I got pulled over today because apparently in Wisconsin you cannot modify your exhaust to be louder. I mentioned that i thought i had a card that it was 50 State legal, but he proceeded to write me a ticket anyways, no warning! Anyways, I plan on taking this to court, what should i bring to fight it? Where do i get the papers to fight this?

p.s. i did search but i am looking for more recent topics

 

i would talk to greddy, get them to send you a statement of the decibel levels and emissions criterion regarding their exhaust...the exhaust is not illegal whatsoever, and for you to pay this ticket would be ridiculous.

 

not only that, but get the law that goes over mufflers for your state.

it is really shadily written and you can interpret it to mean that your car can be louder than it was as stock, but not louder than any other automobile.

basically, if a stock viper can be xx decibles, so can your car.

that is if your state wrote it the same as most.

 

There is Federal and State Laws


It is a federal law that your exhaust can not be over 95db (greddy complies with)

Certain States including Florida State Law ... says that you can not modify your exhaust to make any more noise over stock


its definately a poor excuse to pull people over ... but i got the shaft ... and i paid the ticket ... peazzz

 

LOL i am yet to see someone get a muffler violation in FLA

 

Either way, i think i'd fight it. See what documentation you can get in regards to the evo and its legality, then do a search online for the specifics of teh vehicle code you supposedly violated (will be written on the ticket) most states have their dmv websites post the actual vehicle code so you can use that as a resource to fight it. good luck

 

 

could you say look, it passes fed laws, and i had to modify it, my stock exhaust crapped out, and needed a new exhaust

 

You can be ticketed for exhaust. They may be SMOG legal, but no exhaust is STREET legal (according to my friend's brother..who is a police officer.)

 

All exhausts are smog legal. They do nothing but muffle the sound.

 

Interesting. The EVO is actually considered a quieter exhaust unit. Were you driving hard when you got pulled over?

 

well i've been told my MD State Trooper that really they can't give you a ticket unless they actually measured your decibal

 

I guess it's time to march (cruise) in protest to your state capital. Rally all car clubs to get your point across. "The Million Member H T Cruise." Fart pipers, Wisconsin needs you now more than ever.

OR

Just put on a silencer on your exhaust to get out of the ticket.

 

Hope you werent running with aftermarket headers and a test pipe

 

I'm not sure where you've been but GReddy prides itself on being 50 STATE LEGAL. Most cops, like your friends brother, don't know this and give tickets because they think "if it increases the noise, it's illegal". For this, they are ignorant and that is why SEMA was created.

California, by far, has the strictest enforcement on this and they finally passed the Exhaust Noise Bill. Basically it states that if you're pulled over for a noise violation, you can have the charges dropped if you can prove that its under the 95 dB level. Unless cops are strapped with decibel meters and they test your car on the side of the road, you're pretty much "not guilty". They have to follow the exact guidelines for decibel meter testing your car - not an enclosed area, away from the main street, microphone 12 inches from the tip of your exhaust at a 45 degree angle to it, car running at normal running RPM and not redline, etc. I went to trial for my exhaust cuz I wasn't going to let this police offer push me around ( I have a GReddy Power Extreme, BTW). I was found "Not Guilty" based on the fact that he never actually tested my car with the proper equipment - No, his ears don't count as the proper equipment, even though he thought it would. I wasn't too worried anyways because a week before my trial, I went to the Police Department and had my car decibel tested with my exhaust system - 94 dB.

 

When exhaust say "50 state street legal" , they mean smog legal.

 

After Cat Exhaust Systems have nothing to do with Smog.

GReddy's 50 State Legal claim is for Exhaust Noise....

 

Yes, but if and only if that is the only mod on your car. Once you start changing the header or cat or whatever else makes the car louder, the 50 state legal thing no longer applies

 

Of course Fremont PD tried to claim that shiz with me but I had my car decibel tested by Officer Rosetti himself - my 94 dB with an Intake and Header shut him up quick. But your point is well taken....

 

i just got the same ticket, basicaly the only way to get buy from what i understood when i called the highway patrol was that anything louder than stock is modified which in turn is illegal. they didnt exactly answer my questions when i asked then how i would have to get around it and not pay the fine. so im just buying a itr exhaust system and getting rid of my evo. i was getting sick of how loud it was anyway. goodluck

 

everyone needs to stop letting cops push them around....when it comes to modifying cars cops are going to pull you over for anything and everything they can....and I'm sure none of them know the laws exact and will just bullshit you.....if you get a ticket i don't care what it's for...stand up and fight it, you might even get off b/c the cop doesn't show up

 

theres not much you can do when theres a law passed against modifying your exhaust (thats what i understood from when i called the CHP and they told me modifying your exhaust is illegal). stupid laws...

 

I would bring to court an old picture of your car with the stock muffler on, and maybe even a receipt from a muffler shop (if you can fabricate one). Show it to the judge and he'll probably drop the ticket...or you can just pay the fine.

 

It is NOT illegal to modify your exhaust up to an extent. 95 dB is the noise limit allowed in CA for normal Class C cars. Our stock Integras have exhausts that put out approximately 73 dBs. If you still think I'm talking out of my ***, read this article including the 3 related links at the bottom: http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?id=8132


[Modified by Gizzzer98, 9:56 AM 2/2/2003]

 

So why dont the cops pull over the v-8 cars with flowmasters, etc. They are quite a bit louder than stock!!! Mustangs, Camaros, Vettes, old chevelles. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!