Looking on info on Va Laws (mufflers and exhaust)

Sndtgr08

UPDATE!

I went to court today. The state trooper gave his edited report. I questioned the officer. He admited to knowing nothing about exhaust systems. He admited to knowing nothing about decibels. He admited to not having a decibel meter. I brought video proof that my car is no louder then then most other cars and quieter then many.

The only "evidence" brought against me was the trooper stating that he thought it "sounded loud".

The judge said he finds me guilty.

I ask him how can I be found guilty, by only the unprofessional opinion of one person? With no evidence against me, and me being with in the law, and standing there with proof of it?

He told me that it would be bad to get charged with contempt of court, for only a defective equipment charge.

I tell you all right now I have nothing but contempt for the court and the whole justice system. I went strait to the clercks window and filed an appeal. While doing that the next 2 sets of people who came out stopped and told me "Way to go" and "Good job" and could not believe what they just saw. I still cant believe it, how on Earth is that legal? We no longer need proof to convict someone of a crime. You just need someone to think you broke the law and BAM guilty.

Cristobal09

IMHO, I think you made things worse by going and complaining to the Sargeant. It doesnt help matters that the cop saw you there as well complaining about him. If this was a speeding ticket that was going to affect your insurance/driver's record, I could see why you would be concerned. You have no idea how many times I was pulled over (back when I was 19-20 years old) for not having a front license plate on my Civic, you just deal with it and pay the fine. It SUCKS that the cop gave you a ticket for an exhaust, and I know its BS. But I personally would just pay the ticket and be done with it. I would also just run your FLP so cops dont have another reason to stop you to begin with. Good luck with whatever you do though, and itd be great if you won this, but I feel you're fighting a losing battle.

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Sndtgr08

Yeay. The meter came today! Now to wipe the kids ipod and use it for video storage.


By sandtiger08 at 2012-04-20

ResIpsa

That is very interesting... You' re thinking; I like that.

Have you done any readings of the decibel level of your aftermarket exhaust and a stock exhaust?

Unfortunately, our stock exhausts are so quiet anything would be louder. That tester could do more harm than good.

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Sndtgr08

As I read the law, it does not specify that replacements have to have the same tone or db level. Only that they be comparable in function, and not excessively loud. I believe I meet these requirements under VA law. I hope to have the matter settled as simply put as your 1st post. But in reality, it make come down to "Guilty until proven innocent". I just got the car reinspected 2 days ago (2nd passed inspection with that exhaust), Have my original sales receipt for the exhaust(So I can prove that it is made as a replacement for my car and is not for off-road use), and I will have Real sound level mesurments, Vs police lies. Just in case.

PapoZalsa

Reject a null hypothesis....

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Sndtgr08

4/22/2012 Ambient sound(high 40s) and My voice (65db). Then test with Motor warm. Idle @ about 700rpm 10' to the side(57db). 2' Directly in front of the pipe(67db)



Test at 10 feet, directly to one side of the muffler. I used max save setting to catch the peek level. I tested @ 3000 RPM. This is higher then needed to go 55mph in 4th gear.



Culpeper does not even have a sound ordinance. The last one proposed, over 2 years ago, stated that sound levels had to be above 80 db for over 15 minutes before one was in violation.

Edit: the rain will not let up now. Will test more when I get the chance.

Coon-azz

Yep. Va law, I think, still says anything NOT Factory. I use to get this with my Pontiac from time to time and would ask the officer why he didn't stop me on my way home yesterday on my Motorcycle when I passed him. The 4" pipes on that are way louder than my car. Besides, what if I bought the car this way?

Cop was being a ****. Having been a Prior Norfolk Officer myself, I'd say he was being a ****; yep. VA troopers are generally this way. I had one pass me on the shoulder so fast that all the debri shattered my windshield that flew up. I chased him into the Rest Zone and called him out on it. Would have killed someone on a motorcycle....Mostly rookies looking for a fight. VA is a common wealth, so it's full of Good-ol' boys and some of the dumbest Officers I've ever encountered. Should say something having been one myself.

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RandyD

then send resIpsa a bottle of wine for his support

Cristobal09

^^ Yeah its cool having an attorney on the forums

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Sndtgr08

Roger, skip the petition. Roger use vital info on your 1st post(thanks again)They do have video, it only started when he turned on his lights. It will show that the officer pulled me over for my licence plate, not my exhaust. An on failing to ticket me for that, took a shot in the dark with my exhaust. And it will have the sound of my exhaust from as I slowed and came to a stop and turned off my car, and pointed right at his cruiser, from 10 feet away, as I started up and pulled away (very carefully). It will also show the officers lie, in stating he heard me as I went past him. In court he may state that this is the only reason he pulled me over and say nothing of the true cause of my pull over. While on the video it will clearly show the officers mistake. You would still suggest no video?


Do you have any suggestions on conducting the tests with the Sound Meter? I figure to video the tests, as well as make a writen record of the results. But should I just conduct the the tests at random times in the center of town. How many should I do, 20, 50 100? How many would would be enough to have a fair sample of average? Also, after I have it all together, do I need to fill out any form to submit it for evidence? Or just bring it with my documentation? Or is that not admissible? How else am I to determine what is "normal" for culpeper, and not "excessive" or "Unusualy Loud". I already ordered the meter, and is the only true way I can think of to take a real mesure. A factual reading has to be better then an officers opinion. (Unless he hunts on the weekend with the Judges son, and I am screwed)




Buddy. I cannot let it go. If I just pay the fine, then I will be admitting guilt. This will open the door of every police in culpeper to pull me over for it, untill I get tired of paying the $100 fees and fines, and I have it removed. I have to nip this now. I like my exhaust. There is nothing wrong with it. It is not "Defective" or "Excessive". Its tasteful, and I dont want a different one. They should not be aloud to continue to harass me for it. I'm getting tired of all these vague, non specific laws they use in Va. You should hear the crap they make you do to get your civil rights back.

Drew@PTUNING

Updates? I live near warrenton, specifically in catlett. So your case has caught my interest.

Gl Drew

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Drew@PTUNING

When is you court date.

Drew

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Sndtgr08

Court date is the 29th of may.

I took about 20 videos today. I had the camera and meter at the spot where the cop was parked, but the tests were not done inside of a vehicle. The videos range from 15 seconds to 1:15 of dozens on cars and trucks. and about 8 vids of me driving back and forth.

The road noise is mosty what you hear and is picked up. Just the sound of a car going by, the tires and air displacement along with motor noise, even on the quiet cars was low to mid 70s.

Older cars, louder cars and quieter trucks were hi 70's low 80's.

Louder trucks and a few of the louder cars(not modded) were in the mid 80s.

Pass after pass I was in the mid to high 70's


"An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make."

I am well with in the sound limits of "standard make trucks and private passenger motor vehicles with standard factory equipment". There are many stardard make vehicles that are louder then me. I have proof.

shadoquad

Virginia traffic enforcement sucks big ones.

No disrespect to the officers. I'm talking about the legislation as written and the policies of enforcement.