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From: bhs@siemens.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: It isn't always radar in the West...
Message-ID: <25300020@siemens.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 10-Apr-85 09:24:00 EST
Article-I.D.: siemens.25300020
Posted: Wed Apr 10 09:24:00 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 11-Apr-85 00:23:26 EST
References: <1278@reed.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:reed:-127800:siemens:25300020:000:1966
Nf-From: siemens!bhs    Apr 10 09:24:00 1985



David:

There is always the possibility that the trap was not actually a trap, but
rather a bogus trap, pulling over conpicuous looking cars. Now, while no real
policeman is supposed to do this, it does happen, especially in areas where the
local police feels reasonably confident that the court is tto far from your
residence for you to challenge the ticket. 

One indication of such a scam would be if all tickets were written at 69 mph.
This you can determine by subpoenaing previous and later tickets, I believe
that you have the right to ask for 5 previous or later tickets. Check it out.
Another factor worth checking would be whether or not there was in fact a plane
in the sky. Thus, you could request documentation to that effect, or in fact
ask the pilot of the plane to appear in court as a witness. Then, of course you
can ask him when and where he was on the particular day in question. You
should, however, do your homework first. Thus, you should find out how high the
cloud cover actually was on the day in question, in the area in question.
Weather bureaus, or the FAA could probably help you on that one. Even more
sleuthful, but possibly effective if you suspect a false trap, would be to find
out how many planes the state has, and where they are based. Tehn, maybe
airport records may indicate whether any of the planes were in fact flying
that day. You should then, in court, ask the pilot where he took off from,
when, ask about refueling stops, and, then, how the weather was on the day in
question. Of course, if he stats that the visibility was good, or sunny, or
something to that effect, you have him. If not, ask him how high he was flying.
Was he flying above or below clouds? IFR limits typically are 500 ft. above
ground, he must have a special license to go below that limit. Also, perhaps
there are special rules governing low level flight, were all of these rules
obeyed?

Good luck!

Bernard H Schwab
Siemens RTL, Princeton, NJ