My First Run-in w/ the Law

[CainA]

Well folks, it's inevitable for some and today it happened to me. And as much as I'd rather not get scolding from the board, since this is not the reason I am posting it, I know I was in the wrong(now). At any rate, I was on a four lane road divided by a turning lane, so this makes it five lanes now. A school bus was unloading(flashers going), but I was on the opposite side of the road..thinking to myself, (since I am not up on the law when it comes to roads like this-see Keith B's response to posts(around April of this year)..I know you have a blurb on that from a previous post such as mine) “passing a school bus”; I rolled by, after a few others cars I might add. Anyway, I(lucky me) got pulled over, officer was very cordial, asked for the typical drivers license..I gave him DL and CHL(I had a gun, but not on my person, but behind the seat). He asked that he'd appreciate it if I didn't reach back there(behind the seat where the gun is)..I'm not brilliant , but I know better than that... I said, “I'm a good guy otherwise I wouldn't have the CHL”. After he returned from running my license and registration or whatever, he asked what kind of gun I carried(small talk), but I still got a ticket. So don't think your CHL is a free pass. All in all it was a good experience minus the ticket part.

-Cain

[gigag04]

So don't think your CHL is a free pass.

[Purplehood]

Now if you had shown him your badge that might have been a different story.

[PBratton]

I think you will find that, generally, there are no free rides when it comes to anything related to School Bus or School Zone violations...

[terryg]

I think you will find that, generally, there are no free rides when it comes to anything related to School Bus or School Zone violations...

I was really blessed several years ago - speeding in a school zone and got away with a verbal. And this was on 528 in Friendswood of all places. I wasn't going above the normal speed limit however.

I am always extremely polite to officers. I don't remember the details of the conversation, but I told him the truth - that was headed to a Dr. Appt that morning and never drive that route during school hours. So I completely spaced the school zone because I wasn't used to it being an active school zone. I also noticed it myself about half way through and slowed down - before he lit me up (and before I saw him). I apologized for the infraction - it was sincere because I was truly surprised by the whole thing.

I remember him leaning in a little bit to get a better look around the car. It seem to me that he saw the baby car seat in the back seat and then he gave me a warning. And of course, I always have a Marine Corp sticker on the back of my car. So any and all of those may have factored in to his decision. I did not expect to get a warning - but of course - was very relieved.

[gigag04]

Now if you had shown him your badge that might have been a different story.

Only if you show it :) Try to not let the cat out of the bag unless I'm carrying near my wallet (ie right side), or have all my duty gear (armor, rifle, bag) etc with me. When I go to work my truck looks like I'm going to rob a bank.

[CaptWoodrow10]

Now if you had shown him your badge that might have been a different story.

Only if you show it :) Try to not let the cat out of the bag unless I'm carrying near my wallet (ie right side), or have all my duty gear (armor, rifle, bag) etc with me. When I go to work my truck looks like I'm going to rob a bank.

I think he was referring to the "CHL Badge".

[E150GT]

I got let off once by a state trooper in some stretch of road near Centerville, TX but I dont think it was due to being a CHL. The other time. the trooper was nice, but I still got a ticket. I just need to stop speeding.

[bilgerat57]

It's been my experience that officers distrust extreme politeness as much as hostility. Both actions make him wonder what you're hiding. I make it a practice to be civil and polite without overdoing it. I also make it a point of thanking the officer afterwards if he/she acted the same way to me. I get stopped relatively seldom, and only once have I found it necessary to pursue 'remedial action' regarding an officers behavior.

[Purplehood]

Now if you had shown him your badge that might have been a different story.

Only if you show it :) Try to not let the cat out of the bag unless I'm carrying near my wallet (ie right side), or have all my duty gear (armor, rifle, bag) etc with me. When I go to work my truck looks like I'm going to rob a bank.

I think he was referring to the "CHL Badge".

[Ed4032]

I got stopped this week end by Dallas' finest. The first thing I told him was that I had a CCW and was carrying. He said OK and never mentioned it again. Didn't ask where it was or anything. I kept my hands glued to the steering wheel and told him before I moved anything what and where I had to go to get my wallet. He just asked why I was speeding. I told him I was running late for golf. He ran me on the computer and told me to slow down. I was sure I was getting a ticket and deserved one but he let me slide.