Kudos for Tom McGrath

I missed the article last month from Tom McGrath which invited local bikers to call him if they got illegal helmet tickets. I want to share a story about such a ticket at the Virginia Beach Resort Strip.

Two summers ago, my son decided to take a cruise down Atlantic Avenue in late afternoon. As usual, the traffic was barely moving and there were Virginia Beach Police Officers on every corner. My son is 6'3", with lots of tattoos, a biker shirt and loud pipes on his Honda Shadow (Harley clone). Two cops motioned for him to pull over into the trolley lane. He stopped, took off his helmet and hung it on the handlebars (where it stayed the entire time) and asked the cop why we was being pulled over. The cop was pretty belligerent and proceeded to ask if he could search the motorcycle. My son gave permission (not a recommended choice) and then stood by Atlantic Avenue explaining to all the tourists how motorcyclists were treated at Virginia Beach.

Long story, but he got a summons for improper helmet and called VCOM/Tom McGrath. We were not members of VCOM at the time, but Tom did not even ask, he came to traffic court with a court reporter from Richmond to represent my son. When the cop saw that we had an attorney and a court reporter, he left the room for some time. I don't know who advised him, but when we went before the judge; his copy of the ticket had an additional charge for no eye protection. Apparently, he knew that the helmet charge would not stick so he added the eye protection lie (my sons motorcycle has a windshield and he was wearing sunglasses).

Even though the judge had to drop the helmet charge, he let the false eye protection charge stick. Tom McGrath made another trip to Virginia Beach for the appeal of the eye protection charge (as well as filing motions in advance) and got it dismissed.

This is a man who believes in what he says and is willing to go out of his way to work for the motorcycle community. I know that my family owes him many thanks.

Jack Warren
Christian Motorcyclists Association

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