Anybody ever go a tint ticket

[Clemsonfan15]

I got a tint ticket today after about 2 or 3 years with 5% on the side windows and 45% on the front windshield. It was kind of a freak accident. I had my windows down getting gas, but then rolled them up as I approached the intersection. There was a cop on a motorcycle in the turning lane that was 90 degrees to me, which I didn't notice. As I went through the intersection I saw him starring me down and of course he lights me up and pulls me over.

He noticed the window tint, but said the sides were probably fine.

It was $155, which I think is insane.

I had a few questions.

1. I thought that tint was a secondary violation. I didn't think you could be pulled over for just tint.

2. Should I go to court and try to get it reduced or pay the fine? If there is even a chance at getting it reduced I'd probably go to court.

3. Remove it or not? I really like having it, but $155 every time is steep.

4. Do I even have a case against him? He didn't use a tint meter. (I know that any tint is illegal, but how can he prove I had it on there?)

 

[YotaZach85]

1. Tint is a primary offense in a lot of states now.
2. I don't know how SC works but I was always told to fight the ticket because theres a chance you catch the officer on a good day and they drop or reduce the fine, or he doesnt show and the case gets thrown out, and if it doesnt go in your favor you're only out another $10 but that might just be in PA.
3. I say remove it but I personally can't stand tint on the windsheild.
4. Case or not I would fight it (explained in number 2)

 

[PalmettoRunner]

I've yet to be pulled over for tint (knock on wood), but when I had my explorer with 5% on the back windows and and 15% on the front two I got a warning for it. They didn't put a meter to it or anything, but I think they were just aggravated because they pulled me over and had nothing else on me. I believe the state law is now 30% or something ridiculous like that on the front two windows.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

The law is 27% and no windshield tint. I'm technically breaking both.

It just bothers me that the fine is so high when he didn't seem to be that worried about it. I'm also upset that he pulled me over just for the tint. He didn't use a meter either so he can't really prove it was on there.

I've never been to court before so I don't even know where to start. I don't know if I should just be nice and see if the reduce it or if I should try and fight it.

I know it may vary by state, but are only State officers on motorcycles? I didn't think cities or counties had those kind of officers.

 

[hgill]

I personally never been pulled over just for tint, it was usually a secondary violation. I got pulled over twice for the tint on my 350z on the front windows (but it was just a fix it ticket, i think like 15 bucks is all i paid). Now most states are a lot stricter now, but like its been mentioned, you should fight it. You may get lucky if reduced and even better if officer doesn't show up.

 

[hgill]

The law is 27% and no windshield tint. I'm technically breaking both.

It just bothers me that the fine is so high when he didn't seem to be that worried about it. I'm also upset that he pulled me over just for the tint. He didn't use a meter either so he can't really prove it was on there.

I've never been to court before so I don't even know where to start. I don't know if I should just be nice and see if the reduce it or if I should try and fight it.

Well your argument that he pulled you over just for tint or the fact that he didn't use a meter wont really hold up. The judge usually will consider the word of the officer on this matter over your defense that he didn't use a meter.

Just say your financially strapped and show that you have removed the violation and hopefully the judge is having a good day to where he reduces your amount.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

So if the officer doesn't show up they automatically drop it?

I'm trying to read up on the laws, but I can't find information on primary vs secondary violations and what the maximum fines are.

I thought that would be the case. His word vs mine and of course they would believe the officer.

 

[PalmettoRunner]

x2 on going just for the chance that he won't show up or at the very least drop it a bit, and yeah I'm pretty sure HP are the only ones that have motorcycles.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

x2 on going just for the chance that he won't show up or at the very least drop it a bit, and yeah I'm pretty sure HP are the only ones that have motorcycles.

Alright. Appreciate it. Normally I only see maybe 1 or two Highway Patrol per month around my area and I've never seen one on a motorcycle. Guess it was just a freak occurrence.

If I could have come through the intersection just a few minutes later I would have been fine. Or if it was sunny instead of cloudy.

I even passed a city officer on my way home and he didn't even seem to notice.

 

[hgill]

yea damn laws changed. I got mine last tint ticket about 2 years back and it was just a fix it. All i had to do was remove my tint take it to police station, have officer walk out, observe that the violation was fixed and he'll sign off and I would mail it in with a small 15 or 20 dollar fine. Now even in cali its primary violation.

best of luck in court

 

[PalmettoRunner]

Wow I'm pretty much guaranteed to see a Highway Patrol everyday, then again I do live in the capital and frequent the main highways. :driving:

 

[sn0wrunner]

I've been pulled over for tint once. I just got a warning. The cop was actually a member on this forum and I think he just wanted to check out my rig. I was completely shocked when he came up to the window and asked if I was sn0wrunner. hahaha

But I would definetly fight it. I got a speeding ticket one time 84 in a 55 (29 over). I had to automatically go to court and they reduced my ticket to $150. I feel like going 84 in a 55 is a little more of an offense than some window tint. I bet you'd have some luck at least getting the fine reduced.

 

[MAD 69]

NJ cops hate tint

I have been pulled over several times for having tint here in NJ. One time the cop cut my inspection sticker and told me to bring the car to court to prove that I removed the tint, I showed up in my truck and said I sold the car(I didn't because the city I was ticketed in was an hour away) I was still fined.
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It's a cat and mouse game when your tinted, always have to have windows down when a cop is near, pulling window fuse when you get it inspected, etc... I would not even think abouted tinting the windshield.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

yea damn laws changed. I got mine last tint ticket about 2 years back and it was just a fix it. All i had to do was remove my tint take it to police station, have officer walk out, observe that the violation was fixed and he'll sign off and I would mail it in with a small 15 or 20 dollar fine. Now even in cali its primary violation.

best of luck in court

I wish it was just a fix it ticket it. That way it would force me to remove it and I would probably come out cheaper. It only cost me $80 to tint it. I'm thinking about not taking it off.

PalmettoRunner- I would hate to see as many as you do. They're probably stricter on everything down there.

Sn0wrunner- That's exactly what I'm saying. $155 for just tint is crazy. That is more than some speeding fines, which is much more dangerous.

How would y'all fight it in court? I don't know where to start.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I have been pulled over several times for having tint here in NJ. One time the cop cut my inspection sticker and told me to bring the car to court to prove that I removed the tint, I showed up in my truck and said I sold the car(I didn't because the city I was ticketed in was an hour away) I was still fined.
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It's a cat and mouse game when your tinted, always have to have windows down when a cop is near, pulling window fuse when you get it inspected, etc... I would not even think abouted tinting the windshield.

Getting my windshield tinted was probably a dumb idea. It is nice though. It reduces MUCH more light than tinting any other window. Also it helps my eyes when it's really bright out.

The officer said "I don't see how you operate this at night." I was laughing inside. It's really not as bad as people would think.

 

[MAD 69]

A cop once told me they really don't care about tint being dangerous to the driver - it's the other way around, no cop wants to walk up to a car with tint on it, there might be a gun pointing at them, that's the big deal about it at least around here.

I never had a problem at nite, tint is awesome especially here along the shore in summer not to mention it makes the vehicle look b@dass.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

A cop once told me they really don't care about tint being dangerous to the driver - it's the other way around, no cop wants to walk up to a car with tint on it, there might be a gun pointing at them, that's the big deal about it at least around here.

Yeah, that's how I understand it too. I tried to be accommodating to him. I had both of the windows rolled down. (Didn't have time to do the back window, although that might have looked suspicious)

 

[Trevloc]

How would y'all fight it in court? I don't know where to start.

theres a court date on the ticket, you have to show up to court on that date (usually between 8 and 5) and then you take a number and wait forever to get up to a window (like the dmv) and then if you request to see the judge, then they will give you another court date so that the officer has a chance to show.

at least thats how its done here in tucson.

btw, i had to go through a metal detector (totally wasnt even thinking about it) so be sure to leave your knives and other things in the car. i lost a bullet shell key chain i had... it was just the shell but they said it wasnt allowed. just a warning. and this was before loughner came along.

 

[SCRunner12]

I got a tint ticket in my old 99 corolla. I had been pulled over twice before fot the tint, but they let me go away both times. I told them I just bought the car and was going to get it taken off. I even asked a sheriff to open my door because I had locked my keys in the car. He walks right up and asks me if I have been popped for having the tint yet. Didn't seem to care at all. The time I got a ticket, I wasn't even driving my car. I was in Ireland and my mom was picking my car up from the shop and driving right home. The guy pulled her over and she rolled down the window and said "I bet you didn't expect to see me driving this car." It was just a fix it ticket and my mom got it removed before I got home.
I would just go to court and see if the guy shows up. If he does just ask for a reduced fine. It might waste a couple of hours out of your day, but it will be worth it if you get it cleared or reduced.

 

[SOMDRUNNER1]

Here in Maryland you can receive a SERO (safety equipment repair order) and or a Citation for a tint violation. A SERO carries no fine (just have to fix the issue and have an officer or registered mechanic sign off). Whatever the laws are in your state it is a good idea to abide by the simple ones such as vehicle equipment (tint, etc.), tag issues (covers or not attaching legally). These are just so easy for officers to enforce and may end up getting you stopped when you really don't need to be stopped (such as if you have had a couple drinks or you are driving a little too fast). Officers are more likely to stop you when they can potentially write more than 1 citation or SERO. Every vehicle on the road is speeding at some point, but not every one has secondary issues. Tint violations and almost every other violation of traffic law are primary reasons for a stop in Md. Going to court is usually a good idea. If the officer FTA's (fails to appear) you should walk away a free man. If the officer shows up you can explain your case to the judge and usually walk away with a reduced fine.