invalid ticket = free to go?

[jd254]

What is the name of your state? New Jersey

I was caught speeding a 74 in a 55. I don't even think i was going 74 anyways, prolly 65. I told the officer this and he said if I have a broken speedometer, I can show this in court and plea not guilty. But the thing is, he wrote in the ticket that I was in a 50 zone, which takes me to a 24 mph over instead of 19, which is actually 2 points more I believe. since he messed up the ticket, do I need to prove my speedometer was broken?

[Pugilist]

I'm not in NJ but I think I can answer part of this.

The courts give the cops a lot of leeway to correct small mistakes such as writing down the wrong speed limit. This leeway is accepted because it keeps horrible murderers from going free simply because the cops made a minor error.

So, after the mistake is corrected, you will still have a 74 in a 55 ticket to explain to the judge, and you will need to think about what you're gonna say if he asks you "Didn't you notice that you were flying by the other cars?" I actually heard one guy succeed with such a case. He had a new tranny (had the receipt with him), said he had found out (after the ticket) that the speedo sender in the new tranny was indicating too low, and that he hadn't been aware that his speed was excessive because the freeway was deserted late at night.

Pug

[Shay-Pari'e]

Originally Posted by Pugilist

I'm not in NJ but I think I can answer part of this.

The courts give the cops a lot of leeway to correct small mistakes such as writing down the wrong speed limit. This leeway is accepted because it keeps horrible murderers from going free simply because the cops made a minor error.

So, after the mistake is corrected, you will still have a 74 in a 55 ticket to explain to the judge, and you will need to think about what you're gonna say if he asks you "Didn't you notice that you were flying by the other cars?" I actually heard one guy succeed with such a case. He had a new tranny (had the receipt with him), said he had found out (after the ticket) that the speedo sender in the new tranny was indicating too low, and that he hadn't been aware that his speed was excessive because the freeway was deserted late at night.

Pug

Pug? You are simply useless on this forum.

[jd254]

so.... I should get a reciept for a speedometer fix?

[The Occultist]

If you were to try to go that route, you would actually need to provide proof that it was malfunctioning, not merely a receipt that it was serviced. However, I don't think it will do you any good. To take your car on the road, it is your responsibility to ensure this it is in proper working condition. I've seen people try, but not actually succeed with such a defense. I'm not saying it hasn't happened, so you can give it a shot if you want.

[jd254]

It's not that, it's just that 74 in a 55 is 19 over the limit. That's only 2 points I believe. I was thinking I can go with the speedometer being broken or change to a lesser charge with no points. Think I have a better chance with the lesser charge? cuz if it's a good chance with the speedometer, ill take it, but that will be pleaing not guilty and therefore destroying my chance with the lesser charge.

[teflon_jones]

It's your responsibility to ensure your speedometer is working correctly. If having a broken speedometer gave you a license to drive above the speed limit, then everybody who likes to drive fast would just break them on purpose and say "I'm not guilty of speeding. My speedometer was broken!"

You should take photos of the speed limit signs on that stretch of road and get the ticket bumped down to 19 over the limit instead of 24.