Can u be fined from someone dobbing you in?

[BazaR33]

I was wandering if anyone knew if you can be fined for a driving offence if a normal person see's you doing it and dobs you in to the police??

[Jago]

not unless they can prove it beyond reasonable doubt e.g photos, multiple witnesses. Well atleast i think they can't.

[nmcmahon83]

I dont know if u can be fined, but they can certainly give u a hard time in the future.

[GTRgeoff]

Yes. In the ACT I was run into by an 18 yo P plater driving his dads work car (without work approval). In the case of an accident in ACT you must report it to the ACT FEDPOL. The kid took responsibility, but his dad played cute and claimed he was not at fault at all. I was happy to let him pay for the damage and let the report stay fairly ambiguous but with the old man being a wanker I decided to do everything exactly as it should be.

My insurance company reamed the kid, I wasn't going to use them.

The company sacked the old man for misuse of the company vehicle and lying to them about the accident. I had to involve them as the owners for insurance.

The police, on the basis of my detailed signed statement with diagrams chose to fine him for dangerous driving, not displaying P's and failing to indicate so he lost his license. I was just going to give them something basic.

Not my intent, I just wanted my car fixed but by the old man forcing me to be completely correct in my dealings it turned out pretty bad for them.

[BazaR33]

Wow, is it the same in NSW?

[bullet46]

Most definately YES in QLD i have 2 examples that ill try to cut short.

1. Lost control of my car on a right hand bend, did a full 360 with foot flat on floor trying to regain. This happened infront of a car yard on the corner where the owner called police and dobbed me. Due to tyre marks on the road and me admitting it being a good citizen i lost 3 points and $500 fine in court for first offence.

2. Road rage that was witnessed by police officers wife. Both drivers of each car were fined and in court. My fine was $450 and 3 points making me lose it.

(stupid stuff you do when ya first get yaa licence) Wouldnt ever recommend street activity like this unless your on the track and legal

Dont need anyone saying how dumb i was with this as i have saved you the time.

[satanic]

I think it all depends on what type of incident you are talking about.

I used to work for this "top shot" lawyer who wanted to demonstrate his "power in society"... when some guy was blocking the road whilst delivering something, he promptly called up Sydney City Council and asked them to fine the person...

Of course all the "I'm the QC of this and that" were used, but to no use. the operator (fines officer) on the other side was just simply cracking up laughing . . .

However, for serious offences it may be different.

[scathing]

If the person dobbing you in can reasonably give evidence without being discredited under cross-examination, and is willing to do so, then it is sufficient evidence to issue a fine.

You'd be hard up getting hit for speeding by a civilian, since they're not trained to estimate speed and the speedos aren't calibrated with the same accuracy and regularity as a pursuit vehicle, but for stuff like dangerous driving, running red lights and other offenses you can.

But, should you take it to court, it'll be your word against theirs. Unless you pissed off a driving instructor or some upstanding member of society, or there are a lot of witnesses willing to take time out to sign a stat dec. or appear in court, reasonable doubt should carry you through.

Of course, I am not a lawyer so I wouldn't stand in front of a judge and tell them, "Well, this foul-mouthed bloke on the Internet, who I've never met, told me so".

[someonestolecc]

Also there is such a thing as the local police intelligence.

If they get a report of a car hooning along they will ream you next time they can. They did it to me when I was on my p's .. funnily enough they didn't get the right bloke but the fact remains.

[Tracka]

If the person dobbing you in can reasonably give evidence without being discredited under cross-examination, and is willing to do so, then it is sufficient evidence to issue a fine.

You'd be hard up getting hit for speeding by a civilian, since they're not trained to estimate speed and the speedos aren't calibrated with the same accuracy and regularity as a pursuit vehicle, but for stuff like dangerous driving, running red lights and other offenses you can.

But, should you take it to court, it'll be your word against theirs. Unless you pissed off a driving instructor or some upstanding member of society, or there are a lot of witnesses willing to take time out to sign a stat dec. or appear in court, reasonable doubt should carry you through.

Of course, I am not a lawyer so I wouldn't stand in front of a judge and tell them, "Well, this foul-mouthed bloke on the Internet, who I've never met, told me so".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if there is no evidence and you do not admit to anything, if is very difficult to prove an offence.

forget speeding offences. GD police (general duties) vehicles are not calibrated and even if you are going 120 in a 70km/h zone, the only thing a magistrate will probarbly hold up is a 0-15km/h ticket.

if the witness is happy to attend court and give evidence about the offence, (and there is some other supporting evidence) you can be found guilty.

red lights. etc.you can't be found guilty if you deny it and a police officer or autherised person did not see you in the act.

'stat declarations' are useless unless they attend court.

actually been involved in an accident and you found to be at fault is a totally different situation. there are specific sections under the road transport act for you to get a ticket. (neg driving usually)

Intell reports can only be used to advise the officer about your history. thats it.

[scathing]

if there is no evidence and you do not admit to anything, if is very difficult to prove an offence.

if the witness is happy to attend court and give evidence about the offence, (and there is some other supporting evidence) you can be found guilty.

'stat declarations' are useless unless they attend court.

Yep, that's what I said. If the witness is willing to go to court and testify, then the cops will get them to sign a stat dec. That will be enough evidence for the cops to give you a fine.

If you contest it, however, the statement won't be enough. The witness has to go to court.

So if the cops book you based on what someone else saw, then contest it. See if the other person cares enough, a couple of months down the track, to lose a day of their time to attend court and testify against you. If they do, they must either really hate you or you did something really stupid.

[TTT]

can't answer the question from experience.

my experience was a little different.

so lady dobbed me in to the police cause I gave her the finger.

I was waiting to cross burwood rd with my car. after edging forward to see around the bus, got a gap and moved, she stepped off the curb with her kid, not looking to the left where I was comming from even though the street she was crossing was a one way in the direction I was heading.

I beep as I keep going as I swerve left as it was too late to stop, she swears, I give her finger.

2 days later, cops arrive at my house asking for me.

basically had to go to the police station when that officer was there (happened to be starting at 10pm for f*ks sake) and make a statement.

he told me that Every single complain made to the police MUST be followed up.

so they will definitely come see you if you have been dobbed in.

[scathing]

The old bag must have made a statement.

I would have asked them for proof for this complaint. Without one, I'd be wanting to get legal advice before I even made my statement.

If there's nothing to defend, I'm not going to put anything on the record that could possibly incriminate me, should I either make a mistake in the wording (or actually have done something else).

If they were trying to book you for almost taking out the stupid cow, they might hit you up for the rude gesture (which may not have been mentioned in the original complaint) or vice versa if she was complaining about the gesture.

[Tracka]

Yep, that's what I said. If the witness is willing to go to court and testify, then the cops will get them to sign a stat dec. That will be enough evidence for the cops to give you a fine.

If you contest it, however, the statement won't be enough. The witness has to go to court.

So if the cops book you based on what someone else saw, then contest it. See if the other person cares enough, a couple of months down the track, to lose a day of their time to attend court and testify against you. If they do, they must either really hate you or you did something really stupid.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

trust me, there is no statdec involved. police will get you to give a statement and in the first part of the statement is where you say all the information you give is true and correct. (same weight as a stat dec)

anybody can complain to police. if there is no evidence, there is not much they can do. simple.

you can refuse to give a statement. its your right.

[shaunr34gtt]

My brother got done for burnouts - reported by a resident - they matched the tyres to his car

[Slide]

I have received a verbal warnin for beingg reported by a ranger for having fun in the mountains but seemed like a no bother just a call :confused:

[Jax]

My brother got done for burnouts - reported by a resident - they matched the tyres to his car

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The cops must have some great laughs, seeing what people let them get away with. Just think, that if you went out on the road anywhere, took some number plate details, and made up some stories about them, and reported that to the Police. How much notice would you expect them to take of you?

Where would the proof be? Why would anyone in their right mind, even bother to make a statement in defence? Want to be silly enough to charge me with something? Go ahead. As for matching tyres to burn marks - Oh Please - What a great bluff.

Some years ago, I was booked by an Officer on a M/bike, for driving through a red light on Parramatta Rd Leichhardt [He came through with me]

I went to Court and insisted the light was green. I acknowledged that the officer may well have thought it was red, but so what? Where was the proof? The Magistrate agreed, and dismissed the charge.

Don't lie down to petty authority. Stand up and fight.

[Space Goat]

yer some of the things are pretty stupid... a mate of mine got pulled over for doing a burnout in his toyota camry (fwd) he is contesting it at court... cop wrote in statement that there was smoke comming from his back tyres... idiot

[race_snooze]

My brother got done for burnouts - reported by a resident - they matched the tyres to his car

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That would be a bluff for sure, there not going to spend $$$$ on testing and matching rubber, there ferensic cops are flat stick working on real shit.

So next time your brother should go bite me.