How to Contest a Speeding Ticket by Mail
Racing your friend down the highway seemed like a great idea at the time, but once you saw those flashing lights you knew the fun was over. Now it's time to figure out what to do with that speeding ticket. More often than not, drivers who are pulled over for speeding will contest the speeding ticket, regardless of the situation. The admission of guilt comes with a guarantee of hefty fines and possible points on the driver's license.
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Instructions
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Check the speeding ticket thoroughly for errors. If there is even one error on the ticket (license plate number, name or other) you may be able to get the ticket dismissed.
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Find the section of the speeding ticket that asks how you wish to plead. Check the box that says "Not Guilty." If there is a section asking why you are contesting the ticket, write in your reason (e.g. was not doing the speed recorded, believe the radar gun was faulty, was within speed limit).
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Make a copy of all sides of the speeding ticket. Keep this copy for your records to prove that you did, in fact, contest the ticket.
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Pack the ticket in an envelope and write your return address in the upper left corner. Make sure that you have the letter weighed so that you can put proper postage. If the envelope is delayed and sent back to you due to something as mundane as postage, you could end up missing the window for contesting the ticket and found guilty by default. For extra assurance, send the mail certified with a return receipt so that you can have proof that the mail was received by the courts.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can't find your speeding ticket, go online to your state's department of motor vehicles website. Locate the number for your local DMV office and call in with your license plate number. They should be able to give you information about the ticket. You may also be able to download this information automatically on your local DMV's website. You may need to hire a lawyer if you want to contest a speeding ticket and win. You should have a very compelling argument for why you don't believe you are guilty of your speeding ticket before going into court if you plan to have it dismissed. Though there is never a guarantee that you will win, you should always contest a speeding ticket--there is always a chance that the fines and penalties will be reduced.
