How to Get a Warning Instead of a Ticket

The best way not to get a ticket is to obey the law. However, not all of us follow that advice. What should you do when stopped by lights of red and blue?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Radar Detectors

1. Remember that cops are people. But more importantly, they're cops, and they've likely seen every tactic you'll think of. Not all tactics will work on all cops.

2. Know the speed limit. Pleading ignorance will just annoy the cop.

3. Show respect and be polite. If you feel bullied or mistreated, don't argue or talk back; get the cop's badge number and make a phone call or write a letter when you get home.

4. Don't get out of your car unless asked to.

5. Keep your hands in sight. Officers have been shot in what initially appeared to be a routine traffic stop. The cop will not appreciate any rummaging about under your seat or in your glove box while he or she is approaching the car.

6. Roll your window down before the officer gets to your car, especially if you have tinted windows. Turn on your interior light if it's dark out to show you have nothing to hide.

7. Leave your seatbelt buckled or you risk a ticket for that too. If it's unbuckled when you are pulled over, it's better to surreptitiously put it on before you're pulled over than to do it once the car has stopped.

Tips & Warnings

• Put yourself in the police officer's place. The officer has no idea who you are or what you're up to. Let the cop know he or she is in control of the situation and things will be better for both of you.
• Don't raise your voice or start crying. Extreme emotion makes cops nervous.

[sammybelize]

on 5/30/2009 People on this thread have stated to never admit guilt, but I was pulled over once and I did just that, acting like I didn't know why I was pulled over (I was very respectful and polite as well). But the officer said, "You can at least admit your mistake. If you would have admitted your mistake, I wouldn't have written you a ticket, but now I am".So, just remember this. It can be better to just be upfront and admit your mistake instead of playing games acting like you don't know what you did wrong (officers can see right through that).

[Jezzamcbezza]

on 10/26/2006 Craig Peterson wrote a great book "Fast driving without the tickets" which has a whole chapter on getting out of a fine. Or there is the free book at http://www.delonixradar.com.au/ which is "Saving your Driver's licene"

on 9/27/2006 Another user suggested being honest, and while we can all appreciate the idealism here, there's a certain amount of intelligence necessary if you want to avoid a ticket.

Never incriminate yourself - if you do, you just wrote yourself a ticket! This can be difficult to do while still maintaining an honest/innocent demeanor.

For example: An officer asks you if you know why they pulled you over. Of course you do, you're not an idiot.. but you're also not dumb enough to incriminate yourself. In this situation, I've responded along the lines of, "I'm sorry, I was hoping you were going to tell me." It's not the best line in the world, but it's gotten me out of a couple of sticky situations.

on 8/8/2006 1. Don't cry! If you're a female this may work, but for dudes it's just sad.
2. Don't act like you have to be somewhere or they will take hours writing your ticket.
3. Be respectful, notice that a lot of officers like to be called by there title.
4. Don't start blasting that you're going to fight the ticket or that you'll see him in court.
5. Don't mention anything he didn't ask you for.
6. If you can't afford a $208.50 ticket, don't be speeding 20-30 over the limit.
7. Remember, most officers are pretty cool off work and they usually hate being on patrol.
8. Ask how there day is going, small talk can be a good thing!

on 6/30/2006 I wouldn't recommend doing this in most (if any) situations, but there's a way of getting out of a citation for those who are a bit bolder than the rest of us. Before the officer writes the ticket, admit to committing an absolutely insane series of crimes.

The reason this sometimes works is because cops hate paperwork. But only try it if the officer looks like he's tired or doesn't seem likely to go to great lengths to make this stunt blow up in your face. I say "he" because female officers are more likely to slap the cuffs on you and sit through the mountain of paperwork. And don't try it on younger cops either for the same reason. Look for middle-aged men that look like they're at the end of their shift. Also, laziness is proportional to fatness, so look for that too.

Ask a question as simple as, "Had a long day officer?" and you'll know right away whether he's up for the hours of paperwork that await him if you suddenly spring on him that you just recently had sex with a stray dog to win a bet against the local bums in order to make enough money to get into the international drug/prostitution/weapons trade. Try to mention as many illegal things as possible, the more absurd the better, and whatever you do, don't stop talking long enough for him to ask any questions.

If he knows what you're trying to pull and wants to avoid hours of paperwork, then he'll leave you alone and find an easier perp to fill his quota. But if you found him on a bad day or remind him of the guy who shot his brother, then I hope you've got a good lawyer.