Ticketed for not having paid gov't (vehicle registration)

[David]

I was pulled over by a state police officer saturday evening originally for having a taillight out and a taped up rear light lens.  Apparently both are illegal.  He forgot all about those transgression's when he saw my registration.  I still have my car registered and licensed in ohio, and that registration lapsed in september. 
The cop ticketed me but said if I show proof of registration to him by 11-14 at 2:00 pm., he would dispose of the ticket, if I failed, he would process the ticket. 
My dilemma.  I have 3 choices that are coming to mind, 1. cooperate
2, plead not guilty and drag it out as long as possible, just to clog up the courts. 
3. take the ticket to the cop on the 14th an tell him that I don't like the extortion and shakedown tactics the gov't uses to compel registration, etc.  Then refuse to pay the fine, request that they not steal my car, so long as I do not endanger anyone on the road, and then drag it out. 
I lean towards the 3rd option.  I ultimately want to modify the cops behavior, to get them to leave me alone.  I want them to know why I would challenge 'the law', if I do the resistance. 
Suggestions?

[error]

I suggest fixing the taillight and lens. Beyond that, it's up to you.

[Russell Kanning]

are you ready to sit in jail if you don't pay the fine?

[Fluff and Stuff]

I suggest fixing your car and registration with the state. Let's call that option 1+.

It is rude and dangerous to not have your lights working in correct order.  You will go to jail if you do not pay the fine and correct the problem or just correct the problem.  Since just correcting the problem means you don't have to pay the fine, it makes more since.

Everyone cannot be a hero.  Sure, going to jail for a couple weeks sounds like fun now, but you have not had enough time to think about it.  Correct the issue, and think about it.  If jail still sounds like a blast, don't pay the fine the next time the state tells you to and go to jail then.  You only have a couple days to act, right now.

[TackleTheWorld]

From my recent experiences I found out too much about vehicle laws.  One thing I learned, there are violations, (for example driving and unregistered vehicle) that they can't jail you for, only fine you - then there are um, I forgot the legal term, criminal offenses or something, (for example driving with a suspended license) that they can jail you for.   I estimate you can drag your feet and clog the courts and make complaints for 3 or 4 months before jailable things start to accrue.   

If you'd like to start complaining and clogging, I'd like to stand with you.  Maybe others here would too.

My advice:  Complain first, see if you enjoy it, it may cost you the amount on the ticket ($100?), it may make you feel $100 better.  If on the other hand complaining makes you feel more fearful or financially stressed pay the fine and registration as you would pay a doctor that relieved your suffering. 

[David]

are you ready to sit in jail if you don't pay the fine?

Yes.     It is what peaceful pushback against the police means.    

[David]

I think unless I chicken out, that I am going to resist.  My focus is not to change public opinion, or some law, but rather to focus on the enforcement of the unjust law.  That of course is the police.  The classic response by the law enforcement is to 'arrest me or ignore me'.  I of course want them to ignore me.  My intention is to take this letter (or one like it) to the officer who issued the ticket at about 1:30 wednesday, that is 11-14.  Please to those interested feel free to constructively criticize the letter, my behavior, or anything related to this general topic.  Again my intention is to encourage noncompliance of the 'law' by the police officer.  I don't care if he tells me he intends to follow the law, I hope he goes home that day and chooses not to, and proves it by what he does. 

        On Saturday the 10th, Mr. Sam Ellis, badge number 796, stopped me on route 12 nb.  You requested to see my papers, that is my license and registration.  Once I had cooperated you left with my papers back you your car.  You returned with a ticket in hand for failing or neglecting to have vehicle registered in accordance to some law, presumably made by men who believe they have the right to dictate that I have, and Pay for that registration. 
   You then stated that I needed to get the registration or things will go downhill, my car can be towed, (stolen) and that I can be fined (extortion backed up by threat to be imprisoned) my license (permission to drive) can be suspended, and possibly imprisoned. 
   I do not appreciate the shakedowns for money that the state is using to raise money.  That you were polite and professional in your requests on behalf of the state does not make it appropriate.  You should be ashamed in your role as an enForcer of this 'law', and of other victimless crimes laws such as speeding etc.  You should be ashamed of your willingness to take from people things that do not belong to you or the state to compel obedience to a 'law' when no harm has been done.  You should be ashamed at yourself for your role in arresting peaceful people who hurt no-one, but failed to follow some government dictate, or law.
   I endangered nobody that night, and request that should we meet again, that unless I am harming any person or endangering the safety of those in my roadway vicinity, that we greet each other as friends and neighbors, and ignore the unjust law, that is a pretext for raising money. 
   Unjust law should be ignored, by all, specifically by those responsible for their enForcement.  They are minor tyrannies, and as such should be resisted.  You can aid in the resistance of this and other victimless crimes 'laws' by simply choosing to ignore the violations.  Focus rather on those persons genuinely endangering other persons, and of course those actually hurting others or their property. 
   Your cooperation would be appreciated in this and all future situations. 
   Thank You, Sincerely, and as always...

        David Krouse-Your friendly, Nonviolent resister. 

[error]

There's always the I don't believe in extortion defense in court...

[David]

I was there that day.     I have not seen Dave M. in a long time.  He was a good friend of Caleb...but now I have no way of doing a follow up on his legal situation.   

[David]

At about 1:30 pm, I will be giving a letter to Mr Sam Ellis, a state cop in Keene at the police barracks off of 101 in the home depot shopping center.  It will detail my opposition to the legal shakedown for money by way of the requirement to register my car with the state. 
Further info on the thread     

Locked to redirect those interested to the ticketed thread. 
http://newhampshireunderground.com/forum/index.php?topic=11955.0

[David]

calender entry posted for the 14th.  I will just be giving the cop who pulled me over the letter, and to talk as long as he wants to.  I don't expect anything to really happen (i.e. arrests etc. ) untill at least a month out.  That is the when I have to answer the ticket, but I do not know when any actual court date is. 

[Dave Ridley]

i'm thinking it would be cool if david has folks tag along with him to the barracks....if schedule permits I would hope to be one of them.  i assume he's posted all the who what where when why how

[TackleTheWorld]

See ya Wednesday David! 
Jim and I will bring a video camera.

[David]

Thanks. 

[Kat Kanning]

I merged your two threads.  Good luck!  Wish we could be there.