I got a ticket for an "unsafe lane change." Does anyone have experience fighting their ticket and if so, what was the outcome?
2007-01-30 17:37:19 · 12 answers · asked by tawnee_santa_paula 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It was 5:30 rush hour last night and it was raining. I was trying to move over two lanes because the right two take you on to a major freeway. in order to avoid it I had to move over three lanes and the cop admitted I signaled but he was the one I happened to move in front of.
2007-01-31 03:50:17 · update #1
~You give no facts or details. Usually, an unsafe lane change ticket is given at an accident or as a break by the cop on the road. Was there an accident? Did you cut the cop off? Did you force someone else off the road? Were you drunk, high, asleep or talking on your cell phone when you changed lanes accidentally? Does it occur to you that you may be guilty? If you actually think you are not guilty, take it to trial, but you'd best have your evidence and witnesses lined up and ready. And yes, I have been there and I did win but I was smart enough to hire a trial lawyer and I was willing to pay his fee, which was a lot more than the fine would have been.
2007-01-30 18:54:02 · answer #1 · answered by Oscar Himpflewitz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I fought a few tickets and only won once. I was ticketed for going 45 in a 35. I called the city and asked what their engineers listed as the "safe speed" on that stretch of road (which often differs from the posted speed limit), and they told me it was 40 mph. I court I also asked the cop about the calibration of his speedometer (as he claimed to have paced me), and he admitted that it was off by a couple miles per hour in my favor.
If it comes down to your word against the word of the officer, then the judge will almost always side with the officer, so you need to examine your particular situation and see if there is some detail that may indicate the officer was in error. For example, how far away was he when he observed you make an unsafe lane change. If he was a great distance behind you, then you might be able to argue that from his point of view, accurately judging the distances between your car and another would be very difficult.
(It's always harder to judge the distance differential between two objects when they are lined up along your line of sight as opposed to being separated on a perpendicular to your line of sight).
Plan your argument carefully, and think of everything the officer might say to counter you. You'll also get a chance to ask the officer questions, but remember he won't be tripped up easily. He does this for a living, and he's been to court a thousand times - you're not likely to surprise him with a question, so you need to plan your questions very carefully.
If you take this to court, dress professionally, and keep your composure. Don't appear to be angry at the officer, but don't be intimidated by him either.
2007-01-30 18:02:14 · answer #2 · answered by Andrew 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you try to fight it the judge will probably laugh at you and you will end up getting a higher fine. If he was going 10 mph it would not matter you still need to keep a safe distance. You are probably just a moron driver who thinks that it is your right to drive, and you do not realize that driving is a privelege that can be taken away not a right. I think you need to focus your energy on fighting something worthwhile like your own stupidity and get your priorities straight. I'll look for your court case on court tv good luck.
2016-05-23 22:04:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, none. Unless the officer doesn't show up at court, other than that the judge is not going listen to you say " it wasn't fair". Or unless you can prove, the lane change was made according to the state driving regulations.
2007-01-30 17:43:19 · answer #4 · answered by beygrl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I got 3 tickets, didn't fight any.
I got the 4th, then Hired a lawyer. In a week, he called and asked me to pay double the amount of ticket and it will go away from my driving recored.
2007-01-30 18:08:37 · answer #5 · answered by Ahmed A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm unsage lane change? i reccomend useing an AR 15 equuiped with night vision and a silencer
2007-01-30 17:43:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will lose if you take it to court. however, in some countys they have a policy where you have to see a hearing officer before you are allowed to argue a ticket in court. almost every time the cost of the ticket is reduced in half.
2007-01-30 18:02:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hire a lawyer ?, but 99 % of the time if you don't have any witnesses to back your story~you lose !!
2007-01-30 17:43:13 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to court and FIGHT it..sometimes it works
If you feel you are right........FIGHT
2007-01-30 17:44:19 · answer #9 · answered by j d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With a shotgun.
2007-01-30 17:41:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋