Yay me! Speeding Ticket!

Deward · Post by **Deward** » March 25, 2004, 3:31 pm

Got caught doing 40 in a 25. This is the second ticket I have ever had and I was able to go to court and get the last one reduced to a non-moving violation.

That was in a big city and an overworked traffic court though. My latest ticket was received in a small town and I will likely have to argue my way out of it. Anyone know of any good arguments for getting a speeding ticket reduced to a non-moving violation? I don't want to get hit on my insurance with a speeding ticket.

I am thinking along the lines of:
1. Claim a defective speedometer. I have a 99 Ford Ranger with a Sport package on it. I know for a fact that the speedometer is not accurate but never had it checked out by the dealer.
2. Ask for a good behavior expungement (wipe from record) after 6 months of clean driving.

I would like to hear any good traffic court tales or arguments used.

1,000,000 VVs if your argument works for me.

Pahreyia · Post by **Pahreyia** » March 25, 2004, 3:44 pm

Ask to take traffic school to reduce the point that you would get by having pled guilty to the violation.

I don't know how it is in Wisconsin, but this is standard fare in California. Once every 18 months you can take a weekend or evening traffic school, upon completion you turn in a certificate to the DMV or the courts and the ticket is removed.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » March 25, 2004, 3:44 pm

A defective gauge wont get you anything, theres no way you cant tell the difference between 20 and 40. Maybe if you were going 5 or 10 over, but not 20.

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » March 25, 2004, 3:48 pm

Yeah any judge will call bullshit on defective speedometer for a 15 over ticket. Even without looking at your gauge you know damn well you were speeding.

Go for the traffic school - worked once for me!

Deward · Post by **Deward** » March 25, 2004, 3:50 pm

Yea I figure the defective gauge is a long shot but the particular street I was caught on did not have a speed limit sign so I thought I might be able to argue it that way.

There is no traffic school in this town as far as I know. Max population is only about 30,000 people.

Canoe · Post by **Canoe** » March 25, 2004, 3:50 pm

As the son of a judge in a small traffic town.. I have seen thousands of people argue their tickets. Assuming you are guilty of the infraction... (from your post above you aren't saying "This is bullshit, no way i was going 40", you are saying "Oh crap i got caught, what now?")

1) Don't claim the broken speedometer - they may reduce it to that for you (as no points come with that, it just comes with a small fine), but don't go in acting that ignorant.

2) Be nice.

3) Be respectful

4) Say sorry sir....

5) Point out that you have a completely clean record, and have nothing in your past that would attest to the fact that you are a consistent "speeder".

6) Be nice, dress nice, look and talk like a stand up citizen.

Generally what I have seen is that judges and troopers / cops will 99% of the time reduce a ticket for someone who is respectful, and admits to it, and genuinely appears to realize that you made a mistake. If you go in with a "I didn't do it, so i'm gonna come up with any lie i can to try and get away with it" attitude, they'll throw the book at you so to speak and you will get nailed (in NY 15mph over the speed limit is a 4 point violation - nothing to snear at).

Just be nice

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » March 25, 2004, 3:51 pm

Were you going 40?

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » March 25, 2004, 4:28 pm

Deward wrote:Yea I figure the defective gauge is a long shot but the particular street I was caught on did not have a speed limit sign so I thought I might be able to argue it that way.

There is no traffic school in this town as far as I know. Max population is only about 30,000 people.

Maybe online or video rental? In Texas we can take a Defensive Driving course that is available online or on tapes you can rent from some video stores.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » March 25, 2004, 4:36 pm

Maybe stop speeding so you don't hit some kid in that 25 mph zone you scofflaw. The whole "I should get away with everything and nothing is my fault" bullshit attitudes need to die. You suck. I hope they give you a recless op for doing 15 over.

cid · Post by **cid** » March 25, 2004, 4:38 pm

A friend of mine bought some info from here http://www.ticketkiller.com/

Ill email him and see if he still has the document. If so I have Xou upload it.

The most important thing is to keep postponing the court date. After the third time of doing this, call and get the ticketing officers work schedule (it is public record). Then schedule your court date on his day off. No cop shows up bub bye ticket

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » March 25, 2004, 4:46 pm

you were speeding and you got owned. pay the fucking fine you pussy.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 25, 2004, 4:47 pm

What Canoe said. Be respectful and nice. You will get nowhere being an ass in court or with a police officer.

I've gotten out of tickets, in hick towns no less, admitting guilt. An example being one officer asked me if I knew I was speeding. I told him that as soon as I passed him I looked at my speedometer and knew it. He gave me the waste of natural resources ticket that's cheap and doesn't go on your driving record instead of a 15+ over the speed limit ticket. Another one, I was zooming home with a pizza I had picked up and the cop stopped me. I told him I knew I was speeding and he let me off. No idea why besides me being friendly and admitting guilt.

It doesn't always work but your chances of successfully reducing or getting out of a ticket are much better if you're nice and respectful.

The speedometer excuse sounds pretty weak. I'd go for something more like you had crabs and were rushing to the store to get some medicine due to the discomfort and didn't realize your excess speed. The judge probably won't want to discuss crabs for any length of time and will be looking to get you out of his courtroom.

miir · Post by **miir** » March 25, 2004, 4:59 pm

Isn't 25 generally reserved for school and residential areas?

If so, the chances of getting let off would be pretty slim, I would think. It's not like you were going 15 over on a deserted highway.

Syenye Squirrellyelf · Post by **Syenye Squirrellyelf** » March 25, 2004, 5:25 pm

Lalanae wrote:
Deward wrote:Yea I figure the defective gauge is a long shot but the particular street I was caught on did not have a speed limit sign so I thought I might be able to argue it that way.

There is no traffic school in this town as far as I know. Max population is only about 30,000 people.
Maybe online or video rental? In Texas we can take a Defensive Driving course that is available online or on tapes you can rent from some video stores.

i go to school in oklahoma and got a ticket in texas over christmas break. so i didn't have to go back to texas to do defensive driving, i took it through idrivesafely.com. was easy and you don't have to do it all in one sitting. also can watch television and play everquest while doing it!

Hesten · Post by **Hesten** » March 25, 2004, 5:36 pm

Oh, and a VERY good tip. Dont do like a friend of mine, he was speeding (on a highway though, thats 110km/hour in denmark), and he did i think 160.
Got stopped, and the cop asked him i he had droven that fast through the town, and he tried with humor and asked "what town?"
Lets say it this way, do NOT try to do that

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » March 25, 2004, 5:37 pm

miir wrote:Isn't 25 generally reserved for school and residential areas?

If so, the chances of getting let off would be pretty slim, I would think. It's not like you were going 15 over on a deserted highway.

That's why I fucking hate Kansas. I was going 72 in a 60 zone at 3:00 in the morning, not a car for miles. And he still raced to catch me (I saw headlights in my rearview rapidly approaching when he was over a mile back and I knew it was a copper). On the way back I went through Nebraska.

Fuck Kansas!

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » March 25, 2004, 5:41 pm

Aslanna wrote:
miir wrote:Isn't 25 generally reserved for school and residential areas?

If so, the chances of getting let off would be pretty slim, I would think. It's not like you were going 15 over on a deserted highway.
That's why I fucking hate Kansas. I was going 72 in a 60 zone at 3:00 in the morning, not a car for miles. And he still raced to catch me (I saw headlights in my rearview rapidly approaching when he was over a mile back and I knew it was a copper). On the way back I went through Nebraska.

Fuck Kansas!

Way to go Kansas!!!!

Clatis · Post by **Clatis** » March 25, 2004, 6:47 pm

I have 7 speeding tickets - insurance hasn't increased.

talked my way out of 8 tickets

been patted down 5 times =(

But, I'm a really good driver, I just go a bit more than some sign regulates me to. Workin on it tho, no ticket in 7 months.

<- Le Mans material

yea, someones gonna yell at me for being a speeder, i can sense it already

Mukyluk · Post by **Mukyluk** » March 25, 2004, 7:10 pm

Lalanae wrote:
Deward wrote:Yea I figure the defective gauge is a long shot but the particular street I was caught on did not have a speed limit sign so I thought I might be able to argue it that way.

There is no traffic school in this town as far as I know. Max population is only about 30,000 people.
Maybe online or video rental? In Texas we can take a Defensive Driving course that is available online or on tapes you can rent from some video stores.

much

for Blockbuster..

MooZilla · Post by **MooZilla** » March 25, 2004, 7:16 pm

Hah i just noticed your avatar, Mukyluk

My dad always talks the coppa's outta giving him a ticket by using the 'My wife's just gone into labor!' excuse. Works like a charm.

Rivera Bladestrike · Post by **Rivera Bladestrike** » March 25, 2004, 7:17 pm

I was doing 64 in a 50 the other day, and got pulled over at like 12:30. I got out of it though, cause my record is clean, and it was a deserted road in the middle of nowhere. I think they were just checking for drunken driving for the most part. I saw about 5 or 6 other cars pulled over and about 10-15 coppers prowling that night, of course not until after I got pulled over.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » March 25, 2004, 10:53 pm

Clatis wrote:I have 7 speeding tickets
talked my way out of 8 tickets
been patted down 5 times =(
But, I'm a really good driver

From the evidence you have provided...no, you are not a good driver.

Soreali · Post by **Soreali** » March 25, 2004, 11:46 pm

cid wrote: After the third time of doing this, call and get the ticketing officers work schedule (it is public record). Then schedule your court date on his day off. No cop shows up bub bye ticket

That almost never works. Cops get paid overtime for appearing in court on their day off so they normally have no problem coming in.

But Canoe hit it on the head. Be respectful, dress well and tell the truth.

I got pulled over doing 44 in a 25 and it was a school zone. I went to court and spoke with the officer and got it reduced to a no point conviction. I'm not sure how they do it where your from but if it's your first offense, you may be able to ask for a no point conviction.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » March 26, 2004, 1:09 am

Tell them you sucked the cop's dick, but he gave you the ticket anyway. FUCKING CHEATER!

Mplor · Post by **Mplor** » March 26, 2004, 1:31 am

Admitting guilt to the cop sounds like a fine idea, except the cops out here always ask, "Do you know how fast you were going?" What a trick question!

Two years ago I was slowly decelerating from 120mph when I saw a cop in the median looking the other way. The air wake from my car must have rocked his cruiser and made him spill his coffee because he turned around and pulled me over.

He asked me that question, and when I pled ignorance he said he clocked me at 85. Clearly he was lying, since I was going waaaay faster. I felt lucky to get off that cheap though. Truthfulness might have got my license suspended!

Siji · Post by **Siji** » March 26, 2004, 3:27 am

Kansas sucks, but not nearly as much as Texas sucks.

Fuck Texas traffic police.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » March 26, 2004, 7:38 am

Siji wrote:Kansas sucks, but not nearly as much as Texas sucks.

Fuck Texas traffic police.

You might think that...until you meet the Louisiana traffic police just across the texas border. ^^

Jassun · Post by **Jassun** » March 26, 2004, 10:57 am

Truant wrote:
Siji wrote:Kansas sucks, but not nearly as much as Texas sucks.

Fuck Texas traffic police.
You might think that...until you meet the Louisiana traffic police just across the texas border. ^^

Louisiana state highway patrol officers are the biggest assholes on the face of the planet. If they stop you, you will be ticketed. Period.

15 years ago, a LA trooper gave me a speeding ticket while I was trying to get my pregant-going-into-labor sister-in-law to the hospital.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » March 26, 2004, 11:18 am

Clatis wrote:I have 7 speeding tickets - insurance hasn't increased.

Be fortunate you don't live in Jersey, you'd have lost your privledge after your second or third for a year and when you got back on the road, your liability coverage alone would cost you nearly $3k.

talked my way out of 8 tickets

been patted down 5 times =(

But, I'm a really good driver, I just go a bit more than some sign regulates me to. Workin on it tho, no ticket in 7 months.

No, actually, you're a really shitty driver that's too young and too stupid to realize you aren't invincible yet AND that you really don't understand the road or the patterns that occur because you just don't have any experience. Don't worry, once you cause an accident (and you will), let's just hope it's between you and a telephone pole.

Shaerra · Post by **Shaerra** » March 26, 2004, 11:28 am

Plead temporary insanity. Tell the judge Dale Earnhardt's ghost took over your body like Patrick Swayze did to Whoopi.

Aaeamdar · Post by **Aaeamdar** » March 26, 2004, 11:38 am

"My speedometer was broken"

Really bad idea.

1. It is extremely likely that speeding is a strict liability offense. Check your statues. What htat means is the only thing that matters is that you were going X MPH. Whether you knew or intended to go that speed is irrelevant.

2. The prosecutor and Judge will know you are lying. This will make (importantly) the prosecutor unlikely to cut a deal and the Judge (to the extent he has any discretion) give you the worst.

3. Chance are, in addition to a strict liabilty speeding statute, tehre are probably fines associaed with having a broken speedometer (much like a broken tail light, etc.). If the people you are panning this BS off on are in a particularly foul mood, you might find yourself with another ticket.

There is only one good way to handel a speeding ticket. Go talk to the prosecutor and ask him to reduce the ticket to a lesser offense. They are going to take this opportunity 100% of the time, because you are someone that showed up to court and they have no interest in spending the effort it would take to get the points on your license if you show up and plea "Not guilty." They then have to drag to cop in, hold an actual evidentary trial where they take testimony from the cop and possibly present other evidence. If you go to the prosecutor and agree to plea and pay to a lesser offense, they'll take you up on it.

If anyone said above (I did not read it all) that you should go tell the Judge "I did it, but I am sorry" - that is also really bad advice. Judges really have little discretion and all you have done is effectively admitted your guilt. The judge might be inclided to cut you a break, but chances are there is a statute defining the limits of his discretion - and on a traffic offense, I'd bet he has none. If you are going to do that, just check "guilty" on the back pf the ticket and enclose a check. Same result without having to go to court.

The prosecutor is who you want to talk to, not the Judge.

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » March 26, 2004, 12:42 pm

I took Syenye's advice and did the online traffic safety school at http://www.idrivesafely.com last night. Much

for getting tickets waived, much h8 for the mandatory six hour length of the course (with timers on each page).

Skogen · Post by **Skogen** » March 26, 2004, 12:58 pm

You were doing 40 in a 25 zone, and got caught. Take your licks, and go on....don't try to weasel out of something you were clearly guilty of.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » March 27, 2004, 1:51 pm

Truant wrote:You might think that...until you meet the Louisiana traffic police just across the texas border.

I'd been pre-warned about Louisiana police when I made my drive to Texas, so I didn't go more than 15 over through the whole state. (And it was late at night) However, when I got to Texas, I kept getting followed by police non-stop until I got to Austin. I got pulled over at least 7 seperate times, the vehicle searched 3 times, and got ticketed 0 times. Every time I got pulled over they said it was because I hadn't used my turn signal. This after following me for at least half an hour each time. Let me tell ya.. the first time, yeah, maybe you forget to use it. The second time after being stopped for it only a hour before? Not likely, but ok. But after that, you're jamming on the fucking thing fiddy miles before changing lanes. (sarcasm) I checked the blinker the first time I got pulled over. It worked fine. This happened both on my way in and on my way out of the fine state of Texas. The state with the highway "Welcome" sign that was doused in my piss as I left.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » March 27, 2004, 2:03 pm

Siji wrote:I got pulled over at least 7 seperate times, the vehicle searched 3 times, and got ticketed 0 times.

That doesn't sound legal. The searching part that is. Unless you said yes.

emmer · Post by **emmer** » March 27, 2004, 3:13 pm

Clatis wrote:I have 7 speeding tickets - insurance hasn't increased.

talked my way out of 8 tickets

been patted down 5 times =(

All an officer needs to search you is probable cause. If I were a cop and I pulled over someone speeding down the road while blaring DMB that had a ton of cases to other equally shitty music cd's littered all over his car, I would also probably assume he was heavily under the influence of one or more mind altering substances.

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » March 27, 2004, 4:27 pm

emmer wins!

Baracus · Post by **Baracus** » March 28, 2004, 4:34 pm

Sionistic wrote:A defective gauge wont get you anything, theres no way you cant tell the difference between 20 and 40. Maybe if you were going 5 or 10 over, but not 20.

I got an 70+ in a 55 reduced to a non-moving voilation with the faulty speedomoter. I had my speedometer calibrated at a local garage and sent the report to a lawyer.

Traffic court is good to plead for, but really the best thing to to is to bit the bullet and spend the pp on a lawyer. This is espicially true if it's a small town where there's likely to be more cronism.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » March 28, 2004, 6:17 pm

Lawyer will typically cost more than the fine + insurance cost over the three years the offense is on your record in my opinion.

Basically just choose court for any ticket you get and hope the officer doesn't show up. Even if he does, and you have a clean record, you'll more than likey get reduced points and reduced/no fine other than court costs.

Colal · Post by **Colal** » March 28, 2004, 7:39 pm

or you can get a public defender for free.

see
Gideon v. Wainwright

But honestly I agree with the above stated, pay the price for breaking the law, and slow down next time.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » March 29, 2004, 11:32 am

emmer wrote:All an officer needs to search you is probable cause. If I were a cop and I pulled over someone speeding down the road while blaring DMB that had a ton of cases to other equally shitty music cd's littered all over his car, I would also probably assume he was heavily under the influence of one or more mind altering substances.

Probable Cause means different things in different states but in most cases an officer CANNOT search your car without your consent. If they see a baggy of pot sitting on your seat then that is probable cause. If they smell pot, then it is probable cause. If they think you look funny then that is not probable cause. I would say no, let them try and arrest me and then sue their asses for false imprisonment. Cops are trained to intimidate people into letting them do anything they want.