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Posted by: darkknight750il

Recently while patrolling a highway, in an unmarked car, observed two BMW's gaining on me in the passing lane at high rate of speed, followed them for approximately 2miles clocked their speed at over 110mph, cutting people off, weaving through med. traffic, I could barely keep up, they both after several near accidents, took an exit, effected a stop and they both stopped. Issued criminal apps to both for 90-24 (op to endanger),89-2(unsafe passing), 90-17b (drag racing) 90-17 110+ in 55mph and immediate threat license revocation. One operator had 3 page KQ including previous op to endanger that was CWOF. Other operator had one only other K. At immediate threat hearing their attorney argued that one operator owned several companies and license suspension would have more negative impact on his employees than him(had prior immediate threat for op to endanger that was CWOF), other operator his girlfriend or whatever, a doctor, attorney argued that without her license the public safety was endangered as she could not respond promptly to an emergency. Hearings officer gave them 30 day suspensions, the minimum and $500 reinstatement fee. Then at PC hearing with magistrate, some how their attorney gets the prosecutor to Nol Process op to endanger/drag racing so they both drove home with $550 fines! I swear this guys shoes cost more. Since no complaint was ever issued they both have no record. I was so mad when I found out, this guy got a CWOF op to endanger, now a Nol Process op to endanger! Two convictions of op to endanger is 60 day mandatory jail. What gives here, next time I see this on the highway do I smile and wave at them then call for a clean-up crew after they kill someone. Just venting and wondering how often this happens.

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Posted by: Mikey682

Dont forget they had to pay thier attorneys and lost atleast a day's worth of $$. Although I think the ending result is complete bullshit too.

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Posted by: KozmoKramer

What an f-ing disgrace... A cop has these ignoramuses dead to rights and they walk with the equivalent of a parking ticket. And your right DarkKnight, they will be the son of a bitchs that will eventually kill some innocent on the highway..

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Posted by: Dr.Magoo

I believe that you can appeal the clerk's decision to a judge, but it would have had to been requested at the initial clerk's hearing. I will try to find out.

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Posted by: HousingCop

Welcome to Massachusetts. Where in the Halls Of Justice, the only justice, is in the halls.

Seriously, I see your need for venting but this is done 100X a day here in this state. Nothing has changed in the past 75 years in the Trial Court. As far as I can see, the next 75 years will roughly be the same as well. Vent all you want but until we elect judges like other states do, we are screwed here.

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Posted by: RPD931

Shame on the ADA's for not sticking the case out... In many of these cases the ADA is just as much to blame as the Defense Attorney... ADA's would rather drop a charge than risk a putting a case in the loss column...

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Posted by: VTCOP

Unfortunately it can come down to Bias also. Do you think joe-blow who has no money would have been let go so lightly?! I think not. It happens all the time up here to. The da's love to plead stuff out so that they don't have to do work. BS!

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Posted by: Jeep

Unfortunately it can happen in a department too. A few months ago, I pulled pick-up truck over after its plate came back as expired. The owner also didn't have his license with him. I issued the appropriate cite for 90/9 & 90/11 & called for a duty wrecker. The owner became a complete jerk, calling both me and another officer at the scene a$$holes & gave us the old 'I pay your salaries.' line.

He ends up going down to the station & complaining to a superior officer. the truck ended up getting towed to the owner's residence and my cite ended up as a warning

I ended up stewing over this for a week, before I realized that it wasn't worth being upset over.

Darkknight: satisfaction, as they say, comes from a job well done. You did your job well & at least may have kept them from killing themselves or someone else that day. Don't let it get to you.

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Posted by: Clouseau

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep @ Mon October 18, 2004 3:11 pm He ends up going down to the station & complaining to a superior officer. the truck ended up getting towed to the owner's residence and my cite ended up as a warning .

Over my dead body.

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Posted by: Jon Q

[quote="Clouseau @ Mon 18 Oct, 2004"][b]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep @ Mon October 18, 2004 3:11 pm I tell all the new guys ... when they get someone that is giving them a hard time, and think they are going to get a complaint...Lock them up.... Now they got something to complain about...and your covered.

I think a lot of policing gets done that way... lots of questionable arrests and false charges result.

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Posted by: darkknight750il

Guys thanks for all of your great replies it made me feel better and know I'm not alone in my feelings. I talked to the Sgt. who's the prosecutor about this case, he said the people had to pay their lawyer who's well connected politically over $5,000 just to show up and the Sgt sad he agreed to NP the op to endanger and R on racing and the other infractions. The Magistrate NP the racing because he thought if they weren't op to endanger the racing was uncalled for as the look like "upstanding citizens". The Sgt said he didn't appeal it because he didn't want a two week trial over this thing as the lawyer had polygraphs and all kinds of other shit in the works and the money that they paid the lawyer was a bigger fine than the state could give. So I'm done being pissed off, I know average joe doesn't get a break like this and that's not really the part that upset me the most but it does upset me. I was so upset because these people who have all the advantages and done something good with their lives do such stupid things so I guess I expected more from them.

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Posted by: KozmoKramer

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkknight750il @ Thu Oct 28, 2004 3:22 pm ...I was so upset because these people who have all the advantages and done something good with their lives do such stupid things so I guess I expected more from them....

Well on the bright side, the Commonwealth got its moneys worth and all we expected from you pal.

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