i need to know if i need to get an attorney or what do i have to do?

If the police officer radared you, then you only have one very slim chance of getting out of it. You'd have to prove that the radar was not properly calibrated, which means you'd have to hire a lawyer who will have to put in a discovery request for the maintenance records for that vehicle, and that right there is going to cost you a bundle. If the lawyer finds out the radar was properly calibrated, you're screwed and you're out that money you paid to the lawyer. If you luck out and the maintenance schedule wasn't followed, you'll now have to shell out more money to have the lawyer represent you in court, and I guarantee you it'll cost you a lot more to beat the ticket than to pay it.

Here's a lower-cost alternative: Request a hearing before the judge or magistrate. When you get there, admit your screw-up, explain yourself, and ask for leniency. If you have an otherwise clean driving record and your explanation is at least plausible, the judge/magistrate may cut you a break on the ticket.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 at 10:42 pm and is filed under beat speeding ticket. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

16 comments so far

rttnblly
 1 

just pay it
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December 4th, 2008 at 4:12 am
uncleneal
 2 

you won't be able to beat that one… just suck it up and pay it and take your medicine…
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December 4th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Logan_brett
 3 

You shouldnt have been speeding in the first place.
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December 4th, 2008 at 4:57 am
lacie_j_1
 4 

I really don't think you can beat this one.

I'm glad you didn't get arrested, you were doing 31 miles over the speed limit. I would get me an attorney.
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December 4th, 2008 at 5:34 am
banjoeyes4u
 5 

Ask for a caibration report for the unit that caught your speed. This may cost a few buck but if the speed detector was not in calibration, it could give a false reading….but ask for it long before your court date, it may take time.
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I work with alot of calibrated tools…..

December 4th, 2008 at 6:13 am
pescado534
 6 

31 mph over the speed limit??? F. Lee Bailey couldn't get you out of that one.
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December 4th, 2008 at 6:47 am
♠DTTRR89ACE♠
 7 

If you were going that fast, pay it, and consider it a lesson learned…

You're ignorant for speeding 31mph over the limit in the first place. I'm pleased you were caught..
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December 4th, 2008 at 7:13 am
RinBellaire
 8 

If you were going 76 in a 45, you need to pay the ticket, quit looking for a way to beat the system!
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December 4th, 2008 at 7:52 am
sarge927
 9 

If the police officer radared you, then you only have one very slim chance of getting out of it. You'd have to prove that the radar was not properly calibrated, which means you'd have to hire a lawyer who will have to put in a discovery request for the maintenance records for that vehicle, and that right there is going to cost you a bundle. If the lawyer finds out the radar was properly calibrated, you're screwed and you're out that money you paid to the lawyer. If you luck out and the maintenance schedule wasn't followed, you'll now have to shell out more money to have the lawyer represent you in court, and I guarantee you it'll cost you a lot more to beat the ticket than to pay it.

Here's a lower-cost alternative: Request a hearing before the judge or magistrate. When you get there, admit your screw-up, explain yourself, and ask for leniency. If you have an otherwise clean driving record and your explanation is at least plausible, the judge/magistrate may cut you a break on the ticket.
References :

December 4th, 2008 at 8:01 am
The staple king
 10 

appear in court and get court supervision if its your first ticket…most judges will let you off if you go one year without another violation. ON a side note, WTF were you driving 76 in a 45 for? What if a kid ran out in the street? You would be doing time for manslaughter, not speeding so use some brains behind the wheel moron
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December 4th, 2008 at 8:40 am
benninb
 11 

People like you get families killed by running them off the road. Pay the ticket. It looks like you didn't learn anything, but try to slow down.
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December 4th, 2008 at 8:57 am
M D
 12 

1) You're going to pay alot more for a lawyer than you will for the ticket.

2) In my jurisdiction, Radar is just confirmation of my visual observation. I write tickets for what I observe. It would be VERY easy for an officer to articulate someone doing 31 mph over. 8 mph, not so much. 31… that's pretty easy.

3) The best thing you can do is go to pre-trial and ask for leniency. Maybe they'll cut you a break on the fine… if you're record isn't too bad.

4) In my jurisdiction, anything over 26 mph over is considered per se wreckless driving and you can go to jail. It's officer discretion.
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December 4th, 2008 at 9:33 am
lucky
 13 

Pay it.
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December 4th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Fee_I_Am
 14 

If you haven't already ask for the radar reading when you go to court if it was not recorded and the officer can not supply proof in court you have a slim chance of getting off, it worked for me about a year ago.
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December 4th, 2008 at 11:12 am
derekcrpd
 15 

Depends on what state you're in and how the officer measured the speed. Most departments keep their equipment certifications current. Some states, such as Florida, even require the officer to test the radar before and after their shift, to verify that the unit is working properly. And that's to say the officer used radar. There's also laser and vascar.

And as the other officer stated, radar is just a confirmation of what the officer observed. The officer observes the vehicle, estimates a speed, and uses the radar to confirm that estimation. I have never seen anyone get off of a radar or laser (even harder) ticket, so just own up to your mistakes and take the driving school if it's available. You have little chance convincing a judge or hearing officer that you wasn't speeding!
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I'm a FL police officer.

December 4th, 2008 at 11:51 am
pistol pete
 16 

Did they clock you? and did you see the radar? In illinois ,30 mph over the speed limit here is a misdemeanor.You might need a lawyer
References :
My experience: 100 in a 45 . 50 hours of community service 80.00 to get my motocycle out the pound .200.00 for a lawyer Mailed me the ticket

December 4th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

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