Speeding Senator

Alabama Senator  A powerful Alabama state senator is scheduled for trial Tuesday on two traffic tickets but the trial may not occur. Click here to find out why.
by The Associated Press
Published: Mon, October 13, 2008 - 4:30 pm CST
ANDALUSIA, Ala. (AP) - A powerful Alabama state senator,
Democrat Lowell Barron of Fyffe, is scheduled for trial Tuesday in Andalusia on two traffic tickets, but the trial may not occur.
Barron received the tickets for reckless driving and running a
stop sign July 27 while traveling home from a family vacation in
Destin, Fla.
Barron acknowledges he was speeding, but he says he was trying
to get away from a motorcycle that stayed on his bumper for more
than 30 miles on a rural road at night. Barron says he was
concerned for his safety.
The motorcycle was driven by former Andalusia police officer
Blaine Wilson, who signed the tickets rather than an active
officer. Andalusia Police Chief Wilbur Williams says Barron's
lawyer is arguing that the tickets weren't official.
Williams says there may be a settlement in the case rather than
a trial.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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I’m just stating that it is legal for a citizen to sign a traffic citation. An Andalusia officer did stop Mr. Barron once he reached Andalusia. The problem is that the former officer did not go before a magistrate and swear to the ticket. This was done by the current officer which makes the ticket null and void because the current officer did not observe the infraction. I have no personal prejudice against Lowell Barron. I have a problem with politicians who think they are above the law. When he isn’t above it he just changes it. As I said he made it so state lawmakers can’t be given a citation if they are travelling to the legislative session. Why should that matter. Are the sessions that important that they should be able to just disobey all traffic laws? He also made it illegal for towns smaller than 19,000 people to enforce state traffic laws on interstates. Why? Because he was issued a ticket for speeding on the interstate in north Alabama by a small town officer.

You are assuming that an officer in a marked car was with the motorcycle that stopped him.  That is not a part of the story.  It states that a motorcycle followed him for 30 miles.  I did not read anything about a police car following him and then allowing joe blow to make a citizens arrest.  I dont know anything about Lowell Barron but it is probably better that I don’t because that allows me to stick to the facts. It sound to me you probably have a prejudiced opinion here.  He was followed for 30 miles well a real officer usually follows you for no more than a mile if he has goods on you he pulls you over and does it the legal way.  After about three miles its called harrassment.

Sweetnsour,

Anyone can sign a ticket. It’s called a citizens arrest. The officer writes the ticket and the citizen signs his name as the arresting officer. The offender then signs his bond with his signature and is therefore released on a promise to appear. I don’t know the details but I’m sure an Andulasia police officer in a marked unit made the traffic stop and the former officer swore to the ticket. Just so you know, Lowell Barron is also the senator who made it illegal to give a membor of the state congress a tciket while the congress is in session. He was stopped for speeding while enroute to the state capitol and afterwards pushed for that bill. He seems like a repeat offender to me. I say throw the book at him he’s no better than any other normal citizen.

Hello razorsharp, Barron is not above the law he simply smart enough not to let them mess on him.  How can a former officer follow someone for 30 miles and then think he can possibly pull someone over and write a ticket, what was his title at that point, nothing.  If someone stayed on my bumper for 30 miles with my family in the car I would possibly throw my ride in reverse and call it a day.  If that dead beat with no title drove for 30 he was probably even out of his jurisdiction and he didn’t even have a jurisdiction to begin with. I can’t believe this would even go to trial.

Sounds like the motorcycle was being reckless not the Sen. If his family was in the car, the guy on the motorcycle should be charge for something. bfa

Well, it’s official folks. If you have any type of job or position of authority in Alabama, you are above the law and exempt from punishment. The law is either bent just for you, or does not apply to you. So, do whatever you wish, there won’t be any punishment for you anyway.

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