ORS. 811.125 Speed Racing

[AcuraturnedFord]

I was driving back to work on 82nd in Portland, Oregon. This is a main street in Portland not a freeway.

I was driving an Acura TL and I was next to a Honda Civic. We were both at the light next to each other. The Honda was very loud and took off at the light fast (showing off) I took off at normal speed. The Honda did slow down once he figured out I was not going to race him.

Before the next light I moved over to the other lane so I could turn into my work parking lot. I was now infront of the Honda.

As I was about to turn a police officer came up behind me and followed me to where I was parking. He even asked the owner if I worked for him as he didn't believe me.

He said that he "assumed" we were speed racing (going about 85 mph). I know I was going over the speed limit by no more than 10 mph...but I swear I never went faster than that. This is a very busy street and close to 5pm-just not possible.

The police officer said he was on the side street 2 cars back stopped at the light that we took off from. All the stuff he talked about was an assumation. He never seen us "speed racing" or clocked us using his radar.

I no longer own the car. Traded it in for another vehicle.
Any suggestions on what to say when I go to court?

 

[mightymoose]

You need to ask questions that will expose that the officer was on another street, did not have full visual contact, and did not establish speed in any legitimate way. If possible, provide a diagram of where the vehicles were and ask the officer to mark his location. Ask how long he had visual contact with both vehicles and how he determined that both vehicles were engaged in a race.