I swear I'm innocent! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pwogaman · #1 11-19-2009, 10:16 PM

I received a speeding ticket from the Washington, D.C. Police in the mail for going 51 in a 40 mph zone. Apparently I, or someone I authorized to use my vehicle, was caught by a speed camera. They provide a link to the pictures of my car in the very act.

Here they are:

The funny thing about its the picture came out rather poorly. My car looks pretty much like this when I have taken pictures of it:

The speed camera angle makes the black paint look kind of silvery and almost makes it look kind of like a 2006 Toyota Sienna:

or maybe a 2007:

or maybe a 2008:

or maybe a 2009:

or maybe even a 2010:

Another funny thing is that at the very time the speed camera took the picture my car it was parked right behind my 300SD when I was working on the fender repair (Fender Repair). Here's a picture I took during the fender dry fit process with the black wagon in the back ground:

Several neighbors with whom I spoke during that same time also seem to remember my cars both being there. Go figure.

But, I must be wrong.

I absolutely cannot envision how a speed camera or some Police contractor could be wrong.

R Leo · #2 11-19-2009, 10:31 PM

OCR software interpreted the 'V' as a 'W' on the plate.

Pretty straightforward mistake that commonsense should rectify. Unfortunately, common sense isn't involved so you are probably SOL. Too bad for you.

okyoureabeast · #3 11-19-2009, 10:32 PM

I hate speed cameras. Stupid money grubbing lights.

I'm thinking of putting infrared lights onto my license and blinding those damn cameras.

pwogaman · #4 11-19-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

[. . .] you are probably SOL. Too bad for you.

HA! I'm going to have fun with this one and it will not involve me paying a single dime to them.

kerry · #5 11-19-2009, 10:38 PM

I've had a similar experience. My cream 300TD turned into a maroon Honda sedan. The contractor has nothing to lose by attempting to stick you with the fine. I had to provide a copy of my registration and driver's license to prove my innocence along with a letter of explanation.
By the way, the City of Denver lost a lawsuit which fought the system on the grounds that the contractor was issuing the ticket and not a police officer. Now, every photo cam ticket has to be reviewed by a police officer before it can be legally enforced.

cmac2012 · #6 11-19-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

I hate speed cameras. Stupid money grubbing lights.

I'm thinking of putting infrared lights onto my license and blinding those damn cameras.

This is the first I've heard of them and I already hate them. Out here, we have red light cameras but I've not heard of any speed cameras yet.

I will admit though, that if I knew those things were all over the place, I'd stay at or under the speed limit a bit more reliably.

Damn.

okyoureabeast · #7 11-19-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

This is the first I've heard of them and I already hate them. Out here, we have red light cameras but I've not heard of any speed cameras yet.

I will admit though, that if I knew those things were all over the place, I'd stay at or under the speed limit a bit more reliably.

Damn.

I know of red light cameras, which I equally hate. But speed cameras are worse.

I thought I was safe from them in my little hamlet of Northwestern PA, but in nearby Cleveland they have red light cameras and now have this nifty little "Speed on green" fine.

Floor it through a green light and BAM you get a ticket. I have yet to get one, but they're still a joke.

pawoSD · #8 11-19-2009, 10:48 PM

Speed cameras are dumb, and this proves it.

Looks like part of the problem is the horribly hard to read font they use on VA plates. Who's bright idea was that??

Johnhef · #9 11-19-2009, 10:59 PM

oh boy did they make a mistake when they sent you of all people the wrong ticket.

Jim B. · #10 11-19-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwogaman

I received a speeding ticket from the Washington, D.C. Police in the mail for going 51 in a 40 mph zone. Apparently I, or someone I authorized to use my vehicle, was caught by a speed camera. They provide a link to the pictures of my car in the very act.

Here they are:

The funny thing about its the picture came out rather poorly. My car looks pretty much like this when I have taken pictures of it:

Another funny thing is that at the very time the speed camera took the picture my car it was parked right behind my 300SD when I was working on the fender repair (Fender Repair). Here's a picture I took during the fender dry fit process with the black wagon in the back ground:

Several neighbors with whom I spoke during that same time also seem to remember my cars both being there. Go figure.

.

pwogaman,

Take these pictures, above printed out to Court and be ready to plead NOT GUILTY and ask for a Court trial, and waive time.

But before Court, ask to see the District Attorney and show him the pictures and explain to him the WRONG vehicle (yours) got the ticket and show him the pic's with the V and W.

Ask him to call YOUR case first on his docket of cases and ask him to DISMISS the charge with prejudice.

99% sure he will do it exactly as you asked and your will be out of court in ONE MINUTE.

If you can't speak to him, when your case is called, go to the podium, say "Good Morning your Honor" and when the charge is read, do plead NOT GUILTY, demand a Court trial, and say " I Waive Time" ( <----- your right to a speedy trial) and ask that "the matter be continued to such and such a date (that you pick) for arraignment, plea and further proceedings"

The judge or magistrate will or may ask the DA if he objects and he won't - because he has no good reason to.

In some cases the Judge may decide to hear your case right then, and you can "waive irregularites in the proceedings" and go ahead and plead NOT GUILTY and demand the DA dismiss the charge by making a formal motion to dismiss, explaining the camera hit the wrong car, and then show pics of the Mercedes License plate, and the one of the Van that the camera flashed. Show evidence you owned the wrong car, Mercedes wagon not a van, your registration and explain the diffrerence of the V and W.

It is so obvious the camera did not make a mistake but the *person* making the ticket (Often the ticket is signed at the bottom not by a cop but by the secretary of Redflex, "on my information and belief!" the multimillion dollar Traffic camera maker in Arizona, and they make mistakes sometimes.

That whole business is a money making racket, REDFLEX gets about 30% of the fine off every camera ticket !!!! )

I recently went through it about a year ago is why I know.

Also I was a Court clerk in Criminal, in San Francisco Superior court for over 20 years, is why I know.

I always told frustrated people "The Government is mostly about routes and structures, if you know how to navigate them you can fix things; but if you don't - it's like going into a forest in a Kafka novel;

Here is a number to call to get started, if you have no success, call me back at THIS number, ask for ME personally, and we will try another way, and find the solution."

This calmed the agitated person down every single time.

Because it worked - every single time. MUCH better than putting then on "HOLD" until the earth became a cold black cinder.

Trust me on this...

Hatterasguy · #11 11-20-2009, 01:06 AM

This is why all speed camra's should be destroyed.

I'm sure their is a number on the ticket you can call to tell them they screwed up.

pwogaman · #12 11-20-2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

This is why all speed camra's should be destroyed.

I'm sure their is a number on the ticket you can call to tell them they screwed up.

"There" is not a number to call.

R Leo · #13 11-20-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwogaman

"There" is not a number to call.

So you've looked and your saying there number isn't somewhere they're on the ticket?

FWIW, some Dutch and British malcontents have taken the speed camera issue into their own hands.

pwogaman · #14 11-20-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

So you've looked and your saying there number isn't somewhere they're on the ticket?

FWIW, some Dutch and British malcontents have taken the speed camera issue into their own hands.

That's what I'm saying, but I'm not sure what "you're" saying.

Dee8go · #15 11-20-2009, 10:51 AM

My guess is that they'll have a second, back up location for pooping once you're done with them . . . .

That's the best case I've seen or heard of yet against the use of those traffic cameras.