| Author | Message | ||
     Dmfb88 |
Just got pulled over in Michigan by a state cop who seemed to have no doubt that my bike was stolen. He even said he had a Buell and his doesn't look like mine. He said the way the vin number was raised and the tab was not perfectly square that it must have been messed with. I argued but couldn't change his mind. I had insurance and registration that all matched the vin on the frame. Now tomorrow he wants to inspect it more at the station. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Take your title and bill of sale if you have one. | ||
| Dmfb88 |
Just checked I have both. Are cops allowed to go this far with valid and current registration and insurance? | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
What a jerk. Tell him maybe he bought a stolen Buell. haha | ||
| Dmfb88 |
Any counter legal action I can take? | ||
| Blake |
>>> Now tomorrow he wants to inspect it more at the station. Sleazy cop alert! My understanding is that unless being detained and charged, you are under no obligation to submit. You certainly are not required to incriminate yourself. Be frank, but respectful, but don't relinquish your rights. Even if you are innocent, EVERYTHING you say can and WILL be held against you. The cop may "want" you to do all kinds of things. Simply politely inform him that you'd rather not. He didn't detain you, or charge you,so you're free to ignore his stated request. I'm no lawyer. (Message edited by Blake on July 07, 2012) | ||
| Dannybuell |
have him come to your house to see bill of sale. | ||
| Dmfb88 |
This is just very frustrating. Maybe I look like the kind of person who strips bikes and he stamps vin numbers. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Wow, I'd be calling the police on him. Sounds like a fake. If he's city, call state to investigate, if state, call city. If you have the papers and he still suspects you, he's obliged to book you right there and then. We used to have tickets that allowed 24 hours to produce but not anymore. Besides, what more could you produce, you had bike and papers? I'd make some calls. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Call that cop's supervisor tell him what is happening. Unless that cop has a warrant or a court ordered summons, you don't have to go there to prove anything to him. That's what's called an illegal search IF you refuse. If you volunteer to go, then they can search you and inspect your bike but you don't have to do any damn thing as you have not broken any laws. If they still insist on making you come over, then ask to see a warrant to search you and your vehicle. Call a lawyer and make sure you get that cop's name. Definitely tell those cops you have consulted with your attorney. | ||
| Kenm123t |
He is trying to get you to be an informant on bike choppers. Typical BS but why is he even interested in you. Some one you know is a car or bike chopper your just a victim to be squeezed | ||
| Dmfb88 |
Took my title and bill of sale to the police station and he didn't even want to look at it. He said he wants to inspect the bike more and that if one issue comes up with the vin # he will impound the bike. I called the lawyer and they will call me back tomorrow. | ||
| Hammer71 |
You are not obligated to go anywhere. You were pulled over and let go (any citations?). If not don't go back there under any circumstances. If you were cited there will be a court date, that you go to. Former cop here and I tell you that this guy is a grade A douchebag and a shady cop DONT GO BACK THERE...He will find something to screw you if you do. | ||
| Brumbear |
I'd listen to that advice if he had something you would be in it already. | ||
| Satori |
Hammers advise seems reasonable. I would listen. Also listen to that lawyer. It seems this guy is fishing, the fact he wouldnt even look at your bill of sale, uh doesnt seem right. | ||
| Ljm |
I am not sure what jurisdiction you are in but if a city cop, I would immediately call Police Chief and the Mayor. In the absence of a crime, he doesn't have the right to either see your bike, your papers or anything else. He hasn't cited you, you are not being accused of any infraction. Good advice on the lawyer. Also, if a State or other official, up the chain of command there as well. Locally, worth talking to the D.A. about, or having your attorney do it. We are not a "show your papers" country. You don't have to. Burden of proof is on him, not you. Larry | ||
| Sprintst |
Well, I would NOT have gone down to the station, but too late now. Very very fishy, let us know what the lawyer says. | ||
| Ridegreen2oo |
He needs a warrant or consent to search you or your property. Plain and simple. | ||
| Ljm |
Look a little like this one? Bought new by me off the showroom floor. I can send you a couple from other bikes too. Feel free to show your lawyer that they are all like this. And feel free to send him on up here to Alaska check mine. We don't much appreciate that sort of thing here.  | ||
| Dmfb88 |
Thanks to all who have given advise and their opinion. i am glad i did not take my bike to the station but wished i would have not gone at all. this cop is one tracked mind every time i have talked to him. he has blinders on and is not looking at any other possibility other then i have messed with the frame somehow. either way my lawyer is calling me back sometime today and i will just let him handle it from now. i will keep this updated as this adventure unfolds. | ||
| Cataract2 |
I'm not one to run to the lawsuit route to often, but I would be considering having my lawyer threaten one on them for harassment as you already brought the title and bill of sale to show them and they refused. They also haven't charged you with anything and need to leave you alone unless they are going to do so. | ||
| Jdugger |
Lawsuit will just cost you a lot of money. 1. Be polite, but refuse to talk to the police, and certainly never volunteer information. This is generally the correct answer in all situations involving the police. 2. Have your lawyer file a complaint. But, in general, the police look after themselves, so don't expect much to come from it. 3. Walk away and count your blessings you were not arrested and charged. Many thousands of people have found themselves tangled in the criminal system having done nothing wrong, and are out tens of thousands of dollars defending themselves. Basically, do your best to follow all laws and stay away from the police. They are not there to help you. | ||
| Sprintst |
Jdugger is 100% on with that post | ||
| Redduck124 |
I remember something similar happened several years ago at a WERA race in Texas of all places. Fortunately I wasn't racing that weekend or I would have been involved. Seems the cops had a tip some racers were using stolen motorcycles. Yea, right.. Anyway, they show up and start checking VIN's. Well some bikes, in this case Yamaha TZ250's, were never street legal and didn't have traditional VIN numbers. So the cops wanted to confiscate them, even though everyone including the officials were telling them this was normal. That's what you get when you combine ignorance and power, which sounds like what you have here. If you are hassled again, I would contact a supervisor and threaten to take it to the local media. Or, better yet, have your attorney do it. (Message edited by redduck124 on July 09, 2012) | ||
| Jdugger |
The CMRA now requires racers to register the VINs of all race bikes -- and I wonder if it's related to police harassment. Police barking up road racers for stolen bikes is ridiculous. We'd beat the living piss out of someone that stole a torque wrench, much less a bike. I think they see sport bike and think "oh yea, assholes that ride wheelies down the highway". Like you said, and ignorance and power smoothie, all whipped together. Funny how they always look blue. | ||
| Dennis_c |
Dmfb88 You have that guilty look  | ||
| Xodot |
I offer this suggestion as a retired LEO. One of you needs to be professional.If not the LEO, let it be you. If you are comfortable with raising the issue with the officers supervisor (using the professional approach - no whining) then you have documented the issue for any historical purposes and you have created a paper trail. As understand it your complaint would be intimidation - the officer tried to make you do something your were nether obligated or wanted to do. Now if something worse happens (like retribution) you can refer to the complaint and let it all come out in the open. This would work in Ontario - policing is very disciplined - your jurisdiction may well be different. | ||
| Dmfb88 |
Meeting with my lawyer on thursday and i still have heard nothing back from the cop with the vin information. I feel better knowing i have a lawyer and yes it will cost me a little money but its better to be prepared. must be my guilty face. | ||
| Two_seasons |
yeah, you probably look like a criminal  | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Also consider bringing the weight of the AMA to bear in this issue. At least look up some examples from the AMA website where they have successfully championed rider's rights (restrictive HOAs, motorcycle only check-points, etc., etc.) and pass them along to your lawyer so he can use them as a basis of his complaint... Great advice here about keeping your professionalism, you'll never regret it as (or if) this escalates. And, if you currently aren't a member of the AMA, . . . JOIN! Best of luck. |
