Speeding ticket help

[BeerBaron03]

What is the name of your state? Colorado

So long story short, the other night i got caught doing 66 in a 45. since it's more than 20 over it's a mandatory court appearance.
so i was looking at the ticket that the officer wrote and i noticed a couple of mistakes. first of all, he wrote my address down wrong, but i figure that's not really that serious. however, he also got my license plate wrong, which seems like a pretty huge mistake to me. if i was a prick, i could simply say that the car he issued the ticket to does not belong to me.
so my question is, is a mistake like that grounds for dismissal? if so, how do i proceed?
thanks for you help

[Curt581]

Originally Posted by BeerBaron03

So long story short, the other night i got caught doing 66 in a 45. since it's more than 20 over it's a mandatory court appearance.
so i was looking at the ticket that the officer wrote and i noticed a couple of mistakes. first of all, he wrote my address down wrong, but i figure that's not really that serious.

You figure correctly.

however, he also got my license plate wrong, which seems like a pretty huge mistake to me.

It's not. It doesn't even register a "1" on the Mistake-O-Meter.

if i was a prick, i could simply say that the car he issued the ticket to does not belong to me.

You could say that... but you'd lose. And you'd make yourself look foolish in the process. Instead of calling "neener neener" on minor mistakes, how 'bout accepting responsibility for your actions?

Yeah, I know... like that will actually happen.

so my question is, is a mistake like that grounds for dismissal?

Clerical errors such as you describe are NOT grounds for dismissal of the violation he cited you for. If you were to dispute the citation, the judge would likely allow the officer to correct the error.

if so, how do i proceed? thanks for you help

My suggestion is to attend the initial appearance, and see if the prosecutor is willing to amend the citation down to a lessor violation in exchange for a 'No Contest' plea. If you don't like the offer, then plead 'Not Guilty' and take your chances at trial.

Originally Posted by BeerBaron03

What is the name of your state? Colorado

So long story short, the other night i got caught doing 66 in a 45. since it's more than 20 over it's a mandatory court appearance.
so i was looking at the ticket that the officer wrote and i noticed a couple of mistakes. first of all, he wrote my address down wrong, but i figure that's not really that serious. however, he also got my license plate wrong, which seems like a pretty huge mistake to me. if i was a prick, i could simply say that the car he issued the ticket to does not belong to me.
so my question is, is a mistake like that grounds for dismissal? if so, how do i proceed?
thanks for you help

Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat.

Bathe and wash your hair.

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 the ticket not go on your record, if applicable.


Here are five 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 is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job in [name a state five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this.

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.”)

[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687[/url]

Other people may give you other advice; stand by.