Dallas Police Officer threatens to Revoke my license

[RoyGBiv]

Did I mention he said he could arrest me and take me to jail for not showing him my license?

1. Officer doesn't know the CHL rules and he needs training.
2. Officer found something disturbing/alarming about you or the stop and he was fishing.
3. Officer was on a power trip and needs to be disciplined.

Either way,
I would never have consented to the search. Especially critical if you feel the officer is acting in any way unprofessionally.
I would make a personal visit to see his Captain.
Sorry you had a bad experience. Don't let it taint your opinion. You'll be better informed next time.

Welcome to the site.

[Keith B]

Did I mention he said he could arrest me and take me to jail for not showing him my license?

He can, but that would not be by the statute and would not be a legal arrest. He was wrong as you have no requirement to show your license if you are not carrying. It is a good idea to show it anyway, just due to the fact they will find out and will ask you, but it is not required unless you have a handgun on you. Even then, there is no penalty for not showing it, so nothing to charge you with. He was blowing smoke.

[jmorris]

What was the violation cited for? "Passing Marked Stop" What is the statute number?

Would be great if you could post a clear picture of the citation (understand you might want to redact your personal info)


Thanks

This is a stop sign violation where you end up stopping, but you roll passed the marked stop line on the pavement.

§544.010 - STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS
(a) Unless directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal, the operator of a vehicle or streetcar approaching an intersection with a stop sign shall stop as provided by Subsection (c).
(b) If safety requires, the operator of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall stop as provided by Subsection (c).
(c) An operator required to stop by this section shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. In the absence of a crosswalk, the operator shall stop at a clearly marked stop line. In the absence of a stop line, the operator shall stop at the place nearest the intersecting roadway where the operator has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.

The stop line is probably either one of the most unknown or ignored items in the code. There's an intersection on 1604 in San Antonio where many heavy trucks or semi's make a left turn onto the 1604 on-ramp. The stop line has been moved back about two car lenghts so that the trucks can make the turn. Yet two-three times a week there's a truck tangling with a car that's pulled all the way up.

[jimlongley]

What was the violation cited for? "Passing Marked Stop" What is the statute number?

Would be great if you could post a clear picture of the citation (understand you might want to redact your personal info)


Thanks

This is a stop sign violation where you end up stopping, but you roll passed the marked stop line on the pavement.

§544.010 - STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS
(a) Unless directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal, the operator of a vehicle or streetcar approaching an intersection with a stop sign shall stop as provided by Subsection (c).
(b) If safety requires, the operator of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall stop as provided by Subsection (c).
(c) An operator required to stop by this section shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. In the absence of a crosswalk, the operator shall stop at a clearly marked stop line. In the absence of a stop line, the operator shall stop at the place nearest the intersecting roadway where the operator has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.

The stop line is probably either one of the most unknown or ignored items in the code. There's an intersection on 1604 in San Antonio where many heavy trucks or semi's make a left turn onto the 1604 on-ramp. The stop line has been moved back about two car lenghts so that the trucks can make the turn. Yet two-three times a week there's a truck tangling with a car that's pulled all the way up.

My sister in law got ticketed for just that, and was complaining about it to all and sundry at a party - "Who knew what that white line meant anyway?" So I told her only everyone that passed a Texas driver's license test was required to know. She got a little upset.

[snatchel]

Feel free to file a complaint if you want to, personally I would go to the station and just speak with his Captain, explain the situation in a calm and professional manor and suggest that they go over CHL laws during one of their internal briefings. Filing a complaint will make an enemy of the officer and in the end nothing will come out of it, sometimes we need to educate the peace officers the same way we educate new CHL holders. IMO letting them search your vehicle was a mistake, but to each their own..............

+1. I'd arrange a meeting with the Captain. The officer was out of line, and they will deal with it.

And as everyone else has stated, refuse to a search. It makes no difference if you have/don't have anything to hide. I understand it can be awkward and that you can feel intimidated..... but stand up for yourself. He had no business in YOUR business.

[Jim Beaux]

Sure I have seen cops who are jerks and bullies, but what else could motivate this cop to behave in the way in which you have described? Why toss your car? Why threatening your CHL? Sorry for being skeptical, but my spidey sense says there must be more to this then what you have shared.

[recaffeination]

Interesting first post.

There is no requirement to show your CHL if you are not armed.

on both fronts

[TeXJ]

On the stopping at the line law. There is an interesecting of a secondary road that comes to a primary road, 6 lanes. This secondary road has houses on it. At the stop sign there are huge bushes on both sides. In order to see the traffic you have to pull up into the cross walk to barelly see the oncoming traffic.

[Keith B]

On the stopping at the line law. There is an interesecting of a secondary road that comes to a primary road, 6 lanes. This secondary road has houses on it. At the stop sign there are huge bushes on both sides. In order to see the traffic you have to pull up into the cross walk to barelly see the oncoming traffic.

Yep, there are a lot of locations where something blocks the view. The law says you must first stop behind the line, THEN you can move forward cautiously to see if it is clear to proceed.

[Jumping Frog]

I am currently supervising my son as part of "parent taught drivers Ed", and had that very conversation with him this weekend while he was doing some practice driving.

[Jaguar]

I am currently supervising my son as part of "parent taught drivers Ed", and had that very conversation with him this weekend while he was doing some practice driving.

Did that with my daughter, for some reason my wife declined. Anyway, she is coming up to a red light where she is going to turn right. I have to YELL at her to stop. She says, "What? Right turn on red, right?" I had to explain the "after stopping and ensuring it is clear before proceeding" part to her.

She hasn't had a wreck, but did get a ticket for 64 in a 55.

Also, something I have drilled into her head from a young age, “I do not consent to searches.”

[knoxknoxrocks]

THANK YOU for ALL the tips. It turns out that the officer is in TRAINING. I think he was being ghosted by other officer. I am learning more ins and outs. As far as the Passing Stopped Mark is concerned....i don't care. I will donate to the fine city of Dallas.

[knoxknoxrocks]

I DO NOT CONSENT TO SEARCHES...it was pretty scary though to be honest. I feel more empowered now with all the info you folks have given me. thx

[Rex B]

90% of the citizenry would be intimidated and would consent, because they don't know they can - and should - refuse.
Remember that all stops are now recorded on dash-cam video, with a microphone on the policeman to pick up the conversation.
Learn the law, know your rights, stand your ground.
Don't let a cop on a power trip cow you.

"I do not consent to searches"

[knoxknoxrocks]

thanks Rex