pay the ticket. not even worth the pita to have the people check it. you still would have to pay some money anyway after they ok'd your car.
Go to court and risk paying 100s in court fees or just suck it up and pay the fix-it-ticket fee and be done with it. Why make a big deal out of something so small. I swear people are always trying to beat the law and end up fucking shit up worse.
You cannot argue the officer's judgment in court. However, you should be able to make a video of your exhaust, show that it emits no black smoke, and take it to a police station. Or go to a muffler shop and have them give you a receipt of it getting fixed.
What you may also be able to do is challenge the officer's ability to quantify what is an "excessive" amount of smoke. Is it excessive when smoke is constantly pouring out of the car, or if a small puff comes out?
Either way, a video and/or receipt detail repair should be sufficient to get it dismissed. You may be required to pay a dismissal fee, though.
Yes i know the rules on this one i come from driving diesel trucks.
They cannot stop u simply because u have resedue or a poof of smoke the smoke has to be in such an excess that it blocks the sight of following or on coming traffic.
I can find u the statue if needed my mothers a parreligel and ive been stopped for this before in my truck, chances are the cop gave u the ticket thinking ud just pay it an move on because most ppl dont have the time to take off work an fight it. id take it to court for sure lmk if u need any help
Saying you shouldn't even fight it is stupid.. might as well be a slave and have no rights.