Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Michigan
Was the policeman wrong?
A cop pulled me over and started asking me questions about drugs without telling me what I was pulled over for, I asked him, ''look buddy what is this all about?'' he said i wasn't his buddy and that when he is met with my kind of ''resistance'' that he can go quote ''tickethappy'' he ended up giving me 3, 2 for lights that were out on my license plate, and one for not giving him my proof of insurance ''upon request'' I gave him my proof of insurance receipt, but he said he needed the card, when I asked him if I could get the card out of my glovebox he informed me that I hadn't given it to him ''upon request'' and he was writing me up. The tickets together are $300 so if there is any advice you could give me, that would be great.
Sarah
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Was the policeman wrong?
Go to court and fight the tickets on the basis that there was no reason to pull you over. Explain the proof of insurance. They'll probably cut you a big break. Just don't call the judge "Buddy". Bill Stern
Re: Was the policeman wrong?
You should be able to win the ticket on no proof of insurance in court. But having no working lights on the plate is a civil infraction. The stop for the equipment violation was valid. My friend Bill Stern's advice is not quite correct.
Good luck.