Legal Question in Traffic Law in Michigan

I had court last week for "failure to stop for a school bus" (I would have been rear ended). Anyway the officer did not show up and the magistrate had another officer sit there acting as if he were the officer but didn't say a word on the record, he just played on his laptop. The officer that pulled me over said he would get it lowered to something with no points. I was worried and didn't say anything. The magistrate told me he would look at the dash cam and send me his verdict but it doesn't usually go well for people like me he said. The dash cam goes on when the officer hits the lights so he won't be able to see what happened. Can he have another officer pretend to be the cop who pulled me over and just lie like that about the dash cam? The officer didn't look anything like the one who pulled me over unless he grew spiked hair, lost 40 pounds, 3 inches in height ect. There has to be something I can do, can you please give me advice?


Asked on 5/04/14, 8:57 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Timothy Klisz Klisz Law Office, PLLC

Yes, you should obtain an attorney to figure out these shenanigans. That sounds very fishy to me. Call to discuss if you in metro Detroit.

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Answered on 5/05/14, 7:08 am
William Morrison Action Defense Center

On the back of your ticket, you had a choice between an informal or (upon your request) a formal hearing. Since you didn't make the request, you got an informal hearing which was your first mistake. The magistrate promised to look at the video because he just wanted to get you out of the room.

You lost. You can still hire a lawyer and appeal the decision by having a formal hearing, but your excuse (being tailgated) is pretty lame.

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Answered on 5/05/14, 5:29 pm


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