Question for the Police

[Tyler Wheat]

I know there's a couple of you here. I'm hoping Josh can chime in since he is in MO. I know that this kind of stuff differs from state to state.

Well here's what happened-

Got a ticket for window tint in the wife's car yesterday. I know its too dark (its 10% and that's on slight factory tint), but I'm not going to change it. I'm actually not aware of what the law is, honestly. I'm sure its lighter than I want. This is the 1st one in the 3 years we've been in MO. Been pulled over a few times and nothing has ever been said about it.

Anyway... can the guy give me a ticket without actually testing the tint?

"How are we doing? Are you aware we have window tint laws here in Missouri?"

"I'm good. I'm sure they do have tint laws here. They're pretty relaxed in Oklahoma where we lived when we bought the car. Do you need my insurance?"

*Officer looks at insurance card.

"Here's this back. Take your license out of your wallet and I'll be back with it."

*Officer goes to car, comes back, and hand me my license

"I've issued a citation for your tint being too dark. Here's your court date- June 13th at 3. Do you have any questions for me?"

"No Sir."

"Ok. Be safe."

Is there no process for this or is he allowed to eyeball for tint and issue tickets based on that. The above was all the conversation that was had. It was a quick "wham, bam, thank you maam" type of deal. I figured it would be with speeding, that they have to have some sort of verification that you are in violation of the law, but I dunno. Maybe they can do this kind of stuff.

Oh, and I didn't sign a ticket- he just handed it to me. Don't know if that matters or not.

Anyway, just looking for some info from people that know more about this kind of stuff than I do.

[popo8]

Well he must have seen it to stop u for it right?

Or do u mean he did not see it during the stop?

Co-Owner/Admin @ LTXtech.com

[popo8]

Either way...in PA i never have people sign tickets. i write "issued to driver" and hand them the copy.

Co-Owner/Admin @ LTXtech.com

[Tyler Wheat]

Well he must have seen it to stop u for it right?

Or do u mean he did not see it during the stop?

Co-Owner/Admin @ LTXtech.com

I'm saying he never tested it. Tint alone was the reason he pulled me over, so he did see it.

[firebird_1995]

Is window tint a primary law in missouri?

[Tyler Wheat]

No idea

[96LT1355Z28]

Is window tint a primary law in missouri?

Yes it is.

Tyler usually people in MO sign summons but it's not required. All the signature is is a promise to dispose of the charge via court appearance, pay fines, or attorney. Your still responsable wether it's signed or not. Front driver and passenger windows can be no darker than 35% the rears are not regulated. We do have meters that tell what % the tint is but it's not necessarily needed, if the Officer can articulate in court that a reasonable person would agree the windows are darker than 35%. It sounds like in your case that may not be too hard! We try to use the meter whenever possible to take the human opinion out of it but it's not always possible batteries die, etc. It's an equipment violation (non-moving) so likely just a fine but depending on who wrote it the fines could increase with repeat summons.

I had 5% on my Camaro when I was younger and after 3 tickets I felt like "they" were remembering my car and I was an easy stat. Since it was a violation and a legal stop everytime I didn't have any room to complain. I had to suck it up and switch to 35% which is what it is to this day.

Sounds like the Officer could have given you a little more info while he spoke with you and maybe had a more polite exit. He's probably just as frustrated as I am right now working all weekend while everyone's off having fun but, that's not an excuse. Many people's only contact with law enforcement is on traffic stops and unfortunatly Officer's get into the habbit of becoimming robots and not actually talking to the people they stop.

[Tyler Wheat]

Well crap. Sounds like I'm up the creek then. It just seemed weird that there was no testing, no signing. I've never gotten a ticket I didn't have to sign before. It just seemed "off". It'll probably take a few times before I change it since I learn the hard way This is the first time in 3 years, so I doubt it will be an issue.

I didn't have any problem with the way the guy acted. Just trying to illustrate that it was a very very quick stop. He wasn't going out of his way to be unfriendly. Just another part of it that was different than other stops I've had I guess.

[firebird_1995]

I have the windows in my cruze tinted with 12% all the way around with a eyebrow on the windshield. I've not been pulled over in this car yet but what I've learned in the past with other cars is to roll all the windows down and turn the dome light on (if its at night) so the officer can see you as they approach the car. If they stopped you just for the tint they'll mention it and you just tell them you let the windows down so they could see you. Most will appreciate the consideration give a verbal warning and move on.

[96LT1355Z28]

I didn't have any problem with the way the guy acted. Just trying to illustrate that it was a very very quick stop. He wasn't going out of his way to be unfriendly. Just another part of it that was different than other stops I've had I guess.

Yea I'm guessing he was a traffic officer or working the "click it or ticket" grant this weekend. In either case they have to have a certian number of traffic contacts (not summons) per hour to be eligable for the grant reimbursement. This would explain the quick contact.

Like firebird said a large number of Officer's just want to see what's in the car they're approaching. Helping them do this is probably only going to bennifit you, or they'll think your trying to hide it by rolling down the windows!!