I'm getting lazy in my old age, so I didn't make a transcript of this one . . . transcripts take time, and time is short these days. In any case, it's worth listening to this stop, even if you have to struggle a bit to get what's said.

       The first officer you hear is Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Deputy Watson -- he's the one that took exception to my helmet . . . he's apparently a rookie, because his training officer showed up, but you won't hear him much on the tape . . .

       Watson called for backup . . . two CHP officers showed up -- one female, one male. Some of the exchanges with the male CHP officer contain some interesting stuff (as it worked out, he's a rookie too). I particularly like the part where the officer asked me where he could find a copy of FMVSS218? It's classic . . . wait 'til the court hears that question, and who asked it.

       Watson is pretty easy to hear and understand through most of this . . . he says some really killer stuff toward the end. (He decided to threaten me with arrest if I didn't wear a "CHP approved" helmet, or some other "approved" helmet.) While you're listening to this absolutely gold stuff, keep in mind that the California courts have found that the helmet law here is not vague.

       I don't know which way this ticket is going to go, but I think I finally have enough to make a move into the Federal Court over in San Jose -- what with him threatening to steal my motorcycle and take me to jail, and not knowing how to describe what I should be wearing. It's up to Bianco. We'll see.

       Oh yeah . . . the tape tan out just before I signed the ticket (complaint). There was only about another five or so minutes . . . nothing real important. I got real lucky!

Hope you enjoy(ed) the show,
quig