Had my Camaro towed for Reckless Operation after practicing in an empty parking lot

[rez333]

You guys are ridiculously judgmental. All you have as far as information is concerned is what's written in the OP, but a lot of you are making a lot of assumptions and judging him based on your prejudiced perception of the "tone" of his post.

I see some tire marks like he was turning a corner aggressively, but I don't see how this is sufficient to get someone towed. Everything else we know about the situation is what has been written in the OP. Those two elements alone are not enough to justify the lynching the OP has received. Based solely on the information given, I think it's clear that the police were harassing him, but until we hear their side of the story - I think it's judgmental to presume what that happens to be.

[Caspers2SSRS]

Its pertinent......................The OP states that the officer made his determination to ticket him based off of his ( Officer ) going to the lot and seeing marks. If this is the case then obviously the officer didn't witness the OP operating any vehicle that may have left them there. More importantly....the OP hasn't mentioned that any other citizen involving themsleves in the matter and them demanding upon the officers a citizens arrest be made.

Obviously the OP can't be forced to admit or witness involuntarily, under threat, or while facing undue distress against himself. More importantly if no one has material evidence contary to anyones ( Officers, OP's or ours) beliefs................anyone could have left those marks there........and beliefs aren't admittable as evidence...............its hearsay

It seems fair minded and part of the critical thinking process, that the audience of post viewers here also consider the unimportance of the OP's past history, self admitted, infered or otherwise regarding the validity of this one event alone....................

If not, one might conclude that anyone of us who is caught violating a statute tommorrow, admit bravely and freely to the investigating officer " That it is all good" because you didn't catch me the other countless of times I've knowingly deserved a citation..............and see what happens.

and ......................Welcome back Brantley :-)

[Fiveg56]

LOL @ all of the amatuer attorneys chiming in. CLUELESS.

[bigbob11]

Move

[Caspers2SSRS]

Originally Posted by Fiveg56

LOL @ all of the amatuer attorneys chiming in. CLUELESS.

Its a public site and I for one can't find anything larger than a freckle worths of legal advice in the thread. And your non amatuer advice would be? Credentials first please...........

[Amclymon]

Originally Posted by ZZZ

So I went to an empty parking lot this evening and was practicing with traction control off. I had made a few tire marks and the vehicle had skidded a few times when practicing defensive driving skills.

Two officers pulled up in the community I live in after repeated harassment after purchasing my Camaro and proceeded to ask for my info and asked me and a passenger to get out of the car. One of them goes to the parking lot and says he sees the track marks very minimal (Ill post pictures in the morning when I get them on my cell phone. They officer accused me of doughnuts (None of the tire marks indicate a circular intact motion suggesting I was doing such a thing.

A third officer showed up and the first thing he did was laugh and said "****ing Tow It!" in a goading voice and proceeded to tear my trunk up searching for contraband.

This is after Officers had stopped me shortly after purchasing the vehicle in the town I live in and harassed me threatening to cite me for Attempted Assault if I revv my engine past anyone again.

Furthermore neighbors had reported me for speeding on my block and the Deputy Police Chief sent me a threatening letter bringing up unproven accounts and a false report that was filed by a City Service Department Employee months after I had sent an email to the Mayor of the city complaining about harassment from him at the City Civic Center for bringing up a family members health condition.

I used to work for our city and as early as three years ago was making 8 an hour part time on the back of a garbage truck. I know own a % in my own company and I am doing well and decided to purchase a new Camaro and the harassment and nastiness I get locally has been out of control.

I am only Twenty Five and I am sure it gets under the skin of ex co workers seeing someone who was making minimum wage afford a higher standard of living than they are used to.

So basically my car was towed and I was given a ticket for Reckless Operation.

Personally I am not even bothered by it as much as I am disgusted and worried about the well being of my vehicle when I pick it up this morning from a local Garage it was towed at.

I am at a loss for words regarding the behavior of the one officer who swore and tore the lining out of my trunk this evening. The officers involved started questioning me about my job when I actually make more than them a year now and it took every bit of self control to not just tell them to mind their own business. I was positive and upbeat. They told me to start walking home and wouldn't let me wait to see my vehicle towed.

I am seriously worried they damaged my vehicle out of spite given all the issues I have had with this city since leaving.

My grandfather is ex city council and a city inspector still and ex PD and the name carries alot of political feelings. Right now I really don't know what to do if the car is damaged or about the accusations.

LAAWWSUUIITTT

[soloknight6]

Buy a new car... Get one of these, it will solve your "problems."


You can drive like a douche and no one will even notice!

[Fiveg56]

Originally Posted by Caspers2SSRS

Its a public site and I for one can't find anything larger than a freckle worths of legal advice in the thread. And your non amatuer advice would be? Credentials first please...........

I think I'll keep it to myself

[Baba]

Originally Posted by attymf

They cannot issue you a moving violation or charge you with a criminal offense if reckless operation is such without actually observing you drive reckless. Seeing skid marks in a parking lot is not enough. Hire a lawyer.

It's true! It's true! You ARE "the most interesting man in the world."

[meissen]

Originally Posted by AirManFL

Out of curiosity, is it a private parking lot? Do you know the owner of the parking lot?

Rob

Originally Posted by Brutal SS

I think this question is key. Im no law professor, but I think if it is private property, they weren't suppose to mess with you unless the proprieter called em on you.

Originally Posted by garcmol

Sucks your car was towed.

I'm not sure if it's everywhere but in Birmingham along Woodward, after business hours the entire parking lot is public property and the officers can kick people out whenever they want.

[tazz3]

it stinks your car got towed. but stay out of trouble

[Caspers2SSRS]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Caspers2SSRS
Its a public site and I for one can't find anything larger than a freckle worths of legal advice in the thread. And your non amatuer advice would be? Credentials first please...........

"I think I'll keep it to myself "
__________________

LOL............Then obviously and in all fairness, I'll keep my professional advice at bay.

[DRKS1D3]

Originally Posted by 2SS 2011

remember you put yourself in that position..

THIS...and Detroit! No surprise.

[meissen]

I'm surprised how many people are being so rude and disrespectful to the OP. I'm not saying that what the OP was doing was truly defensive driving maneuvers, but I know 100% that I've heard adults of ALL ages recommend going to empty parking lots and practice swerving and defensive driving to see how much it takes to make your car break loose. It's not to drive like an asshat, it's to know the limits of the car when you're driving on the freeway and have to slam and swerve to avoid someone slamming on the brakes infront of you. It's ESPECIALLY important to do this when there's a fresh coat of snow so you know how your car handles and what you can or can't do.

Frankly, I wasn't there and unlike most of the folks in this thread, I'm not going to jump to conclusions without knowing the facts. Regardless of the situation, it still sucks that your car was towed and it's a bummer to hear about it.