How Can a Conviction on Your Driving Record or a Criminal Record Of Arrest Affect You?

While many of us tend to be fairly laid-back regarding traffic violation offenses, the truth is these relatively minor infractions of the law can cause you significant levels of grief down the road. This is the way your traffic ticket generally evolves over time: You see the flashing lights in your rear view mirror and are filled with dismay to realize you are being pulled over by a city of Houston police officer. Perhaps you were exceeding the posted speed limit, slid through a stop sign, forgot to renew your inspection or registration sticker, or you committed any number of other relatively minor traffic infractions. You signed the ticket and returned home, fully intending to either pay the fine or appear before a City of Houston judge to plead your case. Then—as so often happens in our busy lives—you forgot to pay your fine or appear in court and next thing you know there is a city of Houston warrant for your arrest. Suddenly that relatively harmless traffic ticket has turned into a very serious issue.

Should You Pay Your Tickets and Fines?
Of course your first instinct is to simply rush down to the court and pay your fines or mail in a check and hope for the best. While either of these solutions will probably take care of the City of Houston arrest warrant with your name on it, they will also leave you with repercussions which could follow you for years and years to come. First of all, once you pay your Houston traffic ticket you have effectively pled guilty to the original offense, and you now have a conviction on your permanent driving record. The problem with those convictions on your driving record lies primarily in the points which go along with each conviction.

In the state of Texas, a moving violation such as running a stop light, neglecting to have a current sticker, speeding or any number of other traffic offenses will garner you two points on your Texas driving record. A moving violation which caused injuries to another will place three points on your driving record. Once these points add up to more than six, you could have some significant problems to deal with. First of all, you could end up having your driver’s license suspended due to the number of points on your driving record which can be a real problem when you depend on your vehicle to get you to work, school or any number of other places you regularly go.

Secondly, the state of Texas will begin adding surcharges once your points exceed six. These surcharges are fees which must be paid each year, for three years or more, and can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Next, once you have accrued a certain level of points on your driving record, it is highly likely your insurance premiums will increase, and in some cases your company may even drop you completely. Once your insurance has been dropped, it can be difficult and financially prohibitive to find another insurance company to cover you. Finally, if your employment is dependent upon a commercial driver’s license you may find your job in jeopardy as well. As you can see, writing out the check may sound like the easiest course of action, but in the long run it may be the worst thing you can do.

How to Find Out if You Have an Arrest Warrant

Suppose you received a traffic ticket some time back and fully intended to pay it or go to court and plead your innocence. Then you got busy, time passed, and suddenly you wake up one morning with a sick feeling as you realize there could be a City of Houston warrant with your name on it. At this point you may be anxious and stressed, unable to stop thinking about the Houston police showing up at your place of work snapping handcuffs on you and leading you out past your co-workers and even your boss. At a bare minimum, an arrest warrant in Houston can be a very unpleasant surprise with far-reaching repercussions. This is one instance where it’s much better to find out where you stand and deal with it before it becomes a bigger problem. So—how do you discreetly find out whether there is a City of Houston warrant for your arrest, then deal with it in the most expeditious manner possible?

Determining Whether a Warrant Exists
You can, of course, simply go down to the courthouse, stand in line then ask straight out if there is a warrant with your name on it. While this might seem to be the most straightforward way of approaching the issue, this solution is not recommended. Theoretically, you could be arrested as you are taking out your checkbook to pay your fines. While not likely, it is a possibility. You could be allowed to pay your fines, effectively removing the threat of arrest. Unfortunately, by paying your fines you will now have a conviction on your driving record which brings further consequences.

You could ask any police officer to perform a warrant search but you will be subject to the same potential factors as you are when you go to the courthouse. You could go online and check one of the several online public records databases, which is much easier and eliminates the threat of arrest. Of course you could also choose to simply do nothing and hope for the best, but this choice leaves you constantly stressed about the possibility of an arrest. Remember—the police don’t care where they arrest you or how much embarrassment it causes you. It is much better to actually know where you stand rather than constantly worrying about it.

I’ve Been Arrested on a Traffic Warrant—What Should I Do?

Although many of us are under the impression that neglecting to show up for a simple traffic ticket hearing is really no big deal, should you find yourself being taken into custody under a City of Houston arrest warrant you may be shocked to realize how serious it really is. Perhaps you were busy and simply forgot about your court appearance, or maybe you really thought it was not crucial that you appear. If you suddenly find yourself being arrested—in a critical situation with no prior warning—you are likely stunned and scared, wondering what to do next. Many times these Houston arrest warrants are carried out at your home or place of work, causing embarrassment and humiliation. In some cases you may be stopped for something simple like a broken tail light and find yourself being loaded into a police car once the officer runs your license and sees the outstanding warrant. However it occurred, it would be very wise to contact an experienced attorney who can assist you with your legal crisis.

After the Arrest
As if it weren’t bad enough being arrested, possibly in front of family members or co-workers, you still have hurdles to get past. You will be obligated to post a Harris county bond or bail bond in order to ensure you don’t linger in a jail cell. As soon as the bond is posted it will be necessary for you to appear in front of a judge and offer a reasonable explanation as to why you missed your first court date. Although you have every reason to be upset, it is never wise to put forth an angry attitude toward the judge, rather you should be respectful and polite. Don’t forget that it is within the judge’s power to let you go with a dent in your checkbook and a slap on the wrist or to send you to jail. Since jail is not where you want to be, it can be extremely important to speak with a Houston attorney who can explain your current options to you and help you decide what you need to do.

Little Understood Fact—Traffic Tickets are Criminal Cases

The United States is truly a nation that loves to drive, and Houston and the surrounding areas are certainly no exception. In fact, by most estimations as many as 89 percent of the adults in America own a car, using it to commute to work, run errands, go on vacation and taxi their children from place to place. Unfortunately, with all this driving comes the inevitable traffic ticket. If you misplace that ticket or simply forget to pay it on time you could find yourself hit with a Harris County arrest warrant wondering what on earth to do next. In determining whether you should post a bond in Houston or not, it is probably wise to consult an experienced attorney at this point.

Traffic Tickets a Billion Dollar Industry
Let’s face it—anybody with a driver’s license has made the occasional driving mistake resulting in literally millions of traffic tickets being issued each year in the United States.  Many people commit traffic violations without even realizing it—unfortunately the law does not accept ignorance of a traffic law as a valid excuse. Traffic tickets are intended to be a deterrent to driver mistakes due to the cost-if you’ve received a traffic ticket lately you were likely stunned by the amount owed since traffic tickets have evolved into a billion dollar industry.

Infractions vs. Violations
Whether you inadvertently or willfully committed the traffic violation remember that traffic tickets are considered criminal cases although there are varying levels of seriousness. Non-moving violations or moving violations which are considered non-dangerous fall in the category of infraction meaning the person committing such a violation cannot be jailed, receive an unreasonably large fine, have a jury trial or be entitled to a court-appointed attorney. Speeding tickets can garner a relatively large fine, depending on how many miles per hour beyond the posted speed limit you were driving.

In some cases speeding can be considered a form of reckless driving meaning it turns into a more serious moving violation. Other serious moving violations include running a stop light or stop sign which could potentially result in the injury of another person. Misdemeanor and felony traffic violations also include DUI, reckless driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop at an accident scene. If you’ve been charged with a more serious traffic infraction, you are entitled to all the normal rights afforded to criminal defendants. 

Posting a Bond in Order to Lift an Outstanding Warrant

Law enforcement and judicial officials issue daily warrants all across the nation for those who have failed to appear as required, and the city of Houston issues these warrants as well. The vast majority of Houston arrest warrants stem from failure to appear on a ticket issued for a traffic offense or possibly another minor Class C misdemeanors as many people believe these types of tickets to be relatively non-serious, putting them away and forgetting to pay the fine. Bear in mind that a Failure to Appear criminal charge is not the same as a Houston arrest warrant. A warrant is a mandate for your arrest—no matter where the police find you— while receiving a Failure to Appear adds an additional criminal charge to your problems.

A Solution to an Arrest Warrant
If you have been hit with a Harris County arrest warrant, don’t panic. Our legal system provides a method of avoiding an arrest without paying the fines and dealing with the hidden penalties not to mention the potential embarrassment of being arrested at your home or at work. This remedy is known as a bond; by posting a Houston traffic bond the warrant for your arrest is effectively suspended. This allows you to receive a new court date and the opportunity to fight your old traffic tickets.

Consequences of Simply Paying an Outstanding Houston Traffic Ticket
Remember that any time you write a check for a ticket you are effectively pleading guilty to the offense and are then considered convicted. Posting a bond in Houston allows you time to consult a knowledgeable attorney to discuss your options as well as the consequences you may suffer should you simply pay the ticket. By paying your ticket you become subject to a litany of repercussions including skyrocketing insurance rates and a strike on your driving record. In other words when you pay your moving violation ticket you for each moving violation you pay you will accept two points on your driving record; paying your accident violation ticket will add three points.

The True Cost of Failing to Appear

If you believe that failing to appear on a traffic ticket may be a relatively harmless matter, you could be very unpleasantly surprised to find yourself under the cloud of a Houston arrest warrant. Of course it is much better for you if you actually know about the arrest warrant than if you are totally unaware of it. Although Houston police officers generally have much more serious issues to contend with than tracking down those who have neglected to pay a traffic ticket, they do have the option to find you wherever you may be (home, school, work) and arrest you immediately. Further, during Houston’s annual warrant roundup the police are actively looking for those who have neglected to pay their fines or show up in court as promised. To have police officers come into a person’s place of work and take them away in handcuffs would be a devastating experience for most all people.

When You’ve Been Charged with Failure to Appear
Suppose you received a ticket for a minor traffic infraction, put it into a drawer intending to pay the ticket or appear in court and contest it, then simply forgot about it. In our ever-increasingly busy lives, this is actually a fairly common scenario. Next thing you know there has been a Failure to Appear charge levied against you and a City of Houston arrest warrant issued. Although it is certainly reasonable that you would panic at this point and send in the money immediately, living in fear until the check cleared, you should be aware of the consequences of doing so. Remember that a Failure to Appear charge is a totally separate and new charge against you in addition to the original traffic charges.

Should you send in your money for the past due ticket, you must be aware that you have effectively pled “guilty” to the offense, and now have a conviction on your record—even though traffic issues seem minor, they are generally considered criminal cases. That conviction adds points to your driving record, increases your insurance rates, and can even be responsible for jeopardizing your current job or preventing you from obtaining a future job. Should you receive too many points on your driving record you could even face having your driver’s license suspended—a serious occurrence for most Americans.

What to Do When Your Bond Has Been Revoked

Suppose you neglected to either mail in the fine or appear in court after receiving a traffic citation. Soon you’ve forgotten about the entire thing as your busy life takes over only to find yourself rudely jolted back to earth when you learn there is a Houston County arrest warrant issued for you. At this point you can decide to head down to the Courthouse, hoping you get a kind judge who will believe your story as to why you missed your court date. If you are very lucky, the judge will simply re-set your court date. Notice I said if you are very lucky, so please do not assume this is the norm. More likely the judge will require you to post a bond to ensure you show up for your next court date. A Harris County traffic bond is also applicable if you did not realize there was an arrest warrant and were actually arrested or if you knew about the warrant and had either a bail bondsman or your attorney post a bond on your behalf.

When Your Bond is Revoked
Posting a Harris County traffic bond allows you to continue with your normal life, work and family until it is time for your next court appearance. The bond is presumed to be incentive for you to remember to show up for court since you lose your bond money if you don’t appear. Should you miss that second court date, not only will you likely be in serious legal trouble, you may also have your Harris County traffic bond revoked. If you didn’t hire an attorney the first time you missed your court date, it is absolutely time to do so now. The judge in your case is not going to take a second skipped court date lightly, and handling the situation on your own is not advisable.

If you choose not to seek legal help then in addition to bearing the cost of having your bond revoked, yet another Houston County arrest warrant will be issued, and this time the police may actively seek you out in order to execute the warrant. Bear in mind that the police officers who are sent out to find you and arrest you could care less where that arrest takes place. You could be arrested while out with your family, while at work, while taking your children to school or even at a school function. The officers will arrest you where they can find you regardless of the embarrassment it may cause you. In the end you could be facing your original traffic charges, two Failure to Appear charges and a revoked bond meaning you will be stuck in jail.

Why You Should Never Ignore a Traffic Citation

Don’t let your busy life get in the way of taking care of a traffic citation or you could find yourself facing steep fines, additional charges and could even be arrested if you missed your original court date. Even if you feel the traffic ticket you received was not justified, ignoring the problem will not make it go away. There is a set court date which requires your presence, and missing that court date is seen as a serious offense by most judges.

If you become aware that you have missed your court date, contacting an experienced attorney immediately is your best course of action to prevent further negative consequences. Those consequences could include a Houston county arrest warrant being issued as well as significantly increased fines and a blot on your driving record. It is rarely a good idea to go into court without a criminal attorney by your side once a warrant has been issued. Although you may get lucky and land in front of a kind judge who will kindly help you solve your ticket problems, it is just as likely that you could be told to go home and come back with an attorney or, in rarer cases, be taken to jail.

Seek Legal Advice Before the Situation Worsens
If you have been charged with failure to appear and a Harris County arrest warrant issued for you, a Houston attorney may be able to have that warrant vacated, meaning you will be back to square one. You will be responsible for appearing in court and paying your original ticket fines but the good part is you will not be arrested and the warrant will be dismissed. Resolving the issue is always a better option than being arrested, possibly at your home or even at work in front of your co-workers and boss. If the attorney is unable to have your warrant vacated, then you must post a bond in Houston which is meant to ensure your appearance at your next court date.

Bear in mind that you will now be facing a Failure to Appear charge as well as your original traffic ticket charges meaning you will be subject to paying steep fines. Your attorney may try to work out a deferred adjudication on your behalf meaning you will be put on a type of probation for a certain length of time. Although you will enter a guilty plea, the judge will defer his finding of guilt until you have successfully completed the probationary period, and your record will not show a conviction for the offense. This can prevent your Harris County arrest warrant from becoming a stumbling block in your future and will not add points to your driving record. Your attorney may also suggest a defensive driving course to the judge to lessen the ultimate consequences of your traffic violation. 

Why You Shouldn’t Pay Old Tickets Simply to Avoid a Warrant—and What You Should Do Instead

If you’ve neglected to pay one or more Houston traffic citations, you may find yourself in the position of having a Harris county arrest warrant in your name. Whether you simply forgot about the ticket or deliberately neglected to take care of it because you didn’t feel you deserved the citation, the reality is that old tickets don’t simply go away because you forget about them. Eventually you will get caught, whether it is through a routine traffic stop, or during Houston’s annual warrant roundup.

While your first instinct may be to pay the tickets immediately to avoid the possibility of being arrested in your home or at work—or anywhere for that matter—there may be a better way to handle the situation.  If you are aware that a Houston arrest warrant has been issued for you, the smart thing to do is get it fixed while you still have at least a bit of leverage as well as more than one option to make the problem go away.

Options Other Than Paying Your Old Tickets
No matter which direction you choose to go regarding your past due traffic tickets and warrant for failure to appear, it is highly advised that you consult an experienced attorney in the area before you make your final decision. There may be many factors you are unaware of or had not considered that your attorney will be cognizant of, giving you a much better chance of a positive outcome.

1.  If you are aware there is a Houston arrest warrant with your name on it, hire an attorney immediately and discuss whether there is a possibility of the attorney having the warrant quashed, which means it is effectively cancelled and you no longer have to worry about being arrested. If this option is a possibility it can save you not only the humiliation of an arrest but the expense of additional fines as well as the possibility of a blot on your record. If your attorney is able to have the warrant quashed, then the court will set a new court date which you absolutely must show up for.

2.  You can post a Harris county bond, either in person, through your attorney or through a bondsman. If you go in person to post a bond in Houston you run the risk of being arrested right then and there, although it is not especially likely. The goal of the city is to collect the money for outstanding traffic citations therefore there is probably little interest in jailing you when you are making the effort to pay your fines.

Could Houston’s Annual Warrant Roundup Affect You?

Every year the state of Texas holds a two-month long great warrant roundup and if you happen to be “asked” to participate in the roundup it is not nearly as much fun as it might sound. Those individuals who have neglected to pay a traffic ticket or other Class C misdemeanor ticket may find themselves actively pursued under a City of Houston arrest warrant. Just last March Houston began their annual warrant roundup clearing nearly 30,000 warrants, netting two and a half million dollars in outstanding fines and making over four thousand arrests.  These roundups are a significant source of revenue for Texas counties, however if your name is on the warrant list should you simply pay up? While the threat of being arrested at your home or place of work is frightening enough to cause you to immediately write out a check, in many cases it is much more advantageous to consult an experienced traffic attorney who can offer you some options.

Posting a Bond vs. Paying Your Tickets
If you know that you have an outstanding Houston arrest warrant you are probably in a better position than those who are unaware of the fact. Knowledge of the arrest warrant gives you time to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation such as being arrested in front of your boss and co-workers. Before the roundup officially kicks into gear, you have the option of posting a Harris county traffic bond which can give you some time to decide how you want to handle the situation. A Sugarland bond or Jersey Village bond can also be posted should you reside in those areas. Posting a bond is not difficult and can allow you and your attorney to decide whether you will ultimately pay your tickets and suffer the consequences or fight for a better end result such as deferred adjudication or a mandated defensive driving course. Simply paying your ticket can result in a variety of repercussions, none of them particularly good. You will accrue points on your driver’s license, be subject to higher insurance rates and in some cases your employment may even be affected.

City of Houston Municipal court Fine and Bond schedule

As of January 2010
 
Note: Fine amounts and costs are subject to change.
For fine amounts not listed, call 311 or (713) 837-0311
Telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) call 311 or (713) 247-8591
Also visit the city of Houston municipal court website at
WWW.HOUSTONCOURTS.ORG

SPEEDING VIOLATIONS

MPH Over Limit	Speeding in POSTED ZONE		Speeding in SCHOOL ZONE		Speeding in CONSTRUCTION ZONE (workers present)
1-5MPH		$170	$220		$235
6-9 MPH		$180	$235		$260
10-14 MPH		$200	$250		$295
15-19 MPH		$245	$270		$380
20-29 MPH		$265	$295		$430
30 MPH & Over		$300	$325		$500

MOVING VIOLATIONS (NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED)

VIOLATION	TOTAL WINDOW FINE
Running a Red Light or a Stop Sign	$230
Failure to Obey Must Turn Signal	$180
Change Lanes Not In Safety	$180
Driving at Night without Lights	$180
HOV Lane Violations	$170
No Registration/Receipt for Commercial Truck/Trailer	$155
Failure to Change Address on Driver’s License	$105
Defective Equipment Violations (non-commercial vehicle) (non-functioning/missing lights, brakes, mufflers, mirrors, etc.)	$130

Red Light Cameras A Hot Topic in Houston

The topic of red light cameras in Houston has been a hot one since the City began employing them at major intersections on September 1, 2006. Proponents of the program hold that its main purpose is to decrease the number of red light runners and reduce collisions, while those in opposition argue that it’s aimed at making money for municipalities rather than improving traffic safety.

According to the Houston Police Department (HPD) website, “Red light running is the leading cause of urban crashes. In 2004, more than 900 people were killed and an estimated 168,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running.” Furthermore, Houston-Galveston Area Council data indicate that red light accidents in the Houston area account for approximately $225 million per year in total comprehensive cost.

At present, Houston has 70 cameras positioned at 50 intersections around town. They photograph the license plates of cars running red lights, and contractor American Traffic Solutions sends registered owners a $75 civil ticket in the mail. Since the program began, more than 700,000 citations have been issued, resulting in $41 million in revenue.

Efforts are now underway to ban the cameras, with dissentients seeking to put the matter to public vote in November. A petition is being circulated by Citizens against Red Light Cameras to collect the 20,000 signatures needed to get the issue on the ballot. Those in opposition believe that red light cameras actually increase auto accidents when drivers break sharply at intersections, and disagree with the fact that the tickets cannot be contested using due process.

Texas Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) FAQ’s

HOUSTON—A Commercial Driver’s License, or CDL, is required for the operation of any type of commercial vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 lbs; transports hazardous materials that require warning placards under Department of Transportation regulations; or that is designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver. Some examples of vehicles that require a CDL to operate are tow trucks, tractor trailers and buses.

In accordance with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, all states are required to comply with certain standards in regards to the licensing of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Texas driver licensing standards comply with the law, requiring CMV drivers to obtain a Texas CDL when driving applicable vehicles. A CDL license can only be issued in the driver’s state of legal residence, and any driver possessing a CDL cannot have a driver’s license in any other state. Read on for the answers to the most commonly asked about obtaining a Texas CDL.

1. What are the eligibility requirements to obtain a Texas CDL?

·  You must be 21 years old. (18 years if all commercial driving is done within Texas, no hazardous materials requiring placarding are transported, and no double- or triple-trailer rigs are employed.)
·  You must be physically capable of obtaining a valid medical examiner’s card before taking any CDL skills test.
·  You must qualify for the license based on their driving record. Any of the following will disqualify you from obtaining a Texas CDL:
o  Possession of a license from any state other than Texas
o  Current disqualification of commercial driving privileges in Texas or any other state.
o  Suspension, revocation, denial or cancellation of current driver’s license.
o  Any conviction of impaired operation of a commercial motor vehicle within the 24 months immediately preceding your application.

1. What steps must be taken to apply for a Texas CDL?

Present sufficient proof of identity. This consists of either one piece of primary identification, two pieces of secondary identification, or multiple pieces of supporting identification. The first two categories are clear-cut, but supporting ·  identification will be accepted only at the discretion of the license examiner. (See question 7 for further details on documentation.)
·  Provide proof of your Social Security number.
·  If you own your own commercial vehicle, proof of registration and liability insurance must be provided.
·  You must complete the necessary application forms at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. These forms may vary depending on the types of endorsements you seek.
·  Pay the required fee. Each special endorsement and any related testing may require its own fee. (See question 4 for more information on endorsements.)
·  Pass the vision exam.
·  Pass the written tests, including any special testing for the various available endorsements.
·  Pass the skills test (driving test) in the vehicle of the type for which you will be licensed. You must provide this vehicle.   Read more

Anatomy Of A Traffic Case In Texas

The vast majority of Texans have, at some point in their lives, received a ticket for a traffic violation.  Unlike most other violations of the law, a traffic ticket doesn’t bear the same stigma of criminality and is often viewed as a minor offense that even the most law-abiding citizens may be guilty of on a frequent basis.  However, don’t let the prevalence and the commonality of a traffic ticket fool you.  Trying to resolve a traffic ticket in Texas is at best an annoyance, and at worst, a convoluted maze of red tape that can have you banging your head against the wall in no time.  From the moment you see the red lights flashing in your rearview mirror and hear the dreaded siren, you enter the confounding world of Texas traffic law.

While not considered a serious offense by most people, many Texans don’t realize that a traffic violation is still a criminal offense in the state of Texas.  The list of possible traffic violations that you can be guilty of in Texas seems endless: speeding, speeding in a construction zone, speeding in a school zone, running a red light, failing to signal, failing to yield to right of way, loud muffler, expired registration/inspection, driving without a valid driver’s license etc. (maybe here we can add a link that people can click on to see the sheer variety of cases that they could be charged with).  The list goes on and on.  Each type of case has varying degrees of repercussions and different methods of resolution.  For example, a speeding or moving violation may result in a fine, put negative points on your driving record, or raise your insurance rates.  Other, more straightforward violations such as expired registration can be dismissed with a ten dollar dismissal fee if you update your registration within ten days

Considering how varied the steps can be to resolve each type of case, it is not surprising that many people find dealing with a traffic ticket a very stressful process.  That is where Sullo & Sullo can step in to relieve that stress and confusion.  We are a law firm that specializes in traffic ticket defense and you can have peace of mind knowing that only the most experienced and thorough attorneys who are skilled in traffic law are managing your cases.  While it would be impossible to discuss all the nuances of traffic procedure and traffic law, we would like to provide a general overview of the anatomy of a typical traffic case.  This step-by-step guide to how traffic cases work in Texas is a service provided to you by Sullo & Sullo to help demystify the process for all our clients.

At the scene of the alleged violation

Let’s begin with the cardinal rule of traffic stops.  When you see the flashing red lights behind you, make sure that you pull over quickly.  As you roll down the window full of anger at the realization that this police officer is going to make you late to your very important meeting, just roll down that window and bite your tongue.  The biggest mistake that people often make when they are pulled over is talking too much.  Listen to what the officer has to say, nod your head, and be pleasant.  No matter how much you are tempted to do it, the golden rule is: DO NOT ARGUE WITH THE POLICE OFFICER     Read more......