Crest

I have a crest at the plate number of my car showing that I am a member of the Bar Council. The Bar Council is licensing body for lawyers which is equivalent to any State Bar in the USA. Although it actually meant to not carry any weight and is actually illegal for it to be there, it has helped me out from a few 'sticky' situations. My partner has a story of her own too.

Once, it was sold openly to just about anybody. Then, when those who have crest such as us abused it by getting away with crime such as theft and even murder, having a crest, unless you are government official or legitimate politician, has been viewed as a big no, no by our Department of Motor Vehicle or the police. This does not stop me from using it. As the issue had died down long ago and no enforcement for it to be removed was forthcoming, I kept it as it was.

I have been pulled aside by police a few time for speeding and using handphone while driving. Both are crime on the road which usually entails a ticket. Once, I was pulled over as I was driving on the highway at excessive speed and I didn't even notice I had been noticed until I arrived at a road block nearly 10 kilometres ahead. One of the police who manned the roadblock flagged me down and as he was walking towards my car from the back, I see him smiling. I was already fumbling with my wallet to get my driving license and identity card. When he finally arrive at my window, I say to him Good Evening and he asked me where I was going before asking me to not speed. He then say I could go and I finally realised why he had smiled. He saw the crest.

Once, as I was driving with my wife, I was pulled over when two policemen in a police car saw me talking on my handphone. They called me over to their car and asked me why did I talked on the phone. When they glanced and saw the crest they asked me whether I am a lawyer or not. Expecting a lecture, they asked me for my business card. When they really saw that I am really a lawyer, they let me go.

It is not that I like using the crest as an excuse for doing misdemeanors but after those episodes, I did keep it just to get out of  getting some tickets. Hey, I didn't ask to be let go when I was caught doing them. I would gladly pay the fines but if I think I am not guilty, I would rather have my day in court...