The following responses are the finalists for the Bourbon & Bowties giveaway contest.
Maxine Morrow: “It wasn’t me… literally”
I have a story about getting out of a ticket… A friend of mine that looks similar to me and doesn’t have the most pristine driving record got pulled over one morning. Since her license wasn’t in the best standing she gave MY name and her info. The cop issued me the ticket (along with another for driving without a license.) Since the address given was different, for a period of time I didn’t know I had the ticket and a suspended license. Too bad I was on the wrong end of getting out of this ticket!
Scott Meek: “Arrive alive”
Bourbon & Bow Ties contest submission:
About three years ago, I had to drive from Baltimore to Jackson, MS, to pick my mother up from the cancer ward after undergoing a several months-long stem cell replacement surgeries that resulted in her being cancer-free; the drive was 21 hours straight, and I was about two miles from the hospital at around 3 am and going about 90mph when I got pulled over. I quickly explained the situation to the state trooper, and he simply reminded me to ‘arrive alive’ and let me go.
Emilie Moghadam Dworkin: “Beginners luck”
Great “getting out of ticket” story any lawyer would be proud of … my first ever speeding ticket came while the glue on my driver’s license was still fresh. I couldn’t cry while the officer was there, but rest assured I cried my eyes out after. Those tears dried, however, when I noticed that the officer put the wrong date on my ticket. On my court date, my little 16-year-old self walked straight into that courthouse, went up to the officer, and said “I don’t think I should have to pay this ticket, because I wasn’t driving on the road this day. In fact, this day hasn’t even happened yet.” He tore the ticket up on the spot! What do you think of that, counselors?
Erik Atas: “Don’t sweat it”
My best get out of speeding ticket story. Geez, where do I start?
Well, there was the time in 1998 I was driving my first car. It was a 1986 Ford Escort station wagon that I bought for like $800. The car had no working air conditioning which wasn’t such a big deal until the summer.
So that summer, I was driving on 695. It was probably in July and it was definitely over 105 degrees out. So I had the bright idea to create my own cool air by rolling all the windows down and flooring it. While flooring in that car was probably not more than 85 mph, I happen to be doing that where there was a police speed trap.
Anyway, I get pulled over and I am just sweating out. The officer asked me if I realized how fast I was going. My word for word response was, “Yes. Do you realize how hot it is out here?” Anyway, he asked me what I meant by that and I explained my A/C situation. I think that fact that I was sweating through my clothes really sold the store for me.
Ultimately, the cop let me off with just a warning because I wasn’t all over the road. I do not miss that car.
Andy Gross: “Don’t ‘stop’ believing”
About two years ago, I was leaving a wedding near Dulles Airport in Fairfax County. I get stopped. I’m a bit puzzled because I certainly wasn’t speeding. Heck, I am not even sure where I was going. I am really worried, because Virginia, especially Fairfax, is downright draconian when it comes to moving violations.
The cop comes up to my right window (to my surprise), and asks my opinion as to why I was pulled over. Although I am inclined to answer “my good looks,” I thought that answer to be imprudent. After a shrug, he says “failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.”
He starts asking where I am going, where I am coming from, etc. I politely ask him “is this necessary to complete the stop?” The cop looks perplexed. I go on “I just ask because I used to be a prosecutor myself before I was mobilized to Active Duty with the U.S. Army,” and it doesn’t seem like I would have to answer that question.
He responded, “oh, I guess you’re right.” I got a warning.
