Anybody ever go a tint ticket

everyones advice so far has been good, but no one has asked what the violation was actually for. was the ticket for tint being too dark or for it being on the windshield? if its the windshield then you have no chance. if its for the windows being too dark then you can always use the "he never checked how dark they were" defense. but if it were me i would fight it! the best way to do it is to plead not guilty and take it to trial. then you postpone the trial a couple of times hoping to get lucky and when the officer doesnt show, then the state has no case and its dismissed. good luck man and let us know how it turns out
 
I can't speak for what occurs in other states, but in Md. you are not likely to be granted a continuance for a minor traffic violation. You are also more likely to piss off the judge if you are in violation and you ask for a trial. If you are in violation and the officer shows up you are usually better off pleading guilty with an explanation. There are variances between some jurisdictions, but usually these tactics are the best options I have observed. I have probably observed several thousand traffic cases (or more) brought to court over the years and I don't think you can go wrong using these.
 
Who really has time to spend hours a day in court? Simply go to court in another car or sign the car over to your parents to prove you don't own the car any longer. Tint on side windows are automatic vines in most states these days - almost like a seat belt ticket, they can pull you over for no other reason than that, it's all about the money these days...
 
If you are serious about taking it off, you can play dumb, and say it was on the vehicle when you purchased it. So when you show up to court, just say you had no idea you were doing something wrong, and the tint is removed. I'd be surprised if they didn't reduce the ticket.
 
Lots of good advice here.

I think the reason he didn't give me a warning or a fix it ticket was because we don't have inspections in South Carolina, so there isn't really anywhere that could "sign off" on it.

I guess if I have to choose one I'll plead guilty with explanation. I don't really have time to take off being in college and everything. I'll probably already miss a day going to the first court date.

As one poster mentioned the ticket is for just the windshield as far as I can tell. Shouldn't the people who put it on have told me that it was illegal?

I'd probably be satisfied with a reduction to bring it down to about $80.

It's kind of sad that they are so picky today. It seems like they could be doing something a little more productive than fining people for tint.

When I go I'll definitely be going in a different vehicle. I guess I'll just tell them that I took it off myself. The officer said that I could take it somewhere and have them give me a receipt saying that they removed it. I really don't feel like paying someone to take off the tint considering how easy it is.

What would y'all say the likelihood of getting it reduced is? Officer not showing up?

I'm planning on calling a police department Monday to see if it really is a primary offense and to see what the maximum fine is.
 
Hey Clemson, check the time of your court date, is it around the same time as the cop who pulled you over's shift? If so he more than likely won't be in court, I'm sure it's a minor ticket(meaning no points) so your insurance won't go up. Just pay the fine and don't mention anything about taking the tint off unless they ask, which they prob won't. I would just remove that windshield tint and leave the sides as is - unless you really want it all removed.

What are the chances of you running into the same cop again? Is this ticket from your hometown? If not I wouldn't worry too much about it.
 
Cops can pull you over for what ever they want, I say your lucky you got away with just a fine.
Just pay the ticket and let it go man.

Out my way they sometimes send you to a DMV inspection, which the sides have to be 35% or lighter and you cant have anything on the front.
And then When I went the guy failed me for having clear corner lights, and for not having a front plate...
.
They really go out of thier way to make it a pain in the ass.
 
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as someone who lives in SC I think I can share some specs with you -

1. The law states that the max legal tint on all windows is 27%...Unless you drive a MPV (offraod capable vehicle) which the 4Runner is - then the 27% applies to the front two windows only - so anything behind the driver is OK.

2. The tint on the windshield can't go below the AS1 line -

If your front windows are more than 27% I would go get them fixed then take that info with you to court and see if the judge will give you a break.

Botton line is that the SC cops are always looking for a good reason to pull you over...

The law can be found here - S.C. Code of Laws Title 56 Chapter 5 Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways - www.scstatehouse.gov-LPITS

go down to section 5015 -
 
BTW - if you read the law you will notice requirements for installers and penalties if they do not follow the law -

So, if you had it tinted by a shop in SC I would got back to them with a copy of the law and have them remove the tint from the windshield and the driver and pass windows and install legal tint at their expense.

If they balk you could file a complaint with the police and ask them to get involved, or for $55 you could file a complaint with magistrate's court and ask for all you expenses to be covered (court fine + whatever it costs for another shop to remove + install legal tint).
 
SECTION 56-5-5015. Sunscreen devices states in part -

(E) Each vehicle equipped with an after-factory sunscreening device, whether installed by a consumer or professional window tinter, at all times must bear a certificate of compliance. The certificate of compliance must be of a size and form prescribed by the Department of Public Safety. Each certificate of compliance must be properly attached to the vehicle on the inside and lower right hand corner of each window containing an after-factory installed sunscreen device and must contain the following information:

(1) the percentage of light transmission allowed by the sunscreening device;

(2) the identity of the installer by name, address, and telephone number; and

(3) date of installation.

(G) No person may:

(1) offer for sale or for use any sunscreening product or material for motor vehicle use not in compliance with this section;

(2) install any sunscreening product or material on vehicles titled for use on public roads without permanently affixing the certificate of compliance specified in this section.

A professional window tinter who violates the provisions of subsections (E) or (G) is guilty of a misdemeanor triable in magistrate's court and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both, for each offense. A consumer who violates the provisions of subsection (E) or (G) is guilty of a misdemeanor triable in magistrate's court and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for each offense.
 
MAD 69 said:
Hey Clemson, check the time of your court date, is it around the same time as the cop who pulled you over's shift? If so he more than likely won't be in court, I'm sure it's a minor ticket(meaning no points) so your insurance won't go up. Just pay the fine and don't mention anything about taking the tint off unless they ask, which they prob won't. I would just remove that windshield tint and leave the sides as is - unless you really want it all removed.

What are the chances of you running into the same cop again? Is this ticket from your hometown? If not I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Click to expand...

It's at nine in the morning. I was pulled over at 1:30.

As I mentioned earlier I rarely see highway patrol officers around my area and had never seen one on motorcycle before. I would hope the chances would be low.


ultimatt said:
BTW - if you read the law you will notice requirements for installers and penalties if they do not follow the law -

So, if you had it tinted by a shop in SC I would got back to them with a copy of the law and have them remove the tint from the windshield and the driver and pass windows and install legal tint at their expense.

If they balk you could file a complaint with the police and ask them to get involved, or for $55 you could file a complaint with magistrate's court and ask for all you expenses to be covered (court fine + whatever it costs for another shop to remove + install legal tint).
Click to expand...

Good info. I had read that law, but I couldn't find where the maximum fines were listed.

The tint shop is at some fault here I believe, but I don't think I'll even mention that. It'd probably turn out to be a big pain in the ass.
 
In Canada the chances of the cop turning up in court for almost any charge are close to 100% - they get paid extra for court time (hence why they will often give you a ticket and suggest you fight it in court).
 
damn Clem... this is a bummer. when is your court date?

and out here in northern California, I see a city cop on a motorcycle about once a day, and never Highway patrol. CHP still drives crown vics, and Folsom PD is all rolling around in chargers these days.
 
March 17th.

I wonder if officers on motorcycles look out for non moving violations more than officers in cars.

I'm at least going to try and get it reduced. I don't know if I should play the broke college student card or the I didn't know it was there card.
 
you might be better off playing the "tint shop never told me it was illegal" card.

Bring your receipt from the tint shop and tell the judge they did not follow the law and never informed you of the law.

Also, did the tint shop put a notice in the window noting who installed it and the tint % as required by the law?

This all may go better if you can document you removed it before the court date...
 
That one would be good too.

No sticker was put on. I took had part done at one shop and part done at the other. Neither put on a sticker.

I still have receipts from both.
 
I've had tint installed a few times and the installers never placed any sort of "company" logo or name on the window. The installer is not likely to get into trouble for installing the tint. The user of the vehicle is responsible for any modifications that may be illegal. Keep in mind that judges are not stupid and they have heard pretty much every "story" that could be told. If you insult their intelligence you won't help yourself out. In Md. police officers are required to attend court if they are summonsed and could be jailed for an FTA. Most agencies pay the officer a minimum amount of overtime (at least 3hrs.) for a court appearence when off-duty. Some officers still FTA though, especially in larger departments where crime rates are higher and officers are in court numerous times a week.
 
here in cali you can just pay the fine for a fix-it ticket and not remove the tint. Or have an officer buddy sign it off.

Good luck with that.
 
SOMDRUNNER1 said:
I've had tint installed a few times and the installers never placed any sort of "company" logo or name on the window. The installer is not likely to get into trouble for installing the tint. The user of the vehicle is responsible for any modifications that may be illegal. Keep in mind that judges are not stupid and they have heard pretty much every "story" that could be told. If you insult their intelligence you won't help yourself out. In Md. police officers are required to attend court if they are summonsed and could be jailed for an FTA. Most agencies pay the officer a minimum amount of overtime (at least 3hrs.) for a court appearence when off-duty. Some officers still FTA though, especially in larger departments where crime rates are higher and officers are in court numerous times a week.
Click to expand...

Dang. I wonder if that policy is in place in SC.

J-money$$$- I think most places that have inspections give out fix-it tickets. I think I'd rather take the ticket instead of having inspections. I've heard those can be a pain.
 
In Mass there is no "fix it ticket" and the fine for tint is $250. If they want to push the issue that could be $250 per violation (ie: per window). Locally here for a civil violation (where a fine is assessed), the officer is not present for a hearing - there is a court liason officer. This is handled with a magistrate. If either party appeals the magistrates finding, the officer would then have to appear in a hearing with a judge.
My advise is to bring your car into compliance & bring proof to the hearing. If the ticket was for windshield tint, remove it and bring pictures. If it was for side windows, remove it or have the shop tint it legally. Can't hurt to even bring the car to prove it. Maybe the officer would be willing to observe the violation repaired and testify to that fact at the hearing.
Unfortunately, ignorance of the law is no excuse (I'm not tryin' to sound like a dik here, but thats how most judges think). Whether or not you bought it like that or you had it tinted, its your responsibility to make sure your car is in compliance. If you have minimum tint levels in your state, tint to that level & you won't have a problem.
What Mad69 said earlier is pretty true. Most officers are more concerned about THEIR safety as they can't see in a car. Think from his point of view: If you had to walk up to a car would you want to take the chance that there is some gang banger on the other side of that blacked out glass pointing a gun at you that you can't see?
Long story short: if you can afford the time, appeal the ticket. Worst that can happen is you will have to pay the full amount.__________________Good Luck!
 
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