Fighting Speeding Tickets in Court
If you plan on fighting speeding tickets in court then it is important that you gather as much information as possible in order to increase your chances of winning your fight and having your ticket thrown out or reduced. By conducting this research ahead of time you can be fully prepared if you get pulled over.
Dealing with a Police Officer
We all hear stories of people who get out of speeding tickets with various tricks, stories, or tears. Most of the time this will not work, and you are probably better off by being polite, honest and respectful. However, one thing you should not do is admit you were speeding – as this will likely kill any chance you have of fighting your speeding ticket successfully.
Gathering Information
By examining each aspect of your situation you may be able to find a loophole to beat your ticket. It is usually a good idea to carry a phone or camera phone with you for this purpose (or in case of an accident). You can also politely ask the ticketing officer any questions they may have, such as where they were located and what type of equipment they used to document your speed. When you get home draw a quick diagram of where each car was located, as well as any signs or obstructions so it remains fresh in your mind.
Reading the Fine Print
You chances of fighting your traffic ticket successfully depends on your understanding of the system. Make sure you read the back of your ticket very closely; as this will contain most of the information you need on disputing your ticket. When you do contact the court make sure you are courteous to the staff, and record dates, times, and contact names of everyone you talk to.
Increasing your Success Rate
The best way to beat your speeding ticket is to increase the chances of the ticketing officer not attending your court date, or not remembering your case. The most effective way to do this is to delay your hearing. Try to politely request a delay from the court clerk, and ensure you use a plausible excuse.
Suggesting Alternative Punishment
While it would be nice to avoid paying your speeding ticket, this is not your primary goal. If you can avoid receiving points on your record then you are succeeding in keeping your insurance costs down, so come to court armed with an alternative punishment if it appears that you are not going to beat your ticket. Most judges are open to suggestions, such as community service or driving school in lieu of points.
Accepting Consequences
On occasion you may not be able to fight your speeding ticket, or negotiate it down to a lesser charge. In these cases it is important that you keep your cool. While it may be tempting to fabricate a story or argue the judgment, this is usually not a good way to go and will not help your case. Keep in mind that if you end up with the same judge in the future you want them not to remember you as combative.
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