Anyone ever experienced this? Crazy NJ state trooper story inside

[Peterglen]

So... took a nice drive today. Perfect day. From DC to NYC for a few hours to help my brother pack his stuff and move out of his apartment.

Driving home, about 20 minutes into NJ. In traffic basically, doing about 80 In the right lane.

I cruise past an 18wheeler to the left of me in the middle lane, and immediately see a state trooper in the left lane about 250ft ahead. There is an 18 wheeler about 100 feet in front of me so I change lanes into the middle lane. Maintaing my speed as all traffic is moving in the 75-80mph.

The cop Begins to slow down. I do as well but not abruptly I stay around 75 which all of traffic has basically slowed to.

Once I’m next to him he hits his brake and get right behind me. Almost tailgating me, and lights me up about 20 seconds later.


I pull over and he asks for my docs, and asks if I know why I’m being stopped.

I said no sir.

He says... you were speeding and you illegally passed a truck from the right. That’s illegal...

I reply “ I’m not understanding sir” I most certainly was traveling a bit above the limit but I’m traveling with traffic, and I was traveling in the right lane, are you saying it’s illegal to change lanes if you’re in the right lane? Also what was my speed exactly last I saw on the speedo I was doing about 75.

He says... I paced you, you were speeding. You were gaining on me. Looked like 85-95

I said, sir, you were several hundred feet ahead of me. I saw you when I changed lanes, and that’s when I checked my Speedo, which was about 75, and you began deceleration to get behind me. I just don’t understand

He says I’m not going to argue with you give me your shit right now.

I hand him my stuff.

Literally 39 minutes later... I timed it

He comes back with a reckless driving ticket, Improper lane change, and speeding.

Only the speeding ticket lists a court date. None of them have the mandatory box checked, and the speeding ticket has no speed level Checked, it just says paced, no speed indication at all


On top of that when he returns to explain this to me I literally am mind boggled and say, Sir I have a question ( was trying to ask about the lane change issue and why it would be a separate reckless driving ticket because it makes no sense, and the guy actually says...

I don’t have time for your questions. Drops my Docs on the passenger seat and literally frisbees the tickets right at me. One of which hits me straight in the chin.

He gets in his car and I shit you not Burns rubber as he pulls away.



I’ve never experienced anything like it, but this guy was unhinged. I think I will need to hire a lawyer and obtain his dash cam footage here. This guy was what everyone fears in a cop encounter. I’m generally a huge LE supporter, but what can you really do when you come across a crazy guy like this...

Well I’m still worked up about it now a few hours later and can’t sleep... any lawyers in the house??? What should I do, because I feel like I need to make sure it’s on record that this guy is, or was in this instance not being a police officer but a thug with a badge.

[chris719]

Sorry to hear about your experience. The profession attracts a lot of assholes for obvious reasons. I've had mostly good experiences with NJSP, though. Pretty sure you're gonna have to lawyer up for this one.

[Poochie]

Sorry to hear about your unpleasant encounter but it's sounds about right; those state troopers have a huge stick up their ass, they act emotionless, like robots, that's not even an exaggeration.

Don't worry, his wife is probably getting bagged out by some brother, with a Mandingo cock, while he's out pissing off the public.. Or so I like to believe..

You mention you was on the NJ side, so in my experience, they do over-ticket you; I gotten 7 at one time, like 3am heading back from Atlantic City casinos. The dickhead even gave me one for the Garmin portable navigation "Obstructing view" and my BMW license plate frame.

When you get to court, you stand in long line with a bunch of riff-rats, until you meet the pseudo DA that acts like he/she is doing you a favor by dropping the most BS tickets, in exchange for you pleading to the most severe one, with a higher fine.

They really just want your money, they really care very little about the violations. It's a business to them..

They also make virtually impossible to be able to contest the summons, they deceit and lies, if necessary to discourage you. The cops never have to show up and if you try to fight it, they drag on the case for many continuations, until you get worn out and give up, making you believe it's in your best interest to just plea up and move on.

But whatever, I just throw them money just to be down with it.

As far as "pacing" goes; I have and had the best and most effective radar detectors money can buy, yet I've notice the cops just sit on the side of the highway, watch you drive by and "visually estimate" your speed, then lie that they confirmed it with a radar reading.

Rendering a radar detector useless.. Which I don't believe is fair but I guess I can't win that argument

Happen to me several times before, where I looked at the cop dead in eyes, knowing very well he didn't clock me on radar/laser but it didn't matter anyways because real cops are not like on TV, they are not above lying, they do or say what they gotta say to sway a situation in their favor. That's a fact.

Getting stop and ticketed by cops, I think of it like a shakedown; yea, it sucks but whatever if it's only going to cost me some money and just take pleasure in knowing the next time I see that cop will be much later, in hell. ✌🏻

[Davil]

Down here they are called highway patrol. Actual real cops have told me that they hate them as much as we do. It just attracts a certain type of person that received too many wedgies as a child and wants to exact revenge on the world.

[Peterglen]

I totally get it’s a cash grab, and I wouldn’t mind if he wrote me for something I actually did. This really infuriated me because of his conduct. Not to mention the ticket has none of his information on it at all and he was wholly unwilling to provide me with any info at all.

I normally would just pay the fine an say F it but I’m definitely going to have to find the guy and file a complaint against him on this one.

Hopefully police reform is actually in motion and if people routinely have encounters like this with these officers... and its continually noted... maybe one day they will feel a smidgeon of the helplessness I felt last night.

My brother is a lawyer and he says If I really want I can go after him for assault for throwing the ticket at me.

I still want to talk to an NJ traffic lawyer and really see what options are available. I fear in reality all resistance is futile. This is the part of the revenue source for these states where people are flocking away in droves for green pastures down south, and they are mercilessly writing tickets to make up for it.

[GoHerd]

The only speeding ticket I've received was kind of similar to this.
25 years ago.

No radar, cop claimed to have timed me based on closing speed, etc.
Wrote me a ticket for 94 in a 70 on an interstate.
No way I was going over 85. (busted ass cavalier z24)

I tried to ask some questions on the side of the road, he ignored me and handed me the ticket and walked away.
Destroyed my insurance rate for some time, put 6 points on the license, driving school etc.
Brutal experience with police.

[BigKutta]

That sucks that this happened to you, there are certainly asshole cops out there, just like there are asshole people. I have been a fortunate one to only encounter good cops, but perhaps because I also treat them with respect (not saying you didnt).

Anyway, there appear to be enough technicalities in this whole event (missing info on ticket, he guessed your speed, bad attitude, etc.) that your tickets will get thrown out in court. Now, I've done the DC drive to NYC in my sleep many times, and I'm guessing you were by EWR at this point, so going back to make a court appearance sucks. But, if you have time, go to court and plead not guilty and explain your event to the judge. I would do it simply because you have a reckless driving ticket which will kill your insurance, and add points. You also need to ensure that the cop hears of his behavior in front of a judge.
I've gone to court for two big tickets, and each time I've gotten off (once even saying I was guilty and I was sorry). It's worth it. Have your story straight, be courteous, maintain a professional demeanor and your'll be fine. The cop may not even show.
Good luck!

[Mavus]

do you have cam? did you record any of it?

[Peterglen]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

That sucks that this happened to you, there are certainly asshole cops out there, just like there are asshole people. I have been a fortunate one to only encounter good cops, but perhaps because I also treat them with respect (not saying you didnt).

Anyway, there appear to be enough technicalities in this whole event (missing info on ticket, he guessed your speed, bad attitude, etc.) that your tickets will get thrown out in court. Now, I've done the DC drive to NYC in my sleep many times, and I'm guessing you were by EWR at this point, so going back to make a court appearance sucks. But, if you have time, go to court and plead not guilty and explain your event to the judge. I would do it simply because you have a reckless driving ticket which will kill your insurance, and add points. You also need to ensure that the cop hears of his behavior in front of a judge.
I've gone to court for two big tickets, and each time I've gotten off (once even saying I was guilty and I was sorry). It's worth it. Have your story straight, be courteous, maintain a professional demeanor and your'll be fine. The cop may not even show.
Good luck!

I think that’s what I’ll do. It’s not so bad I have clients and family in NJ I’ll make a nice day of it. I really think I’ll need the guys cam though. Because my word likely won’t mean much next to his.

I was very courteous as I always am. Yes sir, no sir and promptly provided everything. But you just can’t get a break from a guy like this, In fact I think my gracious attitude pissed him off more in the beginning. Because when he came back he didn’t want a single word.

[Peterglen]

Originally Posted by Smooth 330i

do you have cam? did you record any of it?

Unfortunately not, but I will get one as a result of this incident. Some cops obviously can’t be trusted to be honest.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by Peterglen

I think that’s what I’ll do. It’s not so bad I have clients and family in NJ I’ll make a nice day of it. I really think I’ll need the guys cam though. Because my word likely won’t mean much next to his.

I was very courteous as I always am. Yes sir, no sir and promptly provided everything. But you just can’t get a break from a guy like this, In fact I think my gracious attitude pissed him off more in the beginning. Because when he came back he didn’t want a single word.

I think you should take your chance in court, and talk about the event in front of the judge. It's worth it. especially since you dont mind taking a day out there

[nearwater4me]

Wow, that’s crazy.
I’ve had my share of encounters with the LEOs, and most of the times, they were all professional, respectful.
One time when the trooper acted like an a$$... well, I deserved it.

I would definitely get a lawyer for this one.

[yuriydee]

Happened to me few times as well. Best bet is to go to court and have the DA lower the ticket. If youre lucky theyll drop the reckless driving (5 points) to careless driving (2 points). They might also drop speeding to less points. All of these will come with surcharges of course so you will be paying a lot. Id probably go first to meet with DA when they call your name and see what they offer, if they dont want to drop points then get a lawyer (or get one right away if you can afford it).

A few years back I had to pay a little over $600 in surcharges with almost same tickets as you. This is how these towns make money. Welcome to NJ basically....

[Peterglen]

Originally Posted by yuriydee

Happened to me few times as well. Best bet is to go to court and have the DA lower the ticket. If youre lucky theyll drop the reckless driving (5 points) to careless driving (2 points). They might also drop speeding to less points. All of these will come with surcharges of course so you will be paying a lot. Id probably go first to meet with DA when they call your name and see what they offer, if they dont want to drop points then get a lawyer (or get one right away if you can afford it).

A few years back I had to pay a little over $600 in surcharges with almost same tickets as you. This is how these towns make money. Welcome to NJ basically....

On the reckless ticket, careless driving is checked now that i look at it again.

Yeah I’m definitely just gonna lawyer up.

I mean I was behind the guy the whole time and only in his field of view for maybe 30 seconds and the cam footage would show I’m just another car in traffic.

I mean technically speaking everything he says he witnessed wasn’t with his eyes at all. It was his eyes using a mirror that literally has a warning written on it that objects may be distorted.

[///M TOWN]

I say very little. I am extremely polite and just go with the flow.

I say nothing really other than I don't want to create any problems, and that I have nothing but respect for their profession.

I am often let go with a warming. If I am given a ticket my trusty traffic lawyer will get rid of the ticket, and minimize any traffic fine.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by Peterglen

Unfortunately not, but I will get one as a result of this incident. Some cops obviously can’t be trusted to be honest.

I would get an experienced attorney to assess the case. This is unacceptable behaviour.

[wavyyyy]

Yeah get a traffic attorney.

[omasou]

I'm not a lawyer or LOE and I can only speak from past experience.

To reinforce and add to ///M Town's comments

1. Be overly polite.
2. NEVER admit to anything, explain. etc. It's not the court and he's not the judge.

I've always wondered, when the LOE asks..."Do you know why.." if you answer truthfully if they will let you go. They won't.

I'm guessing you caught his attention but flying up behind him and noticing him too late. When I see LEO and I'm going faster than the limit, I just lift and hope my declaration either messes w/the radar or he doesn't bother w/me. I do not make any exaggerate moves to draw their attention as it's basically admitting guilt, e.g. braking (causes the front end to drop) or switch lanes.

AFAIK, passing on the right is illegal everywhere. NJ drivers are infamous for camping in the left lanes. If your from NJ and offended...tough it's true. That said, if someone is going slowly in the left lane and traffic is moving past them in the right two lanes, I don't see how he can say you passed him...unless you came up behind him in his lane, sped up in the right and passed him or worse then moved in front of him in the left lane again.

As for reckless driving...besides being truly reckless...speeding and weaving in and out of traffic, etc...it is used as an add-on, e.g. speeding = reckless, pass on the right = reckless.

Good luck hope it works out.

EDIT: I re-read your description. By your own admission you passed the first semi on the right. Paced means that he could not verify your actual speed but he could "pace" you can verify that you were going as fast as he was, which was over the speed limit.

If the tape review doesn't work in your favor, you may want to go to court and hope they drop or reduce the charges. Based on my quick back of the napkin addition your looking at 11 point minimum, i.e. 2 minimum + 4 + 5.

https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/license/points-schedule.htm

13 points and your loosing your license and/or going to driving school.

https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/license/driverprograms.htm

You must have really pissed him off, the 39 minute thing was him looking up your DMV record and deciding how bad to bend you over. He could have also thrown in improper passing for another 4 points and probably towed the car.

[Anthony1s]

I use a gopro and record every second I'm driving my car. I've had too many instances for getting pulled over and ticketed for ridiculous reasons. The times I'm going with traffic and not doing anything wrong, I'm not paying attention to whatever thing the cop says I'm doing. So when he's arguing with me, I'm too shocked to go back in memory, figure out what happened, and argue back with the cop... And the times that I am paying attention and know I didn't do anything wrong, the cop just gets aggressive and gaslights me.

Whenever I call lawyers (for anything) they'll quote me $3500-$4500 and says it's not worth fighting, that maybe he can argue a lesser fine, but I should just accept the ticket and move on. And I'm like, "no that's not right. I didn't do anything wrong and don't want to accept guilt for something I didn't do." And after that I don't even want to hire that lawyer anyway, because if he truly doesn't believe I'm not in the wrong, then he's gonna do a crappy job of defending me anyway.

In court, it's a shit show anyway. The judges have so many cases each day and don't take the time to listen and understand the situation. And I actually had one judge, in small claims court, tell me "we have to support local business" when I took a chain company to court for doing $1500 of damages when they tinted the windows... I'm also had judges irrationally defend women who have manipulated me and cheated me out of money and time, despite me having records of them colluding against me and admitting to it.

The cops overcharge too. Hoping you'll be happy getting ridiculous charges dropped and accepting one of the other charges.

So these days I record everything, and defend myself in court. And stay in my house and work to limit any interaction I have with people and cops. Which is kinda dumb, because I wanna go out and connect with people and socialize. But after everything that happens, I gave up.

[Peterglen]

Major update!!!!

Contacted the state police from their list of random numbers and actually got the barracks the guy is actually from.

Sgt. was able to pull all the footage from body and dash cam.

He put me on hold for 10 min and came back and said okay I’m going to refer you to our division of professional review.

Said it seemed out of the ordinary and that they would do a full investigation within a few days and if they deem it an unwarranted summons they can drop the tickets right there

[omasou]

Originally Posted by Peterglen

Major update!!!!

Contacted the state police from their list of random numbers and actually got the barracks the guy is actually from.

Sgt. was able to pull all the footage from body and dash cam.

He put me on hold for 10 min and came back and said okay I’m going to refer you to our division of professional review.

Said it seemed out of the ordinary and that they would do a full investigation within a few days and if they deem it an unwarranted summons they can drop the tickets right there

Hopefully that footage does include you admitting to going 75 mph.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Peterglen

Major update!!!!

Contacted the state police from their list of random numbers and actually got the barracks the guy is actually from.

Sgt. was able to pull all the footage from body and dash cam.

He put me on hold for 10 min and came back and said okay I'm going to refer you to our division of professional review.

Said it seemed out of the ordinary and that they would do a full investigation within a few days and if they deem it an unwarranted summons they can drop the tickets right there

You're lucky you even got that far but more than likely they'll side with the cop's point of view..

Anyways, hope it works out, keep us updated..