How to Fight a Speeding Ticket

It's happened to most of us. Going a few miles over the speed limit has landed a speeding ticket. In some circumstances these tickets can be beat....

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 

   Always have a respectful disposition towards the officer who pulled you over. Answer with "yes sir & no sir." Remember that arguing with him or her will not help your chances of leniency.

2. 

   Avoid any admissions of guilt and do not make any excuses. When asked if you know why you were pulled over respond politely with "No officer, I do not." Altho honesty is the best policy if you prefer to get off with only a warning, keep in mind that if you do get you the ticket and will be contesting it any admissions you make now can be used against you later.

3. 

   If you want to keep a low-profile during the stop, ask if the ticket can be handled online. The officer might see it as a low probability that you would go go to court and thus may take fewer notes - this might help you in court should you decide to contest it.
   
   If possible, try to delay your court hearing as much as possible. The longer time period that there is between the date the ticket was issued & the trial, the higher the chance is that the officer will forget details about your particular case.

4. 

   You can ask the officer what type of device was used - radar, laser or accutrac. Ask when the last time his radar gun was calibrated, where he was positioned when he clocked your speed, and if he was moving when he clocked you.

5. 

   Check your ticket for accuracy, review it immediately upon receipt.

6. 

   If you are planning to contest, begin to prepare your defense right away. Record any relevant details like the traffic & road condition, the weather & time of day. If you have a camera you should take pictures, especially if your defense depends on an obscured speed sign.

7. 

   If you do contest your ticket, be sure to show up to court early, and looking professional, and be sure your are well prepared.

Tips & Warnings

• The officer is not obligated to give you any information regarding the device that was used at the time of stop. You can, however, request this information by filing a Motion of Discovery.
• Weigh the costs and benefits of contesting the citation, and if you'll require a lawyer.
• Consider traffic school, as in many cases this will lower your points.
• Remember, that the only way to completely avoid having to fight a speeding ticket is to always obey traffic laws.

Resources

• How to Find a Lawyer
• How to Negotiate to Get What you Want
• How to Deal with Stress
• How to Cheer Yourself Up & Get Yourself into a Better Mood
• How to Make a Good First Impression
• How to Be a Good Listener

[Fuller1972]

on 1/11/2009 Where I live, officers rarely show up to court. Therefore, if you contest the ticket and appear, but the officer does not, it is automatically thrown out. It can't hurt to try. For my now adult son, we showed up with a poster we had made including photos of the area (taken after the incident) and including the weather report. The referee was quite impressed. Good advice here**5**

[AllFYB]

on 1/6/2009 Great Advise, A clean driving record is so important