Fighting a speeding ticket in Massachusetts?

Question

A friend of mine received a speeding ticket for going 80mph in a 55mph zone. He said he's going to fight the ticket. I told him that if he fights it and loses, he's required to pay the court before leaving. He says he doesn't have to, and he can wait out the 20-30 day wait before paying if he loses.

Whose right in this situation?

Answer 1

He doesn't have to pay the court before leaving. In Massachusetts if you choose to appeal a speeding ticket you see a court magistrate before you get to an actual judge. They use this method to weed out the frivolous cases. At the court magistrate a state trooper will be there (not the one who issued the ticket) and all he will simply do is read what is basically on your ticket. The court magistrate will then ask you to state your side. If the magistrate rules in your favor, you are of course all set. They can also reduce the amount of your ticket (but you'll still face insurance surcharges). If you are not satisfied with the outcome you can appeal it once more to an actual judge. If you choose to do this you HAVE to pay a court fee of $20 at this time. At the real hearing you will be allowed to submit evidence, testify, and the officer who ticketed you will HAVE to show up or the case will be ruled in your favor by default.
I came across this question because I just happened to be looking up speeding tickets today because I actually just won my case in front of the magistrate today by default. The state trooper said that "The commonwealth of massachusetts is not prepared to proceeed with this case today" and the magistrate said "ok then you're found not responsible." If your friend takes it to trial and he loses he then has a 20 day period to pay the fine or he can ask for an extention...anyway hope this helps.

Answer 2

About the only way he will beat it will be his rights were somehow violated, which is unlikely; he didn't do it, which is unlikely since he knows about it; or the cop made an error, such as reading a radar gun incorrectly, which can happen, but is unlikely.
It sounds like he intends to default on paying the fine. It might be worth finding out how much people owe in outstanding fines for your area and what the policy is when dealing with defaulters. Can the court deduct money from his pay packet?

Answer 3

The right thing in the situation would be to not speed in the first place, fight it if it was a wrongful ticket, and then pay the price if that is what the court deems you are supposed to do. Above all, keep your cool, be respectful, and talk formally; otherwise your nailing your coffin shut from the inside

Answer 4

If he can prove that he can't pay, they'll usually give him a little while to pay the court costs. Tell your friend to slow the h*ll down, and he wouldn't get into situations like this to begin with.
Oh, and he's an idiot for trying to fight that ticket.

In my area, if you DO go to court, you have to pay prior to leaving.

Answer 5

The best thing you can do is go to court plead not guilty and if the cop never shows up then they have to throw the ticket out, but if you really think you was in the right then go to court and plead not guilty then the cop that pulled you over will have to prove that your guilty and that can take months, but 9 out of 10 if they caught you on radar then your screwed...well good luck and SLOW DOWN!!!

Answer 6

You can go online and they will help you fight the speeding ticket.

Answer 7

fighting a speeding ticked for a jr opperator

Answer 8

Pay the fine and go home. Aren't the courts busy enough or is that just his idea of "A day in town" ?

Answer 9

Let him do what he wants, not your butt on the line. If he pisses off the judge, it could be worse.

Answer 10

Mass. is strict on their Speeding Violators. just tell him to pay it!