So, you want to know how to fight a speeding ticket. There are many things to take into consideration when deciding to fight a speeding ticket. First, you must realize that you may not save any money by fighting the ticket. You will have to pay the court fees, as well as for the officer’s time, should he decide to show up for court. If you lose, these charges will be added to the existing ticket. However, if you do win, the ticket can be removed from the record of your auto insurance, possibly saving you money there instead. There are several things to do to increase your chances at successfully fighting the ticket. Here are five steps on how to fight a speeding ticket.
How To Fight A Speeding Ticket
step one: Be Polite
Be polite and cooperative to with the officer. This has several benefits. The officer may give you a warning instead of writing the ticket in the first place. Another possible benefit is that the officer is less likely to take a large amount of notes as to the situation. This will limit his ability to fight the incident out in court, and finally, he may not remember the incident at all, and decide instead to pass on the court hearing, granting you an automatic win.
step two: Be Observant
If your kindness goes unrewarded, and the officer hands you the ticket, take note of who may be in the area to offer a witness testimony of the situation. Does the officer have a partner in the car with him? Do you have any passengers that may help your case? What time of day is it, what is traffic doing? If traffic is flowing at a steady pace, and you were simply keeping up with traffic, slowing down would have impeded traffic, and equal infraction to speeding. Were there other cars in the area that he may have confused you for? Perhaps an identical vehicle just passed you going considerably faster, it is possible that the officer was aiming to pull him over instead. A witness to this would be invaluable in the court house. Was this a speed radar ticket? When officers set up speed traps, often times one officer mans the radar, another waves you to the side and gives you a ticket. Check the local regulations, regarding this practice. In many counties, the officer who tags your car with the radar is required to be the officer writing the ticket.
step three: Be Prepared
Gather any materials you may need. Taking pictures of the area in question, ensuring to capture the speed limit signs in the area you were pulled over will be helpful. Carefully read the information on the ticket. Look up the code, and determine what you were specifically ticketed for. This will help you build a stronger case. Find your states judicial website, this will provide you with important information regarding the court process. Making sure that you are aware of your state or county laws will help you know how to fight a speeding ticket. Many times, you will be required to spend much of your day awaiting your turn to speak before the judge. Luckily, this is also the reason many officers will not bother to attend court for speeding infractions.
step four: Be Professional
Dress professionally when attending your court date. When selecting your clothing, do not dress for a date or for a night out with your friends. You need to present yourself as a responsible adult. Make sure your witnesses are dressed to impress as well. Females should avoid heavy make-up. If you are able to maintain a professional level of anonymity, maybe the officer won’t remember you. You will need to be early, if you brought any evidence to the case, you will need to present it prior to the hearing. When sitting in the court house, make sure your cell phone is off, and be courteous. If you are rude during the other cases, the judge may ask you to leave, or make a judgment on you before hearing your case. When you are called upon to approach the stand, be courteous and factual. Ensure that you are confident in your statements. Stand your ground, and be sure of your defense. If you are too emotional, or waver in your testimony, they may see it as a sign of guilt.
How To Fight A Speeding Ticket -The Conclusion
Following these steps will help you have a better chance of successfully fighting a speeding ticket. Ensuring you are knowledgeable, courteous and professional will play a large part in whether you win the case. Now, you know how to fight a speeding ticket!
