mazdabel

Hey guys I need some advice or maybe some info on some of your experiences.

I'm plotting to get my ticket dismissed. According to the hwy patrol, i was "sustaining" 65 in a 55. I was getting off the freeway and besides i saw him in front of me so I KNOW i slowed down to at most 60. But the jerk was intent on giving me a ticket and now I will fight it and Lord-willing will win to have it dismissed.

But, if and only if it gets dismissed, my question to you is: will I have to still pay the court fees for presenting my case in court to have it thrown out? And if thrown out will i still have to pay??? Please help with your experiences!!!

dudeondacouch

You can usually find a lawyer to represent you for about $80. You don't even have to show up at court, he'll go for you. 10mph isn't bad. It would probably be dropped to faulty equipment. I don't reccommend representing yourself unless you have solid evidence that you weren't speeding. (you don't, by the way)

KrazyKAZ

I have fought every ticket I have ever received by myself (That's a lot). I just go and plead my case calmly. I have won every time.

In your case I would say that you were slowing down and getting off the freeway, and that you feel he may have clocked a car passing you still on the freeway. If it's only 10 mph the judge should drop it. Here in PA you don't pay anythign if the ticket is dismissed.

Good luck!

meGrimlock

depends on the state, when i went to court, i was explained i had 3 choices: plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. guilty means you accept the charges, and the judge may lower the consequences like lower fines, etc. if you explain yourself. not guilty requires you to present your case infront of the officer who pulled you over and against court attorney and the judge will rule, this is the riskiest because if he rules against you, you still have to pay the fines (or suffer points on your insurance) as well as the court fees. no contest means you don't admit wrong doing, but you wont fight the charges. in that case he may also lower fines and the charges if you explain the circustances.

mechanic at a benz dealer once said that the spedo is calibrated for life. i dunno if that applies to all cars, but one of my co-workers couldnt get them to write up an excuse for a miscalibrated spedo. probably what would throw off your spedo is incorrect wheel/tire size, severe tire pressure differences, misaligned suspension (speculating here). if you had a passenger maybe they can testify on your behalf that you exceeded the speed limit only when merging or what have you, but resumed legal speed limit right after. being polite and patient will earn points with the judge's assesment.
-meGrimlock

mazdabel

Cool thanks for the responses. Actually, I have found out that no fees will be assessed if the case is thrown out. And I fully intend on going to trial. Believe it or not I actually have a case that I believe will help me to win.

It has nothing to do with my trying to prove myself innocent. I wouldn't likely win even though I was not doing 10 mph over and sustaining it. I will attack their method of speed reading (i.e. radar) and ambush their case.
You'd be surprised how the judicial system can work in our favor...

meGrimlock

i dunno what car you have, but if its a common model, you might be able to turn it around on the cop saying even though he was honestly and faithfully doing their job, he/she mistook your car for another. common colors are silver, white, black. look for photos of other cars with similar body shapes and tail light designs. this works if the cop wasnt pacing behind you, matching his/her car speed with yours.

mazdabel

Yup. Case dismissed. I actually showed up with my case and strategy in hand and was waiting in the courtroom when i saw the trooper look into the courtroom (i guess to see who was there). I thought, oh great he's identified me and now here we go! Well to my surprise, the DA then looked in and told me the cop forgot my ticket and it was dismissed!! HA!!

IMO though, i figured he saw that i came prepared and did not want to be there in court long because i was not going down without a fight!!

J-Protege

Haha, right on man. Good for you, last thing anyone needs is to waste money on a ticket.

meGrimlock

w00t!