn the car off in the garage if the key was stuck? One would assume that she needed a key off the same key ring to gain entrance in to the house.

My house key and car key are not on the same ring.

Your point still stands though - unless she left the car running in the garage.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

My house key and car key are not on the same ring.

Your point still stands though - unless she left the car running in the garage.

Having teenagers & seeing their friends they don't tend to carry big purses & most carry just the 1 key ring that they clip on to what ever.

 

[kwelch10377]

I don't get that one either. And maybe I've just been lucky but I can honestly say I have never had a key get stuck before in 30+ years of driving.

I will say that I while I didn't really get a key stuck, I could figure out how to get it out of the ignition. My first car in high school I had a Toyota Celica and you had to push the key in and then turn to get the key out of the ignition. Well no one told me that and the first time I used the car. I could turn the car off, but couldn't get the key out. I could also start the car.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I will say that I while I didn't really get a key stuck, I could figure out how to get it out of the ignition. My first car in high school I had a Toyota Celica and you had to push the key in and then turn to get the key out of the ignition. Well no one told me that and the first time I used the car. I could turn the car off, but couldn't get the key out. I could also start the car.

I once drove a friend's car (I believe also a Toyota) that had a button that had to be pushed in order for the key to be removed from the ignition. That was a loooooongggg time ago though.

I still can't get passed a 15 year old being allowed to drive by themselves. I'm in NJ and we have very strict rules. My DD was only able to get her permit at 16, cannot get her license until 17 and then has restrictions on that license for a year or so. To me, her panicking because of seeing a police officer behind her shows that she's obviously not ready to drive alone yet.

 

[kwelch10377]

I once drove a friend's car (I believe also a Toyota) that had a button that had to be pushed in order for the key to be removed from the ignition. That was a loooooongggg time ago though.

I still can't get passed a 15 year old being allowed to drive by themselves. I'm in NJ and we have very strict rules. My DD was only able to get her permit at 16, cannot get her license until 17 and then has restrictions on that license for a year or so. To me, her panicking because of seeing a police officer behind her shows that she's obviously not ready to drive alone yet.

You had to push the key in as you were turning it, I'm still not sure why you had to do it. Of course I now have a car where I don't even need a key!

I can't get over the age too. I am also from NJ and has to wait to get my permit at 16 and then license at 17. Thankfully this was a few years before they put the restrictions into effect.

 

[Bob NC]

I want to know why he waited until she got home to give her the ticket.

No one will give me an answer..

Really, what difference does it make?

I'm guessing you are just so unhappy that she got a ticket for breaking the law that you may be just grasping at straws to find a reason your precious daughter is innocent.

I think I'd be directing my anger at my daughter, not the police.