Has anyone fought a minor traffic ticket and won?..Driving without headlights on?

Question

I got pulled over last night for driving without my headlights on, dispite being courteous and polite that jackass gave me the lamest ticket ever!Driving without my lights on. I'm planning on pleading not guilty and making these asses work for the fine that I might have to pay anyway. I also read that I could make a written defense without having to show in court. I live in Arizona I dont know if it is that way in all states.

I got pulled over last night for driving without my headlights on, dispite being courteous and polite that jackass gave me the lamest ticket ever!Driving without my lights on. I'm planning on pleading not guilty and making these asses work for the fine that I might have to pay anyway. I also read that I could make a written defense without having to show in court. Also if the cop doesnt show then I'll get off. I live in Arizona I dont know if it is that way in all states.

Answer 1

All I can say is that some city streets are so brightly lit that it can be very easy for a driver not to notice that his headlights are off. And if that's the case, then it's not like you were creating a safety hazard anyway. Pleading "guilty with an explanation", using this as the explanation might get you off the hook.

Answer 2

I would not plead guilty and I would not rely on a written defense instead of showing up in court.

I live in California and I have fought a ticket that I received and won. I made a left turn out of a parking lot that had a no left turn sign, but the sign was partially obscured by foliage from a bush and I did not see the sign.

I hired a lawyer out of the yellow pages. He specializes in traffic defenses. He had six other people he was defending that day so he was at court anyhow and did not charge me very much.

The judge dismissed my ticket.

It is very important that you show up in court in a suit and a tie and that your attorney also be there.

I recommend that you hire an attorney that specializes in defending traffic tickets and does a lot of them.

Answer 3

There is a good possibility of beating the ticket or lowering the fine or points by going to court. I live in PA.
My husband was stopped in a speed trap and when we fought the ticket, the officer spoke to everyone waiting for a hearing so we could "expedite" the proceeding for the judge. He agreed to change our ticket to another charge so that we still paid a fine, but avoided getting points on his license. They really only wanted the money anyway.
I also beat a ticket for "speeding" that I didn't feel was deserved. I went to court, the officer wasn't there. I spoke my piece to the judge who gave me a little lecture and then threw out the ticket.
Be sure to dress appropriately and speak politely. Showing up in court looking like you just fell out of bed is seen as disrespectful. We didn't need a lawyer for either case.

Answer 4

I don't think it matters how polite you were. If you were driving at night without headlights you can get a ticket for it. In a head-on collision woudn't matter how polite you were, either.

By the way, cops always show up for trials if you plead not guilty. They get paid to do it as a part of the court costs.

Answer 5

Yes, you can make them "work" for the fine. More than likely, you will be found guilty anyways and then you also get to pay Court Costs. Guess it depends on how much "you" want to work to pay the extra costs.

Answer 6

I have fought 2 ... won 1, lost 1.

If you really are guilty, I wouldn't bother. I would pay to take a class to get the points taken off.

Answer 7

Yes, try to fight it. If the cop who issued you the ticket doesn't show up in court, you win by default.
Worth the try.

Answer 8

If you don't go in person you'll lose. If you do go in person you'll probably lose...it's not like he gave you a speeding ticket without using radar and you're fighting his speed estimate...your lights either were on or they weren't.