FAQ
Q: What should I do if I am stopped by the police?
A: When you see flashing red and blue lights and or hear the siren, slow down and pull to the right side of the roadway. If at all possible pull off of the roadway in a safe location; do not stop in the roadway. Remain in your vehicle. Do not exit unless asked to do so by the officer. This is out of concern for your safety as well as the officer's. Keep your hands where the officer can see them.
A good thing to do is to keep your hands on the steering wheel. Inform the officer if you are in possession of any weapons on your person or in the vehicle. Do not reach for them or point them out. Do not make any sudden movements toward the floorboard, rear seat or passenger side of the vehicle. Comply with the officer's request to produce your driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. You are required by Indiana law to carry these documents with you whenever you operate a vehicle.
If the requested documents are out of reach, tell the officer where they are located before you attempt to retrieve them. As the operator of the vehicle, you are responsible for the actions of all occupants in the vehicle. Encourage your passengers to remain quiet and cooperative with instructions of the officer. Avoid becoming argumentative. This behavior will not change the officer's mind. If you wish to contest a ticket, the proper forum is in traffic court. There you will be given the opportunity to address the matter.
If you are issued a traffic ticket and you feel the reason is unclear, politely ask the officer for details. If the officer asks you to sign a ticket, do so. Your signature on the citation is not an admission of guilt, but is your promise to contact the court on or before your court date. If your signature is required for the cited offense, you are being charged with a misdemeanor traffic violation and your signature is your bail. Should you refuse to sign the ticket, you will be placed in custody and taken to jail.
You have the right to politely deny a request by the police to search your car, however if the officer finds probable cause exists to do a search, the officer has the legal right to search the vehicle without your consent.
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A: When you see flashing red and blue lights and or hear the siren, slow down and pull to the right side of the roadway. If at all possible pull off of the roadway in a safe location; do not stop in the roadway. Remain in your vehicle. Do not exit unless asked to do so by the officer. This is out of concern for your safety as well as the officer's. Keep your hands where the officer can see them.
A good thing to do is to keep your hands on the steering wheel. Inform the officer if you are in possession of any weapons on your person or in the vehicle. Do not reach for them or point them out. Do not make any sudden movements toward the floorboard, rear seat or passenger side of the vehicle. Comply with the officer's request to produce your driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. You are required by Indiana law to carry these documents with you whenever you operate a vehicle.
If the requested documents are out of reach, tell the officer where they are located before you attempt to retrieve them. As the operator of the vehicle, you are responsible for the actions of all occupants in the vehicle. Encourage your passengers to remain quiet and cooperative with instructions of the officer. Avoid becoming argumentative. This behavior will not change the officer's mind. If you wish to contest a ticket, the proper forum is in traffic court. There you will be given the opportunity to address the matter.
If you are issued a traffic ticket and you feel the reason is unclear, politely ask the officer for details. If the officer asks you to sign a ticket, do so. Your signature on the citation is not an admission of guilt, but is your promise to contact the court on or before your court date. If your signature is required for the cited offense, you are being charged with a misdemeanor traffic violation and your signature is your bail. Should you refuse to sign the ticket, you will be placed in custody and taken to jail.
You have the right to politely deny a request by the police to search your car, however if the officer finds probable cause exists to do a search, the officer has the legal right to search the vehicle without your consent.
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Q: Where do Zionsville officers have jurisdiction?
A: Basically the State of Indiana. Zionsville officers can enforce any state traffic or criminal law within the boundaries of the State.
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A: Basically the State of Indiana. Zionsville officers can enforce any state traffic or criminal law within the boundaries of the State.
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Q: My address is in Zionsville, isn't the Zionsville Police Department the agency that provides services for me?
A: Not necessarily, there are people that live in Boone, Hamilton and Marion counties with Zionsville addresses. The Zionsville Police Department is your service provider if you live inside of the town limits of Zionsville. Please see the Patrol Division page for the areas covered by the Zionsville Police.
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A: Not necessarily, there are people that live in Boone, Hamilton and Marion counties with Zionsville addresses. The Zionsville Police Department is your service provider if you live inside of the town limits of Zionsville. Please see the Patrol Division page for the areas covered by the Zionsville Police.
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Q: What are the requirements to operate a moped in Indiana?
A: The operator must be at least fifteen years of age, hold a valid Indiana ID card and wear proper headgear and eye protection.
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A: The operator must be at least fifteen years of age, hold a valid Indiana ID card and wear proper headgear and eye protection.
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Q: If I receive a traffic ticket how can I pre-pay it?
A: You need to contact the Court Clerk's office at (317) 873-2469 and check on the availability of pre-pay for your fine. If you need not appear in court, you may come into or mail the fine to the Court Clerk's office at 1100 W. Oak Street Zionsville, IN 46077. The Court Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm EST.
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A: You need to contact the Court Clerk's office at (317) 873-2469 and check on the availability of pre-pay for your fine. If you need not appear in court, you may come into or mail the fine to the Court Clerk's office at 1100 W. Oak Street Zionsville, IN 46077. The Court Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm EST.
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Q: Why does it take so long for an officer to come up to my car to speak with me after I have been stopped?
A: This is dependent on several things. The officer has several things to do to assure the safety of the stop. The officer needs to position the cruiser appropriately, enter the stop information into the mobile computer terminal or call into dispatch with license information. The officer may be waiting for a short time for your license plate to return as not stolen. Again, this time is spent for the safety of all concerned.
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A: This is dependent on several things. The officer has several things to do to assure the safety of the stop. The officer needs to position the cruiser appropriately, enter the stop information into the mobile computer terminal or call into dispatch with license information. The officer may be waiting for a short time for your license plate to return as not stolen. Again, this time is spent for the safety of all concerned.
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Q: How fast can I drive over the speed limit without worrying about getting stopped?
A: By Indiana law one mile per hour over the posted limit is exceeding the speed limit. While this may not get you stopped, the only sure way to ease your mind is to adhere as closely as possible to the posted speed limit.
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A: By Indiana law one mile per hour over the posted limit is exceeding the speed limit. While this may not get you stopped, the only sure way to ease your mind is to adhere as closely as possible to the posted speed limit.
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Q: Do Zionsville Police officers have a ticket quota?
A: No, ticket quotas have never been used.
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A: No, ticket quotas have never been used.
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Q: Why do officers observe a traffic violation and wait to stop me several blocks away from where I allegedly committed the violation?
A: There may be several reasons for this. The officer may be concerned about a safe location to initiate the traffic stop. The officer may be further observing your driving habits, or he could be calling in all of the required information to the dispatcher. Please remember that the number one concern of the officer is safety. This includes yours as well as his own and that of the motoring public.
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A: There may be several reasons for this. The officer may be concerned about a safe location to initiate the traffic stop. The officer may be further observing your driving habits, or he could be calling in all of the required information to the dispatcher. Please remember that the number one concern of the officer is safety. This includes yours as well as his own and that of the motoring public.
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Q: If a police officer is in an unmarked car, can he stop me and issue me a ticket?
A: Yes, providing that the officer is in uniform.
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A: Yes, providing that the officer is in uniform.
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Q: Can an officer out of uniform in a marked car stop me for traffic infractions?
A: Yes
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A: Yes
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Q: Is an officer required by law to show me the readout display on a radar unit?
A: No, the officer is not obligated to show you the radar readout. The officer will want you to remain in your car for your safety. In the event of an accident, that is the safest place for you to be.
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A: No, the officer is not obligated to show you the radar readout. The officer will want you to remain in your car for your safety. In the event of an accident, that is the safest place for you to be.
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Q: Why did the officer tow my car to impound?
A: There are several reasons.
1) Your car is falsely or fictitiously plated. In this case the officer is required by Indiana law to impound the vehicle until such time that it is properly plated.
2) You are being arrested and taken to jail. In this case you are being removed from your car and it is being taken to a safe place to be held until you can retrieve it.
3) The most common situation is that your driver's license or registration plate is expired. In the case of your driver's license being expired when you are stopped, the car is now a traffic hazard partially on the roadway. You can't operate the car legally on the roadway, therefore it is towed as a traffic hazard.
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A: There are several reasons.
1) Your car is falsely or fictitiously plated. In this case the officer is required by Indiana law to impound the vehicle until such time that it is properly plated.
2) You are being arrested and taken to jail. In this case you are being removed from your car and it is being taken to a safe place to be held until you can retrieve it.
3) The most common situation is that your driver's license or registration plate is expired. In the case of your driver's license being expired when you are stopped, the car is now a traffic hazard partially on the roadway. You can't operate the car legally on the roadway, therefore it is towed as a traffic hazard.
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Q: If I receive a written warning for a traffic infraction, will it go on my permanent driving record?
A: No, a written warning is a reminder to you to correct a driving behavior. It will not appear on your driving record.
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A: No, a written warning is a reminder to you to correct a driving behavior. It will not appear on your driving record.
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Q: Is it a violation of law to shoot a BB gun in Zionsville?
A: Yes, it is a violation of local ordinance to shoot a BB gun or any other device capable of expelling a projectile within the town limits.
A: Yes, it is a violation of local ordinance to shoot a BB gun or any other device capable of expelling a projectile within the town limits.