How to Beat a Speeding Ticket

You know you aren't driving dangerously when speeding just a couple of miles over the limit. You don't need this ticket on your driving record raising your insurance rates. And you feel traffic officers are out to collect revenue on tickets rather than protect the streets. So how can you beat a speeding ticket with little out of your pocket and nothing on your record?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Being Pulled Over

1. Say nothing if possible. Do not admit guilt. This can be used against you.

2. Avoid arguing or acting belligerent with the officer. You won't win and will often make things worse.

3. Act ignorant or scared. You may get off with a warning if the officer believes you didn't know you were speeding, and you feel this is the worst thing that could happen.

4. Know the exact speed you were driving. If the ticket says you were driving faster than you actually were, even if you were still speeding, then the ticket can be dismissed.

Traffic Court

5. Take the ticket to traffic court whenever you can. How to do so should be written on the ticket and explained by the officer. Remember that you are innocent until proven guilty and, at the very least, you can often have the fine reduced in the end.

6. Delay the court date with continuances. File for a continuance in writing through the court clerk's office. The longer you can wait it out, the more likely the officer won't show on the court date, dismissing the case.

7. Know everything about the situation when you were ticketed. Anything can be used to dismiss the case, from the exact wording of the offense to proving the radar gun might not have worked to questioning how the officer could have judged your speed at how fast he was driving.

Tips & Warnings

• Always leave open options like defensive driving classes. What you ultimately want is to avoid anything that will affect your driving insurance. Know what your best choice is and when to plea bargain.

[striaghtshot]

on 7/12/2009 Maybe someone can tell me: How long (in seconds) is an officer allowed to go without being able to see (line-of-sight) the target vehicle, between (about) the time the vehicle is clocked and the time he regains a direct visual on the car? (as in the case a an officer’s unit moving in the opposite direction and around a bend in the road, for instance)

[caspertoo]

on 7/8/2009 I agree with NYfuzz, your #1 conflicts with #4. When I pull someone over, I ask them if they knew how fast they were going (that was a stop sign, red light, etc etc). Ignorance is no defense, it's all in the driving manual. I don't care when you ask for court, later, sooner, whenever, it's a guaranteed 3 hours of overtime for me. It'll make you look like a complete liar if you come to court saying "I was not going 77, I was going 72" when you tell me at the scene that you had no idea how fast you were going and I have notes on it. Keep trying.

[jull14]

on 6/19/2009 Excellent article and wonderful tips to help many these days, thanks for sharing

[NYFuzz]

on 7/3/2008 The speed issues of what you think you were doing and what is actually written is the officers’ word against the motorist - and the officer may amend anything written during the hearing. Specific jurisdictions do NOT offer pleas - radar is only supported by visual estimation. Even if the radar turns out not to be properly calibrated you may still be found guilty based solely on the visual estimation by the officer.

NYFuzz
Retired NYPD Highway Patrol

[changeling]

on 4/4/2008 Great Advice. I would have never thought of that.