Citation out of state for not being a licensed driver, I am licensed.

[mdavi37]

Simply put an officer stopped me for no reason because I am out of state and driving early morning/late night, he could not present any reason at first then said I was trying to get away from him which was false as I didn't even know he was pursuing me, I was stopped while making a turn and my signal was still on. Second he gave me a ticket because my information stated in his system that I was not a licensed driver. I of coursed checked with DMV only to find I am licensed. First off wouldn't my initial stop be illegal since I am accused of basically trying to elude the police, which was false as no actual traffic violation was cited as a reason to stop me? Second, since I am a licensed driver and have DMV paperwork to prove my status what are my options here? The PA law cited 1501 subsection 9, I am from out of the state and really want to avoid driving back 6 hours for a 15 minute court hearing. Any help would be appreciated. A last comment is that the officers(after 4-5 other officers showed up) stated I had a nice car and that "they had preformed a similar stop that revealed someone with illegal guns and drugs". To me this was profiling an young person with a luxury vehicle and that I am out of state. The cop also preformed a U turn to "purse" me which shows me he was assuming I was doing something illegal prior to him actually stopping me. Again I feel the initial stop was illegal and I am sure there is a law for it just nit sure what it is.

 

[army judge]

No one cares what you think, it's irrelevant.

You must PROVE things, not assert them.

The state has to PROVE their charges, too.

I suggest you retain a PA attorney and see what he or she suggests.

If traffic school is available, take it, if approved.

Otherwise, know that fewer than 5% of people prevail against traffic citations.

Yeah, we know, it's a marsupial like court.

 

[Betty3]

I agree with getting an attorney - the attorney will let you know your options & work to get your the best outcome possible.

 

[disagreeable]

Upon being stopped, you failed to provide a valid license. Your recourse is to take the valid license to court and prove it was in effect at that time. His system is not set up to check other states. Next time, carry a valid license to display as the law requires.

 

[CdwJava]

Simply put an officer stopped me for no reason because I am out of state and driving early morning/late night,

Is that what he told you? Is that what he will put in any report or testify to in court? Doubtful.

You may not know the reason, or he may not have told it to you, but you can bet that he will claim an objective reason to have made the stop.

he could not present any reason at first then said I was trying to get away from him which was false as I didn't even know he was pursuing me, I was stopped while making a turn and my signal was still on.

Of course, he doesn't have to tell you why he's stopping you, only what he is citing you for - if you are cited.

Second he gave me a ticket because my information stated in his system that I was not a licensed driver. I of coursed checked with DMV only to find I am licensed.

Then you should be able to get the matter dismissed with some ease, or be found "not guilty" at trial without any difficulty.

Are you licensed in PA or another state? Is your driving status valid in PA? Are you considered a resident of PA and thus required to possess a PA license?

What code section were you cited for violating?

First off wouldn't my initial stop be illegal since I am accused of basically trying to elude the police, which was false as no actual traffic violation was cited as a reason to stop me?

Only if the officer admits to making an unlawful detention (i.e. for no reason) in which case he might expect to be sued, prosecuted, and/or lose his job. So, don't expect that to happen.

Second, since I am a licensed driver and have DMV paperwork to prove my status what are my options here? The PA law cited 1501 subsection 9, I am from out of the state and really want to avoid driving back 6 hours for a 15 minute court hearing. Any help would be appreciated.

You can contact the relevant court in question and find out what the procedures might be and how you might be able to address this if not in person.

A last comment is that the officers(after 4-5 other officers showed up) stated I had a nice car and that "they had preformed a similar stop that revealed someone with illegal guns and drugs". To me this was profiling an young person with a luxury vehicle and that I am out of state.

Your feeling is irrelevant. And the courts have determined that his subjective reasons for the stop are largely irrelevant so long as he had an objective and legal reason to perform the stop (i.e. an observed offense or other reason to affect the detention).

The cop also preformed a U turn to "purse" me which shows me he was assuming I was doing something illegal prior to him actually stopping me. Again I feel the initial stop was illegal and I am sure there is a law for it just nit sure what it is.

And, again, your feelings are irrelevant.

 

[mightymoose]

We're you ticketed for being unlicensed or for falling to present your license on demand?