BS ticket: aftermarket exhaust in MA, FYI
Mar 23, 2006, 08:54 AM
#1
BS ticket: aftermarket exhaust in MA, FYI
Compliments of the MA state police. Thanks guys, really appreciate it...
The offending exhaust was: HKS 2.5" dp., stock cat, stock resonated mid pipe and a Pruven axle back canister muffler. Marginally louder than stock... maybe. He stated he did not know the law, only that he saw that it was "aftermarket".
Doesn't matter, I know better than to argue at the window, it's between me and the court magistrate once I find out what the law actually is and how to prove I'm in compliance. If I am not in compliance, I will fix it, pay my fine and humbely post up... but i don't think so.
It's annoying as the burden of proof now lies on me on my time, but whatever... pay to play right.
Is there a public place where i can find the specific MA legislature regarding aftermarket exhaust?
I do realize and appreciate the service that the police provide... but today, and in particular to officer t-bag who could not tell me what the law actually was, F you!
Thanks for reading
The offending exhaust was: HKS 2.5" dp., stock cat, stock resonated mid pipe and a Pruven axle back canister muffler. Marginally louder than stock... maybe. He stated he did not know the law, only that he saw that it was "aftermarket".
Doesn't matter, I know better than to argue at the window, it's between me and the court magistrate once I find out what the law actually is and how to prove I'm in compliance. If I am not in compliance, I will fix it, pay my fine and humbely post up... but i don't think so.
It's annoying as the burden of proof now lies on me on my time, but whatever... pay to play right.
Is there a public place where i can find the specific MA legislature regarding aftermarket exhaust?
I do realize and appreciate the service that the police provide... but today, and in particular to officer t-bag who could not tell me what the law actually was, F you!
Thanks for reading
Mar 23, 2006, 08:57 AM
#2
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by wingless
He stated he did not know the law, only that he saw that it was "aftermarket".
Mar 23, 2006, 09:01 AM
#3
Evolving Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Bellingham, MA
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
if he didnt take a decibal reading tell the court your exhaust is stock and you dont know what the cop is talking about. Now burden of proof is on them.
That brings me back did he take a decibel reading? I doubt it..fight the ticket your all set i have done it many times.
That brings me back did he take a decibel reading? I doubt it..fight the ticket your all set i have done it many times.
Mar 23, 2006, 09:06 AM
#4
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NOVA
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by wingless
Compliments of the MA state police. Thanks guys, really appreciate it...
The offending exhaust was: HKS 2.5" dp., stock cat, stock resonated mid pipe and a Pruven axle back canister muffler. Marginally louder than stock... maybe. He stated he did not know the law, only that he saw that it was "aftermarket".
Doesn't matter, I know better than to argue at the window, it's between me and the court magistrate once I find out what the law actually is and how to prove I'm in compliance. If I am not in compliance, I will fix it, pay my fine and humbely post up... but i don't think so.
It's annoying as the burden of proof now lies on me on my time, but whatever... pay to play right.
Is there a public place where i can find the specific MA legislature regarding aftermarket exhaust?
I do realize and appreciate the service that the police provide... but today, and in particular to officer t-bag who could not tell me what the law actually was, F you!
Thanks for reading
The offending exhaust was: HKS 2.5" dp., stock cat, stock resonated mid pipe and a Pruven axle back canister muffler. Marginally louder than stock... maybe. He stated he did not know the law, only that he saw that it was "aftermarket".
Doesn't matter, I know better than to argue at the window, it's between me and the court magistrate once I find out what the law actually is and how to prove I'm in compliance. If I am not in compliance, I will fix it, pay my fine and humbely post up... but i don't think so.
It's annoying as the burden of proof now lies on me on my time, but whatever... pay to play right.
Is there a public place where i can find the specific MA legislature regarding aftermarket exhaust?
I do realize and appreciate the service that the police provide... but today, and in particular to officer t-bag who could not tell me what the law actually was, F you!
Thanks for reading
Which section of the law did he cite you for?
Is it chapter 90 section 16?
Looks like MA managed to pass the same egregious, subjective, BS law that VA has:
No person shall use a muffler cut-out or by-pass. No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped (1) with a muffler from which the baffle plates, screens or other original internal parts have been removed and not replaced; or (2) with an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust
which makes enforcement totally subjective ... basically saying that if it's louder than stock it's illegal. So, does the officer know exactly the DB level of a stock Evo exhaust? Somehow I doubt it ... ARGHHHH
Mar 23, 2006, 09:11 AM
#5
Evolving Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ohio
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
what a bunch of BS. Try to beat it and if you do file a lawsuit against them for your time and fees. If that started happening maybe then there would be less BS tickets.
Mar 23, 2006, 09:16 AM
#7
Originally Posted by 8ASTI
if he didnt take a decibal reading tell the court your exhaust is stock and you dont know what the cop is talking about. Now burden of proof is on them.
That brings me back did he take a decibel reading? I doubt it..fight the ticket your all set i have done it many times.
That brings me back did he take a decibel reading? I doubt it..fight the ticket your all set i have done it many times.
No he did not measure DB. (like window tint) so i imagine it will be tough to prove it is/was loud in court.
Trending Topics
Mar 23, 2006, 09:19 AM
#9
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NOVA
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by wingless
I still have to confirm but, I believe there is a maxium allowed decible reading and you cannot alter/replace a funtioning cat. Other than that you can do what you want.
No he did not measure DB. (like window tint) so i imagine it will be tough to prove it is/was loud in court.
No he did not measure DB. (like window tint) so i imagine it will be tough to prove it is/was loud in court.
Because it looks as if MA has passed the 'it's up to the cop if he thinks your exhaust is loud you're guilty and can't do anything about it' law that VA has as well ...
FYI, I'm looking at this:
Bullcrap anti-commerce MA law
Mar 23, 2006, 09:20 AM
#10
Originally Posted by joshd
Looks like MA managed to pass the same egregious, subjective, BS law that VA has:
No person shall use a muffler cut-out or by-pass. No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped (1) with a muffler from which the baffle plates, screens or other original internal parts have been removed and not replaced; or (2) with an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust
which makes enforcement totally subjective ... basically saying that if it's louder than stock it's illegal. So, does the officer know exactly the DB level of a stock Evo exhaust? Somehow I doubt it ... ARGHHHH
No person shall use a muffler cut-out or by-pass. No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped (1) with a muffler from which the baffle plates, screens or other original internal parts have been removed and not replaced; or (2) with an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust
which makes enforcement totally subjective ... basically saying that if it's louder than stock it's illegal. So, does the officer know exactly the DB level of a stock Evo exhaust? Somehow I doubt it ... ARGHHHH
Hmmm. I hope not, I WILL find out and post up though.
Mar 23, 2006, 09:23 AM
#11
Evolving Member
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Boston, Ma
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hey Wingless, i got pulled over in Dedham at route 1 and washington st for the same reason. He had a speed trap and i was in a low gear going too fast for that gear (normal driving) because of a stoplight that i was planning on stopping at but it turned green as i was pulling up, so it was wicked loud.
Although i only got a warning because it seemed like the officer didnt really know the law or exactly how to deal with it. I definetly deserved the ticket if you got one cuz mine is 3" turbo back no-cat, sound like an airplane.
Although i only got a warning because it seemed like the officer didnt really know the law or exactly how to deal with it. I definetly deserved the ticket if you got one cuz mine is 3" turbo back no-cat, sound like an airplane.
Mar 23, 2006, 09:29 AM
#12
Originally Posted by joshd
Can you look at the ticket and post up the section of code he cited?
Because it looks as if MA has passed the 'it's up to the cop if he thinks your exhaust is loud you're guilty and can't do anything about it' law that VA has as well ...
FYI, I'm looking at this:
Bullcrap anti-commerce MA law
Because it looks as if MA has passed the 'it's up to the cop if he thinks your exhaust is loud you're guilty and can't do anything about it' law that VA has as well ...
FYI, I'm looking at this:
Bullcrap anti-commerce MA law
chap/sec/sub 90 16
(I had to re-open envelope with the appeal box checked)Good lead... At least can find out specifically what I'm dealing with, but if it's the officers subjective discretion it does look bad. Thanks.
Mar 23, 2006, 09:34 AM
#13
Originally Posted by shiftdsm E
hey Wingless, i got pulled over in Dedham at route 1 and washington st for the same reason. He had a speed trap and i was in a low gear going too fast for that gear (normal driving) because of a stoplight that i was planning on stopping at but it turned green as i was pulling up, so it was wicked loud.
Although i only got a warning because it seemed like the officer didnt really know the law or exactly how to deal with it. I definetly deserved the ticket if you got one cuz mine is 3" turbo back no-cat, sound like an airplane.
Although i only got a warning because it seemed like the officer didnt really know the law or exactly how to deal with it. I definetly deserved the ticket if you got one cuz mine is 3" turbo back no-cat, sound like an airplane.
Mar 23, 2006, 10:52 AM
#14
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NOVA
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by wingless
chap/sec/sub 90 16 (I had to re-open envelope with the appeal box checked)
Good lead... At least can find out specifically what I'm dealing with, but if it's the officers subjective discretion it does look bad. Thanks.
(I had to re-open envelope with the appeal box checked)Good lead... At least can find out specifically what I'm dealing with, but if it's the officers subjective discretion it does look bad. Thanks.
Fighting it will just end up wasting your time and sanity because that law is absolutely ridiculous and there's pretty much no way you can win. The way that law is written, if your exhaust system is .00000001 Db over stock, you are guilty ... and the officer only needs to use his 'judgement' to determine that it's been modified to be louder than stock. If you look at the ticket, he actually wrote 'louder' on it. That's all he has to say and you are officially stuffed.
The problem is the law ... how a law that is completely unenforceable and subjective gets passed is beyond me. The only way to fight this is to fight to have the law repealed ... and in today's society, it's just not going to happen (although I encourage EVERYONE to contact their state legislators and protest vehemently against such laws).
I love this country and everything it has to offer, but crap like this seriously makes me consider moving elsewhere ...
By the way, here's a cute little page talking about the proposed MA law before it was passed. I guess the efforts to stop it failed
nice try
Mar 23, 2006, 10:58 AM
#15
Evolved Member
iTrader: (51)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: cincinnati
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i think i read on your ticket it is chaptet 90, section 16. here is a link http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-16.htm