Posted on 02/08/2008 4:12:37 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
Cody Hauer is an enthusiastic Ron Paul supporter, but it could cost him more than $550 after receiving four citations in one week for having a large decal on his rear window.
Hauer, 18, decided to support the Republican presidential hopeful by displaying a 13-inch-by-40-inch "Ron Paul Revolution" decal on his Buick Park Avenue. The problem is, such decals are illegal if they obstruct the driver's view.
Still, Hauer questions whether he was targeted and says he plans to contest each citation in court next month.
"I support Ron Paul, the city Police Department doesn't," he said. "They gave me a DWR - driving while Republican."
Owatonna Police Chief Shaun LaDue disputes that.
"The political aspect of this doesn't enter into the equation at all," LaDue told The Associated Press. "It's very clear in state statute that you cannot have anything that obstructs the driver's vision."
LaDue also said Hauer had been cited four different times because besides being in violation of the law, during each traffic stop he showed disrespect toward the officer. "He talks himself into a citation each time," LaDue said.
Hauer said he'll argue in court that the law violates his First Amendment right to free speech.
"To be honest, I'm probably not going to win, but I'm going to go down fighting," he said.
WastedYears typing
No, stupid, you’re not supposed to obstruct the view out the rear window with anything, no matter how much you might like Ron Paul. Put on a bumper sticker or something.
“The problem is, such decals are illegal if they obstruct the driver’s view.”
Some vans (not that he was in one) don’t even have rear windows. What a bunch of BS!
Doesn’t look that bad to me. I have more snow and Ice on my rear window all winter long. Turds police officers and rediculous laws.
Look at that sticker. Doesn’t look like it obstructs anything at all.
Hauer said he'll argue in court that the law violates his First Amendment right to free speech. "To be honest, I'm probably not going to win, but I'm going to go down fighting," he said.
The right to free speech does not override the law - duh - he has the right candidate - loons
This dweeb sounds so typical of them.
Bull$hit writers & editors
I back my car into the driveway routinely to avoid scrapping frost from my back window the next morning. The mirrors give me a good view to back in and an adequate view to drive until the frost clears.
I had a van like that in the ‘80s...Never got pulled over, for that, anyway....
(3) any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, sidewings,
or side or rear windows of the vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper required to be so
displayed by law or authorized by the state director of the Division of Emergency Management or
the commissioner of public safety.
Well, of course, you’re correct. If it had been a non-political decal, this would not be news.
A motorcycle would hide behind some of those letters.
I’m not willing to die so he can keep his Ron Paul sticker. The law is pretty clear.
You can also get a ticket for not clearing frost/snow from your windows:
Subd. 3. Defrosting requirement. No person shall drive any motor vehicle with the
windshield or front side windows covered with steam or frost to such an extent as to prevent
proper vision.
I’d thought it was a much more obstructive sticker than it actually seems like. He’s got a decent case to fight the ticket.
That said... the people that made that sticker ought to make it like those one-way trasparent decals that you see on cars and buses. They look painted on, but from the inside you can see out right through it. That would be smarter.
You are right. I would love to read their law. I will almost bet you if he had side mirrors it would not be illegal if it were fully covered.. I also say if this picture is correct the police are playing games with him.
OH... and the dude really needs to lose the puka-shells. It’s like, really 90’s man...
That would make the defroster illegal.
He could have helped himself by not giving the LEO’s lipjack every time they pulled him over.
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