State of Ohio
I was pulled over for a ticket this morning. The officer said he clocked me at 72mph and 69mph using laser. After he wrote the ticket and handed it to me, I saw he wrote it up for 72mph. I asked him which clocking occurred first, and he said the 72mph. Then the 69mph clocking followed. I asked if the laser kept track of both values, and he said it only keeps track of the last one taken.
I then asked if he had any proof of the 72mph on any equipment in his vehicle. He said he did not have it. I then said, "Since I'm being ticketed for 72mph, I'd at least like to see some proof that I was going 72mph." And if I saw proof, I would have gladly (well, maybe not gladly, but you know...) paid the ticket. He said he did not have it documented anywhere. So I then asked, to confirm, "So I am being ticketed for something there is absolutely no proof of?" He answered, "Yes."
So, at that point, to avoid any confrontation or problem, I told the officer to go back to his car and write up a new ticket for 69mph and I would be on my way. He refused this option by saying "I am not going to write another ticket." After this, he and I discussed the possibilities of denying the ticket in court as well as what would happen if I didn't sign the ticket. I really didn't want to sign the ticket (I'm not even sure what signing the ticket means), but I did so that I didn't get my license taken away.
Anyway, that's my story. Please tell me what my options are, if any. And if I have no options and will be found guilty, please tell me how that represents a justice system. How can I be ticketed for something I did not do and that the person accusing me has no proof of? Also, what happened to innocent until proven guilty? And if they ask me while in court if I will admit to going 69mph, am I able to take advantage of my rights guaranteed by the 5th ammendment, not having to incriminate myself? Thanks for any and all advice, tips, or heartbreaking answers.
I was pulled over for a ticket this morning. The officer said he clocked me at 72mph and 69mph using laser. After he wrote the ticket and handed it to me, I saw he wrote it up for 72mph. I asked him which clocking occurred first, and he said the 72mph. Then the 69mph clocking followed. I asked if the laser kept track of both values, and he said it only keeps track of the last one taken.
I then asked if he had any proof of the 72mph on any equipment in his vehicle. He said he did not have it. I then said, "Since I'm being ticketed for 72mph, I'd at least like to see some proof that I was going 72mph." And if I saw proof, I would have gladly (well, maybe not gladly, but you know...) paid the ticket. He said he did not have it documented anywhere. So I then asked, to confirm, "So I am being ticketed for something there is absolutely no proof of?" He answered, "Yes."
So, at that point, to avoid any confrontation or problem, I told the officer to go back to his car and write up a new ticket for 69mph and I would be on my way. He refused this option by saying "I am not going to write another ticket." After this, he and I discussed the possibilities of denying the ticket in court as well as what would happen if I didn't sign the ticket. I really didn't want to sign the ticket (I'm not even sure what signing the ticket means), but I did so that I didn't get my license taken away.
Anyway, that's my story. Please tell me what my options are, if any. And if I have no options and will be found guilty, please tell me how that represents a justice system. How can I be ticketed for something I did not do and that the person accusing me has no proof of? Also, what happened to innocent until proven guilty? And if they ask me while in court if I will admit to going 69mph, am I able to take advantage of my rights guaranteed by the 5th ammendment, not having to incriminate myself? Thanks for any and all advice, tips, or heartbreaking answers.