THE TEETOTALER: A MUSTANG STATION WAGON?by John LeeToday, if you are not confused, you're just not thinking clearly. --Mrs. Irene Peter What happens when someone runs into one of these corrupt cops, yet police can find no sign of alcohol, no traffic violations nor any discrepancies in vehicle registration or driver's license? What possible crime could a citizen ever be accused of? Bob and Cathy were in their 50s, and had been out to a dinner party. Bob was manager and president of several electric power associations. Driving home in their white station wagon, they stopped at a traffic light at a major intersection. A red Ford Mustang passed by at a relatively high speed. When the light turned green, they turned in the same direction of the previous car. Soon after driving on the main road, a state Highway Patrol car approached behind at high speed. The cop turned on his emergency lights and siren, stopping Bob on the side of the road. After an interview by the state police officer, Bob was issued a citation for fleeing from police at 120 miles per hour. Amazingly, the report alleged Bob was driving a red Mustang. Bob did not hire an attorney, choosing instead to state his case directly to the single government judge, believing that a judge would fairly evaluate the obvious facts. Yet the judge appeared "pissed off," and didn't appear to want to listen. Even after hearing Bob's story that he did not flee from police, and did not even own a red Mustang, the judge refused to throw out the false charge. The judge plea bargained the charge to speeding, and Bob was ordered to pay $200 in fines and court costs. Although this was not a DWI arrest (it could have easily been), I thought it was an interesting example of a corrupt traffic court in action. [Interview] |