Speeding Ticket.....

[Shak]

So I was on my way to work this morning, take the same road I do everyday -- drive the same I do everyday and suddenly this cop runs to the middle of the road telling me to pull over to the right. Fucking great.

So the cops start laughing saying "YES we got him" till they come over to me. They show me the radar and tell me I was going 42 on a 25 and the cop points to the 25 sign and asks me if I can see that.... then he writes up a ticket for the violation and lets me go.

The thing with this road is that it goes from being 35 to 25 in like 100 yards, so almost every commuter on the road maintains their speed from when they were following the 35 speed limit.

Then I looked at the fine for this thing -- apparently, I was speeding in a "designated residential area" for which the fine is $200 + $7 for every mile over + $62 processing fees. That's like $400....

I'm thinking of going to court for this one -- anyone have any experience on this?

[ttvick]

In my experience you should ALWAYS take a ticket to court. It's always worth the lawyer's fees to get your ticket reduced or thrown out.

[jcg05c]

^ so that means you would have still been going 10miles over there speed limit anyways.

[audikid66]

some cops suck...they are always out for the nice cars.. i can be cruising in my town doing 35 in a 35 and get pulled over and harrased for tint,front plate, and one time even got harrased for my flip out dvd... rediculous... then i drive my truck.. i can be doing 45 in a 35 and blow right past cops and they won't even look at me... no joke..

[Eric @ WAR]

Oh man that sucks.

I don't know all the rules and laws buy you may have a hard time fighting that one. If signs are clearly posted there is no arguing it. Many small towns (not saying yours is b/c I don't know) make their money with passerby's by having these drastically reduced speeds. Most don't notice the signs and bang...they're nabbed. It happens all the time out here in Cali on the way to Mammoth.

You may be able to argue the accuracy of the radar they used (but I don't know the details behind doing so).

Good luck!

[Maverick]

this is what happens with cops that have to meet some quota or have nothing to do.

you need to buy a V1

[Snipps]

I believe there is a law that gives you a certain distance to slow down from a speed limit change. Take it to court say you were slowing down they must have gotten you while you were still in the 35.

[A4_cabrio]

slowing down or not - he was still doing 42 which is greater than 35. You may be able to get it reduced but not thrown out except if the cop doesnt show up.
I am so disgusted with the cops in general, it's not enough we pay their frigging salaries and put food on their table. I have to deal with their incompetence and cowardice too.
Why not patrol the bad neighborhoods more often instead of picking on drivers.

[tike0rz]

I've had plenty of speeding tickets in my day. Most roughly $400. We all know cops can be dicks too, but hold your head and just let them think they rule the world or else you'll get more fines. If your state gives out points for speeding, then pay off the points so your insurance isn't going to raise. Good luck.

[Maverick]

Why not patrol the bad neighborhoods more
often instead of picking on drivers.

or catch some thieves who break into cars to steal maybe even damage the car

[GO-GOTEKNO]

or catch some thieves who break into cars to steal maybe even damage the car

Then they would actually be doing their job and god forbid that should be happening

[phantom b6]

That sucks man good luck with court... In my town everyone does 40 and the cops do 50. If you go one town over and go 5 mph over the speed limit you'll get pulled over... The inconsistencies suck

[AudiA4Turbo22]

Well here's a trick i've learned and it's true: in SOCAL, if the cop was in a car, go to court, it's almost certain he/she won't show up, because they get nothing out of it, if he/she was on a bike then just pay it, because bike cops are out there for giving citations, and they get payed to show up in court! Even if the cop shows up it's still the same fine, so no worries take ur chances!

[HamidsVikes]

the only chance you have to win is if the cop doesnt show.
I'd also take into account your driving record.
If you have alot of tickets (speeding and what not) then dont even bother...
I for one once disputed a ticket, and the judge ended up suspending me (way too many speeding tickets).

[Shak]

Alright I think I'm gonna take the driver improvement class so I have something to show the judge that I'm taking this seriously. Maybe that'll at least have him lower the fine.

I am gonna do some research and find out exactly how far away the 35mph is from the 25mph sign and see if I can use that as something. Any other tips for court?

[Shak]

Oh, and my record is relatively clean, I think. This is my first speeding violation and I've only had two other tickets before -- both for failure to obey highway sign. I could probably say "this is my first speeding ticket" in my defense.

I'm also thinking of rescheduling the court date (excuse: school semseter starts the same week) and its probably more likely to reduce the chance the officer show up.

[misterjj2u]

Sort of randar but it's a lesson my dad taught me:

The ticket should have the name of the cop that gave you a ticket. Call the police station each day of the week to find out when he has his days off.

Call the court to re-schedule your hearing for the day of the week that the cop has his day off.

Show up to court (hope that the cop doesn't show up on his day off) and have your ticket thrown out.

Personally, I haven't done it but my dad has done this 5 times. Last time I got a ticket, I just went to traffic school--even there, they say to go to court to get ticket fines lowered as most judges will favor you if you show up.

[My OOOO My]

Any other tips for court?

Go properly dressed. No sneakers, no shirt with name brands / logos, no jeans. Treat the event like a job interview.

I got this info from a Court Officer (friend of the family).

They claim the 'system' is equal for everyone.... not true. Your appearance is a strong factor when you stand before the traffic court.

[tuner culture]

I'm not sure how it works, if when you see the sign(people have different vision) or pass the sign, the speed limit starts from that point. We have the same trap coming into research park, it goes from 65 to 45 on a hill and immediately to 35, and the cops sit right there and hand out tickets about everyday (no kidding) it's the entry zone to a big aerospace business park and to UCF.

We have the same thing here, motor cops get paid for days in court, that is there primary job to hand out tickets.

you can try and fight it and hope the cop doesn't show up, but be careful they don't make you pay the ticket and court cost. Being that it's your first speeding ticket and depending on your age, they might reduce it? Speeding in a residential area is tough to get off, because everybody hates people speeding in front of there house, just remember that when trying to fight it - plead no contest and tell the judge you had a very important meeting and you were a little pressed for time, and apologize, but let him know your record is clean and that you are not a repeat offender if the cop show up?


good luck

[sloweryucf]

I was doing 82 in a 50 in Orlando and got caught by a dang airplane. Had to go to court. Dressed in a suit (most everyone else there was dressed up like they were going to the club or just woke up, duh!). I was quiet and my record was clean. No points, paid the fine and had to take a driving course. To be honest it's not worth the hassle if you don't have a lot of tickets. You won't get out of anything more than likely. Just my experience.

[lookaught]

VA is the worst for speeding.

I have no advice other than to research how long you have to slow down after the reduced limit sign... that may be your only chance. IIRC in PA it is 500 feet, and a full half mile when on the interstate. YSMV. Definitely go to court, and that idea of calling to find out his off days is a great suggestion.

Good luck, cops suck! For a really infuriating read check out www.copswritingcops.com . It just boils my blood.

[04TurboB6]

hey what road were you taking??...we both are in North. Va...so I drive everywhere in nova...let me know so I can look out!

[Shak]

Herndon Parkway right before Elden / Baron Cameron.

There were two cops out when they pulled me over. One with the radar gun and the other to write the citation. I have the officer that wrote the citation's name but I need to find out the name of the other guy.

I think both of them have to be present so if one of them isnt there, then I might get out free.

Is there anyway I can find out who this other cop was? Not sure if they disclose that info if I just call them up?

[Pothole]

Ya take it to court, ive done this a couple of times now, (fist name biases with my layer) almost always if the cop even heres that an issued ticket is being contested they cannot get the day off to go fight it, plus layers know other ways around if for some reason they show up.

Ive never had ticket over 250, but my layer charges me 200-250 per ticket, and i think its worth it to not have your insurance go up, of have it on your record. But im young so my insurance is already high.

[geoshu]

Sort of randar but it's a lesson my dad taught me:

The ticket should have the name of the cop that gave you a ticket. Call the police station each day of the week to find out when he has his days off.

Call the court to re-schedule your hearing for the day of the week that the cop has his day off.

Show up to court (hope that the cop doesn't show up on his day off) and have your ticket thrown out.

Personally, I haven't done it but my dad has done this 5 times. Last time I got a ticket, I just went to traffic school--even there, they say to go to court to get ticket fines lowered as most judges will favor you if you show up.

Interesting, never used that one before. They actually wont allow you to reschedule traffic tickets anymore in Clark County, WA, though. At least not for me.