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-->start rant:
As some of you know, I got a ticket at Alki last summer for "improper eye protection". I had my hearing today and my game plan was strong, but I came out Seattle Court 1 - Mike 0
.
My first attack was the 48hr filing period, but that backfired coz the officer filed it over the weekend, but still within 2 business days.
For my second attack I brought in the RCW law that defines proper eye protection. It says any motorcycle driven vehicle must have a windshield or the driver must be wearing glasses, face shield, blah blah blah. I showed the judge a picture of my bike to show it has a windscreen, and I showed him my helmet to show it too has a face shield. Unfortunately, I wasn't cited under RCW, and was cited under SMC (seattle municipal court). So that backfired on me also
I then explained that I have taken the motorcycle safty course, and they said it was ok the have your faceshield up at half way. He told me that was personal reccomadation, but that doesn't change the law. So I explained the circumstances, that I was on Alki strip, in stop-n-go traffic moving at 5mph, I had something in my eye, flipped up my shield quick to rub my eye, and then put it back down.
Now after all this testimony, you'd think the judge would be understandable and dismiss the ticket. NOPE. I was found guilty of the infraction for a total of $101.
haha, even as I was walking one of the officers at the metal dector was talking to me about it and he couldn't believe I got sited for it, and was even more shocked the judge didn't dismiss it.
LESSON LEARNED: I guess always ride with your shield down, unless you want another bullshit ticket.
-->/end rant
As some of you know, I got a ticket at Alki last summer for "improper eye protection". I had my hearing today and my game plan was strong, but I came out Seattle Court 1 - Mike 0
.My first attack was the 48hr filing period, but that backfired coz the officer filed it over the weekend, but still within 2 business days.
For my second attack I brought in the RCW law that defines proper eye protection. It says any motorcycle driven vehicle must have a windshield or the driver must be wearing glasses, face shield, blah blah blah. I showed the judge a picture of my bike to show it has a windscreen, and I showed him my helmet to show it too has a face shield. Unfortunately, I wasn't cited under RCW, and was cited under SMC (seattle municipal court). So that backfired on me also
I then explained that I have taken the motorcycle safty course, and they said it was ok the have your faceshield up at half way. He told me that was personal reccomadation, but that doesn't change the law. So I explained the circumstances, that I was on Alki strip, in stop-n-go traffic moving at 5mph, I had something in my eye, flipped up my shield quick to rub my eye, and then put it back down.
Now after all this testimony, you'd think the judge would be understandable and dismiss the ticket. NOPE. I was found guilty of the infraction for a total of $101.
haha, even as I was walking one of the officers at the metal dector was talking to me about it and he couldn't believe I got sited for it, and was even more shocked the judge didn't dismiss it.
LESSON LEARNED: I guess always ride with your shield down, unless you want another bullshit ticket.
-->/end rant
