Speeding Ticket - To fight or not to fight.

[mrwelter]

What is the name of your state? Tennessee

I was pulled over by an officer and given a ticket for driving 70 in a 55mph zone. On the ticket the radar box is checked. I asked the officer if I could see the radar and he said "sure". When I looked it was blank. His response to this was, "How would you know if it was your speed anyway?" In the notes it says "Passed me lane #1." I do not believe I was traveling 70 MPH. I am trying to decide if I should pay this ticket or fight it. I know that if I plead not guilty then the case would be dropped if I win. and if I loose I would have to pay around $40.00 more. The officer said he didn't have to show me the radar in the state of TN. Is this true? Also the fact that the radar box is checked and not the paced box. Is this mistake grounds for dismissal. How can I be found guilty for driving 70 in a 55 if the officer is simply guessing my speed? What can I do?

 

[seniorjudge]

Nobody has to show you the radar. If you do not have a defense (proof that you were not speeding), then pay the ticket.



Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts or caps.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable. Ask about drug court, if applicable.

From marbol:

“Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a ‘vibrate’ position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR IT VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings.”

(Better yet, don’t carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)”


Here are seven stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter/wife/ex-wife/niece/grandma/grand-daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled/crazy and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job/military posting in [name a place five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this. (This conflicts with number 5 below, but that hasn’t stopped some defendants from using both.)

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.” Or, another variation: “I was forced into it by a bad guy!”)

6. I was influenced by a bad crowd.

7. I/my kid/my whatever has surgery scheduled.


https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Public defender’s advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

 

[Zigner]

I do not believe I was traveling 70 MPH.

That is what sinks your case. You have no idea how fast you were going. The officer (an expert in the field) does.