How much does a speeding ticket cost? How long does it take to get out of jail after being arrested for speeding? What should I do if the police pull me over for speeding? This article will teach you everything you need to know about what to do when you’re pulled over and how to fight a speeding ticket.
Many people think that fighting a speeding ticket is easy. After all, who wants to pay a fine when they weren’t even doing anything wrong? Unfortunately, this is one of those situations where ignorance is bliss. You might be able to beat a speeding ticket, but only if you take the proper steps.
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You’re Getting Pulled Over by the Police. Now What?
When you get pulled over by a police officer, you need to remain calm and be polite. If the officer asks for your license and registration, hand them over immediately. Do not argue with the officer, and if you don’t know why they stopped you, ask them politely. The officer may ask you questions about where you’re going, how fast you were driving, and whether you’ve been drinking alcohol. If the officer suspects you of drunk driving, they may request a breathalyzer test or field sobriety tests.
Things You Should and Should Not Say
Being pulled over by a police officer should always be done with courtesy and respect. Give them an honest response if they inquire about your place of employment, residence, or place of education. Never try to hide anything from the police, or lie to them.
If the police officer asks you to step out of the car, do so without arguing. You must follow their instructions carefully. If you refuse to get out of the vehicle, things can be more difficult for you. You could end up with a broken window and a criminal record.
Should the law enforcement officer instruct you to place your hands on the steering wheel, do so and hold them there until they instruct you otherwise. Turn off the engine right away if they ask you to.
Never Admit Guilt
Refuse to acknowledge guilt if you have committed a driving crime. It won’t do you any good at all. Alternatively, the policeman can choose to issue you a warning rather than a ticket. However, penalties and other costs might run into the hundreds of dollars if you are proven guilty.
“Do you know why I stopped you?” is probably one of the first things the officer will question you. “Yeah, because I was driving like a bat out of hell,” is a surefire way to get a ticket and earn the judge’s wrath. “No sir, I don’t,” should be your standard response because you are not a mind reader. You have no idea why the policeman stopped you. Maybe the officer didn’t see you speeding, and it was for something else?
I’m Getting a Ticket. Now What?
You should never argue with the police officer if you get a speeding ticket. The best thing to do is accept the ticket and figure out your strategy later. However, if you feel mistreated, you may want to file a complaint against the traffic cop with their Internal Affairs Bureau. If you were in the wrong, don’t waste your time filing a frivolous complaint that goes nowhere.
Look for Citation Errors
If you’ve ever had a citation issued by a police officer, you know citations can be challenging to deal with. But if you want to avoid paying fines and fees, it’s essential to understand what they are and how to fight them.
A citation is a notice that says you have violated a law. A citation usually includes:
- The date the violation occurred.
- A description of the violation.
- A statement of the fine amount.
- Your name and address.
- The citation number.
- A reminder to appear in court at a specific date and time.
If You Find an Error
Depending on the nature of the inaccuracy on your traffic citation, you might be able to avoid paying the fine. For example, you might be able to get the court to dismiss the citation if the officer entered the incorrect traffic infraction code.
An illustration would be if you were stopped and were about to receive a ticket for civil speeding. However, the court will reject the ticket if the legislation that was cited was for something else, like drag racing. Whatever you do, avoid calling the police station and reporting the mistake. If you do that, an officer will come to your home and give the appropriate citation.
Your ticket could be dropped if you’re under 18 years old and were cited in the wrong court.
However, other errors, such as your name or address, can be amended in court and won’t result in the traffic ticket being dismissed.
Your Options for Dealing with a Speeding Ticket
You can deal with a citation in up the three ways. First, you can pay the fine and costs associated with the citation without going to court. Second, you can request a trial before a judge. If you win, the judge will dismiss the citation, and you won’t owe any money. If you lose, you’ll still owe the fine and costs.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to attend traffic school to avoid any points going on your license. Unfortunately, the cost of traffic school is usually the same as the ticket itself.
You can also challenge a citation based on the officer’s lack of legal authority to issue the citation. For example, if you believe the officer lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause to stop you, then you can ask the court to throw out the citation.
Attend Defensive Driving School Instead of Paying the Fine
If you’ve received a traffic citation, attending a defensive driving course may be worth it rather than paying the fine. Defensive driving courses are usually offered by local police departments, community colleges, and private companies. They typically last between two and four hours and cover topics like safe following distances, proper lane positioning, and avoiding distractions.
Should I Hire a Lawyer?
The first thing you should know is that hiring a lawyer is not always necessary if you want to fight a speeding ticket in court. Many people have successfully fought tickets in court without legal representation. Likewise, if you decide to represent yourself in court, you may find that you don’t need a lawyer at all.
Keep in mind, hiring an attorney for a civil traffic offense will likely be more expensive than if you had just paid the fine. Hiring an attorney also doesn’t guarantee you will be found innocent. If that happens, you will still have to pay the speeding ticket as well as attorney fees.
Challenge Radar Gun Evidence
Police officers use a radar gun to measure the speed of vehicles. It uses infrared beams to detect the vehicle’s velocity, which then calculates its speed based on the distance it travels between each pulse. These devices should be calibrated to give accurate results within 0.01 mph.
In court, the officer should have the calibration records with him. If he doesn’t, he can’t testify to the radar gun’s accuracy, and you should win the case.
Question the Officer’s Testimony
Ask about the officer’s training records, whether he has kept up to date with his required training, and any necessary refreshers to maintain radar certifications. Also, check with the state department of motor vehicles to see if there is anything they require from law enforcement agencies regarding radar guns.
Don’t Forget About Body Cameras
Remember that your traffic stop was more than likely recorded on the officer’s body camera. Be sure you don’t lie about the interaction in court because the officer will show the body camera video, making you look foolish.
Do Cops Show Up for Traffic Tickets?
Yes, they do. In the past, people would take the chance that the officer would not show up, and their citation would be dismissed. However, departments have fought back against this in recent years, and now it’s common for officers to be disciplined if they don’t show up for court. Because of this, it’s extremely rare for officers not to show up for their court dates.
I see more than a few videos where people are antagonistic toward police officers who have given them no cause to be rude and uncooperative. I view a police officers uniform “the color of authority” and not a license to be a bully. The best thing you can do is be polite and follow the officers direction and request for your ID and registration should you ever get pulled over. Additionally, keep your hands where the officer can view them at all times and don’t make any sudden moves. Cops are in a risky position and there is no need to create more risk by sudden moves on your part.
you forgot to the fact you can sign up for a pre trial
Excellent advice!
There was a cop in Winnetka, who stopped me because someone else reported I was “driving erratically.” I took the Breathalizer test on the street, but he still handcuffed and arrested me!
The case was dismissed, when after three appeareances—there was always someone missing—my lawyer said that the next time—he would ask for a Trial by Jury.
No one showed up, and we walked out.
It cost me $3,000 for the lawyer.
Months later, the Winnetka Chief of Police informed me by phone that the officer had been fired. He must have committed many such abuses. I asked if he was working for another police department, and was told he would never be an officer again, anywhere.