Proposed Bill Would Allow Cops To Collect Fines On The Spot

[David]

If this passes it has a big potential for abuse. Cops will pin you for 3+ offenses and say they will "let you off" if you pay for one of them on the spot. If this passes we need to see a overwhelming amount of people push for court cases and completely overwhelm the system.

People should be doing that now. Denton Co. files 10k misdemeanor cases a year and only 5 courts handling them all. If everyone went to a jury trial, there would be backlogs for years.

In the 80s my dad set every traffic ticket he was representing someone on for jury trial. Dallas morning news estimated he created an 8 year backlog at the time. It eventually forced the city to hire I think 15 new attorneys and eventual dismissal of most offenses.

[GE]

If this passes it has a big potential for abuse. Cops will pin you for 3+ offenses and say they will "let you off" if you pay for one of them on the spot. If this passes we need to see a overwhelming amount of people push for court cases and completely overwhelm the system.

How is it going to "overwhelm the system"? It'll just revert back to how things are now.

[Labora]

How is it going to "overwhelm the system"? It'll just revert back to how things are now.

What David said, Jury Trial. Wouldn't it be great if every revenue generating BS ticket was pushed to Jury Trial. What would happen is the DA would have to start dismissing anything that was not a serious crime. Instead spending time on violent and serious crimes.

[jewozzy]

Its been like this in Arizona for years and seems to be working fine...

[bcoop]

What David said, Jury Trial. Wouldn't it be great if every revenue generating BS ticket was pushed to Jury Trial. What would happen is the DA would have to start dismissing anything that was not a serious crime. Instead spending time on violent and serious crimes.

"Serious" crimes are handled at the County level, not city. Only tickets are handled at the City level. When it comes to court jurisdiction anyhow.

[Baba Ganoush]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Other states have been doing this for years. The way morons pay it forward, it would equal less paperwork and instant revenue spikes.

[racrguy]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Other states have been doing this for years. The way morons pay it forward, it would equal less paperwork and instant revenue spikes.

Therein lies the rub. Why should the general populace be forced to give even more money to the government, only this time at the end of a gun?

[Sean88gt]

And he's a republican.

They are usually the first to suck the collective dicks of cops while giving them the benefit of the doubt.

I know they do this in Europe, generally with cash, and the cops seem to be better about it. If immediately paying (and forfeiting my rights) buys a hefty discount, then maybe. Otherwise, fuck them.

[Baba Ganoush]

Therein lies the rub. Why should the general populace be forced to give even more money to the government, only this time at the end of a gun?

It's an option to a penalty, it's not forced at gunpoint. If you want to make an argument for extortion, it will fall on deaf ears. Folks would rather swipe their cards and be done with it, justice be damned. It's just the world we live in man.

Habitual violators will still avoid paying the fine, skip out on court, and continue to skirt the system. If you're a contributing member of society that tries to do right, you're the easiest target for instant money. It sucks but no one will ever do anything to change it. Just do your best to never get the attention of the authorities, like not breaking the law and shit.

[Sean88gt]

It's an option to a penalty, it's not forced at gunpoint. If you want to make an argument for extortion, it will fall on deaf ears. Folks would rather swipe their cards and be done with it, justice be damned. It's just the world we live in man.

Habitual violators will still avoid paying the fine, skip out on court, and continue to skirt the system. If you're a contributing member of society that tries to do right, you're the easiest target for instant money. It sucks but no one will ever do anything to change it. Just do your best to never get the attention of the authorities, like not breaking the law and shit.

Yet.

[jewozzy]

They are usually the first to suck the collective dicks of cops while giving them the benefit of the doubt.

I know they do this in Europe, generally with cash, and the cops seem to be better about it. If immediately paying (and forfeiting my rights) buys a hefty discount, then maybe. Otherwise, fuck them.

Some states sweeten it even more I believe and if the infraction is paid instantly you avoid it going on your record too.

[Sean88gt]

Some states sweeten it even more I believe and if the infraction is paid instantly you avoid it going on your record too.

I need a chubby white girl to sing "It's all about the cash"

[CexMashean]

I love how this is a thread about people who are mad that they were busted doing something wrong, and having the option to pay for it immediately and move on with their life.

[Sgt Beavis]

This sounds like a great idea, right up there with civil forfeiture.

[EW]

How many of the complainers will contact their representative to voice their opinion/concern?