Speeding Ticket. what should i do??

Question

I was caught speeding in CA. (103mph). but i dont think i was running that fast. i was maybe running 80-95mph. But, idont have proof of this. I have to make a court appearance. I think the cop is out to get me because i had my kids with me when i was alledgedly running 103mph. what should i do??

Answer 1

I have been pulled over before for speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour over the speed limit as well, though it was in Ohio for me. If you don't have any proof of the fact that you were not running 100, you will probably be better off just pleading guilty to the offense. One thing you can do is call the court ahead of time however and see if there is any way for you to attend a Defensive Driving Class offered by the State in order to at least avoid having points added to your license, though the probability is that you will have to pay a large fine and court fees, as well as serve some form of license suspension.

I know this is insanely long, but the provision you're looking for would be 22348(b), which is conveniently right at the top.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=22001-23000&file=22348-22366

Answer 2

Yes....you can also contest a radar or laser ticket. However, your chances of fighting it are slim. If it is you vs the cop, the judge will go on the assumption the cop has no reason to lie but you do. YOU want to get out of the ticket, not pay the fine and not get the points. If you base your defense on the cop telling a lie for some unknown reason, your chances of winning are about zero. You will have to fight it on the assumption the cop made an error in calculating the speed. Since you are asking about non-radar/laser methods, yes there are other methods that can be used. If the cop pulled up behind you in your blind spot and then matched your speed, reading his CERTIFIED speedometer, and sees that you were over the limit (usually it has to be a certain amount, such as 5 mph to allow for error in your uncertified speedometer) he can give you ticket based upon tracked and observed speed over the limit. You will have to provide reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of how he did it. IE: Springtime and they just switched to summer tires from their winter tires. Did they recertify his speedometer? They also can use a timer device in some areas. The cop can start one stop watch as you cross a particular mark, then when he crosses the same mark, he starts a second stop watch. Then when you cross another mark, he stops the first one, and when he crosses the same second mark, he stops the second. A computer then matches the two stop watches and the distance traveled and comes up with a speed for your car. They even allow in some areas the cop to mark out a quarter mile and he then sits with a stop watch and "clocks' you (that is where the term came from) as you travel the quarter mile. If the speed limit is 60 mph, he knows to go one mile should take you more than 1 minute, and to go a quarter mile, it should take you more than 15 seconds. If you do it in 10 seconds, he knows you were speeding and again can give you a ticket. Pay the ticket and watch your speed.

Answer 3

If the citation lists "103 mph" specifically as your speed, then the officer was using radar detector. You have the right to obtain a copy of the police file. That includes the officer's report, records as to the officer's training on the radar unit, records as to the upkeep/testing of the radar unit itself, and any other evidence that is considered exculpatory (might help you).

On the other hand, you don't mention where you were speeding or what the speed limit is on that particular road. If you were on a 75-mph Interstate highway, 80 isn't so bad but 95 mph will get you in trouble.

Answer 4

What was the posted speed limit? If it was 25, and you were doing 100+, then you should be grateful your kids weren't put in foster care.

However, if you were on the interstate and the posted limit is 75, then it could be argued that you were "going with the flow of traffic."

In any essence, I agree that you should pay the ticket, apologize, and hug your kids a little closer.

PS Being late is better than being dead. Slow down ..

Answer 5

And your point is? Maybe that the officer cares more about your children than you do? Give the officer a round of applause and a pat on the back.

Don't make yourself out to be a victim, good grief. Grow up. Go to court and apolgize for your idiocy and be thankful they couldn't fine you for that, too !!

Now give your kids a hug and kiss and apologize to them for putting their lives in jeopardy.

Answer 6

Why the smack would you go 95 mph with kids in the car anyway? Why don't you just take them out of their carseats too? Might as well at that speed.
Someone should take you down to the morgue and show you what happens to people who get in wrecks at high speeds.

Answer 7

Personally, if you REALLy were doing 103, I wouldve taken you in. Reckless driving, no doubt. You are very lucky you werent arrested. You had kids in the car and not only endangered yourself and other innocent people who happened to be out driving but your KIDS! Grow up and be a PARENT!

Answer 8

It was not from speeding but from the garlic you ate. You(not your car) where making to much smell. The air was getting toxicated. Loser. Brush your teeth. Also when the police stopped you and when you opened your door, The smell of onion and garlic came from your car so I had to exit the freeway. Not just me but everyone around you.

Answer 9

You clearly have no idea how fast you were going. If it is just a ticket, pay it. If you have to go before a judge, good luck - he/she may throw the book at you.