Receiving your first speeding ticket is not only an emotional experience; it can also be a financial burden. Different states and municipalities have their own unique rules and regulations regarding speeding tickets. Although you should always follow any instructions you read on the citation or are given by the officer, the following basic instructions will give you an understanding of what you need to do to fight a speeding ticket in court.
How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Court
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Do not show up unprepared
If you choose to appear in court for your speeding ticket, be aware that you may be required to pay court costs. Here are several pieces of advice from an attorney if you want to try and beat your ticket:
- Know about the ticket you’ve received. Understand the elements that the state has listed the officer must prove against you.
- Ask to see the officer’s paperwork. If they don’t have it, you’ve got a good chance to get your ticket dismissed.
- Fight your speeding ticket by knowing what kind of device your speed was measured on. If on your ticket, you do not see the type of device used, you may be able to use this as a violation of your due-process rights and get the case dismissed.
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Know what to say in court
Here are a list of key terms and tips on verbage you should use when fighting a speeding ticket:
- Not guilty
- An absence of traffic
- It was less than 5 – 10 mph over the speed limit
- Weather conditions
- Explain in detail
- Absence of speed limit signs
- Stay respectful and level headed
Remember that speeding tickets are completely preventable. If you drive at or below the posted speed limit all of the time, you will never have to worry about the hassle of a speeding ticket.
What Happens When You Get One?
Whereas the above talks about what to do in court, here’s how to be better prepared before court.
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Remain calm and respectful
As soon as you become aware that the patrol officer is going to issue you a speeding ticket, remain calm and respectful. Never argue with the officer or attempt to persuade him or her to recant the citation.
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Sign the paper copy of the ticket
Oftentimes the officer will head back to his car to draft up the information needed for your citation. He will then present you with a paper copy of the ticket for you to sign.
Your signature doesn’t mean that you agree with the ticket, but make sure you sign it (Mike Allyn)![speeding ticket]()
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Check your contact information on your copy
After you sign, the officer will present you with a copy of the ticket for your records. On this ticket will appear your contact and personal information, the location of your offense, the officer’s name, the posted speed limit, the speed you were going when the officer first signaled you to pull over, and a preliminary court date for the offense. If any of your contact information is incorrect, notify the officer so that he or she can make the proper changes.
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Make sure you know how to handle the citation
The officer may give you verbal instructions on what you need to do to handle the citation or he may refer you to instructions on the piece of paper. Even if the officer does not explain to you what you need to do next, the information should appear somewhere on the ticket.
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Read the instructions on how to pay
After you have safely arrived at your destination, read over the instructions on how to pay your speeding citation. Usually, you will have the option to pay online, by phone or at your local municipal courthouse. There should be a contact number listed on the ticket that you can call if you have any questions.
A man and woman reading a speeding ticket![speeding ticket copy]()
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Attend defensive driving school instead of paying
If the speeding ticket is your first, you may be allowed to attend defensive driving school in exchange for the fine. You can call your local municipal courthouse to find out more information about enrolling. This possibility is only available in certain areas.
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Know your options if defensive driving school is not possible
If you are unable or not allowed to attend defensive driving school, you have two options. The first option is to pay the fine in full before the court date that is printed on the ticket. The second option is to appear in court to see if you can get the citation dismissed. If you choose to appear in court for your speeding ticket, be aware that you may be required to pay court costs. Here are several pieces of advice from an attorney if you want to try and beat your ticket:
- q
Notify your auto insurance company
You may need to notify your automobile insurance company after being issued a speeding ticket. In many cases, your automobile insurance rate may increase after one or more speeding tickets. In the worst case scenario, an automobile insurance company may drop your policy if you are issued several speeding tickets in a short period of time.
FAQ
Is getting a speeding ticket bad?
It doesn’t have to be! First offense speeding tickets are typically pretty harmless if they are not super-speeder or reckless driving offenses. You may even be able to choose to attend defensive driving school in exchange for paying the fine and avoiding any points on your DMV record.
If I pay, what happens?
Once your speeding ticket is paid for, the violation will show up on your DMV record as a ‘point.’ Having too many convictions or points on your DMV record may result in your auto insurance charging you more money or asking you to cancel your policy with them.
Is it worth fighting?
If you feel that you have received a speeding ticket undeservingly, then it is worth a chance at fighting for it’s dismissal. Sometimes, all it takes is for the officer not to show up in court, or not to have his paperwork to match your citation, for your ticket to be dismissed.
Do cops show up in court?
Most of the time, officers will show up for traffic but occasionally they do not show up if they are needed at a more important event.
