Question about an unsigned traffic ticket

[Gnurb]

My sister recently got pulled over for a traffic violation. Any of you folks have any experience with what happens if she failed to sign the ticket at the bottom where it says she agreed to it. Apparently the officer forgot to ask (oops!) and she just showed it to me, wondering if it was invalid. She's going to make some calls tommorow to see if it's possible that the ticket is invalid, but just wanted to get some other's opinion's. Thanks.

 

[GoodToGo]

What does it say above the supposed signature? There's always some kinda statement over there according to which you are supposed to sign the ticket.

 

[rival]

she got pulled over for a reason, dont find a loophole to get out of it

 

[d33pt]

i believe it is now void, but they will probably try to pull some crap to get her to pay. i had the same thing with a parking ticket where the officer didn't even put it on my car but stuffed it into my gf's bag as i was pulling away. i didn't even know i got a parking ticket. what a stupid pig

good luck with this and i really hope your sister will get off free. those pigs are just out to make the city money by giving traffic tickets 95% of the time...

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: rival
she got pulled over for a reason, dont find a loophole to get out of it

I got in trouble because I was suspected for racing and I received a VERY pricy ticket, because suddenly everyone with a green Mercedes out after 10 fits the reporting description...

Luckily when I took it to court the judge had a little bit of sense which the cop didn't and remembered...yes, people do have the same color/model of car.

Not all tickets are the right tickets...

 

[Rogue]

It is typically not a requirement to sign or initial a ticket. Many people get pissed off and refuse to sign the ticket, not knowing that physically accepting the ticket is considered "acceptance" of the consequences of the ticket. She received a copy, right? Obviously, since she has it and realized she didn't sign it. If she took a copy of it knowingly, then she accepted the duties and responsibilities of the ticket in hand. That's not to say she's guilty of the offense and shouldn't fight it in court, but it really comes down to the judge that day. The judge may think she's trying to undermine the police by getting it kicked on a "technicality" when in fact she actually physically accepted the ticket in some form or fashion, or the judge could get pissed that the officer didn't even have her sign it and kick it. It's a 50-50 chance either way to go to court on the matter, but she does in fact have to deal with it, signature or not. Always remember, the court house is sure to have a copy!!!

PS - I'm a cop and hate writing tickets...but there are times when people definitely deserve them!

 

[Nutz75]

one thing that everyone should do is study a ticket top to bottom, if a ticket isn't written perfect, it will be thrown out of court. I was able to get previous tickets thrown out of court for such things as not having a period in the write place, and having the wrong citation #. Just tell her to go to court and present to the judge that it was never signed, and more than likely it will be thrown out.

 

[Lucky]

Originally posted by: Nutz75
one thing that everyone should do is study a ticket top to bottom, if a ticket isn't written perfect, it will be thrown out of court. I was able to get previous tickets thrown out of court for such things as not having a period in the write place, and having the wrong citation #. Just tell her to go to court and present to the judge that it was never signed, and more than likely it will be thrown out.

that's like the rumors you can get your ticket thrown out if the cop decribes your car as "black" when it's really a "dark grey", or "blue" when its really a "metallic green". Doesn't happen.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: rival
she got pulled over for a reason, dont find a loophole to get out of it

Disagree. Cops have rules to follow too. If they ignore them - be it overtly or from stupid negligence - I think you have a strong case against wanting to being a sucker and paying the ticket.

It's not a loophole. The cop didn't do the job right so don't have your sister take the fall.

 

[rufruf44]

Most traffic ticket doesn't require the "victim" signature to be valid. Going to court is will always save you money (not to mention haggling for the points) but its a lengthy process, and you can waste an entire day just waiting for your case to get called.

 

[Rogue]

Sorry nutz, but if the only problem with the ticket is that it is not signed, that's more than likely not going to get it kicked unless it is an "absolute requirement" that the ticket be signed as acknowledgement of receipt of the ticket. As far as I know, an offender cannot be forced to sign a ticket. Many drivers fear that signing the ticket is an admission of guilt to some degree. The officer, fearing potential confrontation during the course of the situation may have chosen not to press the issue on having the violator sign the ticket and may have articulated that fact on the court copy of the ticket. There are a number of "legal" reasons that the officer may not have had the violator sign the ticket. Like I said, unless it is an absolute requirement that the ticket be signed, it won't get kicked on that alone. She has physical possession of her copy, indicating she knew she was cited for the offense and that she has an obligation to take care of it one way or another or suffer the reprecussions of failing to handle the matter in accordance with the citation.

 

[dirtboy]

If she broke the law she needs to pay.

 

[weezergirl]

my friend got her parking ticket in the mail. so i don't think the fact that u ddin't sign it counts

but yeah, she was parked (withengine running) on the red line while her friend was using the atm machine. the guy running the newstand next to her was like u should moveyour car since the parking guy is right behind you so she yelled for her friend to get in the car and they drove away. a couple of weeks later she got a ticket in the mail. that's la parking services for ya!

 

Originally posted by: dirtboy
If she broke the law she needs to pay.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: rival
she got pulled over for a reason, dont find a loophole to get out of it

mama's boy.