[ARCHIVED THREAD] - LEO problem. (Tard Problem?) (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 4/28/2009 12:32:37 AM EDT
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Help with getting pulled over.
So I have been pulled over twice by the same officer in one week. Both were early in the morning 3-4am, local roads, county sheriff. I drive an indiscreet Mazdaspeed3, with yellow headlights (stock HID ballasts and lenses, aftermarket bulbs). I was cited for improper use of front lighting (Illinois) under the vehicle code- http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...s+Vehicle+Code. Cliffs notes- All other motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise,.... This is in Lake County, IL. When I got pulled over today, for the same thing, I asked if he was going to cite me or if I was free to go. I was BSed for about 5 minutes with threats of citation, then he let me go. I am going to court in May, what should I do? |
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Help with getting pulled over. So I have been pulled over twice by the same officer in one week. Both were early in the morning 3-4am, local roads, county sheriff. I drive an indiscreet Mazdaspeed3, with yellow headlights (stock HID ballasts and lenses, aftermarket bulbs). I was cited for improper use of front lighting (Illinois) under the vehicle code- http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...s+Vehicle+Code. Cliffs notes- All other motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise,.... This is in Lake County, IL. When I got pulled over today, for the same thing, I asked if he was going to cite me or if I was free to go. I was BSed for about 5 minutes with threats of citation, then he let me go. I am going to court in May, what should I do? I have a buddy that has a 350Z with HID lamps he has been harrassed by LEOs they claim they are not street legal lights etc. He received a letter from PIAA stating that the lamps are DOT approved. He keeps that in the glove box with all other important information. ETA write to the manufacture, show them you have received a ticket for using their product, if they are a certified DOT approved lamp the manufacture will give you the information you need for court. |
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Deputy probably didn't realize it was you the second time he stopped you - it is dark at 3AM..... Really depends on the traffic volume/number of stops he makes.
Are the aftermarket yellow bulbs actually legal? Your cliff notes make it sound like the yellow/amber lights might be marker lights. Is it a correctable violation? If yes, put the original bulbs back in and get the cite signed off. Brian |
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Deputy probably didn't realize it was you the second time he stopped you - it is dark at 3AM..... Really depends on the traffic volume/number of stops he makes. Are the aftermarket yellow bulbs actually legal? Your cliff notes make it sound like the yellow/amber lights might be marker lights. Is it a correctable violation? If yes, put the original bulbs back in and get the cite signed off. Brian They are DOT legal HID D2S replacement bulbs. He remembered me because he said- still haven't gotten those lights fixed and then gives me shit about providing incorrect address etc from the first time even though I was 500 feet from my address (dividing line between cities) not that it makes a difference since its a county cop. |
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Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake.
Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" |
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Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake. Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" Thank you for your service, but this is borderline harassment. He stopped me for the same reason several times, and every time I was cooperative, clear, polite and did everything to make the officer feel safe. Thanks for your contribution- I did not mean to be rude and will get the title changed. |
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It sounds like he has a hardon for you. Which is why I am tempted to just put the bulbs back to stock, but the 3000k lights have a huge advantage over stock 4300k in terms of poor condition visibility which is when I use only dipped beams. The highs are still white. |
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I hate Lake County –– also McHenry. The roads suck. Their all 2 lane roads. The isn't enough n/s or e/w roads to get anywere let alone bridges over the mighty Fox River. Cook Rocks––3 lanes each direction., 2 left turn lanes and 2 right turn lanes at major intersections. Low property taxes and interesting politics (lol). |
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Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake. Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" Personally I think the HIDS are so damn bright they scream either LOOK AT MEEEEE or MUST NOT LOOK INTO THE LIGHT!. I wanna hurt whoever invented those things |
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These are properly aimed. They WILL NOT glare/cause discomfort because they have an OEM lens/cutoff which looks like this ___/–––– and not some BS ricer reflector lens with drop in kit BS. I have a vehement disdain for any and all rice.
I drive around with yellow dipped beams because in shitty weather like today (rain and heavy fog) they increase visibility on backroads where there are many deer. I have high beams for when I need massive light output. |
| Get a copy of the paperwork that says they are DOT approved. Send copies of it along with a copy of your citation directly to the sheriff, a brief letter stating your lamps are legal and an outline of the continuing vehicle stops with the one deputy, and be prepared to state your case in court. |
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They are DOT legal HID D2S replacement bulbs. He remembered me because he said- still haven't gotten those lights fixed and then gives me shit about providing incorrect address etc from the first time even though I was 500 feet from my address (dividing line between cities) not that it makes a difference since its a county cop. Why'd you give him the wrong address? |
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Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake. Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" Good advice! To OP: The Sheriff might be hitting on you. He will probably keep stopping you until you agree to go out on a date with him. LOL. |
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Sounds like you're technically right, and if you go to Court with the right evidence you'll be cleared.
That said, do you really want to keep getting pulled over by cops at all hours of the night because you just have to have yellow "look at me I'm cool" lights? If it helps you get laid, then okay maybe it's worth the hassle, but otherwise 
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Thank you for your service, but this is borderline harassment. He stopped me for the same reason several times, and every time I was cooperative, clear, polite and did everything to make the officer feel safe. Thanks for your contribution- I did not mean to be rude and will get the title changed. It's cute when people who have no understanding of the word claim harrasment. Either get the lights fixed, or get a letter stating they are street legal. |
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Quoted: Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake. Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" Couldn't it be a local code? Why file with the state attorney? In Texas, county-level citations go to the JP's office. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Thank you for your service, but this is borderline harassment. He stopped me for the same reason several times, and every time I was cooperative, clear, polite and did everything to make the officer feel safe. Thanks for your contribution- I did not mean to be rude and will get the title changed. It's cute when people who have no understanding of the word claim harrasment. Either get the lights fixed, or get a letter stating they are street legal. Or God forbid you give someone shit over something important. Tickets over some fucking headlights?  |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Thank you for your service, but this is borderline harassment. He stopped me for the same reason several times, and every time I was cooperative, clear, polite and did everything to make the officer feel safe. Thanks for your contribution- I did not mean to be rude and will get the title changed. It's cute when people who have no understanding of the word claim harrasment. Either get the lights fixed, or get a letter stating they are street legal. Or God forbid you give someone shit over something important. Tickets over some fucking headlights? Why don't you get a penal code an highlight those parts you want enforced then? You know, the important parts. |
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Thank you for your service, but this is borderline harassment. He stopped me for the same reason several times, and every time I was cooperative, clear, polite and did everything to make the officer feel safe. Thanks for your contribution- I did not mean to be rude and will get the title changed. It's cute when people who have no understanding of the word claim harassment. Either get the lights fixed, or get a letter stating they are street legal. Or God forbid you give someone shit over something important. Tickets over some fucking headlights? Listen, if you live in an area where the cops are hassling people over headlights, be thankful they don't have better things to do. Also, people on the edge of the law love to illegally modify their vehicles - where do you think you are more likely to get that key of H from? A stock Toyota Corolla, or a tricked out car? And yes, it is funny when people cry about harassment - I can't count the times I've had dealers and junkies claim that I'm "harassing" them. |
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Deputy probably didn't realize it was you the second time he stopped you - it is dark at 3AM..... Really depends on the traffic volume/number of stops he makes. Are the aftermarket yellow bulbs actually legal? Your cliff notes make it sound like the yellow/amber lights might be marker lights. Is it a correctable violation? If yes, put the original bulbs back in and get the cite signed off. Brian They are DOT legal HID D2S replacement bulbs. He remembered me because he said- still haven't gotten those lights fixed and then gives me shit about providing incorrect address etc from the first time even though I was 500 feet from my address (dividing line between cities) not that it makes a difference since its a county cop. Not an IL officer, and one answeres a little above me anyway, but I gotta say, "DOT legal" doesn't neccesarily mean anything at the state level. I once pulled a guy over because he had mounted blue turn signals on his outside rearview mirrors of his vehicle. He got rather belligerent and shouted that they were DOT legal, and showed me the box for the things saying that––––-but it doesn't matter: blue lights are illegal on non-emergency vehicles in this state. I explained to him that in TX or MN or some other state where they use blues on utility trucks then he would be right, but that in LA he was dead wrong. Stopped him a few weeks later when I saw him driving down St. Charles blowing his horn and alternating his turn signals to get people to move out of his way. He repeated the DOT legal bit (guess he didn't remember me,) and I pointed out again that that didn't matter, and that since he was obviously using them to get traffic to move, I was taking them off. Just sayin', DOT legal doesn't mean it will fly in a particular state. |
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Help with getting pulled over. So I have been pulled over twice by the same officer in one week. Both were early in the morning 3-4am, local roads, county sheriff. I drive an indiscreet Mazdaspeed3, with yellow headlights (stock HID ballasts and lenses, aftermarket bulbs). I was cited for improper use of front lighting (Illinois) under the vehicle code- http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...s+Vehicle+Code. Cliffs notes- All other motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise,.... This is in Lake County, IL. When I got pulled over today, for the same thing, I asked if he was going to cite me or if I was free to go. I was BSed for about 5 minutes with threats of citation, then he let me go. I am going to court in May, what should I do? First make your car compliant if it is not and if you find out you are wrong pay the fine and STFU 
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Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake. Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" Is the proper course of action when one believes they were improperly issued a violation to file a complaint with the sheriff's office or to contest it in court? If you come in complaining that one of my guys issued you a violation, and you thought the officer was incorrct, they are told to plead not guilty and go to court. |
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Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake. Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" So, everyone in France is driving around screaming LOOK AT ME? TXL |
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Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake. Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" Is the proper course of action when one believes they were improperly issued a violation to file a complaint with the sheriff's office or to contest it in court? If you come in complaining that one of my guys issued you a violation, and you thought the officer was incorrct, they are told to plead not guilty and go to court. if the dispute is over whether or not you committed the violation, then you're right - go to court. If it is a matter of writing a ticket for something that isn't illegal in the first place... then go to the sheriff's dept and file complaint. example... your officer writes a guy for driving 40 in a 30, but in fact the street is actually a 40 mph zone. that is the officer's error and needs to be corrected by a supervisor. this is that sort of situation. yellow headlights are legal in Illinois. There are plenty of people who would argue otherwise that are unfamiliar with the law and think that only white headlights are legal. I don't think it rises to the level of the deputy "harassing" the OP because the deputy most likely believes the law requires white headlights. He needs some guidance from a supervisor is all. You never stop learning. |
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Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake. Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" Thank you for your service, but this is borderline harassment. He stopped me for the same reason several times, and every time I was cooperative, clear, polite and did everything to make the officer feel safe. Thanks for your contribution- I did not mean to be rude and will get the title changed. Here we go. First it was twice, now you're saying it was several times. Which is it. how many times were you stopped? Also, for the record, in case anyone wants to know the IL statute: (625 ILCS 5/Ch. 12 Art. II heading) ARTICLE II. LIGHTS AND LAMPS (625 ILCS 5/12‑201) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑201) Sec. 12‑201. When lighted lamps are required. (a) When operated upon any highway in this State, every motorcycle shall at all times exhibit at least one lighted lamp, showing a white light visible for at least 500 feet in the direction the motorcycle is proceeding. However, in lieu of such lighted lamp, a motorcycle may be equipped with and use a means of modulating the upper beam of the head lamp between high and a lower brightness. No such head lamp shall be modulated, except to otherwise comply with this Code, during times when lighted lamps are required for other motor vehicles. (b) All other motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise, at times when rain, snow, fog, or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers, and at any other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet. Parking lamps may be used in addition to but not in lieu of such head lamps. Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semi‑trailer shall also exhibit at least 2 lighted lamps, commonly known as tail lamps, which shall be mounted on the left rear and right rear of the vehicle so as to throw a red light visible for at least 500 feet in the reverse direction, except that a truck tractor or road tractor manufactured before January 1, 1968 and all motorcycles need be equipped with only one such tail lamp. (c) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light a rear registration plate when required and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating a rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted. (d) A person shall install only head lamps that satisfy United States Department of Transportation regulations and show white light, including that emitted by HID lamps, or light of a yellow or amber tint for use by a motor vehicle. (e) For purposes of this Section, a custom vehicle or street rod is considered to be in compliance with all vehicle lamp requirements if it has passed the approved safety inspection provided for in Section 3‑804.1 or 3‑804.2. (Source: P.A. 91‑130, eff. 1‑1‑00; 91‑135, eff. 1‑1‑00; 92‑16, eff. 6‑28‑01; 92‑668, eff. 1‑1‑03.) |
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Does anyone have an example of Arfcom cops (including the ones in their very early 20's) not reading a thread before they comment?
Oh, its right here in this thread? OK, carry on then. (Go to the highest level LEO in your area and have him verify that your vehicle is legal. Get it in writing. Put the documentation in your glovebox. When an officer pulls you over next week because you are the most threatening thing he wants to deal with, show him a copy of what his boss wrote about leaving you the fuck alone. Move along.) |
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I am going to court in May, what should I do?
1) Get the documentation in order to fight the ticket. Docs on the lights, statute etc. If you decide not to acquire legal representation, kiss the ass of the judge and do not be a smart alec. The judge will already think you're a "fast and furious" ricer wannabe. 2) Complaint through the usual channels if attempting to contact the officer or his superiors will not get this taken care of before court date. 3) (If you have the money) File suit against the cop individually, the police department, and the city. Abrogation of rights, color of law, all kinds of crap that a decent legal team can make up. If you have the money. Then, once this is settled, ditch your "look at me" headlights. |
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I drive around with yellow dipped beams because in shitty weather like today (rain and heavy fog) they increase visibility on backroads where there are many deer. I have high beams for when I need massive light output.
I guess your car must be all that much more special then. so when do you really need massive light output. Most of us here have survived many years with normal light output. |
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Illinois officer here. The yellow headlights are legal. File a complaint with the sheriffs Dept for the improper citation. If they refuse to void the citation get in touch with the states attorney and file the same complaint. Change your thread title too. JBT is rather rude considering the deputy likely believes the lights are not legal. It's a common enough mistake. Oh by the way, yellow headlights are anything but discreet. They scream "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE!!!" Thank you for your service, but this is borderline harassment. He stopped me for the same reason several times, and every time I was cooperative, clear, polite and did everything to make the officer feel safe. Thanks for your contribution- I did not mean to be rude and will get the title changed. How did twice in one week graduate to "several'? Methinks thou dost protest too much... |
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So much stupid in this thread it isn't even funny.
He changed his HID's to 3000k yellow's, STOCK his car comes with 4300k in the normal white/blueish that retarded rednecks and other ignorant people complain about every second of every day. For the stupids that means they aren't going to be any brighter, will let him see better especially in craptastic conditions, not to mention should be easier on the eyes. Oh and whoever the idiot was that tried to make fun of him saying he drove a Miata, news flash, a Mazda 3 is not a Miata. |
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Sounds like you're technically right, and if you go to Court with the right evidence you'll be cleared. That said, do you really want to keep getting pulled over by cops at all hours of the night because you just have to have yellow "look at me I'm cool" lights? If it helps you get laid, then okay maybe it's worth the hassle, but otherwise This. Your headlights are gay. End the gayness. In addition to being gay, they are fucking obnoxious to look at. I don't care if they "don't cause glare" etc, they are abnormal and as such, are a distraction. I feel the same about the bluish tint of stock HID's, whoever invented them should have them installed in their bedroom at night for the rest of their miserable fucking lives. |
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Sounds like you're technically right, and if you go to Court with the right evidence you'll be cleared. That said, do you really want to keep getting pulled over by cops at all hours of the night because you just have to have yellow "look at me I'm cool" lights? If it helps you get laid, then okay maybe it's worth the hassle, but otherwise This. Your headlights are gay. End the gayness. In addition to being gay, they are fucking obnoxious to look at. I don't care if they "don't cause glare" etc, they are abnormal and as such, are a distraction. I feel the same about the bluish tint of stock HID's, whoever invented them should have them installed in their bedroom at night for the rest of their miserable fucking lives. And there's another one. |
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Thank you for your service, but this is borderline harassment. He stopped me for the same reason several times, and every time I was cooperative, clear, polite and did everything to make the officer feel safe. Thanks for your contribution- I did not mean to be rude and will get the title changed. It's cute when people who have no understanding of the word claim harassment. Either get the lights fixed, or get a letter stating they are street legal. Or God forbid you give someone shit over something important. Tickets over some fucking headlights? Listen, if you live in an area where the cops are hassling people over headlights, be thankful they don't have better things to do. Also, people on the edge of the law love to illegally modify their vehicles - where do you think you are more likely to get that key of H from? A stock Toyota Corolla, or a tricked out car? And yes, it is funny when people cry about harassment - I can't count the times I've had dealers and junkies claim that I'm "harassing" them. OP claims to be in the chicago area (lake county) There is no way that they DONT have better things to do. OP may be troll or not but from a theoretical stand point this sounds like typical cop powertrip BS. |
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Thank you for your service, but this is borderline harassment. He stopped me for the same reason several times, and every time I was cooperative, clear, polite and did everything to make the officer feel safe. Thanks for your contribution- I did not mean to be rude and will get the title changed. It's cute when people who have no understanding of the word claim harrasment. Either get the lights fixed, or get a letter stating they are street legal. Gotta love when the ARFJBTs tell you to STFU and respect their authoriteh! 
Seriously, man, did you see the reply by npb233 that the lights are legal in IL? He even cited the state code. |