So I’m minding my own business when I happen upon a major (100k of illicit transactions) illegal operation. I think it might be a good idea to tell the authorities about it. When I go to do this, is there any reason why I shouldn’t ask them to ged rid of a traffic ticket? Only seems fair, going out of my way to help out and all. And if they tell me they can’t help me with the traffic ticket, I will still give them the tip, but I think it might be dumb to not at least ask?
No reason why you can’t ask, and no reason why they should help you out.
Otto: I don’t get it? Asside from my mentioning that I’ll help them anyways, why do you say “no reason why they should help you out”…sure theres a reason, I’m going outta my way to help them do their job etc.
bover , what’s fair is that you benefit from living in a society which tries to supress crime. You have a duty to support that society by reporting crime. Try telling the families of all the people who have died protecting that society all about how you are ‘going out of your way’ to report a major crime. I’m sure they’ll be very understanding.
Asking for favors complicates prosecution of crimes. Don’t do it.
AZRob
good answer AZRob.
I guess it just kinda sucks that I may be endangering myself and my family and I still hafta pay the dumb traffic ticket.
but you’re right, I can take the ticket to court and deal with it seperately.
Actually, not only that, you can be charged with hindering prosecution, I believe, and forced to testify.
uhoh, definitely don’t wanna testify, maybe thats a whole other thread. I think based on the information I can provide, theres no need to get me to testify, which is to say that the evidence speaks for itself, i’m just a random guy who stumbled upon it. Testify? maybe I should get a lawyer, grr.
If you stumble on the evidence, and lead the cops there, then most likely, you’ll be called to explain what you saw.
I think that if I stumbled across a crime of the magnitude that you suggest I might seriously think about consulting an attorney before I reported it, but then I’m not a big fan of police procedure or our justice system.
I certainly wouldn’t muddy the water by asking for help w/ a traffic violation though.
Presumably one route might be those ‘anonymous’ tip lines/websites that promise to keep one’s identity secret. I think that would get the job done, keep me outta court (not to mention the savings in attourny fees) and keep me safe.
If this is a true-life situation, then you should absolutely speak with a lawyer for legal advice as to what if any legal jeopardy you may put yourself into.
Otto: No can do, i’m poor.
Meanwhile, I think now that we’ve eliminated the traffic ticket deal, there’s no reason not to go through one of those anonymous services to get the tip through.
I believe that the IRS offers a standing percentage of any funds collected from tax evasion. This is as a reward to the tipster. So, it might be worth consulting an attorney. The initial visit should cost much, if anything.
Sorry “shouldn’t cost much”
If you’re in the United States, contact your state bar association. Every state bar association has a referral service where you can find a lawyer who will do a brief free consultation.
Tell the cop about the dumb traffic ticket you’re facing. Ask him if he will write a ‘reference letter’ saying that you are a good guy who provided important, valueable information about witnessing a major illegal operation. He’ll probably do it. He can’t “get rid of” your traffic ticket, but he can write you this letter easily.
Then you take that letter with you to traffic court, and show it to the Judge (after you plead guilt to the offense (assuming you did it)), and ask the Judge to take it into consideration when sentencing you. The Judge will still find you guilty, but is very likely to give you a reduced sentence, like reducing the fine, or suspending it if you don’t get another ticket in 6 months, etc.
It might not work, but probably you’ll at least you get off lightly on your ticket. And it doesn’t hurt to ask, and won’t complicate the prosecution on the major illegal operation.
t-bon: thats a helpful suggestion too!