Why VA sucks....

[Ondontii]

Its not just a fine, its a wreckless driving charge

BTW, if they are trying to fill quotas, you will never be able to prove you used your signal when the officer says you should have.

[turbovt]

Originally Posted by OhFoSho

I agree to the DUI charges to some extent. Around here you can get a DUI for blowing a .01 yes a .01!! if the cop wants to be a dick! I used to bartend and knew plenty of people who blew below the legal limit (.08) and still got a DUI!! In fact, I was working one night when a couple of my bar guests became to drunk to drive. I did all that I was supposed to, cut them off, gave them food and even called them a cab. As I was helping them into the cab, the cops rolled up, took them out of the cab and arrested them for drunk in public!! NO LIE!! Out of the cab!! and arrested them for drunk in public!! WTF

Not signaling?!?!!?! why in the world is everyone so upset about that one? if there is a wide open road, and no one is around but a cop on the side of the road and you change lanes without signaling you are fined?!! That is absolutely ridiculous. I completely agree with the signal when people are behind you...when in traffic...blah blah blah...but come on that is WAY tooo harsh.

I believe in laws and just punishment, but with these laws it is giving WAY too much power into the cops hands to do as they please, to collect money, write tickets, for nonsense!! FACT: "The average amount of jail time for someone convicted of speeding over 90 mph in Virginia is greater than the average amount of jail time given to someone convicted of a first offense felony drug possession, felony shoplifting, felony embezzlement, felony grand theft auto or DUI with a BAC that is less than twice the legal amount! "

That is insane!! There are crimes that are more important than having your tint to dark, not signaling, having your car lowered!! come on! there are thieves, drug dealers out there, dead beat dads...Why aren't the cops more concerned about that??

That's because to actually convict you in court of a DUI it has to have been a .08, but to write you a ticket or take you off the road they only need a .01 or more from the breathalizer.

Also, the breathalizer can't be used in court. They can only use an actual measurement from the blood tests taken at the hospital.

It's actually very easy to get out of alcohol related charges in VA as long as you know how the system works.

You can always refuse a breathalizer, but if the cop THINKS you're under the influence and you choose not to take it, then they immediately take you to jail to stay the night, however, the most the cop will have on you is a ticket for reckless driving and they can never prove how much alcohol you had because they don't have the breathalizer or hospital tests.

The reason so many people get convicted is because they fall into simple question traps asked by the cops and they convict based on confessions and the answer to how much you said you had to drink. If everyone just shutup and didn't tell the cop anything and refused a breathalizer the judge could never convict.

^^^^...you learn a lot in ASAP classes (alcohol and substance abuse program, and no, I'm not an addict, you have to take an ASAP class in VA if you get underage possession)

[Hannibalzero]

Originally Posted by Augi

101 in a 65 on an open highway (scattered cars which I would slow down to pass). I had left Atlanta at 8am and had to make Boston by the end of the night so my buddy who I was traveling with could go to work the following morning. We ended up making it in about 20 or 21 hours I think. Then I had to go back down 2 weeks later for court.

You're lucky. From what I heard, anything over 100 in the Old Dominion is supposed to be an automatic arrest. Maybe I've heard wrong and it is up to the officer's discretion.

Originally Posted by turbovt

That's because to actually convict you in court of a DUI it has to have been a .08, but to write you a ticket or take you off the road they only need a .01 or more from the breathalizer.

Just don't go across the Potomac. In DC, you can get a DUI for anything over .02 BAC. Zero Tolerance Policy.

Originally Posted by turbovt

Also, the breathalizer can't be used in court. They can only use an actual measurement from the blood tests taken at the hospital.

Brethalizer results are useable in court. Roadside breathalizers are not admissable, but the large brethalizers in the station are certainly allowed. You can request a blood test an the hospital (which is more accurate), but it is not necessary. My roomate got a DUI 4 years ago, and they used a brethalizer.

Originally Posted by turbovt

It's actually very easy to get out of alcohol related charges in VA as long as you know how the system works.

You can always refuse a breathalizer, but if the cop THINKS you're under the influence and you choose not to take it, then they immediately take you to jail to stay the night, however, the most the cop will have on you is a ticket for reckless driving and they can never prove how much alcohol you had because they don't have the breathalizer or hospital tests.

Yeah, but you loose your license for at least a year. You sign an implied consent form when you applied for your driver's license. Basically, it states by having the license, you agree to a brethalizer whenever an officer request. Honestly, I don't know if this also includes when you have not been driving (ie, the example about the cops pulling people out of the cab). Knowing Virginia, it probably does.

Originally Posted by turbovt

The reason so many people get convicted is because they fall into simple question traps asked by the cops and they convict based on confessions and the answer to how much you said you had to drink. If everyone just shutup and didn't tell the cop anything and refused a breathalizer the judge could never convict.

They can't convict you based on how much you drank. Bodies metabolize alcohol differently. There are a lot of factors that affect your Blood Alcohol Content.

I will 100% guarantee you that courts use BAC levels and brethalizer results. You don't have to believe me, but it is absolutely true.

Originally Posted by turbovt

^^^^...you learn a lot in ASAP classes (alcohol and substance abuse program, and no, I'm not an addict, you have to take an ASAP class in VA if you get underage possession)

Which is bullshit, and a total waste of time.

[Lord Warlock]

refusing a breathalizer here in Florida will get your license instantly suspended. You may save yourself the dui, but you'll still suffer with the suspension.

[alienviking]

Originally Posted by OhFoSho

Not signaling?!?!!?! why in the world is everyone so upset about that one? if there is a wide open road, and no one is around but a cop on the side of the road and you change lanes without signaling you are fined?!! That is absolutely ridiculous. I completely agree with the signal when people are behind you...when in traffic...blah blah blah...but come on that is WAY tooo harsh.

You have obviously never ridden a motorcycle on the street. I can't recall the number of times I have almost been wiped out because some idiot changes lanes without signaling.

As for the whole DUI BS.. back home the legal limit is .03 (down from .05) which I am perfectly fine with. Don't drink and drive, it really isn't that difficult.

[VinylOrbit]

Originally Posted by alienviking

You have obviously never ridden a motorcycle on the street. I can't recall the number of times I have almost been wiped out because some idiot changes lanes without signaling.

I sold my ninja because I want to live to see my golden years. I've been riding bikes since 2 years old (my mom nearly killed my old man that x-mas when there was a 3 wheeler under the tree) and have a lot of experiance with bikes. It's all the other assholes on the road that I'm worried about.

[B-Risky180]

yeah the fines in VA are steep. i got pulled over on friday in va (in my green minivan none the less) for doing 77 in a 65. and its costing me just under 200 dollars. owch

[98slturbo]

yea so guys stop driving reckless and start busting out the bongs. (you'll get in less trouble that way)

[OhFoSho]

Originally Posted by alienviking

You have obviously never ridden a motorcycle on the street. I can't recall the number of times I have almost been wiped out because some idiot changes lanes without signaling.

As for the whole DUI BS.. back home the legal limit is .03 (down from .05) which I am perfectly fine with. Don't drink and drive, it really isn't that difficult.

Its them not signaling that almost got you into an accident its them not seeing you in your lane. If they signaled and you didn't see them it isn't your fault....its them not seeing you in your lane. And one beer in an hour will get you .o2...I don't know about you, but driving while you are tired is way worse then .o8.

[alienviking]

Originally Posted by OhFoSho

Its them not signaling that almost got you into an accident its them not seeing you in your lane. If they signaled and you didn't see them it isn't your fault....its them not seeing you in your lane.

I see them just fine. If I didn't I would be dead by now. No they don't pay attention to me. And yes if they fucking signaled it would make life a lot easier for everyone around them. Asstards.

Originally Posted by OhFoSho

And one beer in an hour will get you .o2...I don't know about you, but driving while you are tired is way worse then .o8.

Just don't get it do you? It isn't that hard not to drink and drive.