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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    16

    Default Speeding Ticket in a Closed Community

    I received a speeding ticket in a large private community in the Poconos of PA. The community has their own "Special Police" with guns. I also received a ticket for not having insurance and registration on me (it wasn't my car). The "officer" made several mistakes on the ticket: incorrect date in one place, incorrect spelling of my street name copied from my license, not writing his badge # on one of the tickets.

    My sister-in-law owns the house I was vacationing in, and they are holding her responsible for my tickets. She received a letter that if she wants to fight the tickets, it needs to be done there on the premises, by the community's own "Hearing Officer". The state/county police aren't even involved at all.

    He clocked me going 47 in a 30. I am positive there were cars in front of me on this one lane windy road. $150 for speeding, and $50 for not having documents. I want to fight the ticket, but the problem is that this "hearing officer" works for the community, so how can this be a fair trial? I'd like to question the competence of the guy who pulled me over, and request certification of their radar, but I feel this will piss them off even more and they will give the owner of the house a hard time over this. Is this even legal?

    What can I do here? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: Speeding Ticket in Closed Community

    A couple of other things:
    Since Insurance and Registration are governed by the state, can a private entity even issue me a summons for not being able to show them on request?

    Also, does anyone know the regular fine for doing 47 in a 30 in the state of PA? $150 seems excessive, and they can pretty much write in whatever they want.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Speeding Ticket in Closed Community

    What exactly are these tickets? Are they citations requiring you to appear in court, or are they some form of citation enforceable through a homeowner's association?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: Speeding Ticket in a Closed Community

    These aren't official Citations issued by the state. They are ticket-like "forms" from the homeowners association. They then sent a letter to the homeowner that if I want to plead not guilty, we both need to appear in front of the association's "Hearing Officer"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Speeding Ticket in a Closed Community

    So the only consequence of the ticket is that the homeowner is charged for your alleged transgression?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: Speeding Ticket in a Closed Community

    Quote Quoting aaron
    View Post
    So the only consequence of the ticket is that the homeowner is charged for your alleged transgression?
    That's what it appears like, but I'm not sure. Nothing came in from the state yet. Obviously I don't want to put this on the homeowner, so I'm willing to fight for my innocence.

    How can they hold the homeowner responsible for MY speeding ticket? Is there any legal recourse here?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Speeding Ticket in a Closed Community

    Presumably the bylaws hold the homeowner responsible for violations of community rules by their guests.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: Speeding Ticket in a Closed Community

    Quote Quoting aaron
    View Post
    Presumably the bylaws hold the homeowner responsible for violations of community rules by their guests.
    Fine - but can they issue me a ticket for not being able to furnish my registration and insurance? How does this violate community rules?

    Can they make up any fine they wish? There has to be a governing body here...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: Speeding Ticket in a Closed Community

    Any other insight on this?

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