Allegedly Ran Stop Sign, Color Of Vehicle And Registration Info Wrong

[cincykid]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: KY.
I am from: OH

An officer just gave me a citation for allegedly running a stop sign. The citation has my correct info on it, with 2 exceptions:

The color of the vehicle is GREEN and not BLUE as it really is on the citation. (and this is factory dodge blue, and cannot be mistaken for GREEN what so ever). It also states BLUE on my registration.

The REGISTRATION EXPIRATION is incorrect on the citation. The year on the citation is 2009. My registration expires in 08.

Do I have a case based on the incompetency of the officer?

[cdwjava]

These are rather inconsequential and understandable errors, though you might get lucky and find a judge that believes any error is good for a dismissal.

You can always raise it if you like, but getting the year of expiration wrong is not an issue, and mistaking green for blue is also likewise not going to be a problem - especially if the stop was at night.

But, feel free to raise it at trial if you choose. If that's all you have as a defense, you might consider bringing your checkbook.

- Carl

[cincykid]

Thanks for the info. Here is my vehicle. I do not see how this could be misconstrued as being green, or any variation of. I've never gotten a ticket for a stop sign so I am just trying to get everything together. Nor have I ever been given a ticket with a single error on it (out of 10 or so, 1 on my record). The stop was at about 2 PM.

[trentscott5]

A few questions:

1. Did you run the stop sign?
2. Where was the officer in relation to the stop sign? What was his view like -- could it have been obstructed?
3. What were you charged with violating? I'm assuming it's KRS 189.338.

Trent

[cdwjava]

Perhaps the officer was colorblind or was wearing sunglasses, or, perhaps it's one of those paints that changes tone in the light. No way to know.

In any event, the color of your vehicle is not an element of the offense and neither is the year of registration. You are certainly free to bring this up at trial in an attempt to show the officer's observations skills are lacking, but in my experience this does not work. But, as I mentioned, you might get lucky in your selection of a judge.

- Carl

[chuckycheese]

It doesn't look green to me....it looks black!

[seniorjudge]

Thanks for the info. Here is my vehicle. I do not see how this could be misconstrued as being green, or any variation of. I've never gotten a ticket for a stop sign so I am just trying to get everything together. Nor have I ever been given a ticket with a single error on it (out of 10 or so, 1 on my record). The stop was at about 2 PM.

Looks green to me.