Can I get out of a speeding ticket if. . .?

I always go to court on speeding tickets. Several times, the arresting officer didn't appear...instant dismissal of the citation. Every other time, the fine was lowered. One time a $105 "speed contest" citation was dropped to a measly $35. Besides, it's damn neart worth the price of the ticket to hear some of those other guy's stories in court. Great entertainment.
Don't try to bullshit the judge. Say "yes, your honor" and "No, your honor" and that's all unless you're asked a question that requires more than yes or no.

 

hmmm??

 

well maybe its worth a shot

 

and another thing all newer radar units self calibrate every time they are turned on. that way the police does not have to put down the donut to use the tuning forks. ha ha ha

 

With my job involving being on the road ALL the time I can't take a chance on a ticket, so I either pay the 150 bucks or so the attorney charges, or I go to the court house and plan on spending a few hours. If you go, make sure you wear nice, respectful clothing like a tie and button down shirt. Last time I was in traffic court the guy ahead of me was in grungy looking jeans and a wife beater and the judge gave him a talking to about his attire and then gives the guy the full ticket amount plus court costs. Then I go before him in slacks and a tie and he tells me to stay out of trouble for 30 days and we'll forget it ever happened.

Nik

 

Get your speedometer calibrated If its reading slow get a notorized statment showing it was reading slow.If its ok change the gear in the tranney with one that will make it read wrong.Go to court and explain how you didnt realize you were going so fast.Might get off or at least a defictive equpment no points ticket.

 

here in texas the officer who wrote the ticket has to be in court if you contest. i had a friend who called every day in one week and asked for the ticketing officer each time. He then found out the officers day off and then later asked that his court day be rescheduled for said date...the officer didn't show and his case was dissmissed...he paid zero dollars and was out only 15 minutes and acres of creativity....worth a shot...its all i got...

-b

 

What you need to know is what are you really letting yourself in for......
In NYS, the danger is your policy will cancel and you will be forced into "Assigned Risk" status. Other states may have their demons at the switch running the legal system, beware...

 

Years ago my kid got a ticket on Pismo Beach in Central California. He was driving my old jeep on the beach and crossed an invisible line between not needing to be street legal and needing to be. The ranger was right there and gave my son a ticket. No drivers licence, no current registration on the jeep, no proof of insurance. I called. Ticket was $850.00. We went to court. Judge spent the first 15 minutes telling everyone that he couldn't do anything about no proof of insurance and those tickets would not be dismissed. If you didn't have insurance, pay up. We went up and pled our case. The judge said, I don't think needing insurance on the road is the same as driving on the beach. He dismissed all but 50 bucks for no registration on the jeep.
Another funny story, cop pulls over a guy doing 75 miles per hour. Cop wants to make sure there isn't an emergency. Asks the guy why he is driving so fast. Guy says he just had the car washed and is trying to dry it. Cop asks how much did the wash cost? Guy replys 10 bucks. Cop says, thats good because the blow dry is going to cost you 150.

 

If you are trying to avoid points on your record, plead "no lo contendre" and request "deferred ajudication" . Translated, "I'm not saying I did or didn't do it" and "I promise to keep my nose clean as long as you say in exchange for keeping it off my record" . don't get any tickets for, usually, 6 months and the ticket is effectively dismissed for court costs. Same money, less risky than asking for a trial and the office shows up.

 

My brother got out of a speeding ticket once in So Cal. Cop wrote down wrong model and color of car. Later in court, my brother explained to the judge the car described on the ticket was the wrong vehicle. Judge goes out to the parking lot and sees the car my brother was driving - totally different indeed. Judge dismissed the ticket.

 

I used to work child welfare and had to be in court all the damed time, but would have a buddy cover my case if my day off (it was the unit's policy to have someone cover for you and your not allowed to come in due to overtime constraints). Now I work for the Govt as a civilain full time staff for a Army Reserve Military Police Unit. Over half the company is either a police officer or a jailer.

What brian said is actually your best bet if you want to try to play the odds. Be ready cause they will call you to the stand 1st, then the officer. If he isnt in the room when your called, he might be in the back room. If he is there, you can plead guilty and learn. If you dont see him/her, then plead not guilty and take your chances. If asked to explain when the officer comes out, just say you honestly do not think you were going that fast but DO be apologetice and polite. If he doesnt show, you win. If he does, you lose, but you do get to hear the jerk-offs that really do think they can beat the system or show up to court tweaking on Meth.

 

Speeding is a strict liability crime. Which means that there are no different degrees of guilt, you're either guilty or not.

Your best bet is to plead guilty and receive less insurance points and an increased fine. Usually if the cop doesn't show up, they'll postpone the court date, which is more of a hassle. Talk to the prosecutor, they'll usually work with you.

 

You can do what you want, but I'd probably pay the fine. If your concerned about your license or points, go to court and have them put you in the traffic school. If you go through the class and don't get another ticket for 6 months, it drops off your license.

Auto Zone (and probably most auto parts stores) has or can get a cruise controle for your old car. I put them on every old car I have. Last one I bought was around $100, the Audio Fox (Vox?) ones work well.
Gene

 

this is the best case scenario...unless your a repeat offender, most assistant DA's will allow you to plead guilty to "failure to obey a traffic control device" way less pionts, no insurance involvement and the town still gets their money which is really what its all about anyway isnt it?

 

Be a man, you were speeding, you got caught. End of story. Plead No Contest and be done with it, I just forked over $357 for going though a very very yellow light.