'Only Corvettes and Mustangs should be this loud' according to the pig that pulled me over.

 

 

At least you did your best though and thats all you can do- probly did WAY more in terms of research than any other person would've done without a lawyer. I think its good you talked with that cop afterwards, because, living in Brandon myself I know you will for sure see him again or vice versa. Hopefully next time he will not try to ticket you again due to the professionalism you displayed after the ruling.

 

Good point, and it is one that was brought up in court. I brought up the fact that my exaust being "extremely loud" is incredibly subjective and there is no statute that allows officers to make this judgement call. The judge asked the officer (remember, we are both under oath) if he has heard a stock exhaust system on the same make and model of car. Although it was pretty obvious that he hadn't, the officer replied "Yes, it is my testimony that I have heard a stock exhaust system on this make and model of car and the exhaust on Mr. XXX's car is definitely louder." That sealed the deal for the judge. Again, he was in a hurry to move on to the next case.

However, should this happen again to me or any of you, I've found a possible exemption from this statute. Here is the statute again ,but notice the expemtions in subsection 6 :
Exemption (b) states that if I am engaged in in practice for an amateur sanctioned, competetive sports event, for which admission or entry fee is charged, I am exempt. Well what the hell does that mean you might ask. Since I always preregister for upcoming autocrosses, every time I drive I am engaged in practice for the amateur sanctioned, competitive sports event, for which I've paid an entry fee. I wish I had read this earlier, because it is true that every time I drive I am practicing my heel-toe, rev-matching, left foot braking, and other necessary skills in preparation for my driving events.

It may also be possible for some of you to obtain documentation from a manufacturer that states that you are testing a product for them.....a long term test perhaps. This would exempt you under exemption (c).

Let's hope there is no next time for me, but if so, I've got some new ammo.

Happy Holidays to all of you.

 

Exemption B, listed above, is generally used at race time, not just driving around. Example: running open headers at a drag strip.I'm not saying it won't work, but its one of those technicality things. Would depend on the judge.

 

I see what you are saying Kenny, but if you read 5(a) and 5(b), the statute is refering to cars that are to be driven on "the highways of the state." I agree that it is kinda iffy.

 

Too bad I can't use an exemption like that to get a Skyline over here

 

Ok so this cop, apparently, has heard a stock exhuast setup and your specific exhaust (HKS). When they were handing out these tickets did they have a decibelmeter certified by any agency. Is the cop sae trained and certified to properly test the exhaust decibel level?

I am impressed, however, with the amount of research you did on this and that you actually read the statues (zzzz...)

There were a lot of angles to play on this and hind sight is alwasy 20/20. Great job and thanks for the posting all this great information for the rest of us.