Police DO NOT have quotas. nope.

[Professor]

No, they aren't going to "go out" and arrest people for a missed traffic court date. But, if you get pulled over again, you'll get arrested. We used to do that all the time when I was a PO. Pull over some guy for speeding, running a stop sign, etc. Find out he has a warrant. Have to haul him in. Don't always want to, but have to.

When a cop comes into lawful contact with a person with a warrant, they HAVE to arrest them. They can't just write a ticket. If they write a ticket and don't arrest, there is documentation that they've come into contact with that person and they'll get in trouble. I guess you could not write them a ticket, but there is still a record with the dispatcher that you pulled them over, and that a background check was run on them through the system. Then, you get in trouble for BOTH not arresting and not writing a ticket.

[Saz]

[exploited]

It is hilarious to see Saz continue to do all these mental gymnastics, lol.

"It shouldn't matter if cops ignore subpoenas." Wrong. Cops have as much legal obligation to show up when subpoenaed as any other civilian.

"People aren't fined for missing court dates." Wrong. They are fined by every single jurisdiction posted so far. Fines range from $18-500.

"It is no big deal if you don't show up." Wrong. Your license is suspended, you face additional fines, and you may even be arrested.

On every factual point of contention, he's been wrong. I'm embarrassed for him.

[Professor]

That second part is true. My guess is that our Sgt was a particular hardass (I know he was). I don't think there is legal trouble if the cop doesn't arrest.

As for getting your license suspended, I was looking around and found what happens in LA (earlier in this discussion - don't have the website now). Basically, you go pay your fine PLUS another $18 at court (not including the fine, court costs, and late fees for the fine itself). Then, you have to go to the DMV and pay another $47 to get your license reinstated.

I'd rather do 5-10 hard labor than go to the DMV.

However, I think we can conclude from all this that states are VERY different in how they treat these.

Back to the issue at hand - a mayor should never tell police that he'll cut their pay if they don't write more tickets. That policy makes our police more like salespeople who work for commissions based on how much income they produce.

[Saz]

[exploited]

[Saz]

[exploited]

[Saz]

Well this is about as stupid as actual traffic court so feel free to do whatever you wish. Everyone else, I would advise you simply change your court date if you want to win in traffic court.

[exploited]