Could I have gone to jail?

[Newsance]

Question... As some of you are aware, I got in deep crap from getting caught racing a Corvette. We passed the cops doing 120 mph, and he ended up blowing over the legal limit on the breathalyzer.

Without going into the fact that it was a pretty stupid thing to do, and that I really need to keep it at the track and all that other jazz, I was wondering about a statement the officer made.

He stated that he would have been within his rights to arrest me for racing. Is this true? This is in Colorado BTW.

If this is true, what grounds escalate a speed contest offense from traffic to criminal? Just curious, as I know speed contest is a serious ticket, but the jail part I have never heard before.

Was it him just trying to scare me, or is it possible? Just curious.

[TAdan]

Im no cop but I know you can be arrested for going really really fast right there on the spot. I presume the officer was right he could have busted you big time.

I remember watching "Worlds craziest most dangerous police videos when animals attack beehives 32" and a 5.0 was doing 130+ past a cop, guy pulled over and was arrested on the spot. He could have gotten away if he had not pulled over, the cop was stopped.

That answer your question... http://www.3rdgen.org/ubb/confused.gif

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83 T/A 84 T/A 94 25th anniv. T/A & Some Fords

Three TransAm's are not enough.

[Newsance]

Not really, as it is my understanding that CO has no such law.

besides, it seems to me that having both a criminal and a traffic charge for the same crime would be unconstituitional, simply because the police officer would be responsible for part of your sentencing, being that it would be his and only his decision on wether you would be tried for jail time or time on your liscense, for the same offense.

Which is why I ask, if you CAN go to jail for racing, what determines wether the charge is escalted from a standard bigass ticket?

[O2BQIK]

Uncool? Certainly. Unconstitutional? No.

Not a cop though...hopefully one of them will stop by and answer your question better!

~ty

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'99 Camaro SS #0273 of 4829
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[Jason86Z28]

From what I understand if you get caught doing double the speed limit you can and will be jailed immediatley. 60+ in residential, 110-130+ on the highway, etc.

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The slowest street bike you'll ever see

[firecop]

I can't speak in regards to CO, but in Connecticut it would be considered racing. Racing is pretty much automatic suspension of your license. A ticket for racing is a misdemeanor and requires a court appearance.

[Newsance]

In Co, it is 12 points. You can only get 12 points in a year, so if you are caught racing, and have ANYTHING else on your liscense, you stand to lose it.

However, They normally plea it down to 8 points.

That is for Speed Contest, and the only penalties for such. What is this about jail time though? the worst you can get from speed contest is loss of your liscense.

[gray88_5.7]

in your first post you stated he could have "arrested" you. a traffic ticket, in ny, is considered an "arrest", you get charged with a violation of a law, you get a ticket and have to go to court at a later date. in some cases you can bring the person right then and there to a judge/court depending on the seriousness of the charge. not being familiar with colorado laws i dont know if he meant he could throw you in jail right then and there. however he might be able to "hold" you in jail until the next session of court but that would be stretching it.

[YooperTA]

What is with the breathalizer comment, who did the cop test? You or teh corvette? If the cop did not arrest you or teh corvette, which ever it may be, for being legally drunk then he/she was not doing there job and thats a problem. If you were doing 120 here in Michigan, the UP, were the limit is set to 55, you would have been arrested, car towed, and held over til morning where you would apear in court. What the fine would be is up to the judge.
Matt(Crimal Justice Major)

[Newsance]

No, the corvette driver was intoxicated I was not.

Nobody knows the laws for CO?

[KamaroZ'91]

In south carolina you can be arrested for wreckless driving or going so far over the speed limit(not sure how far). And if your Driving Under the Influnance of drugs or alchole (DUI) YOUR GOING TO JAIL!

I had a cop pull me over for speeding 55/45 and after writing me a warning, he said "this is your lucky night becaus im not taking you to jail" http://www.3rdgen.org/ubb/eek.gif I asked "I can go to jail for going 10 over the limit??? He looked at me and said "I can take someone to jail for any traffic violation!" I said, "well thanks for the brake http://www.3rdgen.org/ubb/biggrin.gif" and he walked back to his car...
I think he was just trying to scare me or i dont know i didnt think much of it until i read this post.

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[Bullit]

in texas you can be arrested for EVERYTHING except speeding. the only offense you must be allowed to sign a promise to appear is speeding, but higher speeds = reckless driving which is an arrestable offense.