Joe in MA won in court

Hello everyone,

Today (98-01-13) I went before the Judge here in Massachusetts 
for my "improper headgear" ticket.  Just to fill some people in, 
I was ticket in July 1997 for wearing a "beanie" style helmet in 
Waltham MA by a bike cop.  I refused to pay the $35 fine and 
fought the ticket.  I lose at the first hearing in front of a 
clerk magistrate.  I appealed his discussion and began my search 
for knowledge on the law.  I asked all of you for help about 4 
months ago and was hit   with more e-mail than I knew what to do 
with (some good, some bad). 

Today's hearing started just like the first, The cop told his 
side(explained that I had received 6 written warnings for the 
same offense in the last 12 months) and that he and two other 
"motor cops" from his department, had written over 1000 helmet 
tickets in the last year.  He brought in a beanie helmet to 
enter into evidence, which I objected to(THANKS to MIKE LEWIS 
for the advise). He told his side, I had a chance to question 
the cop (AND I DID!) then I got to give my side.  Using a 
prepared statement, sent to me by the MMA here in Massachusetts, 
I explained that the cop was not an expert on helmets, that to 
my knowledge there was no list of approved helmets and then 
requested my case to be dismissed.  AND IT WAS!   BOY WAS THAT 
COP PISSED OFF! 

Now , what can I do to have my case help others?  I sent my 
check to the MMA today, and am becoming a member.  To all of you 
that sent help, and advise and that helped me THANK-YOU.  Just 
because my case is over, I hope to help others. I have sold my 
bike, but am rebuilding another and hopefully I'll be out there 
by March to piss off at least 3 bike cops in Waltham MA.  This 
year, I'm thinking a baseball hat, 

Thanks,
Joe
Ugly_Idea@classic.msn.com