Hey G35Mass...
#16
#17
That was how I was going to recommend to argue the exhaust charge. A cop saying it "sounded to him" like it was louder than stock would almost never hold up in court with a good lawyer, especially if your exhaust really is quieter than stock under load and you could provide dB Meter proof.
Even in the absence of proof, once you're in court, the decision will be made by what is presented there. For example, you could ask a few simple questions about stock exhausts (having looked up the dB levels from a reliable source) to see if the cop could say which were quieter or louder than the others. Odds are no one could tell by their ears the difference between exhausts which are close in dB.
Regardless you might still be screwed, because traffic tickets don't go in front of a jury.
I had a ticket long ago regarding a new loitering law that I correctly disputed on a "technicality". The sign had to be "well-displayed, less than 10 feet off the ground" according to the law. In my situation, the sign was neither well-displayed (the light-pole it was posted on was broken, so the sign was not illuminated whatsoever), nor less than 10 feet off of the ground (it was more like 13-14 ft), and I had photographic proof. Despite all this, in this particular situation, the judge told me after I wasted 30 minutes of my time representing myself that he regretted the fact that this was a city council law and, thus, his hands were tied and he could provide no dismissals. Therefore, I was made to pay the fine.
Even in the absence of proof, once you're in court, the decision will be made by what is presented there. For example, you could ask a few simple questions about stock exhausts (having looked up the dB levels from a reliable source) to see if the cop could say which were quieter or louder than the others. Odds are no one could tell by their ears the difference between exhausts which are close in dB.
Regardless you might still be screwed, because traffic tickets don't go in front of a jury.
I had a ticket long ago regarding a new loitering law that I correctly disputed on a "technicality". The sign had to be "well-displayed, less than 10 feet off the ground" according to the law. In my situation, the sign was neither well-displayed (the light-pole it was posted on was broken, so the sign was not illuminated whatsoever), nor less than 10 feet off of the ground (it was more like 13-14 ft), and I had photographic proof. Despite all this, in this particular situation, the judge told me after I wasted 30 minutes of my time representing myself that he regretted the fact that this was a city council law and, thus, his hands were tied and he could provide no dismissals. Therefore, I was made to pay the fine.
Last edited by BlueDevilBAMF; 09-01-2008 at 11:20 PM.
#20
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Originally Posted by Down_Shift
Dude I've heard your car... it's loud.. it's not as loud as a stock VQ.. but you have that bass/tuned car sound.. which is alot more noticeable than a stock VQ.
I believe Gabe got a baaaaad surcharge for an Exhaust ticket.. maybe he can chime in..
I believe Gabe got a baaaaad surcharge for an Exhaust ticket.. maybe he can chime in..
Thanks for the replies guys!
#21
Originally Posted by Hi-Tech_G
Everything you get ticketed for is a surchargeable and goes against your record here in the wonderful state of Taxachusetts.
The question is, is an Exhaust Noise fine a moving violation?
I'm not 100% on this, but my guess would be Yes.
Funny how we're discussing this now.... my new exhaust is in the mail!
#22
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Originally Posted by AesonVirus
Moving violations are what whack you with surcharges.
The question is, is an Exhaust Noise fine a moving violation?
I'm not 100% on this, but my guess would be Yes.
Funny how we're discussing this now.... my new exhaust is in the mail!
The question is, is an Exhaust Noise fine a moving violation?
I'm not 100% on this, but my guess would be Yes.
Funny how we're discussing this now.... my new exhaust is in the mail!
i.e. Expired inspection while parked from meter maid = non surcharge, Expired inspection while driving = surcharge
#29
#30
Originally Posted by khundkar
YOu are right about that. I don't think i'll be able to live in virginia.
But you have to admit, Massachusetts is becoming a police state..
But you have to admit, Massachusetts is becoming a police state..
Every week I read 7-10 new case-law limiting what I can do.
Constitutional law is literally taught in Mass as "The Mass standard, and the 49 state standard. If you lived anywhere else, you could do X, Y, and Z. Since you live here, you can't do any of it"