Got my son a 2001 Grand Am at a local car dealership. Since he's gotten it, he has been pulled over a couple of times for having tinted windows. Nothing came of it, I figured it was just some cops looking to mess with a 16 year old. The windows don't look too tinted to me, but the cops say they are 30% tinted or some bullshit. This past weekend he was stopped near Ohio University and given a ticket. We have to drive like 2 hours for this shit. My question is; the car cost around $2500, do I have a legitimate case in small claims court because they sold me a car with illegally tinted windows? Thanks in advance.
probably not joe, for 1 simple reason,, when it comes to buying a car,,, its usually buyer beware,,, and I would imagine int he pap3erwork you signed, it probably said you accept all responsibility for the car??<<
just a guess,,, but im probably right?
usually if you just remove the tint, and take digital photos with NO tint on the windows,, usually the judge will just dismiss the case, I know it sucks traveling out of town so far,,,
gl though,,
tater
http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4501-41-03
Sec C
Take to tint shop and have them check it out
Looks like 30% tint on windshield 50% tint on side windows
Sec C
Take to tint shop and have them check it out
Looks like 30% tint on windshield 50% tint on side windows
Yea u buy a car "as is" in most cases so ur stuck with it. But im sure you didnt buy the car without having it inspected 1st...so u may have a case against the inspector, you'll need to ck ur local laws on that and how much damages he would be responsible for anyway.
But 1st off u need to make sure the thing is actually illegal. There is a code and a specific test they perform to determine that in my state and i would assume urs as well. Find out what the test is and who can perform it. Here all they do is hold up a piece of paper with a number on it inside the car against the window. If you can read the number its legal if not its too dark. The state police and motor vehicle inspection places do that here, yours may be different.
There is the possibility some campus police officer just decided the windows were too dark and did no test as im sure most people just pay the ticket and never look into it.. I would have the test done by the proper authorities before you do anything else. Knowledge of the law and the standards is always the best way to start fighting anything. Your state may also hold the tinting company at fault although finding that out and proving they did it may be to big a hurdle to attempt.
But 1st off u need to make sure the thing is actually illegal. There is a code and a specific test they perform to determine that in my state and i would assume urs as well. Find out what the test is and who can perform it. Here all they do is hold up a piece of paper with a number on it inside the car against the window. If you can read the number its legal if not its too dark. The state police and motor vehicle inspection places do that here, yours may be different.
There is the possibility some campus police officer just decided the windows were too dark and did no test as im sure most people just pay the ticket and never look into it.. I would have the test done by the proper authorities before you do anything else. Knowledge of the law and the standards is always the best way to start fighting anything. Your state may also hold the tinting company at fault although finding that out and proving they did it may be to big a hurdle to attempt.
There are ways to have as dark a tint as you want. Just get a letter from a doctor stating that you have a condition that makes you sensitive to light. Something like photophobia. I have had one for 10+ years now and have been pulled over less than 10 times, but never gotten a ticket after producing the letter. I also have family/friends who have the same and never once did they get a ticket either. Also just a FYI, The cops never check the validity of the doctor who wrote the letter either, just make sure it comes across of being very official looking!
LOL , just my oppinion but i dont think a 16 year old needs to get a letter from a doctor over a ticket for too much tinting.
I think Tate gave the best advice , remove the tinting and take a before and after photo and show that the car was recently purchased and maybe the judge would dismiss it.
In the mean time take the ticket to the dealership and they should at least take the tinting off for free ... thats the least they could do.
His court date was yesterday...took the tint off (took before and after pictures). I could barely tell the difference after the tints were taken off. It cost about $100.
So, of course I'm not going to do anything with the car dealer. I thought it might be a lot worse.
Moral of the story: If you have a son driving at 16 or 17, or about to start driving at that age, tell him to be prepared to get pulled over for just about anything. I can't believe how many times the cops pulled him over for the tints and other stupid shit. I don't know if it's the same for girls. It wasn't as bad for me when I started driving years ago, but I didn't get my first car until I was 20.
Thanks for all your help.
So, of course I'm not going to do anything with the car dealer. I thought it might be a lot worse.
Moral of the story: If you have a son driving at 16 or 17, or about to start driving at that age, tell him to be prepared to get pulled over for just about anything. I can't believe how many times the cops pulled him over for the tints and other stupid shit. I don't know if it's the same for girls. It wasn't as bad for me when I started driving years ago, but I didn't get my first car until I was 20.
Thanks for all your help.
