Maryland Judge Dismisses G8 GT Tail Light Charges

[FenwickHockey65]

Maryland Judge Dismisses G8 Tail Light Charges
Link to Article

By Justin Hyde
September 29, 2010

The Maryland judge who threatened to approve tickets for all Pontiac G8 owners over their stock tail lights has backed down, reportedly saying she "misunderstood." Vehicular freedom's having a good week in the Bay State.

To recap: The judge had issued an $85 fine to the owner of a Pontiac G8 GT for illegal tail lights ticketed by police, and ruled even the factory version would be illegal under Maryland law, despite being approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Thing is, Altezza-style tail lamps can be found on dozens of cars, and are a mainstay of the aftermarket. Thanks to a local state's attorney who has similar lamps on a Lexus, not only were the charges dismissed, but the owner of the G8 received an apology from the supervisor of the officer who wrote the ticket.

[a_Username]

I'm honestly surprised. Usually issues of this sort where "public safety" is concerned ends up being awarded to the state.

[SuperFly03]

Good... that was the right call. Silly judge.

[TheCaptain]

Justice has been served. lol
I bet Jackalope is happy now!

[v6sonoma]

Idiots. Complete idiots.

[MSG']

I've been wondering about this, glad they got some common sense back. thanks for the update

[Xanthos]

I'd completely forgotten, but thanks for the update anyway!
- X

[Cmicasa the Great XvX]

And I'll be the first to say that my State has some of the biggest butt-wipe cops and judges on the planet. We won't even get into these lil effers sitting all along the Highway taking super-bright flashing pictures of U as U drive by, blinding U.. causing U to lose control and kill people.



And don't forget in the City... we have these mofos




Thanks Gov O' Malley.. U PRICK... U got me voting Republican next election

Watch for KA on your Radar Detector for City Cameras and Laser for Highway

[SS 376]

That's first year of law school. If the taillights are legal under federal law, the state cannot-cannot-cannot decide to make the taillight illegal.

[DarkneSS]

Originally Posted by SS 376

That's first year of law school. If the taillights are legal under federal law, the state cannot-cannot-cannot decide to make the taillight illegal.

Actually they can, all powers not stated to the federal government are reserved to the states. Virtually all tickets for violations you get in your state are created by your state. Hence why different states have different tint laws etc.

[Xanthos]

Originally Posted by DarkneSS

Actually they can, all powers not stated to the federal government are reserved to the states. Virtually all tickets for violations you get in your state are created by your state. Hence why different states have different tint laws etc.

Yeah, but that would be something that would have to pass state legislature before a judge could rule on the matter, not just from a judges prerogative. Just like tint laws - a judge can't fine you for tint if its not already against the law.
- X

[MSG']

Originally Posted by DarkneSS

Actually they can, all powers not stated to the federal government are reserved to the states. Virtually all tickets for violations you get in your state are created by your state. Hence why different states have different tint laws etc.

These are Department of Transportation (DOT) approved lights to use on U.S. highways=federally approved lights.

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by Cmicasa the Great XvX

And I'll be the first to say that my State has some of the biggest butt-wipe cops and judges on the planet. We won't even get into these lil effers sitting all along the Highway taking super-bright flashing pictures of U as U drive by, blinding U.. causing U to lose control and kill people.



And don't forget in the City... we have these mofos




Thanks Gov O' Malley.. U PRICK... U got me voting Republican next election

Watch for KA on your Radar Detector for City Cameras and Laser for Highway

[DarkneSS]

Originally Posted by MSG'

These are Department of Transportation (DOT) approved lights to use on U.S. highways=federally approved lights.

Doesn't matter whether or not they are approved by the federal government, its still up to the state to pass rules on what type of tail light is legal in said state. The federal government sets "guidelines", in this case over head lights and tail lights. Despite this the state does not legally have to follow these guidelines. Most of the time they do though in order to receive federal funding for transportation. The point is that just because a light is DOT approved doesn't make it legal everywhere you go.
I do however agree that it was BS that the owner was ticketed. Additionally the feds have the power to regulate interstate commerce so they could stretch that power potentially to regulate lights.