Finally happened: first LEO encounter...

[USA1]

TAM said Mine expired 9/9/30, so it was just past 90 days.

Yes, I think a sticker that expired 79 years ago is well over 90 days. :-)

SIA

Wonder what THAT fine is ?

[The Annoyed Man]

TAM said Mine expired 9/9/30, so it was just past 90 days.

Yes, I think a sticker that expired 79 years ago is well over 90 days. :-)

SIA

OOPSIE!! I mean 9/30/09.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

The fine for a sticker 79 years overdue is $41,969.78.

79 years x 365 days = 28,835 days.

Divide 28,835 by 90 days = 320.38 of those 90 day periods.

Each 90 day period's fine = $131.

320.38 x $131 = $41,969.78.

The same basic math can be used on those science fiction
books you never brought back to the library since 7th grade. :-)

SIA

[The Annoyed Man]

The same basic math can be used on those science fiction
books you never brought back to the library since 7th grade. :-)

SIA

They wanted those back?

[LaserTex]

Frost - thanks for the video. I hd never seen it but it make a LOT of sense to me. Thanks again

Doug

[davidtx]

Frost - thanks for the video. I hd never seen it but it make a LOT of sense to me. Thanks again

Doug

Ditto. My CHL instructor was an ex-LEO and he gave similar advice. He suggested that when the police wanted to talk to you, you explain that you aren't feeling well and want to go see your doctor. I like this since it reinforces the idea that you are the one that has been attacked.

-davidtx

[chabouk]

I called the Southlake courthouse from the dealership while I was having the inspection done. The lady I spoke to told me that when it has been expired for more than 60 days, they have to fine you the $131.00. Mine expired 9/9/30, so it was just past 90 day.

I don't believe they "have to" do anything.

About 4 years ago I had to haul something, so I used my old truck (which rarely leaves my property). Insurance and registration were up to date, but the inspection had been expired for two years. A trooper got me two blocks from my house. Even though it was two years out of date, the judge dismissed it for proof of inspection and a $10 processing fee.

[The Annoyed Man]

I called the Southlake courthouse from the dealership while I was having the inspection done. The lady I spoke to told me that when it has been expired for more than 60 days, they have to fine you the $131.00. Mine expired 9/9/30, so it was just past 90 day.

I don't believe they "have to" do anything.

About 4 years ago I had to haul something, so I used my old truck (which rarely leaves my property). Insurance and registration were up to date, but the inspection had been expired for two years. A trooper got me two blocks from my house. Even though it was two years out of date, the judge dismissed it for proof of inspection and a $10 processing fee.

I apparently didn't communicate that very well. She wasn't talking about what happens if you go before a judge. The context of the conversation was about when I could come in and take care of this. She said I had to wait 4-5 business days before the ticket even shows up in their system, so I couldn't come in today. My next question to her was, "How much is the fine?" Her answer was, "If the sticker is expired less than 60 days, there is no fine as long as you provide proof that you've taken care of it. When did yours expire?" I said, "9/9." She said, "Then you would have to pay a $131.00 fine." But at no point was going before a judge discussed. As others have mentioned above, I can do just that, and so I will. I figure the worst that can happen is that he/she will tell me to pay the entire amount.

[chabouk]

I called the Southlake courthouse from the dealership while I was having the inspection done. The lady I spoke to told me that when it has been expired for more than 60 days, they have to fine you the $131.00. Mine expired 9/9/30, so it was just past 90 day.

I don't believe they "have to" do anything.

About 4 years ago I had to haul something, so I used my old truck (which rarely leaves my property). Insurance and registration were up to date, but the inspection had been expired for two years. A trooper got me two blocks from my house. Even though it was two years out of date, the judge dismissed it for proof of inspection and a $10 processing fee.

I apparently didn't communicate that very well. She wasn't talking about what happens if you go before a judge. The context of the conversation was about when I could come in and take care of this. She said I had to wait 4-5 business days before the ticket even shows up in their system, so I couldn't come in today. My next question to her was, "How much is the fine?" Her answer was, "If the sticker is expired less than 60 days, there is no fine as long as you provide proof that you've taken care of it. When did yours expire?" I said, "9/9." She said, "Then you would have to pay a $131.00 fine." But at no point was going before a judge discussed. As others have mentioned above, I can do just that, and so I will. I figure the worst that can happen is that he/she will tell me to pay the entire amount.

I didn't explain mine very well either.

I didn't "go before the judge" either. That is, I didn't appear in court. This was all done at the county judge's office. He was there and we spoke, but it was just an administrative procedure with his clerk. I showed the proof of inspection, paid $10, and they gave me a receipt showing the ticket was dismissed.

I'm not saying all counties would do the same, but the judge can do pretty much what they want to when it comes to dismissing a ticket.

[92f-fan]

I was taxed recently for out of date inspection and then when handing over the Ins card was taxed again since that was also out of date

The ticket I received was for $470 for 2 violations and was printed on a handheld computer.
The Inspection was over 90 days out and I was told both by the court and a couple ATTYs that the local JP courts dont reduce ANYTHING anymore - they need the revenue.

A good example of that is the Expired Ins card - The Constable KNEW my Ins was current because the status is available in his handheld. The $270 ticket was issued in the hopes I would simply pay it.

In the end I paid $204 for the inspection and mailed in the Ins Card.

the Attys I spoke to said unless its in the statute the JP courts dont reduce anything anymore. Its in the statute that Proof of Ins is ok after the fact and its in the statute that I think 60 days is the limit of the grace they have to give you. I had a Atty friend that owwes me a favor who offered to go to Court w me but I decided that I would rather save the favor for when I "really" needed it.

The easy way to test the Online ins status yourself is attempt to renew your Registration online. The website instantly checks your Ins status .....

[asahi1234]

My wife thought since she worked for the city she would get out of a ticket for out of date inspection. She had forgot it was out of date and I had been telling she needs to get this done. So a week later I was riding with her she got pulled over and given a ticket. The police officer told her to get it inspected and the fine would be dropped. Oh ya she told the police officer she work for the city and showed them her I.D. It did not help her at all. I am sure the police officer was wondering why I was laughing so much. I still give her grief.

[koolaid]

I would like to see the out of date registration fee-collection numbers for the year prior to and the year after they switched to the blue backed stickers that you can't see the date on from inside your car. I have to imagine revenue went up dramatically...

[The Annoyed Man]

I would like to see the out of date registration fee-collection numbers for the year prior to and the year after they switched to the blue backed stickers that you can't see the date on from inside your car. I have to imagine revenue went up dramatically...

For what it's worth, I can't legitimately claim that I couldn't see the 9/9 on that blue sticker. I could see it.. ..quite plainly. It just wasn't on my radar.

[srothstein]

Some of the posts here made me curious, so I looked it up. Chapter 548 of the Transportation Code is the chapter on inspections.
Section 548.605 is very clear that the court is required to drop the ticket if the inspection is fixed within 20 days of getting it if the inspection is less than 60 days out of date. It is also clear that a court MAY drop the ticket if it is fixed within 20 days but is older than 60 days.

So, the JP has the choice on the older expirations but must do it if less than 60 days expired.

And TAM, I thought I would point out one thing before you take it to a judge. When you actually go in front of the judge, all bets on the outcome are off, as are all limits on the ticket. He is not bound by the amounts printed for mailing in. The possible fine for a violation is anywhere from $1 to $200, plus court costs. We are currently running just over $100 dollars in mandated court costs (this money goes to various special funds, like the crime victim's fund). So when you see a fine of $131 on the ticket, it is actually about $25 fine and $106 in court costs. The judge can make it $200 in fines plus the same $106 in costs. It doesn't happen often, and he might lower the actual fine to $1 (I see that a lot), but the costs is still almost as much as just paying the ticket. And yes, he could actually dismiss the ticket if he wanted to, for a small charge (10-25 I think). Just wanted you to be aware of the whole situation to make a decision on it.

[92f-fan]

Like previous poster I was warned about court costs adding significantly to the final outcome

In my case it was a max of $200
The way i figured it I wasnt going to take my time and my buddy the ATTY and wait in court for an unknown outcome that by 3 different accounts was VERY unlikely to save me any money.

If I felt I could have reduced it by half I would have gone - i felt the chances of that were slim and none

The same constable that pulled me over is siting in the exit ramp triangle at east bound 635 and Macarthur staring at stickers during lunch a few days week

I should have known better