Two Tickets No Front License Plate Within A Week

Hi,

I'll spare you all the angry details (I've very annoyed by all of this). The facts of the case are I am a St. Louis, Missouri resident who received one violation last weekend by an officer who was, by all accounts, doing his job and ensuring that no drunk drivers were out. I wasn't, but I did receive a ticket for not having a front license plate. The officer was professional about it, and I understand now (though I was annoyed to say the least then) that he was just doing his job.

Today, as I pulled into a parking spot of my gym another officer from the same department parked behind me, flipped on his lights, and asked me questions about not having a front license plate. Unfortunately, in the weeks timespan I had not been able to fix the issue (I believed that I had until the court date to have it done, actually). He began to ask me questions on where I worked and what I did. When I questioned him as to why this information was pertinent he told me to wait at my car. Though I informed the officer that I had received a violation for the same thing just recently and asked him to please consider writing a warning, he told me that I would be getting a ticket. Suffice it to say I was livid that the officer refused to enforce the spirit of the law and insisted upon the letter instead.

I am a student currently studying full-time for a life changing examination which will determine whether or not I will attend medical school. As such money is tight and the 65$ fine (x2) in addition to getting holes drilled in my cars front bumper (it was bought out of state where only the rear is required) is a serious problem.

What do I do? Will the court grant me mercy if I show evidence (picture/receipt) that the issue has been fixed? What are the chances that I'll have to pay both tickets, and how do I make sure that I pay the least possible amount. Also, the court dates (two seperate dates), one is one week before my exam (I really don't want to deal with this then, I need to be focused), and the other is the day of my exam (I can't deal with this then). How do I make sure I can give the court my full attention and respect, since I know that will be required to convince the judge that the fine should be reduced.


Thank you for your all for your help. If you need details or clarification, please ask.

I should add that I had left the previous ticket on my desk at home. The officer did ask to see it but I did not have it with me.

If it were me, I would go to court, prove (perhaps through a photo) that the problem was fixed, and ask for leniency (perhaps on the basis that you couldn't fix it right away because you weren't equipped to drill the holes to attach the plate, and that you are an impoverished student).

Not sure I go for the "bought out of state" gig. Neither the state I live in nor the state I work in require a front plate but every car that shows up has a bracket for a front plate in both of the states. I would have to do some research on this but the manufacturer typically makes the vehicle to accept a plate in front.

Continuing to drive without a front plate would be the same as driving without a rear plate and being stopped multiple times. It is a violation each and every time. Now, I'm not saying the judge may not take mercy on you for whatever story you give him but each incedent is a violation.

The bigger problem is, unless you just moved to the state, you know that a front plate is required. You had from the time you bought the car until now to install a front plate yet you failed to do so.

Sounds like a gamble as to what the judge will say. I don;t think I would be to demanding.

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Quoting jk

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Not sure I go for the "bought out of state" gig. Neither the state I live in nor the state I work in require a front plate but every car that shows up has a bracket for a front plate in both of the states. I would have to do some research on this but the manufacturer typically makes the vehicle to accept a plate in front.

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Pontiac Sunfire doesn't make it easy to install a front plate. We told our daughter to get the front license plate installed on her vehicle, but she procrastinated because she didn't know how they could drill holes on a curved bumper.

After she received a ticket, it didn't take us long to figure out how to drill the holes and attach her plate. :D

She didn't fight the ticket, but it is worth a try to see if Mr. Knowitall's suggestion works.

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Interesting article

I didn't research if this ended up going to the Senate, but I found the comments interesting.

Thanks for the help. Yes the car truly did come from California with no front license bracket installed and no holes in the bumper. When I called a local dealer they told me that in those cases the bracket (which is 80 dollars apparently!) is often under the wheel well. Luckily, that is the case for me and I'll get it fixed tomorrow. I honestly believed I had at least until the court date to get it fixed, but after speaking to a traffic lawyer and what you all have saying I know otherwise. I hope the judge, though, realizes that upon receiving my second ticket I immediately fixed the problem (the next business day). Is that worth anything at all?

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Quoting Happy Trails

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Pontiac Sunfire doesn't make it easy to install a front plate. We told our daughter to get the front license plate installed on her vehicle, but she procrastinated because she didn't know how they could drill holes on a curved bumper.

After she received a ticket, it didn't take us long to figure out how to drill the holes and attach her plate. :D

She didn't fight the ticket, but it is worth a try to see if Mr. Knowitall's suggestion works.

_________________

Interesting article

I didn't research if this ended up going to the Senate, but I found the comments interesting.

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It's all up to the judge. Just hope he didn't argue with his/her spouse or have an a-hole just prior to you claiming the same thing.

So, how long have you lived in Missouri? As I posted previously, if it has been any length of time, especially if you had plated a car before (gee, I wondered why they gave me two plates. I thought one was an extra in case the first one got lost, damaged, or stolen:eek: ), the judge may not have any sympathy for you. But, as I stated, it is up to the judge.

Give it a try, and hope the judge throws the second one out. We can't predict what will happen, but it has been known to happen.

It may not work at all. From the California Vehicle Code.

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<H4 class=snam>Positioning of Plates

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5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as follows:

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</H4>
HHmmm!!!

also from the CVC:

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<H4 class=snam>Front License Plate Bracket

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11713.17. (a) Following the retail sale or lease of a motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, a dealer may not deliver the motor vehicle unless either of the following occurs:
(1) The motor vehicle is equipped with a bracket or other means of securing a front license plate.
(2) The dealer obtains a signed written acknowledgment from the person taking delivery of the motor vehicle acknowledging both of the following:
(A) The person expressly refused installation of a bracket or other means of securing the front license plate.
(B) The person understands that California law requires a license plate to be displayed from and securely fastened to the front of the motor vehicle and that the hardware necessary to securely fasten the front plate is available from the dealer.
(b) A manufacturer or distributor may not sell or distribute in this state a new motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, unless that motor vehicle is equipped or provided with a bracket or other means of securing the license plates.

Added Sec. 1, Ch. 365, Stats. 2004. Effective January 1, 2005.

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</H4>
$80?? Don;t think so unless you are buying one from the parts department independant of the car purchase.

It looks like it didn't make it Happy:mad:

http://www.spenceruresk.com/2006/02/...-of-committee/

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Quoting jk

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It looks like it didn't make it Happy:mad:

http://www.spenceruresk.com/2006/02/...-of-committee/

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I didn't think it would, but thanks for looking it up.

Also FYI, this poster lives in Missouri, bought the car in California, but doesn't state that it was new. ;)

I think the $80 is to have someone mount it in Missouri...

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Quoting Happy Trails

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Also FYI, this poster lives in Missouri, bought the car in California, but doesn't state that it was new. ;)

I think the $80 is to have someone mount it in Missouri...

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I know. what i was trying to infer was that the car came supplied with a front bracket due to the requirement in California. It at least came with one. Granted, it could have gotten tossed when the original purchaser signed the waiver required by law that allowed the dealer to not install the bracket and gotten home but....

I believe the hurdle that may trip them up though is how long they have resided in Missouri. Unless they had never plated a car in Missouri they would know that a front plate is required. If the judge feels the same way, there may be no "out" for the OP but they can still give it a shot if they want.

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Quoting jk

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I know. what i was trying to infer was that the car came supplied with a front bracket due to the requirement in California. It at least came with one. Granted, it could have gotten tossed when the original purchaser signed the waiver required by law that allowed the dealer to not install the bracket and gotten home but....

I believe the hurdle that may trip them up though is how long they have resided in Missouri. Unless they had never plated a car in Missouri they would know that a front plate is required. If the judge feels the same way, there may be no "out" for the OP but they can still give it a shot if they want.

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Yes, I agree. Our daughter's car came with one, and it is required in our state. I don't remember if we signed a waiver, but I thought it was strange that it was left up to us to have it installed. (Her car was new.)

Hopefully the judge will be having a "good" day....

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Wozzeck, please post an update.

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Quoting jk

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also from the CVC:

[B]</H4>
$80?? Don;t think so unless you are buying one from the parts department independant of the car purchase.

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That was in fact the case. I got it fixed today -- my car now has a front bumper. I can't speak to what the gentleman who sold me the car did in California, but he did buy the car new and he obviously asked that the front plate not be installed.

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Quoting Wozzeck

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That was in fact the case. I got it fixed today -- my car now has a front bumper. I can't speak to what the gentleman who sold me the car did in California, but he did buy the car new and he obviously asked that the front plate not be installed.

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wasn't trying to be argumentative but the bracket apparently must be sold with the car (originally) even if they do not install it. Obviously the origianl owner can toss the thing if they want.

You have not adressed how long you have been living in Missouri and if you had ever plated a vehicle before.

Are you new to Missouri?

Again, not trying to be argumentative. Merely trying to show you what a judge may see that will kill any defense you may have. Hope for a nice judge on a good day.

Do let us know what happens, if you would.

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Quoting jk

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wasn't trying to be argumentative but the bracket apparently must be sold with the car (originally) even if they do not install it. Obviously the origianl owner can toss the thing if they want.

You have not adressed how long you have been living in Missouri and if you had ever plated a vehicle before.

Are you new to Missouri?

Again, not trying to be argumentative. Merely trying to show you what a judge may see that will kill any defense you may have. Hope for a nice judge on a good day.

Do let us know what happens, if you would.

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No I'm not new to missouri but this is the first car I've bought and registered on my own. I did receive two plates, but I assumed that since there was no front bracket that it was an optional front plate.

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Quoting Wozzeck

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I assumed that since there was no front bracket that it was an optional front plate.

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As Samuel L. Jackson once said, "You know what happens when you make an assumption -- it makes an ass out of you and Umption".

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Quoting blewis

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As Samuel L. Jackson once said, "You know what happens when you make an assumption -- it makes an ass out of you and Umption".

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Yes indeed, but paying 130 dollars for a mistake such as this one seems excessive when I'm a student that is currently not working.. I hope the judge agrees.. It doesn't help that the car isn't exactly a beater, but it was a gift from my parents for graduating college.

Well, at least you should be able to get out of ONE of the tickets. Otherwise, you're being punished twice for the same crime. I realize that the tickets were given several days apart, but I still think double jeopardy attaches. If not, what would stop the same officer from issuing a second ticket right on the spot, and a third, and a fourth .... as he follows you to the shop to get it fixed.

It seems to me that once you receive a "fix-it" ticket, you should have a reasonable period of time within which to get it fixed. If that's not the court date, then what is it? A month, a week, a day, an hour, two minutes? What? Unless there is something in the law that states otherwise, I'm thinking the court date makes the most sense. Of course, I've been known to be VERY wrong about these things.

Good luck with your tickets and your exam,
Barry

blewis, I don;t see double jeopardy since this is not a fix-it ticket, neccessarily. Since it is simply required to have two plates, driving with one would be against the law. So, they let you take it home. The next time you drive the car again, you have committed the same crime. You are not being charged with the same action but a new action each time you drive the car illegally.

I believe in states that have fix-it tickets, they are limited by statute, not a nice officer or doublw jeopardy.

The officer can demand the car be towed from the spot if he wants since the car is not dressed legally to be on the road. The fact he allowed OP to drive away was simply being nice.

Think of it this way; you must have a current registration, correct? So if I get a ticket for no reg, I can then legally drive free from fear of a new ticket for no reg until I go to court? That is how I see this.

Wozzack, I would shoot for an ignorance defense. Since this is the first car you registered, you might get away with it but don;t count on it. All depends what kind of judge you get and what kind of day he is having.

Thanks, JK, I see what you mean. As I said, "I've been known to be VERY wrong about these things." Just add this time to the list.

Barry

what is the point of this law though? so officers can get ur numbers from the other side of the road? and does each license plate cost half as much as in a single plate state? and if the law says it must be configured right but you DO have a car with no front bumper add on yet still legal to drive then what? And if your from another state do they require ou to pick up a second plate just while your going through or will the out of state single plate be legal?

Requiring out-of-state drivers to comply with a local license plate law has been deemed an undue burden on interstate commerce, so it doesn't happen.

whats the point of twin plates though?

so they know who you are whether you are coming or going.