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Step 1
Document the incident immediately. Write down your account while still stopped, if possible. If there are any witnesses, question them immediately, or at least get their names and numbers to speak with them at a later date in case they have to leave for any reason. Capture in words any possible reasons you can think of for the mistake, such as a car of the same color, make and model being the speeding car, not yours. Any possible reason should be written down. This is the background for your appeal.
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Step 2
Organize your reasons why. You need to clear on the fact that you were not speeding, and you need to be resolute in proving your innocence. Know the answers to questions by thinking ahead. Be prepared to state the speed you were going. Be prepared to state the last time you looked at the speedometer. Be prepared to explain the fact that it is working in your car (if it is). You want to write down all the essential facts, as if you were preparing a serious case for a jury.
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Step 3
Write a letter to the police officer who gave you the ticket shortly after the citation is issued. You don't want to take a "You're wrong!" approach. Having empathy and acknowledging why he came to his conclusion is important. It's important that you explain in several different ways why this ticket is important to you. If you are clear on why you are upset (not angry or aggressive) about this ticket, it can impact how the hardworking officer deals with your situation.
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Step 4
Request public information about your case from the police department. This may seem like a silly step, but you want to arm yourself with as much information as possible when you are dealing with appeals. Although you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, you have much against you when it's your word against that of a police officer. Write about all the public information gathered in your appeal statement.
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Step 5
Go to the initial ruling. This will be in front of the judge. The police officer who gave you the citation will be present in the next part of the appeals process. In the first part, you'll simply be asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
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Step 6
Try to delay the trial date---the second part of the process---as much as possible. Hope that the officer does not appear in court on the day of the hearing. If he does not appear, you automatically win your appeal. That is, in essence, what many speed breakers hope for when caught, but you cannot expect this to occur. You must be prepared for him to show up.
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Step 7
Be prepared and on time for the court date. Question the police officer who gave you the citation in detail at the trial if he does show up. Have a list of questions in advance. The questions should be written, but you should memorize them. Speak them clearly and kindly. Always use manners in the courtroom, calling the judge "Your Honor." You want to be equally kind and considerate to the officer. Bring all your documentation with you into the courtroom, and present questions and research about the device used to judge your speed.
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Step 8
Write down your entire journey from Steps 1 to 7 in a clear letter statement of appeal. File an appeal to the appellate court of your state if the judge does not rule in your favor at this point. Your appeals grounds are not exhausted. You will be considered an appellant. You'll need to once again use all your detailed notes and records, up until---and including---the trial. Write it all out in clear, precise terms. Make copies of all documentation, and include that in your letter of appeal.
