A visit from the Police

**Silage** · 20th September 2005, 13:30

My son got a visit from the police yesterday who were following up on a complaint from the "public". They said he was doing donuts in his ute on a gravel road near Nelson when he was there a month ago. Son's version is that he parked on the grass at the side of the road and the back slipped slightly when he drove off (no big slide or anything) as it was slippery. A coupla "members of the public" having observed this laid a complaint. I suspect there may have been some words between the two parties and the area is probably frequented by hoons but I think son is being straight up saying he was not doing donuts, just took off a bit quick.

After talking with the cop, son was told that either he accepts a $600 fine (for loosing traction ...) or contests it in court. I expect the case would be heard in Nelson (son resident in Chch) so what choice does he have?? - $600 or a day off work, travel costs to Nelson and the possibility of still being found guilty.

Has anyone else had to defend themselves against a complaint from the public? Do they have to front in court if it is defended? This sounds like a good way to have a go at any segment of society that I happen not to like.

**Sniper** · 20th September 2005, 13:35

He would do well off to contest it. Ok, they have proof that he was in Nelson, but Im fairly sure (Please don't quote me on this) that without evidence (Ie: photographic) all they have to go on is someones word. It is a bit silly that they have called on the police especially when your son admits to the back end slipping because the ground was slippery.

My opinion.

**Cibby** · 20th September 2005, 13:35

Originally Posted by Jimmie

After talking with the cop, son was told that either he accepts a $600 fine (for loosing traction ...) or contests it in court. I expect the case would be heard in Nelson (son resident in Chch) so what choice does he have?? - $600 or a day off work, travel costs to Nelson and the possibility of still being found guilty.

Has anyone else had to defend themselves against a complaint from the public? Do they have to front in court if it is defended? This sounds like a good way to have a go at any segment of society that I happen not to like.

How can they possibly charge him without actually being there to witness it themselves.. as far as i am aware, they are allowed to issue warnings but as far as issuing tickets for that, that is really shitty...
Can they prove that he "lost traction" and saying that a "number of people" complained..

Does that then mean that i can complain that i "think i saw someone look at me funny so they get an assult charge"

This sorta thing fucks me off.

Good luck!!!

**k14** · 20th September 2005, 13:37

Just a side note (dont know how legit the ticket is) but I'm pretty sure that he can get the hearing moved to the court in chch.

**oldrider** · 20th September 2005, 13:43

Even if he was doing donuts it still stinks. One of my nephews in Taupo had that done to him too. He was doing donuts but shit a brick he shoulda just got his arse kicked. Bloody PC makes me sick. Good luck, John.

**dangerous** · 20th September 2005, 13:45

Originally Posted by Cibby Chick

How can they possibly charge him without actually being there to witness it themselves.. !!!

They cant....... unless he says he did do it, or close to it like he admited.
Unfortunatly it is a case were you have to lie ya ass off... 'no sir I was never up there... mistaken identity'

Yes I have been there done that (they dont call me Dangerous for nothing ya know) anyway the public made the complaint I told the copper na havent been that way for years...... copper said 'ok.... dont do it again' the end

**Big Dave** · 20th September 2005, 13:49

I have had a very similar experience with my young bloke.
Contest it - go to court if necessary.
Can't divulge more as we have signed a confidentiality agreement with the police over the outcome. But that should tell you enough.

**Smorg** · 20th September 2005, 13:51

Contest

**Postie** · 20th September 2005, 13:54

hell yeah contest it, the cop probably got over excited when someone mentioned the word doughnut

**bugjuice** · 20th September 2005, 14:21

Originally Posted by Postie

hell yeah contest it, the cop probably got over excited when someone mentioned the word doughnut

lol.. funny fuk..

at the end of the day, it's their word against his. The cop didn't see squat. There's no solid evidence. The fact that he mentioned he did 'loose traction' (such PC bullshit, really is) should be the worst he admits to, cos they'll twist everything, but the court would probably chuck it out. Why waste the courts time over some aledged 'incident' that's over a month old?
tell 'em to go jump

**Lou Girardin** · 20th September 2005, 14:30

Defend it. Try to get it heard in ChCh, chances are the narks will lose interest in giving evidence then. Just be aware that if it's moved to ChCh and you lose, you will be up for witness expenses.

The moral is, admit nothing to the cops. Identify the driver if required and say no more.

**flash** · 20th September 2005, 15:46

one of my mates was caught by a cop while holding three vodka bottles...drunk
hes under age and was given something like a $400 fine, he contested it.
3 weeks later he got off scott free and didnt even have to go to court, even though a police actually caught him (not the public). shows how crap our courts are

**Aaron** · 20th September 2005, 15:48

The 'sustaned lost of traction' rule was brought in to combat boy racers, (along with 'uncessary accleration' to combat the "I wasn't breaking the speed limit officer, just getting there really quickly" line). If he accidently spun a bit on gravel on a shingle road I don't see how they can really prosecute him for that.

Sounds like the cop was having a slow day or is a real wanker. I'm not sure it would stand up in court based on the definition of the law...

The law is 'SUSTAINED loss of traction', meaning it's intentional and prolonged, i.e. doing number 11's at the lights and wot not.

Fark, my 323 is front wheel drive and wheel spins on man hole covers (in the rain) when I acclerate away at the lights, (not racing, just really light car), are they gonna do me too?

Contest it, and like whosit said, try and get the hearing in Christchurch.

**R6_kid:Me** · 20th September 2005, 15:55

err i thinkt its called diversion - if he hasnt been done for anything before doesnt he get off with a warning and just have it on record as being reported for doing it....

sounds stupid to me... i did a burnout in pyros driveway, might get a letter in a month in which case i will be destroying all video evidence