So I got a violation ticket, any help?

[kosydar 0]

Not to be a dick but...

If I'm understanding this GDL thing correctly everybody who gets their license in your state is on it until they're 18. Given that you aren't 18 yet, you are on it. So what you were doing (driving with more than one kid without a family member) is illegal. The cop did the "right" thing by giving you a ticket, looking solely at the law. You ultimately submitted to the search, so you can't complain about that. Yes he may have pressured you into it, but you still could have refused.

So if you do decide to fight this, which I would suggest to do here is my advice:

1. Do not ever say that you shouldn't be held accountable for the GDL because you didn't know. No judge, police officer, or any adult period will buy that. It is your responsibility to know the laws when you drive, and if you don't know, that shouldn't give you exemption. Saying this would get you no sympathy from anyone.

2. Do not bring up the "illegal" search, mainly because you consented to it.

3. I don't even think I would bring up the cop being a dick to you. I'm sure judges hear that argument enough and are sick of it. Yes there are a minority of cops who are dicks, but the vast majorities are good people who are doing a dangerous job on your behalf. Complaining that this one was being a dick for giving you a ticket (which if I understand what you say correctly, you deserved), will only make you sound like a whiner.

[Vapor 0]

A cop does not need probable cause (in NJ and most of the US). He needs what is called "A reasonable suspision" (that somethign illegal is going on). He can also use the in plain sight rule. If he sees some pot or a pipe or something, he does not need a reasonable suspision at the point.

NEVER let a cop search your car, ever (unless he gives you a REAL reason). When you role down the window, role it down just enough to give him your documentation. Be nice, but KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. Cops will lie to you. They will tell you that they will have to arrest you or keep you hear until you let him search. Tell him you know your rights, and that he does not have permission to search your car.

this video is pretty long, but watch it. You will get a good idea of what your rights are.

[jbyun04 7]

For people wondering what GDL is (I think this might only be a Wisconsin rule) but anyways. GDL is graduated driving license. Its given to you for a period of 9 months-12 months after you get your license, now they just passed a law, everyone in WI is on GDL untill 18. On the GDL you can only have 1 other person in your car, unless a family member, then you can have more. You can only drive bewteen the hours of 6 A.M. and midnight. Along with that comes if you get any kind of ticket, your points double. I got a speeding ticket, so those 3 doubled to 6. This GDL ticket I believe is 4 doubled to 8, which adds up to 14 points. Its a screwy way for the state to make more money I believe, but they say its so less teens die each year.

Anyways back to my story. There was no reason to search my car, nothing was illegal that he seen and nothing was in plain veiw. He also found nothing because I didn't have anything illegal. It just pissed me off how big of a dick head cops can be, and theres nothing we can do about it. It was kind of nice to see him search because he really thought he was going to find something and get me in more trouble, but coulldn't though. The fine is about 200 bucks for restricting class D (GDL). I just beleive I have a case and should at least get my points droped. My points are below.

1-I didn't know I was on GDL, I never got a notification or a letter.

2-Everyone else was tired and sleeping, would you want someone like that driving..(Thought the state was trying to cut down on deaths)

3-The police officers tint reading was incorrect, he stated a 27, I have paper work showing its a 35, and have a reading from a place that states its a 35 (professionaly done)

4-He illegaly searched my car, and he made me feel like a criminal.

Im going to try to use all this in court. I just hope they take my points away, I'll pay the fine, I just dont want to lose my license for something so stupid. I didn't do anything wrong.

thats exactly like the N in BC (dunno about the rest of Canada). Don't they give you a sign to put on the back of your car?

[tyler33 0]

Not to be a dick but...

If I'm understanding this GDL thing correctly everybody who gets their license in your state is on it until they're 18. Given that you aren't 18 yet, you are on it. So what you were doing (driving with more than one kid without a family member) is illegal. The cop did the "right" thing by giving you a ticket, looking solely at the law. You ultimately submitted to the search, so you can't complain about that. Yes he may have pressured you into it, but you still could have refused.

So if you do decide to fight this, which I would suggest to do here is my advice:

1. Do not ever say that you shouldn't be held accountable for the GDL because you didn't know. No judge, police officer, or any adult period will buy that. It is your responsibility to know the laws when you drive, and if you don't know, that shouldn't give you exemption. Saying this would get you no sympathy from anyone.

2. Do not bring up the "illegal" search, mainly because you consented to it.

3. I don't even think I would bring up the cop being a dick to you. I'm sure judges hear that argument enough and are sick of it. Yes there are a minority of cops who are dicks, but the vast majorities are good people who are doing a dangerous job on your behalf. Complaining that this one was being a dick for giving you a ticket (which if I understand what you say correctly, you deserved), will only make you sound like a whiner.

You misunderstood...read my explanation more carefully. They passed a new law...taking effect 1-1-07 that everyone that gets there license in WI is on GDL untill 18 no matter what. The rul that applys to me is a 9 month rule. On the back of my license it states I get off of GDL june 12, 2006, but apparently it was extended because of a previous speeding ticket. There supposed to send a notification in the mail, but I never received anything. There for I didn't know I was on GDL, or else I wouldnt've been driving with 3 other kids in the car. Do you see where Im comming from?

[kosydar 0]

Thats more clear. You at least have some grounds to fight it now.

[tyler33 0]

Faught it today, and I won. This really makes me happy, thanks guys. Its worth fighting a violation ticket. If you dont get it dropped completly, theres a good chance you will get a reduction.

[ambro 0]

I didn't know about the GDL extension. Do you know if that applies if you are already off it? I get off GDL in 5 days (my 9 months is up), so will I be off GDL for good then? Or will I then have another year of it once the new extension comes in effect (Jan 1, 2007)?

[pantherfan 0]

Faught it today, and I won. This really makes me happy, thanks guys. Its worth fighting a violation ticket. If you dont get it dropped completly, theres a good chance you will get a reduction.

Congrats, are you still on GDL or have they removed the extension on that aswell?