Got a speeding ticket. Do I have a chance in court?

Question

It was about 3 a.m. in Tampa, FL on I-275, speed limit 55 mph. The officer said, "I paced you from when you came onto the interstate at Busch Blvd up until here." 'Here' is Martin Luther King Blvd exit area. Thing is, I came onto the interstate at the Fowler Ave, that's a 1.5 mile difference. (He said he came onto the interstate at Fletcher Ave, 1 mile from Fowler and 2.5 miles from Busch.) After I told him I got on the interstate at Fowler, he said, "Would you like for me to change the ticket?" I said no. As I said, he said he paced me from Busch to MLK, going between 80 & 88 mph. It's 3.6 miles from Busch to MLK. 3.6 miles!!! At 80 mph, it's 2.7 minutes. At 88 mph, it's 2.45 minutes. Does it make any sense for an officer to PACE someone, going 25-33 mph over the speed limit, for 2+ minutes? I've gotten my share of tickets, so I don't go over 14 mph over the limit. Therefore, my max speed was 69...maybe 70. Do I have a case? And I'm not paying the $185 or having points assessed.

He wrote on the ticket:
80-88 mph in 55 mph zone...paced
Offense: Violation of traffic control device (speed limit sign)
Fine: $185.50

The fine doesn't correspond to anything that's on the envelope. For $185.50, the only thing is 15-19 mph - Speeding - Street/Highway

Would this information be enough to prove the officer has bad judgement and that he judged the speed I was going incorrectly?

I never said my defense was that I was going 14 mph over instead of 33 mph over. My defense is bad judgement on the officers part.

Answer 1

You have an interesting argument, but the only thing you may accomplish is lowing your fine. Everything you have said is an admission to breaking the speed limit law.

Answer 2

I don't know about Florida but I got a ticket in texas as a passenger for no seat belt when I was buckled the entire time. The driver of the car went with me to court. We saw a prosecutor not the judge. Anyway they told me they almost always take the cops side. I did beat it but only because I had a witness. So I am guessing you will probably lose.

Good Luck though

Answer 3

You already gained the value ticket. you will possibly prefer to "beat" the value ticket now. the undertaking is you "accelerated" and a regulation officer observed you. He needless to say concept you and others have been in greater threat out of your action than from any tailgaters or gentle flashers. Take your vehicle to a qualified save for a headlight adjustment in case you prefer to apply your tale in courtroom. this might coach which you have been worried approximately why human beings have been flashing brights at you and you cared sufficient to deal with it. The motor vehicle code in California does no longer record motives which you're allowed to velocity. i think of it says you are able to no longer exceed the published velocity cut back to bypass different automobiles. that's like that especially lots everywhere. i'm in Nebraska yet am very attentive to the Hemet - San Jac part of Riverside county. there is one area of four lane south of I-10 that invitations me to velocity. i think of your suited wager is to tell the reality and take your headlight adjustment certificates to courtroom with you. Be sorry which you inadvertantly surpassed the value cut back.

Answer 4

go ahead fight it see if they won't go ahead and hit you with the reckless driving instead.
your defense is: i wasn't going 33 mph over i was just going 14 mph over? are you crazy?
pay the damn ticket and be happy and maybe follow posted speed next time.
guess what you will have points assessed and you will be paying a fine

Answer 5

Fight it, if you miss a day of work that might be less than the ticket so it should be a win win situation.

Answer 6

sh*t dude your ticket is a few bucks cheaper then mine and i was going way slower then that in a difficult area

Answer 7

You cant win in "Roo" court...
They don't care bout justice....They want the money and they WILL get it..

Sources:
Captain Kangaroo

Answer 8

You're toast.