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ckiefer
Nomad
Posts: 258
Registered: 12-12-2007
Location: LaJolla
Member Is Offline
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Dirty Cop
Well, it finally happened. Got pulled over today in San Jose. The cop didn't (or wouldn't) speak english, so we communicated each in our own
language. He wasn't mean, just dirty. Tried to tell me I had committed a violation which I didn't then he noticed that my tags were expired. I
tried telling him that CA did not require current tags on vehicle not operated on the streets or highways in CA, but this either did not get across or
he just wasn't buying it.
So, I told him to give me the ticket and asked where the police station was and I would pay the fine. However he wanted to keep my drivers license.
We argued back and forth, when finally he said I could pay him $40 USD or pay $80 USD at the police station, but he still wouldn't give me back my
license. So, I say I have to pay you a mordida? To which he replied yes. I reluctantly grabbed my bag and dolled out the 400 pesos and shoved it at
him. He wouldn't take it! Saying that I needed to put it between the pages of his ticket book so that others nearby wouldn't see! Which of course I
did and he returned my license. I asked him his name and left.
Ok, now I'm steamed! I march down to city hall and go into each office looking for someone to complain to. Got it on the second try. Ended up
speaking with the Chief of Police and Secretary Municipal (?) and a very friendly motor cycle cop who was happy to translate. Seems that the Mayor
does not take to kindly to dirty cops in San Jose. I was told that they would investigate, and perhaps have my money back tomorrow. I did ask them
all for a handbook of driving regulations. Should I be lucky enough to get this information I'll be sure to share it.
And how was your day?
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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If I treated a cop like that up here in Rosarito Beach- I wouldn't have a day to enjoy tomorrow. 
Just curious- If your CA plates are expried- what type of plates do you operate in baja with? Isn't the $80 still cheaper/easier than getting valid
plates. Plus it's direct stimulus to the local economy. (half-kidding)
Mordidaism leads to narcoism leads to stewism.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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ckiefer
Nomad
Posts: 258
Registered: 12-12-2007
Location: LaJolla
Member Is Offline
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Woooosh:
I don't mess with TJ or surrounding cops, ever! I don't wish to die. But it's a whole other world down here in Cabo. About the registration, I
filed an affidavit of non-use prior to the registration expiring, and therefore am not required to carry U.S. insurance or smog on the vehicle. But,
I don't get the registration sticker either. Which is creating some problems of it's own.... but I'll get it worked out eventually
I stimulate the economy plenty, here and abroad
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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I read somewhere that to operate a vehicle with foreign plates in Mexico is legal as long as the registration is current. They do that to "try" and
fight the carro chocolate problem. I think he was actually correct in pulling you over and in fact he could have "technically" had your vehicle towed
and impounded until your registration was made either current in the US or correctly imported into Mexico.
Of course we know that doesn't happen in reality or they would need to build an impound lot the size of Rhode Island up here in the Tijuana area...
[Edited on 1-30-2009 by BajaGringo]
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ckiefer
Nomad
Posts: 258
Registered: 12-12-2007
Location: LaJolla
Member Is Offline
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He clearly pulled me over to make some extra $$, the registration was an after thought.
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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You would be surprised - I have found Baja cops to be very quick to recognize out of date plates. They know it is an "easy" mark...
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ELINVESTIG8R
Select Nomad
Posts: 15882
Registered: 11-20-2007
Location: Southern California
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ckiefer you did the only thing possible. Pay the mordida. As BajaGringo said your vehicle could have been impounded. What a mess that would be. You
now still have your vehicle so you can get to San Diego to get your tags updated. 
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The Gull
Super Nomad
Posts: 2223
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rancho Descanso, BCN
Member Is Offline
Mood: High
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Doncha just love the indignation that some folks can dig up when they get caught breaking the law through knowing avoidance?
Is the pot calling the kettle (cop) black?
�I won\'t insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.� William F. Buckley, Jr.
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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Couple of people on the board have said if traffic cops admit they pulled you over about your plates being correct/current you could just remind them
they are not customs agents and have no authority to stop you/molest you/impede your progress, etc. etc. Somebody want to confirm that for the lady?
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lizard lips
Super Nomad
Posts: 1469
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
Member Is Offline
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I love it when I see an old beat up 80's car with California plates and the tag is from 1990. Why don't we see these cars pulled over or do ya think
we are just being singled out?
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Cyanide41
Nomad
Posts: 303
Registered: 1-7-2009
Location: Tijuana
Member Is Offline
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oh you definitely get singled out. That is why you need to make sure you cover your arse. Whether or not ckeifer was legal. The cop should have gave
him a ticket. Never pay the mordida. At least in this case he did the right thing and filed the complaint. Good luck getting your money back.
[Edited on 1-30-2009 by Cyanide41]
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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Quite a while ago, I recall that someone posted here that a valid FM3 trumps expired USA tags. I don't recall any proof of that being provided,
simply that statement. This tickle any memories for anyone? C, unless you had R in the car with you, I'd have insisted on following him to the
police department right then to get it resolved. Or demand he write you a ticket for the supposed infraction & give you your license back, then
head to the PD.
When I still had OR driver's license & valid OR plates, I was pulled over for a moving violation & they wanted to take my OR drivers license.
This was in 2000-2001 & was my first experience with Mexican police. They did have me dead to rights on the violation so I told them to write the
ticket & give me back my license, I was adamant that they weren't going to keep my license. Within 10 minutes, one foot-cop on the Malecon turned
into 2-3 motorcycle cops & 2 cop cars all stopping & joining the crowd at my window...it had to have looked like they'd cornered someone on
the 10-Most Wanted List! Not one of the officers admitted to understanding/speaking English, so I took out my cell phone & called a Mexican
friend to speak to them in Espanol & tell them to write the ticket & give me back my OR drivers license & I'd go pay the ticket. As soon
as I started explaining the situation to my friend on the phone, my license was thrown back in the window & I was told to go...suddenly they spoke
English! I don't have any idea WHO they thought I was calling,
and getting out of the ticket was not my intent, but that was the outcome. I haven't been stopped once with Mexican plates.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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If you drive an unregistered vehicle.....anywhere......expect to meet the police. Why do you think you can drive an unregistered vehicle and not get
pulled over????
As to paying mordita, bad choice. You are just encouraging an illegal act.
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ckiefer
Nomad
Posts: 258
Registered: 12-12-2007
Location: LaJolla
Member Is Offline
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Your're a true cowgirl! I do have the FM3, and no R was not in the car, only me and my daughter. I did argue with him to give me the ticket and
return my license, but he held his ground. I'll be driving the NV plated vehicle until I get the other imported (if that's possible right now) or SD
plates. But I won't be paying any mordida in the future.
| Quote: | Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
Quite a while ago, I recall that someone posted here that a valid FM3 trumps expired USA tags. I don't recall any proof of that being provided,
simply that statement. This tickle any memories for anyone? C, unless you had R in the car with you, I'd have insisted on following him to the
police department right then to get it resolved. Or demand he write you a ticket for the supposed infraction & give you your license back, then
head to the PD.
When I still had OR driver's license & valid OR plates, I was pulled over for a moving violation & they wanted to take my OR drivers license.
This was in 2000-2001 & was my first experience with Mexican police. They did have me dead to rights on the violation so I told them to write the
ticket & give me back my license, I was adamant that they weren't going to keep my license. Within 10 minutes, one foot-cop on the Malecon turned
into 2-3 motorcycle cops & 2 cop cars all stopping & joining the crowd at my window...it had to have looked like they'd cornered someone on
the 10-Most Wanted List! Not one of the officers admitted to understanding/speaking English, so I took out my cell phone & called a Mexican
friend to speak to them in Espanol & tell them to write the ticket & give me back my OR drivers license & I'd go pay the ticket. As soon
as I started explaining the situation to my friend on the phone, my license was thrown back in the window & I was told to go...suddenly they spoke
English! I don't have any idea WHO they thought I was calling,
and getting out of the ticket was not my intent, but that was the outcome. I haven't been stopped once with Mexican plates. |
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Steve&Debby
Nomad
Posts: 335
Registered: 12-18-2007
Location: Colusa,California/ Percebu
Member Is Offline
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We were in La Paz in December, got pulled over for talking on a 2 way radio and no seat belt. Same ol song and dance $100.00 at the police station or
$40.00 in his pocket. Same thing in San Felipe a couple of years ago on New Years Eve,Took my jeep in to town with 6 kids got pulled over for haveing
too many people in the Jeep, $100.00 at the police station and $40.00.
Mexicans never overload their vehicles  By the way we went down the road a few miles and
there was our friendly cop at a taco stand with his buddy eating tacos that we paid for!!!!!!!!!
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ckiefer
Nomad
Posts: 258
Registered: 12-12-2007
Location: LaJolla
Member Is Offline
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The affidavit of non use was what was recommended to me by the DMV in CA when they learned I was taking the vehicle to Mexico. I'm still learning
too.
I made myself very clear that I did not want to pay the mordida that I wanted to pay my fine at the station, but I couldn't let him have my drivers
license either. We all know I'd never get that back! More hassle, time and money to get another one. I did the only thing I knew to do..... Go to
City Hall and file a complaint. I would have tracked down the Mayor himself if I had to. I'm more interested in saving myself and the rest of
humanity here the indignation of having to pay a mordida in the future than getting back my 400 pesos. This clearly is extortion!
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
If you drive an unregistered vehicle.....anywhere......expect to meet the police. Why do you think you can drive an unregistered vehicle and not get
pulled over????
As to paying mordita, bad choice. You are just encouraging an illegal act. |
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
Member Is Offline
Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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All vehicles in Mexico are required to have current registration, they don't care what the DMV in CA, or NV, or SD told you. You were pulled over
because you didn't have the current sticker on your rear plate. They look for that. I have found the cops in San Jose to be very fair. I got a
ticket there last year and deserved it (driving without my license). Price was 200p to the cop or 200p at the station. I chose to pay at the
station. It was an interesting experience. I just happened to run into the Police Chief while there. Asked if he could assist me. I said no, I was
paying a ticket that I deserved. He thanked me and went about his business.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19999
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ckiefer
Well, it finally happened. Got pulled over today in San Jose. The cop didn't (or wouldn't) speak english, so we communicated each in our own
language. Tried to tell me I had committed a violation which I didn't then he noticed that my tags were expired. I tried telling him that CA did not
require current tags on vehicle not operated on the streets or highways in CA, but this either did not get across or he just wasn't buying it.
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What does CA law have to do with driving Mexico????? Did you happen to notice that you are not in CA??
So you drive an unregistered vehicle and got caught. You deserved some kind of punishment for breaking law. Sounds like you got off easy.
You live in Mexico, you should make an attempt to learn the language.
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KooKooRoo
Banned
Posts: 7
Registered: 1-28-2009
Member Is Offline
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They are suppose to take your license, so you follow them back to the station
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
Member Is Offline
Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
You live in Mexico, you should make an attempt to learn the language. |
I agree. If a Mexican national is pulled over by a cop in South Dakota, do you think they are obligated to speak to them in Spanish?
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