Pulled over by Grand Prairie PD last night

[txinvestigator]

What are you going to do with horses, cattle, sheep, goats or even buffalo that are loaded into a trailer that isn't considered a part of an agricultural endeavor?

You could be taking them to a sale, or returning from a sale; that is considered an agricultural endeavor.

You could be taking them to another pasture; again that would be considered an agricultural endeavor.

You could be either taking them to or returning from the vet, once again that would be considered an agricultural endeavor.

What if the trailer was empty after taking a load to the sale and you didn’t buy more, it’s still an agricultural endeavor.

Same would go if the trailer was empty and you were again on the way home from the vet.

Farm tags on both truck and trailer and you gain the benefit of the doubt, just like the new traveling law, it’s up to the law enforcement officer to prove, beyond any doubt, that you were not engaged in an agricultural endeavor, even if you were stopped at a McDonalds for a Big Mac ® while on the way to or from said stop.

Russ

Agree with everything EXCEPT, the prosecutor must prove, the LEO only needs PC.

In this case, I don't even believe he had PC, and the ticket should be dismissed by the court without trial.

[stevie_d_64]

This is actually what I am thinking...Y'all are right that the odds of this continuing for more than 5 minutes in that courtroom are pretty slim...

I'm just advocating this on the basis of a slightly over-zealous and ill-informed policing, it does happen from time to time, and I can even forgive this...

There just was an attitude conveyed by my B-I-L, that the officer was just a bit over the top in his demeanor, and he (B-I-L) played it cool...So I have no reason to believe this was embelished, or blown out of proportion...

I may even take that day off (part of it) to sit in on the proceedings...

I'll definitely relay the outcome when I see or hear about it...

I believe we can all learn a little something from this...

[NcongruNt]

I think every profession has bad apples but criminal justice sometimes attracts thrill seekers who are "more equal than the other animals". This attitude is the cause of most police resentment in certain neighborhoods in my estimation. If more "psychological judo" was used in the "adult ego" state instead of force in the "parental ego" state, the outcome would be better for all.

Agreed. We have historically had these types running traffic duty here in Austin. I had a couple of experiences with APD several years back where a simple inspection sticker stop turned into a raised-voice lecture when no cause for such was given (I am always respectful and even-mannered, especially with the police). I ended up sitting for a good 20-30 minutes, listening to the officer yelling at me half the time about how I shouldn't be driving a vehicle with an expired inspection (repairs were pending on my car). I can only presume that the other half of the time he spent trying to dig up something else to cite/arrest me for, to no avail.

I will say that APD seems to be stepping it up in more recent years. Though I've not been pulled over in more that 5 years, more recent experiences relayed to me from friends and acquaintances as well as the instances I have witnessed in person seem to reflect that the tide has changed in this respect. For that, I am glad, and applaud APD for its efforts.

In contrast, I have had nothing but outstanding experiences with DPS officers. They have always been incredibly professional every time I have had contact with them. They do their job by the book in a timely and courteous manner. They really do seem to be the cream of the crop, and I have the utmost admiration for the organization and its members. They truly are a shining example of the department's motto: "Courtesy, Service, Protection".

[TheRising]

He asked for my ID and insurance and I handed him my CHL and DL

I don't know if anyone will respond to this, but, why did you show him your CHL? Is that some sort of law I never heard of?

In my opinion, no LEO has a right to know I am carrying as a CHL just because I was stopped on a traffic violation. Am I wrong in thinking this?

[Wildscar]

He asked for my ID and insurance and I handed him my CHL and DL

I don't know if anyone will respond to this, but, why did you show him your CHL? Is that some sort of law I never heard of?

In my opinion, no LEO has a right to know I am carrying as a CHL just because I was stopped on a traffic violation. Am I wrong in thinking this?

I dont even have my CHL yet, but I know its part of a traffic stop. You have to show or you might as well just go jump in his back seat.

§ 411.205. Displaying License; Penalty

(a) If a license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder's person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the license holder display identification, the license holder shall display both the license holder's driver's license or identification certificate issued by the department and the license holder's handgun license. A person who fails or refuses to display the license and identification as required by this subsection is subject to suspension of the person's license as provided by Section 411.187.


(b) A person commits an offense if the person fails or refuses to display the license and identification as required by Subsection (a) after previously having had the person's license suspended for a violation of that subsection. An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 10.01(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997.


Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, § 9.17(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Edited to add Section 411.205 Quote

[TheRising]

Thanks Wildscar!

I am from PA and that isn't a law for our CHL. Even though we have reciprocity here in Texas, I am still unsure of how those specific rules apply. If I get pulled over I'll be sure to show the CHL anyways...

[CHL/LEO]

If I had to guess the other unit heard the traffic stop call out. You have a multiple occupant vehicle well after dark. If an available unit is anywhere in the area they are going to at least do a fly by the check the scene to see what it looks like.

Anytime that I'm not on a call, and I hear one of our elements mark out on traffic, I start heading that way - especially if it's a one-man unit. Pretty normal procedure on our department. As we're driving around if we see a squad car from another department on a traffic stop we will pull in behind them and stay there until they either finish up or wave us off. Again, pretty standard procedure around our area.

And if it's a really slow night, you might get two or three (or more) squad cars doing the same thing and the next thing you know a routine traffic stop has turned into something that looks like a felony traffic stop. So, don't be concerned if this might happen to you. The original unit that stopped you might have never called and requested cover - it was just the way it turned out.

Side note - years ago we stopped a Dodge Viper right after they came out on the market. While I was talking to the driver my partner went back to our car and sent out a channel wide message over the in car computer to everyone working that night. Something along the lines of, "if you want to see one of those new Vipers we've got one stopped at..." Over the next 15 minutes or so we probably had 10 to 15 squad cars come by to take a look (it was a very slow night - very cold and around 3 am). The driver loved showing off his new "toy" to the police and we kept telling him that if he needed to go he was free to do so but he stayed on.

Why did we stop him you might ask? Failed to come to a complete stop before turning right at a red light. (no ticket issued - just a verbal warning)

Why was he out at 3am on a Saturday night and in no hurry to get home? He wanted to take his car up on the freeway after the traffic got thinned out just to see how fast it would go. How did I know that? I asked him and he told me.

By the way, ran into him about a week later and asked him how fast he got it up to - 160mph before he let off. Said he thought he could have gotten more out of it but he got scared. I know the newer versions have been clocked over 180 so that V12 will definitely get up and go.