[5Madman2]

"I've never had a moving violation, but fail to understand why you have to sign the ticket"

A traffic stop is a non-custodial arrest. The Police officer has the otion of issuing a citaion or taking the violator forthwith to a magistrate. The Citation is the default option.

The violators signature is a promise to appear, and acts as a bond. If the violator refuses to sign, they are stating they want to see a judge NOW. Depending on the state, the officer is required by law to take the violator to the judge "Without Delay"

I hope that explains some things on this.

The above being said, I won't second guess the officer on scene, because I wasn't there and the media couldn't report a nursery rhyme properly. I will say I would have looked for other options given what I've read

[rlmorel]

Additionally, this is the Seattle Post-Intelligencer...the editors at the paper probably see no irony in their moniker, but many of us at FR who have followed the type of reporting coming from this paper don't miss it!

[kdot]

Thank you for your post. We either have laws or we don't. If the rules don't apply to everyone equally, then it's worse than having nothing.

32 in a school zone is way too fast and deserves a hefty ticket.
Tasering a pregnant woman is a bad idea.
"Unborn fetus" remark makes me sad for the baby.
Everyone should know the rules. Driving is a privilege.

[monday]

"A traffic stop is a non-custodial arrest. The Police officer has the otion of issuing a citaion or taking the violator forthwith to a magistrate. The Citation is the default option."

So all those traffic citations sent in the mail by automatic cameras are not legally binding without a signature?

[Atlas Sneezed]

A traffic stop is a non-custodial arrest. The Police officer has the otion of issuing a citaion or taking the violator forthwith to a magistrate. The Citation is the default option.

The violators signature is a promise to appear, and acts as a bond. If the violator refuses to sign, they are stating they want to see a judge NOW. Depending on the state, the officer is required by law to take the violator to the judge "Without Delay"

---

Of course, if our roadside tax collectors follow rational rules, they would not need to use this criminal procedure (note that the accused does not have the same rights to jury and presumption of innocence as does an actual criminal). The cop has the vehicle reg. The driver's license, and every chance to take a photo of the accused. The signature requirement is irrational and needless, as is tasering people who see the stupidity of the requirement.

If she doesn't show up in court, issue an arrest warrant.

[Horatio Gates]

Couldn't have put that any better myself.