Poopy man...

A couple suggestions (most have already been mentioned):

1. Get pictures of both cars to show similarities (maybe from multiple angles in case cop saw car from side or something)
2. See if cop had in-car camera and see if it showes anything
3. See if there are street cameras
4. Did cop get license plate
5. How did cop clock the speed? Radar, chase, etc.? Maybe there will be some inconsistencies that you can show are impossible.

Good luck, and talk to a lawyer if you need to improve your chances.

Also, if there is anything you can do to argue about stopping distances, time it took the cop to catch up, etc, you might be able to prove you weren't going as fast as he thought. Although, since the porsche caught up and passed you, you are probably screwed going that route. If you really want to fight, then you should talk with a lawyer and see what other options are.

Good luck!

-D'oh!

 

Ouch! Sorry to hear about that Zoot. I know that road well, I travel over the pass into the valley 3-4 times a week.

Please keep in mind what ever I'm about to post does not consititute legal advise:

If I were in your shoes, I would definately challenge the case. There are a couple of things to keep in mind:

1) If the COP do not show on the court date, you win.
2) If you decide to argue on your own behalf, make sure you do your home work and be prepared. Bring Large blow up picture like Dr. Bonz said.
3) Remember you can question the COP on your court date. Just remember in your line of questioning introduce a) As much doubt as possible to the correct ID of the vehicle the COP pegged (i.e. use the Photos). b) Introduce plausible explaination to the mistaken identification (e.g. How many black 350Z has he seen etc.)
4) If you can't get a lawyer, at least recruit the help of a law student or two to help you prepare your own arguements.
5) Be polite and do not be overly aggressive attacking the COP's credibility.

Bottom line, you have to convince the Judge, the COP made an honest mistake between a black Porche and a Black 350Z. One good way to do it is use both the photos as well as a good Black Silouhette of the two cars. You'll be surprise how close they are.

P.S. Find out where the COP was sitting and estimate the speed, then do a little math and calculate how many seconds the Porche was in view to the COP. Add a line of question about positively IDing a black silouhette agains "x" background that was only in sight for "X" seconds. INTRODUCE DOUBT TO THE POSTIVE ID OF THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION. GOOD LUCK.

 

i would fight it. it is one of the hardest things in the world to argue with a police officer.

you need to be presentable, and credible. take pictures of both your car and the porsche, blow them up, and also make a diagram where the porsche passed you, and finally where the cop "followed" you then pulled you over. judges like that

good luck

 

Please keep us informed of what happens. Again, good luck.

 

Good luck getting out of it Zoot. Also wanted to add "Quoth the baven, 'Nevermore' ."

 

In this case Lawyer is something you should defeniately consider. And bring your lucky boxers to the court that day.

Serious about the Lawyer though they can help alot.

 

Agree completely. Even if the cop is an ahole and jealous of your Z, the court will NEVER buy that. Just calmly ask qeustions and argue that the cop made an honest mistake and put in your evidence why. BTW, while I was an undergrad I got out of a ticket by arguing that the cop's radar reading was of the car that was tailgating me. It worked.

One final point I don't understand about your post. If the cop had his lights on which you thought was for chasing the other car, WHY DIDN'T YOU PULL OVER? You are legally obligated to pull over any time a police car has its emergency lights on. My guess is that your failure to pull over pissed off the cop, and that is why he didn't believe you. I think if I had been the cop, I might have thought the same thing.

 

Man, there aren't really any words to desribe how bad that sucks.

FIGHT IT WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT.

 

Thats pretty much the best suggestion I have seen yet....most cop cars DO have cameras so hopefully this will help.

 

WTF?! what exactly did you see exhibited in his post?

for your information.... I've had MANY people ask me if my car was a Porsche. It does resemble one.... especially if the car was darting in and out of traffic... I could see how a "professionaly trained" cop might make the mistake.

do you even own a Z you moron?!

 

VIDEO..that is your best hope, request it soon.. so you can review it.....the car should have one most cars do now, and jsut about all cars used for traffic law enforcment do