36 replies to this topic

[Mark_T]

Driving home from Soriana (Chapala) when the big cop (Vial?) gives me the clacker horn from behind.

I pull over, sit there with my hands in plain sight on the top of the steering wheel.

Cop comes over, dressed all nice, smiles and has his I.D. in hand and shows it to me.

He speaks decent English and acts friendly but professional.

Said I was being stopped for not wearing a seatbelt (absolutely true).

Everything else in order with my Mexican plated car (Mexican drivers license; current sticker on window; proper original sticker in glove-box).

Tells me ticket will cost $1,200 or if a prior citation, up to $1,800. Says I get 50% discount if I pay within 10-days. I asked if I pay at the Municipal Palace in Chapala. No, I pay where I got my car permit.

His numbers seemed right from what I read in the paper put out by Mr. Spencer.

He asked if I had any prior tickets in Mexico. I said "No." That was true since my only other stops, last one bout 6-years ago, had been resolved by compromise with the officer.

At this point I figure he is going to write me up, but no ticket book in hand. He did however have my drivers license and car papers and even though I know legally he can not "take" them (I'm sure he can take them for inspection but not "take" as in "keep") I didn't want to get into any long, drawn-out discussion. I have rarely ever won a disagreement with a person with a badge and gun.

He then gives me a smile and say maybe he can help me. I give him that questioning look.

He says I can pay at the office or he can help me. I said in my best poor Spanish: pequeño descuento? He shakes his head "Si," I say "doscientos?" He nods "Si."

Back to my car and I'm released on my own recognizance with a promise from me to drive safely and always wear my seat belt.

If it had been some B.S charge, I would have fought about it, but I was wrong. I also know these guys get very little pay and while resolving matters locally by compromise may not be the best way to do it, I don't classify it as a major felony/sin.

EOS

[Natasha]

So happy for you -- and for the traffic cop you encouraged to keep breaking the law by asking for (subtley) and receiving a mordida.

How will things change if we don't do OUR part?

[TioBob]

Actually it is a felony and that makes it a sin. Major or minor a felony is still a felony and a sin is still a sin. It was not a compromise it was weakness.

[Mad_Max]

And you think that poor little cop keeps all the money he collects???? Funny!!!

[gimpychimp]

I have to agree with Natasha and Tio Bob. As long as people continue to encourage this bad behavior by police, by paying bribes to them, they will continue doing it. When you know you did what he is accusing you of, you should take the ticket and learn your lesson. Now that he knows you're an easy touch, you may be seeing him again, and next time he may just make up some fake charge as they often do. You're now on the watchlist of "guys who pay". Congratulations.

[Lexie]

The cop was bs'ing you about the charge of the ticket and inflating what you'd be charged for the ticket you said you deserved.

We should all make up our minds if we want to contribute to a cop's "income" with pay-offs and bribes. Or do we want to take a ticket for traffic offensives we know we are guilty of and not give a bribe.

I paid a fine recently for driving without a seat belt. The cost was not nearly as much as the traffic cop said it would be. But that's not the point.

Pay for your traffic violations. Resist false pull-overs by cops looking for a pay-off. It's all up to us.

Lexy

[AlansCustomAutoRepair]

First of all, you gave him too much. they usually ask for like about 50 pesos for something like that.

2nd they always lie about how much the fine is going to cost, so in my cases i always ask for the ticket and for some reason, they just let me go whith a warning. Guess they are too lazy to write

[oregonduck]

Actually, a similar thing happened to while travelling on the Tepic by-pass en route to lakeside. Cop pulled me over for speeding (about 10 kph above the limit, like many of the cars traveling along side me). The cop took my registration and said he would keep it until my fine was paid. Najarit state law, Different than Jalisco, he said. Wanted me to go downtown to pay the fine. 200 pesos if i paid that day. Finally asked him whether he might save me the hour or more to go into his office by paying it on my behalf. He accepted. Yes I feel bad, but I saved a lot of time and arrived home before dark. Admitted felon? I guess.

[cbviajero]

Admitted felon? I guess.

And a Sinner according to Tio Bob
Mark T you should have offered him 50 peos para un chesco.

[ericurmudgeon]

I just wonder if everyone paid their fines perhaps there might be enough money to start raising the salaries for the police. Now there is a novel idea. Just a thought. :-)

[World's best climate]

And you think that poor little cop keeps all the money he collects???? Funny!!!

He, also, has to "share" the money with his boss.....

[econ man]

Per Spencer's Fine Schedule, not wearing a seatbelt is fined by:
10 to 30 days min. wage, or $605.70 to $1817.00 pesos, and the fine will be reduced by 50% if paid within 10 working days.

http://intercasafs.com/Driving.pdf (it's on page 17, fyi)

[bimini6]

It is one of the things I love about Mexico and all of Latin America.

[AlansCustomAutoRepair]

Saves time and money

[sundown]

I do not try to teach morals to a man that has a gun. Many times , they have absolutely refused to give me a ticket.
Especially in Guadalajara. When they refuse to give you a ticket, the will commence to "search" your car. In this "search" , drugs can always be "found". If this be the case , your car is impounded, & you are taken to jail. GET the Picture!
It is nice to be an arm chair moralist, but practicality is where I find better place to live.

[bigd]

What this is ...a perfect example of what to expect when you move to this wonderful climate and land where everyone is happy all the day. Just a small difference in how things are done here.

[Happy Feet]

Its a pity that the cop asked you for a "discount" and therefore found yourself unable to resist to save a few bucks. I have always preferred to pay my fines legally. It just feels better.
However, dont assume all cops take bribes. Be careful about offering a federal cop a bribe you may get into more trouble than you would like.

[jguerin]

I would never offer $ in my country or here, I prefer to follow the rules and if I am wrong I accept the ticket. So, I do the same here.

[guss]

Its a pity that the cop asked you for a "discount" and therefore found yourself unable to resist to save a few bucks. I have always preferred to pay my fines legally. It just feels better.
However, dont assume all cops take bribes. Be careful about offering a federal cop a bribe you may get into more trouble than you would like.

Is the only reason people pay the mordida is to save money?

As posted in another thread recently, If it were my classic car that was impounded I would have been sick with worry.

Having never been pulled over in Mexico, I go by what has been written here and by the personal experiences of those I know. Seems to me that just as offering to give a mordida before being asked could get you in trouble, refusing one could do so as well and end up costing you more money not less.

G

[atari]

removed