Probably nabbed you with a VG-2 radar detector detector. These pick up specific emissions from your detector's "low oscillator" frequency. Some detectors, like my trusty old Valentine One, aren't built on the classic Escort architecture and thus do not emit the LO freq and make the VG-2 scream.

I'll just bet, though, he just guessed you might have one because you were driving a high-performance vehicle.

Also - are you sure you didn't even *subconsciously* tap your brakes when your detector went off?

I won the Big Dummy Award when I got nabbed in VA with a Whistler 750 right on my windshield ten years ago in broad daylight. My brilliant excuse: "But the power cord is in the glove box, officer."

The Federal Communications Act of 1934 grants you specific rights to operate a radio receiver, which is basically what your radar detector is. All you are doing is picking up freely available signals in the air and not intercepting privileged communication. I believe someone fought the Connecticut law with this reasoning and won, but I could be mistaken about that. I do know the boxes are kosher in CT now.

 

What a JERK! Most of the troopers I have met have been very pleasant (but I haven't met many). I have more ill-encounters with the Fairfax County police!

There are in fact radar detector "detectors" that can "sniff" your unit even if he can't see it with his own eyes. Most modern models are "stealth" to this technology, and cannot be detected with VG-2. Some cheaper/older models can be detected though. But I doubt this state trooper was using VG-2, he probably used the detector as an excuse when he walked up to your car - they rarely sit there on the side of the road looking for detectors. And if they are, they are trying to catch you coming into the state, not leaving it. Unless of course you had the tell-tale suction cups in the middle of your windshield and it was plainly obvious.

Sorry to hear about your mother - hope she's ok.

 

Well, I actually passed the trooper, he was at the side of the road behind some semi, so I actualy got warning a 1/4 mile before I even saw him. So I passes at 56 mph, (speed limit 55) and he did pull out right after I passed. So ofcourse my radar was going off like crazy until he pulled me over, it was still on when he came to the window. The problem was that I didnt know they were iilegal, I never come to Virginia so I didnt know. I told him and he stated that at the welcome sign of Virginia it states that they are iilegal, well then I guess I missed it. On the ticket, it states that even having possesion of a radar in the vehical is iilegal, dont even have to have it on. So what im thinking is that he assumed I had a radar or had that VG2 thing.

 

Correction, it was a FAIRFAX police, not trooper, my radar is kinda old and it is clipped to the visor.
BTW, my mother is okay, picked her up today

 

Glad to hear your mom made out ok... strokes don't sound like a lot of fun.

Anyway, the law in VA is pretty strict. The only way to get out of it is to claim there was no power source, and that the detector was not accessible to anyone in the car. That means stuffing it in the glove box won't cut it. I suppose you could toss it in the bed though!

Virginia ia such a backwards state (WAIT, it's NOT even a state, it's a COMMONWEALTH remember??). Washington DC and VA are the only places in the world that prohibit detectors. GHEY!

 

I got a ticket about a month ago I was doing 75 in a 50 when I got nabed the @$$hole cop would not cut me a break by giving me a warning or ruducing the speed on the ticket he was driving a Chevy I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not but what got me the most was he said he was giving me a break just writing it up for speeding and not reckless driving.

 

that is a break cuz if you're 20 mph over the speed limit its wreckless. depending on your age you could get your liscense suspended or even worse taken away

 

"Yeah, I hear those Syclones are great for hauling pigs to market" readily comes to mind.

 

I can't remember the whole story, but it was a supreme court ruling that any persons may recieve (ie use radar detectors) any transmited radio frequency. Yes the law do exist that ban radar detectors but they are in place illegally.

 

The other L blowing by while you were getting your ticket probably made it worse for you.

I would explain the circumstances to the judge + advise of the improper conduct.

Cop must have tried that with another Lightning & couldn't keep up.. So know he has a vendetta against L's..