Met the Snowmobile patrol today!!

Haggis

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Met the Strathcona Snowmobile patrol today!!

Well I must say this has been an interesting Sunday so far $460 dollars in tickets and I wasn't even operating a snowmobile, nor trailering one. I do own 3 snowmobiles which have not seen the snow this year.

I was on the way to church this morning with my family in the Nissan I had just brought in from the States 2 weeks ago. As I was turning onto Hwy 14 east from RR224 - the snowmobile patrol unit was turning south onto RR224 presumably heading down to Ministik to start their patrol. I looked at the truck, turning infront of me, and thought about all the comments I had read on here regarding the waste of tax payers dollars. As I am a die hard mountain guy - I do not ride here in Strathcone county. I pulled onto hwy 14 and saw they were turning their rig around to follow me.

I was pulled over in about a km down the highway and the officer asked why their was no plate on my vehicle. I explained that I had a 30 day permit in the back window from the purchase of the vehicle in the US, I had made the changes to the daytime running lights and would be obtaining a plate shortly before the permit ran out. He explained that the permit in the US is not valid here and I would be receiving tickets and could have my vehicle seized. I said then why did I drive all the way from Minneapolis, Minnesota and have RCMP officers pass me in Saskatchewan and Alberta and not be pulled over. He indicated that likely they were not highway patrol and did not have the juristiction - my thought was and do you?

He did not even look at the sticker in the window and wrote me up a ticket for operating a motor vehicle on highway without registration and operating a motor vehicle with an anauthorized license plate. Each $230.

The officer(s) was far from pleasant. As I was on my way to church I was doing my best to put grace into action, but I am troubled by the fact that 1) he didn't even look at the temporary plate in the window, 2) I had proof of valid insurance on the vehicle, driving license is clean and clearly was not a criminal 3) these officers are paid to patrol snowmobiles and atvs - not highway patrol for motor vehicles. I did feel harrassed by this. He also asked me for a Bill of Sale which I did not have with me in the vehicle - he stated that I required to carry that also (apparantly there was no ticket for that or I would have gotten one). I was not rude nor confrontational in anyway while speaking to the officer.

I now understand all the complaints about these guys on here. Any advice on how to proceed with this one?

Alan
 
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tmix

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That sucks sorry for your bad luck, i got a nice ticket at the tete jaene scales when i took the family to clemina.
 

bigdog67

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:(
Sorry about your luck Haggis.I guess this should be a reminder to all.
 

Haggis

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Thanks for condolences lads, but what I want to know is do I have any legal ground to stand on here?

The officer could have easily said please turn the vehicle around and we will follow you the 1.5 kms home where you can park the car until you have the proper documentation. But they didn't choose that way, despite the fact it was obvious that I believed the US permit was valid - if I didn't there is NO WAY I would have been driving it.
 

bbtoys

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Check and see if the permit is valid in Canada, I do not think it is but you could check. Pretty sure you needed to permit in Canada when you crossed. If I am right you are GUILTY AS CHARGED.
 

4extreme

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"Honest mistakes" will not be tolerated in this province or country...now if you were a wanted criminal you would have been let go on the promise you will get a proper plate and registration for the truck and not use it in any illegal break and enters.
 

Scotty

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Haggis... sorry to hear about your misfortune. Unfortunately the "Peace officers" in this county have absolutely no Grace themselves. I have had two speeding tickets in 5 months and both were for 12 Kms over the posted limit on basically deserted rural roads near home (I live near South Cooking Lake). First tickets in 10 years until I moved to Strathcona County. :mad: I was speeding though I guess?

I can't give you any advise on your dilemma regarding the 30 day registration issue but if you talk to the guy at the RCMP courthouse in Sherwood Park (I beleive he is a "Justice of the Peace") he is a really good guy... I have talked to him regarding both my tickets and he was very personable. He may return some of that Grace!

By the way... when you chose to put Grace into action you made the right choice!! I too am learning how to do this.. my wife has given me a few books on "Grace" and what it is all about. I'm actually putting it into practice on a thread on this site. I could have reacted aggressively to a couple guys "labeling" me but chose to ingore them... leave it up to the moderators :) So far no luck with the moderators... probably have'nt seen it yet.

Best of luck and hope you can avoid the $460.00 fines? Maybe throw the cash in the offering plate if you do :D
 

Haggis

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Thanks Scotty - good for a chuckle. I just dusted off Yancey's 'What's so amazing about Grace' - cause I think I need a refresher! ( - :

If I am guilty I am guilty - not much I can do about it today anyway. I am hoping to have the charge plead down as it was a genuine mistake. I am surprised that the officers at the Canadian border did not mention that the temporary plate was not valid in Canada. I could go on and on, but the facts don't change.
 

Scotty

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I'm sure that you will have no trouble getting the charges reduced... honest mistake... you were not properly informed at the boarder obviously.

A few years ago I accidentally paid on "two" life insurance policies instead of one as we were advised to switch insurance companies... my broker forgot to cancel the original policy. Anyhow, after over paying $800.00 that year I asked my broker to fix the problem, he tryed to no avail. I told the Lord "if I get it back I'll throw it in the offerring plate!" Well I ended up getting a cheque for $800.00 from the first insurance company and I kept my promise to the Big Guy. My wife was so impressed that she paid me back in ways I can't describe on this site! :D That 800 bucks is still paying dividends today!

Hope you get your fines reduced... and read that "Yancey's" Grace book !!
 

Dobir

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Haggis I am not sure about where you stand..I believe the transport permit you had should cover you to travel without the registration. If that is the case the first thing you need to do is plead not guilty. you can do that by mail...I do have a very smart conact surrounding traffic laws that i trust. You seend me a PM and I will put you in touch if you want.
 

Haggis

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Thanks for the vote of confidence - I am going to speak the the crown prosecutor and if I have no luck there I will try and fight it through traffic court. I will send you a pm for contact info. The dealership i bought the vehicle from is selling 30 cars a month to Canada and everyone that buys one to drive home gets this temporary plate.

Thanks
 

Murminator

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Ya I dunno what was up today cops were thick as thieves around town today pulling over anyone and everyone
 

j335

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Are you sure the registration is valid in Canada??? I've imported a few snowmobiles and a trailer, and according to the RIV I am not supposed to operate them AT ALL before I get them inspected. I cannot register them also until they are inspected. I'm not positive about vehicles though......
 

Summitric

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Our Shop Does Lots Of Out Of Province Inspections, And From What I've Seen, Most Of The Imported Vehicles Have Alberta Plates(tentative) On Them From Their Old Vehicles And Keep The Permit In The Window Just In Case, Until They Are Properly Registered And Plated. Is A Good Idea To Carry The Bill Of Sale With You Too. I'm Not Sure On The Legality Of This Either, But It Probably Would've Saved You A Ticket. You Do Need To Consult The Justice Of Peace At The Courts Building, Or Consult A Lawyer For Sure.... Good Luck!!!!
 

SLEDBUNNYRACING

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As far as the "Law" goes, they are paid to enforce it.

A few years back I was on my way to regester my vehicle (it had run out) and was stopped. I had the cash in an envelope with the invoice. The vehicle was still towed away. My bill was $350.00. Contacted my lawyer and he said we could fight it but there was little chance of winning.

Good luck on your fight...
 

Haggis

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700Summitguy - I have also heard that the plate is valid here. The officer did not even look at it - but he did write a ticket for me having an unlawful plate $230. I know he didn't look as the back window was dirty and he didn't use his glove to wipe it off to see the plate underneath. (that would have been work) .If it wasn't the border should have never let me across. I am going to the the Alberta Registry today and will post my findings later. There maybe some argument that the permit is valid just to get you home, but that should be argueable in court.
 

Haggis

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As far as police everywhere this weekend - it was the last weekend of the month and there is that little thing called quota!!!! Oh no - that doesn't exist.
 
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