Originally Posted by Hondaman
I would have refused to rev the engine and open the hood. If he asks to search your car and you say no, there is nothing he can do about it. (at least in WI, I don't know about LA)
Get printouts for all the components he said were illegal and take them to court.
That's not entirely true.
He can't search his car, sure; because there's nothing to give the Police Officer probable cause that there's anything worth finding inside of it. However, his modified exhaust *does* give him probable cause that there's Engine modifications, and he does have the right to make Joebenz open his hood.
In any case, this cop seems like a total dick. Do what he said, take it up with the judge.
Plead not guilty, go in and say that your exhaust is not modified before the catalytic convertor, therefor it is not violating any emission laws, and that it has not broken the 95db limit (according to the manufacturer) and further more, the Police had never tested your vehicle's exhaust's sound output to find out if it's below or above the 95db limit.
The Judge will throw it out. If he doesn't, tell him you demand that the Police properly test the sound output of your exhaust, and if it exceeds 95db (like it wont) that you will then remove the exhaust as the Fix-It ticket states.
Remember, you're innocent until proven guilty. They have to prove to you and the judge that it's louder than allowed, and by "ear" doesn't cut it. They have to measure it in a controlled enviornment.