Well I got my first ticket today. My dad thinks I should protest it and so do I. Let me first tell you what happened. I was driving down this long street and coming up to my left turn. I was going a tad bit slower than the Celica to the right of me and he was a nose ahead of my car. I see the Celica slam on his brakes and a cop pull out. I thought the cop was getting the Celica because he was ahead of me and was going slightly faster than me. The cop then pulls me over. He comes to the car and says he got me for speeding. He said I was going 56 in a 40 He then asked for my license. As I am giving him my license I about the Celica next to me. He said he was going 49 when he lasered him and when he switched to me I was going 56 I said that was impossible I was going the the same speed in fact slower than the Celica. He said it looked like I was going faster and was trying to pass him. I was in the left lane next to this for a mile and at NO time was ever trying to pass him especially when I was turning left ahead and told this to the officer. I also gave him my registration and proof of insurance that he never asked for and should have. He said that it looked like I was going faster. The only reason I think he pulled me over instead of the Celica is because I look young and was driving a fast car. He was extremely persistent about seeing my license. He asked for my license straight off and when I was reaching to get my registration and insurance card he once again asked for my license. Even when I gave him my registration and insurance card he just glanced at them and handed them back but he studied my license. Do you guys think I have a case? I think this guy was complete Please respond to this with any advice, questions, or opinions. I really need some advice.

 

I think you probablly have a legit complaint but I dont think it will do any good to fight it unless the system is different where you live. I drive a 87 IROC and its even bright red, cops love that. I've never been pulled over and Lord knows I've done my share of speeding so I dont think he pulled you over cause of your car unless he is a real punk. If you do decide to fight it good luck, you'll will need it.

 

take it from somebody who's getting reviewed by the "hiways and government services" bureau up in canada.. (hey, if they take away my license i'll have that much more time to put goodies on my car to make it faster!)
cops pick on sportscars before any other car.. they seem to think that "nipping it in the butt" before you get too crazy with your fast car.. (i know... they be stupid) squeeling tires, leaving patches (even tho they're half u'r tire width and pegged legged when you have posi is no excuse.. i've tried.. damn cavalier z24)
everybody looks at the sports car when something auto related happens.. u'd be at blame if somebody rear ended you type thing..
i've fought 1\2 of my tickets and only won one.. my speedo wasn't calibrated so he let me off.. i say fight it, got nothing to loose, but don't be pissed off that you lost.. cuz they make judgement on you before you walk in the room..

 

I was thinking of fighting it but I heard they give harsher penalties if you contest and are found guilty. Is this true?

 

Sounds like you were closer and he didn't wanna work to hard. Go fight it, but what you will probably hear is it's your word aginst his, but on the up side the cop might not show up and then you go free...........

 

Well, I don't think you'll win if you go to court. But if you don't have to miss work (if you do work) then you should fight it anyway. I mean your day in court is part of where tax dollars go and it will cost them slightly more money to hear your case! So why not waste some of their money to argue about keeping some of yours? Who knows, the cop might not show up.

I lost $75 bucks that I could have made at work one day last summer when I tried to fight a ticket for running a school bus stop sign... add that to the $250 fine I got slapped with and the $35 bull**** processing fee and I was out $360! That was a case where it isn't worth fighting a ticket even though it was not my fault of course Damn I got screwed!

Anyhow, good luck.


Edit: You should receive the minimum sentance if you go to contest it. If you present yourself well (dress up a little) and treat the judge with respect they will probably go easier than if you just mailed the ticket in.

 

Well for me since I am a minor I will have to go to court anyways with my Dad. So either way I end up in court.

 

Try rescheduling it once or twice. if you do that, more than likely the cop can't / won't show. Definatly dress up nice and ALWAYS treat the Judge w/ respect.

Edit: They may also see that this is your first ticket and be lenient.

 

hey i say fight it,my first ticket,was more than "A" ticket,the damn cop gave me two speeding tickets at once,said he passed me had me at 66 in a 50,and said he was doin 75 when he was coming after me,and couldnt catch me,but anyways,i got a lawyer and took it to court,the cop dropped the 75+ ticket,and since it was my first offense,the judge let me off on probation, for a year,and no points and lowered my ticket fee,however i had to pay court cost,and my lawyer so,do it yourself,and tell him its your first offense,make sure to brag yourself up alittle with sports or whatever,and your work,they should let you off..

 

Always be nice and respect full. Tell them what you thought that you were doing and that you were trying to maintain the flow of traffic and werent aware that you were speeding.

Yes wear your best suit. Something conservative, just a gold old fashioned suit and tie. Dont wear silk or Armonty or anything like that. Then be sure to use your best manners. Judges expect it and demand it.

 

Things to ask for once in the court. When was the Radar gun last calibrated, and is there documentation to prove it. Is there any falicies on the ticket, such as vehicle plate number, or color etc. Also find out if the cop was stationary or moving with the radar, tree's have been known to be doing 35mph on the old Ka band radar and a Laser unit requires the cop to aim it at an object. Did the cop show you the radar gun itself? proving the speed to you or did you just take his word for it? Clean yourself up well and present your case to the judge or magistrate with respect, yes sir/ma'am etc. don't say it was a Celica next to you, it was another vehicle. ussually the officer will not know the vehicle type as well as you do. it could have been a Yugo for all they can remember. Explain to the judge that your car is so many years old and that the speedometer has a tendancy to jump and fluctuate from age at that speed. Was your turn signal already on when the cop was flagging you or were you gonna turn at all?

Juvenile court is not as hard as you think. as long as you have your facts straight and don't leave out the facts you will be fine, a judge is a normal person with thoughts and feelings the same as you. If this is a first offense and you do the right things the judge may allow you a leiniency and give you a warning when all the facts are presented. when I went to juvenile court for speeding tickets (many years ago) the cops were not required to be present. just you, your parent and the judge. so be prepared and take care of business.

 

don't wear green, it's supposed to trigger people to be wary of what you say. Some psychological crap but what the hell, why test it?

I have fought off several tickets and usually I get at least a reduction. Make yourself look clean cut, no piercings, visible tatoos, long hair. I know it's wrong, but people make prejudices based on first impressions. Be humble to the cop when he talks to you before you go in to court, that's where they have reduced my tickets. The judge just follows the cop's recommendation. I have gotten 4 tickets, 3 speeding and one excessive noise.

ticket 1: 71 in a 55, written as 10 over, went to court and received no points

ticket 2: 46 in a 25 written as 10 over, reduced to blockading traffic in court (!?!) No points

ticket 3: 73 in a 50 written as 23 over (ouch) reduced to 10 over in court, No points.

Ticket 4: Squealing tires in my mom's blazer . written as excessive noise, No points.

other close calls: pulled over 8 other times without being ticketed for various reasons. Knock on wood, but I have yet to receive any points!
Take these as inspiration and good luck fighting the system!!!

 

hey always study the ticket carefully.. i have one now that im going to fight b/c the cop wrote down the time as 1214am instead of 1214pm.. small stuff like that can help you alot. the other thing is look nice and be confident when you walk and when you speak, cofidence will help you alot in court between those 2 things that prob why i still have my licence.

good luck!

 

well, if there is ANY incorrect information on the ticket, it is invalid. You should be able to get off on that one.

-peace

 

Wow a lot of this info is really helpful and I appreciate every response. I took the officer's word on the use of the laser gun but he put a speed down that was 7 mph faster than I was actually going. He said I was doing 56 and I asked what the Celica was doing and he said 49. I know for a fact that I was keeping with the speed of the Celica and it was actually gaining a little. This guy just seemed to get me because of my age. Something seemed fishy though and that was he said he was targeting the Celica from an entrance to private apartments (is this even legal? I thougt they couldn't sit on private property) but switched to me because it LOOKED like I was going faster I think he chose me because I am an easy kill. I mean a teens word over a veteran cop come on we all know who has the upper hand Thanks for the responses. My court date is set for 5-13 so I still have awhile to set things up for court. Any extra info that you might think of please post. I think I just might fight the system

 

I was in the exact same situation and I won in court. Damn those speeding red sports cars.

 

Just pay the fine and go to traffic school on the internet,it's not worth it if you lose the case in court.If you lose the case you pay the fine,court costs,and get a point on your record which means your insurance will go up.I've been to traffic school twice now in the class and on the web.It's very easy and you clear your driving record.

 

With me though have to go to court. I am a juvenile. I wish I could just pay a fine and not have to appear.

 

I got a ticket for an expired inspection sticker last week. What pissed me off the most is that he put down "F" under SEX!! WTF. There is no way anyone in their right mind will confuse a fairly good looking, buff...i might add, guy like me for a female. According to him i also drive a "Camro"!! Stupid cop.
So do i get off too????

 

I missed that part about being a minor.Like the guy in the earlier post said be clean cut and well mannered and they should go easy on you and let you go to traffic school.Good luck and let us know what happens.