Would you fight this speeding Ticket?

[foxxtrot]

It's funny how many people were saying fight it, fight it, when it wasn't their money. Apparently the cop wasn't joking when he said he would show up and tell the judge the actual speed he clocked you at. I don't know if it is too late to appeal, but you could try a video, instead of a picture, that would show the route you took, the speed limit sign, and the area you passed him and the spot you pulled over.
On the other hand, you never really said how fast you were going. Did you look at your speedometer at all? Do you even have an idea of how fast you were going, or are you guessing based on the "This truck is slow, it was only a short distance, etc"? It doesn't take that long to get up into the 65 mph range, especially if there was a hill or something.
Also, was the 45mph sign ahead of, or behind the area you were hit with radar? If it was ahead of you, you were probably in the 35mph area and about to cross into the 45mph spot.
Sorry for the long post, and also, sorry for the ticket. It definitely sucks, especially right before the holidays.

 

[pitbulldell]

It's funny how many people were saying fight it, fight it, when it wasn't their money. Apparently the cop wasn't joking when he said he would show up and tell the judge the actual speed he clocked you at. I don't know if it is too late to appeal, but you could try a video, instead of a picture, that would show the route you took, the speed limit sign, and the area you passed him and the spot you pulled over.
On the other hand, you never really said how fast you were going. Did you look at your speedometer at all? Do you even have an idea of how fast you were going, or are you guessing based on the "This truck is slow, it was only a short distance, etc"? It doesn't take that long to get up into the 65 mph range, especially if there was a hill or something.
Also, was the 45mph sign ahead of, or behind the area you were hit with radar? If it was ahead of you, you were probably in the 35mph area and about to cross into the 45mph spot.
Sorry for the long post, and also, sorry for the ticket. It definitely sucks, especially right before the holidays.

Right now its not about the money its the way they completely rail road you in the traffic court, when they showed the cop the pics i had took he said oh they must have changed the speed limit since that day, and the judge believed him.The speed limit along that whole stretch of highway is 45 and i had pics showing the all the speed signs along the street even showing landmarks to prove it was the same street and the judge said these pics could have been taken anywhere.Whats the point of the ticket if the cop can just come to court and change it to what ever he wants?I mean if that the case the cop could have said i was doing 100mph swerving all over the road or what ever else he wanted to change it to.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

As I had posted earler, you should have found the states attorney and discussed before court was in session. They have the ability to modify or withdraw the ticket based on your evidence before the judge sees it. This is what a lawyer would do for you. If the states attorney says no, then you suck it up and pay the fine. Once it gets in front of the judge, its your word vs the cop. As you discovered police officers are assumed to be honest and more knowledgible than the person who was issued the ticket.

 

[pitbulldell]

As I had posted earler, you should have found the states attorney and discussed before court was in session. They have the ability to modify or withdraw the ticket based on your evidence before the judge sees it. This is what a lawyer would do for you. If the states attorney says no, then you suck it up and pay the fine. Once it gets in front of the judge, its your word vs the cop. As you discovered police officers are assumed to be honest and more knowledgible than the person who was issued the ticket.

there was no state attorney just a room with a dude in a suite sitting behind a desk, they walk everyone in and then call you up.

 

[4rd Xplora]

Had a similar experience except mine was turning on a red light. Officer said I didn't stop before turning. Had a witness (she was not in the car) and the city attorney tried to discredit her by saying we had a relationship and she was lying. Remember this was a traffic ticket not a murder case. The Judge also thought his actions were outlandish also and ruled in my favor. BTW, I DID come to a complete stop, She really DID witness the event and the city attorney WAS right about the relationship part

 

[shooked]

Cops are totally allowed to lie to you and in court. All attorneys know it and the judge knows it. Anything to get a conviction. After just being railroaded as well, I wish I could have posted before you went in. Once you are in the legal system, play(pay) the game. Its not about being right or wrong anymore, its about mitigating your damages. Never have I seen nor experienced innocent until proven guilty.

 

[SavaX]

Its not about being right or wrong anymore, its about mitigating your damages. Never have I seen nor experienced innocent until proven guilty.

True true. I always fight my speeding tickets based on principle, but Shooked is right - Innocent until proven guilty doesn't exist anymore. Once you catch a case (even a traffic infraction) , you're at the mercy of the system and just have to try not to get ####ed over too hard.

 

[BubbaFL]

Welkome to Amerika, comrade.

Sorry to hear of your loss, but good job trying to fight it.

 

[SnTx4]

Wow, so not right. Sorry it didn't work out for you. I myself just got a ticket last night, 42 in a 25 mph, I was going to look today for signs. I know I was speeding but I thought it was 35 zone. Thought it might be worth trying to get it reduced. Maybe I'll just pay it and leave well enough alone.

 

[Blee1099]

You have the right to appeal the judge's decision on the speeding ticket.. File the necessary paperwork to appeal his decision based on the fact he didn't hear your evidence or simply just bite the bullet if the points don't matter.

 

[SavaX]

You have the right to appeal the judge's decision on the speeding ticket.. File the necessary paperwork to appeal his decision based on the fact he didn't hear your evidence or simply just bite the bullet if the points don't matter.

It's probably worth doing that, 65 in a 35 probably has a pretty hefty fine attached.

 

[BubbaFL]

You have the right to appeal the judge's decision on the speeding ticket..

For what it's worth - based on his description, I don't think the decision was rendered by a judge.

Down here most places use "administrative hearing officers" to run traffic court (aka a lawyer hired by the gubmint to handle such matters). You don't get to go in front of a judge (who has to stand for re-election).

 

[pitbulldell]

I can appeal it, But what i got to find out is how is a cop allowed to come to court and just say you know what I want to change what i wrote and filed on the original ticket, i now want the ticket to say this and just stand there and tell the dude in the suite what ever he want the ticket to now be and just flat out lie? I thought once i signed the ticket and he filed that ticket at the end of the day that is the ticket.Because whats to stop the cop from coming to court and just rail roading you for him having to come to court like what was just done to me?

 

[shooked]

The only thing to stop him is a moral obligation. When you sign the ticket it just indicates you will take care of it. Its not an admission of guilt. At this point, cut your loses and pay the ticket. As as that sucks and goes against the grain, its not going to get better. Most attorneys are $100 an hour, my attorney is $300 an hour, just for a sitting fee. So, if you have to consult an attorney more money. You can appeal the decision on your own, but really having legal council regarding the changing of the ticket can help you. Attorneys typically know what will and will not work.