Description of Offense

Hey everyone,

I've been looking through the threads and the information has been very helpful, but I was hoping someone could elaborate on a particuar question I have.

In the description of offense section of the ticket it says:
LIL 84@ 1397.1

Can someone please tell me what this means? The cop wrote that I was going 84 in a 65 so I'm assuming 84 is my speed. Also, he checked off posted, LIDAR, and estimated on the ticket. If he was using the laser gun, why would he also check estimated?

I know I'm going to have to plead my case in front of the magistrate, but I was passing an 18-wheeler and merged in the left hand lane and as I moved over there was a guy in front of me going 70 and traveling equidistant with the truck, there was no way I could've been going 84. Also he practically slammed on his breaks after he drove past the state trooper in the left lane and consequently I had to slow down before I even passed his cruiser (hence I was going even slower once I passed the cop). Personally I think I got victimized based on what the guy in front of me is doing, but I figured I'd give everyone some background info on the situation.

As I said before, any information on the description would be very helpful in helping me understand the best way to appeal. Thanks again!

So you're asking a bunch of cops how to prove a cop made a mistake in court? Ballsy.

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"I know I'm going to have to plead my case in front of the magistrate"

Just tell him you want to go before a judge so you can face the trooper
in person and ask your questions.

As I said, I'm just trying to understand the abbreviation for the description of the offense.

I know it's my right to appeal, and I'm just trying to get more information so I can prepare myself beforehand.

1397.1 is the footage from you to him when he pulled the trigger on the LIDAR, and you were doing 84mph when said trigger was pulled. It is also over 1/4 mile (1320 feet is a quarter mile) so I doubt you even knew you were being zinged.

Good luck trying to beat the ticket, the beam on a LIDAR is only 3 feet wide at exactly one thousand feet, so it's very easy to pick and choose which vehicle you want to measure the speed of. No more days of RADAR spanning the width of a whole road and beyond. A version of LIDAR is used to dock the Space Shuttle, so it is extremely accurate.

I haven't seen anyone else ask this in quite a while, was the officer wearing his hat when he pulled you over? If not, it's game over and you will win the appeal handily. Be sure to stress this point repeatedly at your hearing.

Hmmm, I think the LIL might be an error. The trooper meant LOL. You know, LOL, as in "ha ha fucker, I got your ass!"... I'd appeal on the basis of an error written on an official Registry document...

The best thing you can do is to drag that cop into court on his/her day off. I suggest you bring charts and several expert witnesses with you. This will show the magistrate that you mean business.

Thanks for your input Johnny, much appreciated!

I think it's worth noting that while I was in the left lane, the state trooper was tucked in the corner of the left-hand breakdown lane where the barrier forms an L. In other words, he had the barrier behind him and I would assume it would be difficult for him to be turned around from the front seat, looking through his rear window, and over the barrier to follow me with the LIDAR from 1/4 mile down the road. Also, wouldn't he have to see through cage that separates the front seats from the back seats?

Anyway, I can keep speculating, but at least this sheds some light on the situation and gives me a point of reference moving forward. Thanks again!

Chances are he was standing outside the cruiser when he zinged you, then had a few seconds to get in, let you pass, then pull you over. That's what I would do anyway. Only with my hat on.

Was this on the Mass Pike? If it was 1397.1 refers to the mile marker that the trooper either was stopped at when he observed you or the one where he finally stopped you (some guys do it either way. There's no right or wrong way to list the mile marker). The mile marker numbers start in Boston on the Pike at 0.0 and get higher as you go west. Were you almost at the MA/NY line?

As a point of reference for moving forward, take this as a learning opportunity and SLOW DOWN! By the way, if you were in a 65 mph zone and passing anything (car, truck, jet plane, UFO, whatever) traveling at 65 mph you were going pretty fast and knowing that most people don't go the speed limit to begin with odds are you were passing a vehicle going over 65 mph. In fact you indicate that you were passing a truck that you estimated was going 70 mph. Not to mention if you catch up to a vehicle going 70 mph, which is what you say the guy in front of you was going, then that leaves little doubt that you were doing 80+ and if the trooper and LIDAR say it was 84 mph; then, it was 84 mph. But hey you have the right to appeal, so by all means as others have advised appeal it twice and drag that trooper in on his/her day off. They really hate that.

No, I was actually going eastbound between 495 and the Framingham exit. Also, as I mentioned before he wrote LIL at the beginning of the description. Not sure if that is an abbreviation for him saying that he used the LIDAR or the only other thing I could think of was that maybe he was indicating I was in the left lane.

BINGO! That's entrapment all day long! It's not only your right, but your DUTY to appeal this! How many tax payers has this jack-booted thug railroaded simply to generate revenue for the state? Do be sure to bring photographs and a thorough explanation of LIDAR from the Internet. It's not just a slam dunk, but your civic duty.

Left / Lane - speed - distance = p0nage

Both myself and the unions encourage you to exercise your right....