now window tint ticket in VA, was:Re: traffic ticket in a parking lot, VA readers be careful!

[Jason Garrett Young]

I've got a better one.

2 months ago I am going to Richmond and I am driving my q45.  I have the
windows tinted in that car with the reflective tint  (which is LEGAL in VA,
I checked).

State trooper pulls me over and says he is stopping me for my window tint.
(I am extremely polite, as this is good to do).  I inform him that I was
under the impression that it was legal and the shop that performed the
tinting also said so.  He informs me other wise.  He said that me and my
passengers could get out and stretch.

When I get out he and I talked some  (realize that I know the laws about
this).  I acting innocent and somewhat ignorant of the laws (even though I
can recite them) ask again that the reflective tint is illegal.  He goes on
to describe that even the Lexus SUV's back glass is illegal in VA.  He gives
me the ticket and asks where we are going to change the subject.  I do
question him though and inform him that in VA a meter has to be used to
check the tint.

ok, go home and call to pre pay the ticket.  (this is for Dinwiddie, VA)
their phone number doesn't work.  So I look it up on the internet.  That
phone number is only a recording and lists some of the pre pay amounts but
not the one for the window tint ticket.  So after about 20 calls, I find out
that if you hit *2, you get to someone's voice mail.  I leave a lengthy
message describe my concern.  The lady calls back and tells me the amount or
that I can write my defense and send it in.

At this point I am so angry I decide to write my defense.  I write it, AND
include VA DMV documentation, that PLAINLY says in DETAIL that reflective
tint is legal up to a certain percentage and that the ONLY way this
percentage can be calculated is with a DMV approved digital metering devise.

Seems simple right?  no

I get a letter saying I lost the case and owe $87.

So I call to see if in fact they even got my letter.........*2.         The
lady was the court clerk and even went on to describe that the remembered
the letter because I had used a highlighter on the sections that i had
photocopied from the DMV.

WTF?!!!!!

I decided not to appeal and pay.  So I fill out the credit card form and
send it in.  2 weeks later that lady calls me at work and asks for another
credit card number.  I ask her why.  and she says she can't get her machine
to work.  I ask is it declining the card?  "no",  well, then I don't need to
give you another card.  This goes back and forth for while.  She keeps
calling me, asking me for all these numbers on my card and billing address,
etc.  At about the 8th (yes eight) call, I get rude and ask her to either
send me something in writing stating that they are declining to accept my
payment method that they gave me the option for, or that my card is
declined, and most importantly STOP CALLIN ME AT WORK.    The bitch calls
later and says that her machine wasn't plugged in.

You know they charged my card $88 and not $87.

Dinwiddie, VA court system is a total scam organization.

> SPEEDING! I HATE VA COPS!!!
> Sorry, I'm done now.

> John Campbell
> '99 SE w/ an excessive display of power.