School zone ticket?

Question

I live Georgia, and I received a ticket for 44mph in a 25mph school zone. I honestly did not know I was breaking the law and here's why...

The road is a 4-lane highway. The normal speed limit is 45mph. The route I take, I recently found out goes around the flashing lights on that highway, so I entered the highway after the flashing lights. I told the officer, and he said there were some on the road I came from. Later that day, I drove back to that spot to see if there were flashing lights and the school zone sign was posted but there were no flashing lights or times posted for the school zone. so I thought that I was obeying the posted limit.

There were no children in sight.

Had I known that it was a school zone, I would have slowed down! I feel like I got scammed by the government.

The date on my ticket is in January, and I'm not going to just pay a fine and admit fault to something that I know I did not do wrong. I cannot afford a ticket either.

What should I do?

Oh, and not to mention, this was with a pair of cops. They were pulling car after car over. One cop had a radar or laser gun, and the other cop was writing the tickets.

Oh, and I can't afford a lawyer either. I was on my way to college when I received the ticket.

To clarify things, the only sign I saw on my route, was a tiny 25 MPH sign under the sign with the children. It did not have times or flashing lights.

The reason I drove the regular speed limit, was because I knew school zones had specific times, but I never saw times or lights, so I figured it was okay. Every other school zone I've ever encountered had flashing lights in my route, so I always slowed down.

I'm going to go back later, to see what the time is on the flashing lights that were not in my route just to make sure that a school zone was in effect.

Answer 1

If something is regulated by a sign, the law states the sign must be visible by a reasonably observant person. If you did enter the highway in a place where the sign was not visible, you have a valid argument.

However, if you drove back and saw the signs, it would then depend on what the signs said. Some have certain hours, others are on a timer. If they were not flashing when you saw them, that would not apply. You have to see if they were flashing at the time of the stop.

Answer 2

1. Your 1st 'additional information' makes ZERO difference. On officer running radar and another issuing tickets is legal everywhere and common in many places.
2. Your in 3rd 'additional information', you ADMIT you DID see a school zone speed limit sign. Flashing lights and times are NOT required. YOU are expected to KNOW the law. Most school zones near me don't have lights.

What you SHOULD do is PAY THE FINE and slow down next time. Legally, you don't have a case.

Answer 3

well if it was clearly marked at the spot you were clocked, you dont have much of a case...the intersection of the offense will likely be on the ticket...I would get a camcorder and record the path you were taking when you were caught to show the court, and take pictures of the area and its signage. You might have a shot, but that will be your best chance...

Answer 4

they don't play with school zone tickets. happened to me once when sign was up above road, sunlight in eyes. ignorance is no excuse. take defensive driving,get a payment plan, call some lawyers pick their brain, act like you are going to hire them. don't tell them you don't have money.

Answer 5

There's an appeals process in all states. You'll need to talk to a lawyer or other legal aid to begin the process.