popo three

I used to drive from dc to West River Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay every week. I would drive there on Tuesday and grive back to the city on Friday morning. I would drive down md Rte 4 to the Suitland Parkway to the city. On md 4 there was a well known speed trap run bt the State Police.

Knowing where it was when I neared ir I would set my cruise contol at 56 mph. I would just cruise through the trap with out a second glance, until, that fateful Friday. I slowed down to 56, set the cruise control , and headed into the trap.

For some strange reason I picked a a trooper tailing me. I left the cruise on and heased toward the Suitland Parkway. The Suitland Parkway is a federal parkway and the Maryland State Police had no juristiction. It was about 8 or9 miles from the speed trap. The trooper was still following me. As I neared the entrance to the parkway I had to move over two lanes to the left getting ready to make my turn. As I changed lanes the trooper changed lanes with me. As I turned on my indicater he turned on his flashers and pulled me over.

I had to cross both lanes back to the right and then pulled into a parking lot. I got out of my car and pulled out my wallet as the trooper walked up to me. Now I have to describe this trooper before I can go on. Have you ever seen Gomer Pyle pfc from the sixty. Well, picture sgt Carter. Buzz cut,5ft8in tall, 3 feet wide, and three feet thick. Viens bulging on hie forehead as he screams licence and registration. Then, do you know why I pulled you over? As I hand him my papers I said I had no clue why he pulled me over. He yelled speeding, that I was going 56 in a 55 zone.

In the baclground he younger partner was just standing there hiding his face while he laughed silenently. Sgt Carter then writes me a speeding ticket for one mile per hour over the speed limit.

Part two- I decided to fight the speeding ticket. My girlfriend and I drove over to Annapolis for court on a Monday. I figured we could have a nice lunch after. In court we 5th on the list of cases. The judge was very strict and was handing down jail time for some defendents. The two state troopers were there in there Sunday best uniforms right down to their hats.

When my case was called I stepped into the dock as the troppers stepped up to the prosecutors table. The judge asked for the charges. He read the charges right from the troopers report. Follow my car for 8 or 9 miles to pace my speed. Noted my speed was 56 in the 55 zone. Finally pulled me over before I left the jurisdiction. Wrote me the $105.00 ticket. Then the judge held up a hand and asked if the troopers were present and they stood up. He asked sgt Carter one question. Did it take you 8 or 9 miles of pacing to get my speed? As the trooper started to tell the judge that they were being thorough. Then the judge said step forward and he put down his hat and walked up to the bench. He said 8 or 9 miles of 56 mph in the 56 zone, 8 or 9 miles! Then the judge started yelling at the troop for wasting the courts time, writing prtty tickets, and pissing him off.

I stood up at the point and asked what I was supposed to do now, and he said that I should leave, my case was dismissed, and then as I was leaving he started to yell at sgt Carter again. He was still yelling as we exited the court and went to lunch. Bu $ 105.00 fine.