I just had a minor traffic violation for not having a front license plate for my car and failed to present my insurance(left at home). So the cop then would hold onto my drivers license for me until my court appearance which is in 4 weeks from today. This raises a few problem for me b/c I have a business trip coming up in a week and I have no identification. I thought about getting a state photo ID, but then I would need a vaid driver's license to get one. Any way I can get back my driver's license earlier then my court date? I've only had 3 tickets in my whole years of driving and this is the first time the cop took my driver's license. I really can't do much without my photo ID.
I didn't know cops could do that sort of thing. Wouldn't that make them judge, jury, and executioner if they can decide how people are punished? Are you sure it was a real cop and not somebody dressed up like one?
I'm afraid that might not be enough and I wouldn't feel to safe not carrying any photo ID especially in a different state.
I'd call and complain and I'm sure you'll get it back. They have no right to take your license for the offenses you've listed... A judge is the only person that has the authority to take your license away.
Is there more to this story? I've been pulled over numerous times for numerous violations (I'm an ol' pro at this) but I've never heard of a cop taking someone's DL away. That would mean you're breaking the law by driving home. Why would he take your DL away and then let you drive home without a DL? Just seems odd...
Maybe in Texas its a little different, but in Illinois the cop can hold onto your driver's license by way of bonds and use their tickets as replace holders, of course they have other option like having me pay a fee, which is how it usually work, generally speaking. I just ran into a dumb cop I guess.
I'm not a lawyer but I am fairly certain that a cop has no right to take your license away... even when you get busted for DUI the judge officially takes your license at bail, not the cops. Either way, if they had the authority to take my license you could bet your ass that I'd be down at the precinct filing a formal complaint and threatening to call my congressman if I didn't have it returned to me.
ok something doesn't make sense here. cops aren't allowed to decide the punishment they are only supposed to enforce the laws. not trying to get on you too much but what exactly was going through your head when he said he was going to hold your DL?
Shouldn't you simply be able to go pay your ticket and show proof of insurance and have everything settled? Do you have to go to court?
So you get a minor traffic violation and a cop takes away your drivers liscense which leads to more traffic violations. So what happens if you get pulled over again and a cop asks for your liscense? It is not only illogical but a cop has no right to do that. Now you can go to court and get your liscense suspended or taken away but you can not have it taken away by a cop for a traffic violation. Get his name off the ticket and report him.
So, if a cop takes your DL, what's to stop him from pulling you over for driving without a license while you're driving home?
Was he in a patrol car? Because there has been a bad case of cops impersonating officers in the area apparently ........link
Thats what I thought, but the ticket doesn't state anywhere about paying a fee and the cop pointed out to me that its mandatory to see a judge to retrive my license. I will go visit that police dept. that issued me the tickets and see if I can get my license back earlier then the court date.
In addition to seeking bulletin board help, I assume you have contacted the DMV of the state (Illinois or Texas) where you had this problem. What did they say?
does the ticket even tell you what judge or courthouse you are supposed to go to? its sounding more and more like you got scammed. if not i'd love to hear what they say is the excuse for taking your license since that would put you in violation of driving without a license.
