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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    6

    Default 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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: 2 Tickets No Front License Plate within 1 Week

    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: 2 Tickets No Front License Plate within 1 Week

    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).

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Two Tickets No Front License Plate Within A Week

    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    2,652

    Default Re: Two Tickets No Front License Plate Within A Week

    Quote Quoting jk
    View Post
    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.
    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.

    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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Two Tickets No Front License Plate Within A Week

    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?

    Quote Quoting Happy Trails
    View Post
    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.

    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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