The siren was on, the lights were flashing—you got pulled over for speeding and no amount of tears, feigned ignorance, or limited English could get you out of the ticket… now what do you do?
Hang on to your wallet, there are ways you may be able to avoid paying the ticket, and perhaps, more importantly, clear it from your record.
Traffic School
You typically have to arrange the outcome of these daylong programs ahead of time. For instance, in most cases, you’ll have to pay for the ticket, but if you complete the class you won’t have to worry about insurance premium hikes and added points on your record.
Fight It In Court
It’s a gamble, but you may be able to win. The key is convincing a judge that the officer made a mistake. How do you do that?
Plead not guilty. I have gotten two speeding tickets in my lifetime—one I fought in court and won. I did so by pleading not guilty… with an explanation. If you have a good explanation for doing what you did there is a good chance a judge will reduce the penalty (it worked for me). The offense still goes on your driving record, but a reduced charge or dropped charge is better than paying the entire fee and getting assessed all the points.
Produce Evidence. The saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words” is especially true in traffic court. Photo documentation can help prove that your mistake was an honest one (for example, if the speed limit sign was grossly faded or blocked by branches).
Get The Officer’s Notes. Officers often jot down things drivers say after being pulled over. In most cases these notes are all officers have to rely on at court. Before appearing in court contact your local district attorney’s office. In most states you have a right to request a copy of an officer’s notes before your court appearance. Obtaining them may help you avoid being blindsided by what an officer has to say, and you can build your defense accordingly.
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