Re: Even Brent Can't Disagree With This
- From: Harry K <turnkey4099@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 15 May 2007 20:03:46 -0700
On May 15, 6:23 am, Scott en Aztlán <scottenazt...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/384111,CST-NWS-whydrive14.article
They're caught in the act
WHY ARE THEY DRIVING? | Cops lie in wait to snag those with suspended
licenses who still drive away from court right after a stern warning
from a judge
May 14, 2007
BY SHAMUS TOOMEY Staff Reporter/stoo...@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Despite warnings from judges, the threat of jail time, the risk of
losing their car for good and the sting of huge fines, they just keep
driving.
One by one, people with suspended driver's licenses went before judges
in Maywood on Friday. And one by one, they went to the parking lot
after a hearing, got into a car and drove off.
This time, they weren't just being watched by the Chicago Sun-Times.
They were also being followed by undercover police.
Thirteen people were arrested Friday after they drove away from the
Cook County branch courthouse in Maywood -- most for driving on
suspended or revoked licenses. Their cars were towed, doomed to
impound lots until their owners fork over $500 or more.
"These folks don't care," concluded Sheriff Tom Dart, who watched part
of the daylong sting. "They're somehow immune from common sense."
Tytoria Stephens, 25, went before Judge John D. Tourtelot on Friday
morning, facing charges of driving on a suspended license from a
January stop in Elmwood Park.
The Chicago woman's license had been suspended after she was pulled
over too many times without insurance, according to the secretary of
state's office.
"Ma'am, you're looking at some jail time," Tourtelot told her. "And
you keep coming in without a lawyer. You don't seem to care."
After consulting an attorney, she pleaded guilty to driving on a
suspended license. She was sentenced to conditional discharge and 11
days in Dart's alternative work program. Tourtelot sent her off with a
warning.
"You may not operate a motor vehicle," the judge said.
Didn't get far
But, after signing up for the work program, Stephens got into a
Plymouth Acclaim and drove away. She didn't make it far, getting
snared by investigators lying in wait.
She was arrested, cited with driving on a suspended license and not
having insurance, police said. The Plymouth was towed.
Eventually, she'll have to face the judge again.
Stephens was not alone in the county lockup. She was joined by men and
woman alike caught thumbing their noses at judges. Only one person was
released without going to the lockup. She had a young child in her car
and caught a break from police. They still ticketed her and towed her
car, though.
Before the tow truck moved in, the woman removed stereo equipment from
the trunk. Within minutes, a car came to pick up her, her daughter and
the stereo equipment.
"It's frustrating," said Colin Simpson, the state's attorney
supervisor at the Maywood courthouse. "If she could call someone to
pick up the stereo, she could have called someone to take her to
court."
Investigators are still looking into whether the cars seized Friday
are eligible for forfeiture.
--
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When I was working in the jail (16 years), it was standard practice to
run everyone we had contact with. It was pure amazing how many people
showed up to visit suspended, revoked, or had a warrant. If a problem
did show, we would call the city and have a city officer watch as they
left. If a warrant, we would have them arrested right in the visiting
area. Even more amazing was how many would finish a sentence for DWLS
and crawl in the car to leave - they never made it much past main
street.
Another surprise to me was how downright stupidly people who know they
are suspended will dirve. They might as well hang a sign on the car
"Arrest Me" Good example was in today's paper. Spokane WA just began
a major overhaul of the I90 viaduct through town. Work zone posted
45, nutso went through at 80. Time all the tickets were written it
cost him $1,400 including the DWLS and No Insurance amongst others and
the fines doubling in the zone.
Harry K
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