[BGHater]

What could happen if a police officer wanted me to sign a traffic ticket and I refused?

The traffic ticket contains an actual notice to you of a pending court date at which you must appear. By signing the ticket, you are providing an acknowledgment of receipt of the "notice to appear." Since the officer is charging you with a violation of law, he could take you into custody. By signing the traffic ticket, you avoid being taken into custody at that time, and are "released on your own recognizance" pending the court date. It is better to sign the traffic ticket and go about your business pending the court date. By signing the traffic ticket, you remain free and retain the right to show up at the hearing to contest the issuance of the citation or summons.

A person is free to refuse to sign the traffic ticket; however, the police officer is free to place him/her under arrest and take him/her into custody.

[Sopater]

It is better to sign the traffic ticket and go about your business pending the court date.

Since signing a traffic ticket is not an admission of guilt and only a recognition of a receipt of the ticket and a promise to appear, I would go ahead and sign it. However, to taser the guy before you explain that to him, and to let him fall into a highway where cars are driving by at 40MPH seems a bit excessive and dangerous.

[weegee]

Revenue tickets carry no jail time. How can they take you into custody for a lesser speeding charge (e.g. not x2 the speed limit)?

[tiger-one]

Depends which state you are in.

[cherry]

I think that is baloney...the "officier" was simply on a power trip....

the cop was clearly beligerant, which is not what he is supposed to do...

the officier did not provide details as to why the motorist had to sign the ticket or give details what speed he was supposedly going....

so we don't have the manpower to stop rapists or child molesters and our jails our crowded yet this kind of totalitarian action by a govt goon is justified?....don't think so...

I wish cops would go do dangerous duty, like in the inner cities where gangs and drugs abound, but then again, those people might actually shoot back...

no...its better to go out on a wide open roadway and harass ordinary folk for supposed "speeding"...

[mad_as_he$$]

You need to acquaint yourself with the motor vehicle statutes and the criminal statutes in your state. Almost every state has a provision to take you to a magistrate for a probable cause hearing. In Kalifornia it is 40302.c. Demand all of your rights all of the time.

[Hornitos]

A person is free to refuse to sign the traffic ticket; however, the police officer is free to place him/her under arrest and take him/her into custody.

And everyone enjoys the freedom and the free will to choose as they please.

[Texas Songwriter]

Before he was told he was under arrest the cop had already decided to taze. He has a “little man syndrome” so he arrests and tortures a man who asks what he did wrong. Before he told him he was under arrest the cop pulled the tazer and tazed this man with his wife and child in an SUV going across the desert. What a jerk. If I was on a trial panel the cop would be sued for everything he has. The cops are getting out of control.

[longtermmemmory]

the ticket generally contains a statement the signature is nothing more than acknowledging reciept of the document and does not waive any rights nor does it constitute an admission.