From: jon_lassiter@hotmail.com on Monday, May 10, 1999
State: Massachusetts
Story: I pulled out of a stop sign/turn in the center of Chelmsford, MA during 6pm rush hour traffic. I had to cross 2 lanes of traffic in less than 100 feet to make my turn on the other side of the road.
The cop stops me and cites me for
>Failure to stop at a stop sign
>changing lanes illegally
>changing lanes without signalling
>driving dangerously
Since this was completely off-the-wall, I appealed to the Lowell District Traffic Court.
In court, the original officer was not even present. The "sergeant" who argued the case for the CPD seemed very bored. I explained that it was rush hour and if I had not stopped, I would have been in an accident and that I HAD to cross the lanes of traffic to make the turn (a common turning for about 1/2 the traffic) [I did use my signal].
The magistrate (who lives in Chelmsford himself) agreed with me, dismissed the case and told the sergeant to have his officers "get a clue".
They have sworn to serve you
