• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

Ticket using Accutrack(robic) questions..

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

mitsuboost

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

Hello,

I have received a ticket for traveling 51.8mph in a 35
ticket states Robic (miles timed) .0265 (139.xxft)/seconds timed (1.84) =51.8mph
I have read numerous threads about this topic and am hoping to get alil more info..

-what is the minimum distance these are accurate to?

-If i measure the the white lines on the road used to "check" speeds and it differs from the distance on ticket do i have a good argument?

-What documentation is the officer required to bring to court.

-is it true they HAVE to be originals, and not copy's?

-i have read that to support my argument if in fact the officer doesn't bring the required document.. i should have case law "examples" of previous instances where this has happened and ticket was dismissed.. Can you help me find these case laws?

im sure i will think of other questions but this is a good start..
I appreciate any advice/help!


Maestro64 you have great advice/information in previous threads that i have read! please chime in!!!
 


FlyingRon

Senior Member
Robic is nothing more than a stop watch.
You can measure the lines for yourself and present that as evidence if it helps.
The timing is all a matter of operator skill. Back when I used to use the Robics at a NASCAR track, I could easily get within .02 seconds reliably (albeit I always had a great view of the start/finish line (which were the same pont for me)).

Unlike radar, there's no "certification" that I know of for these things.

But Maestro can come and give you the best poop.
 

mitsuboost

Junior Member
Thanks for the reply...
they do have to be re calibrated every few months... and have certificates..

but what exactly does the officer have to bring to court?
answers to the specific questions would be very helpfull :)
 

Maestro64

Member
The officer and the Judge (maybe) will tell you they are not required to bring anything or at least copies are acceptable. There are a number of case laws which can be found on various sites that date back to the 80's that originals are required of the cal cert especially on the stopwatch.

The other document that must bring is the PennDOT approved timing device and cal station document or request the court to take judicial notice of the existence of the document to show that in fact the stopwatch are approved and where they can be calibrated. In the case of Robic (stopwatches) it not specifically approved it just says they are allowed to be used as longs as the proper calibration documents are brought to court.

Yes it is a good idea to have the case laws available in the court if it comes to that.

Here are some good one to have

Commonwealth v.Gernsheimer, 276 Pa. Super. at 424, 419 A.2d at 530
Commonwealth v. Druschel, 276 Pa. Super. 418, 419 A.2d 528 (1980)
Commonwealth v. Cummings, 338 Pa. Super. 149, 487 A.2d 897 (1985)
Commonwealth v. Denney, 372 Pa. Super. 317, 539 A.2d 814 (1987)

You can use this cite to find these case laws

FindACase™ Network Pa.

Now this case is very recent and affirms the above cases and it is specific to a Robic stopwatch the court did a nice job of summarizing the rules which the officer and court must follow. This case is actually one of the few where the officer went step by step as they are suppose to, many times they read from the ticket and say you were speeding, and do not go through the formality. This case show how it suppose to happen even with error that was made.

http://www.pacourts.us/OpPosting/Superior/out/S19020_04.pdf

Now on the distance, I highly doubt the distance was 139ft, they are usually like 100, 125 150 or 200, it could have been a rounding error of something. Also, the stop watch can not accept 0.0265 as entered, since it limits the distance to 3 decimal places so he either had to enter 0.026 or 0.027 in their case the distance is wrong.

Also the law requires that the distance has to have been measured and calibrated. May times the officer never provides any evidence or testimony on the distance accuracy, some time they will say it was told to them which is considered hearsay.

Here is PA code on that subject, the timing strips are part of the equipment being use to measure the speed and as you see they are required to be calibrated. Keep in mind most towns have these lines all over the place so for the officer to remember which line is what distance he could be guessing or remembering wrong so it is his burden to prove that it is in fact 139ft, you do not have to prove it was wrong. Most people think you have to prove the distance, you only have to do that if the officer offers evidence (his word is not evidence if he did not measure it himself) that it was x distance and you know for a fact it was y distance, but if state can not prove x distance then they failed the burden of proof as the cases above have clearly stated

Title 75 § 3368 (d) Classification, approval and testing of mechanical, electrical and electronic devices.--The department may, by regulation, classify specific devices as being mechanical, electrical or electronic. All mechanical, electrical or electronic devices shall be of a type approved by the department, which shall appoint stations for calibrating and testing the devices and may prescribe regulations as to the manner in which calibrations and tests shall be made. The certification and calibration of electronic devices under subsection (c)(3) shall also include the certification and calibration of all equipment, timing strips and other devices which are actually used with the particular electronic device being certified and calibrated. Electronic devices commonly referred to as electronic speed meters or radar shall have been tested for accuracy within a period of one year prior to the alleged violation. Other devices shall have been tested for accuracy within a period of 60 days prior to the alleged violation. A certificate from the station showing that the calibration and test were made within the required period and that the device was accurate shall be competent and prima facie evidence of those facts in every proceeding in which a violation of this title is charged.
I have not see any case law on timing strips where anyone had challenge whether they need to provide proof of the distance, I am not sure of the success of the tactic other than the fact I know of people who have challenge this and won when the officer was no able to provide adequate proof of the distance most time the officer said someone in the department told him the distance.
 
Last edited:

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top