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Got my 1st speeding ticket this morning on the way to work :(

12K views 107 replies 52 participants last post by  SRT8Tech 
#1 · (Edited)
MAY 19, 2011

Little update to this one.....


Round 1 goes to me. Hit court today and officer comes unprepared with all the docs I'd filed for in subpoena. We all banter back and forth on the validity of the documents and the judge sided with me. I almost motioned for dismissal, but didn't think the judge would go for it this early in the process.

Since the docs weren't presented and I needed them (and time) to prepare my defense I motioned for a continuance. Judge granted said motion and ordered the PD to provide me with the docs I'd requested.


Now, whether they'll help or not who knows. Next court date is June 16.

I've got a couple of subpoenas to file based on things I learned today in court.

I'll post up the full story after it all plays out.


MARCH 3, 2011

Gonna be a beautiful day here today so decided to take the Challenger to work. Gave the better half a ride to work as well.

Coming down a long straight stretch my radar detector (Escort 8500 X50) is going berserk. I make sure I'm doing the speed limit (45MPH) cool and just cruise.

About 2 miles down I'm a a big intersection, the first car at the light. I'm crossing a 4 lane, I'm on a 4 lane, and on the other side it's 2 lane. Radar is still going nuts.

Light turns green and I gingerly cross the intersection. On the other side the speed limit drops to 30MPH. So I just coast and ease in to 4th gear. Sure enough there they are in the Lowe's parking lot. I figure there's been a wreck as there's two cars.

Cop waves me in the parking lot so I abide. He asks if I know why I've been stopped "no Sir".

Him - Speeding
Me - no way, my radar detector has been going off for miles and I was tenacious with watching my speed here, I saw you guys.
Him - he pauses like he's not sure
Me - I point to my gal and say "sir she and I were both commenting on being sure I was at 30MPH and I was".
Him - turns the radar gun around and says "well the gun locked on to your car and it says 47MPH".
Me - WHAT!? NO WAY. We're like 200 yards from the stop light.
Him - that's what it says and you left the car behind you in the dust, wait here please.

Gives me a ticket for 47 in a 30. Good grief. His gun must have hit another vehicle coming down the long stretch approaching the red light.

Bad thing is now I have to take a day off work to go contest it in court, my gal will be going with me as a witness.

My dad is a retired LEO, so I'd normally not even bother to contest the facts on the side of the road, but it was such an obvious mistake I just couldn't help it and thought maybe he'd just give me a warning and avoid the hassles. If I'm guilty I'm guilty and would just opt for traffic school, but I was just dumbfounded on this one as the Escort gave me loads of warning and I was EXTRA careful to be dead on my speed to not give any excuses.

I'll be contesting this one, and will likely have to even appeal if the lower court judge finds me guilty. It's the principle.

Ah, the system!
 
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#3 ·
Yea that's bs. I got a ticket on my sport bike for doing 64 in a 40. But the mess up part is I wasn't speeding and the cop was infront of me about 400 yds. Pull my friend over so I pull around them up about 100 yrd past them and waited for him cause I didn't know where we were going and I didn't do anything wrong so I thought.... Then after she's done with him drive up to me and writes me the same ticket she gave my friend I cussed her out and said no way 2 bikes more than 500 yrds apart doing the same speed . I went right then to court house and put not guilty on ticket before she was even off duty that day ..... My day in court the judge said it was bs and dismissed both our tickets... And just a waist of my time and tax money fight it!!!!
 
#4 ·
Sorry to hear about your speeding ticket. Is this your first speeding ticket ever or your first speeding ticket in a Challenger?
 
#5 ·
Sorry you got nabbed, Speedy, especially since it sounds bogus. Cops are human and make mistakes, but the arrogance that some display ticks me off. And before I'm flamed, let me explain that my dad is a retired hell-city cop and two brothers are cops - they can be VERY arrogant at times and get all pissy when I tell them to stop treating me like a moronic perp. lol

I hope you're able to get this ticket dismissed. Good luck. :)
 
#17 · (Edited)
Think 1-4 skip shift here. That's almost what I did. I was staring at the speedo to make sure I didn't crack 30MPH because I was staring right at the two officers standing on the side of the road while I was at the light. At first I thought there had been an accident so I was literally coasting.

With a name like "Speedy," how could anyone think you were speeding?! :)
Hehehee, yeah guess I should get that off my vanity plate huh?

Just wanted to throw a few things out ther for info.

1. Did he shoot Radar or Lidar. There is a difference. If he shot Lidar, there is no way he picked up another car. Lidar has a very direct beam. If your ticket shows a distance on it, it is probaly a Lidar gun.

2. Your dad will probably agree with me on this one. If you decide to fight it in court, even with a witness, if your argument is that you know you weren't speeding, that probably wont fly. Half the people I pull over for speeding say this. Judges know that we don't have to try hard to catch speeders, so why would we fang someone for no reason. If you try use the radar detector angle, the judge might question why you have a radar detector :scratchhead:.

3. In order to be certified for Radar, you must be able to visually estimate a vehicles speed within 5 MPH. My eye is trained enough that I can estimate a vehicles speed within 3 MPH. I practice this every time I shoot Radar to make sure I stay consistent.

Not saying your a liar, but I know in my Challenger I wont notice much difference in speed form 30 to 47 MPH. I think the natural reaction for people when they get lit up is to first take there foot of the gas and possibly brake before they look at their speed. That is why people say they are going 5 to 10 MPH less than what I catch them at. Either that or they are lying. I have paced people with the Radar on and both my Radar and Speedometer will show a speed and people will still swear up and down that they were not going that speed. just sayin'.
I'm not sure what version of tool he was using. It was a small black gun about the size of a coke can with a handle and a digital read out on the back (LCD). My radar detector was scream "X" band radar and had been for a couple miles.

Radar detectors are not illegal here. I use it because people are idiots and slam on their brakes when they see police cars. Since my detector beeps way before they're visible I know to ease off and give extra room to the car in front since I know what'll happen when the officer becomes visible.

I can only state the facts in court. I looked straight at my speedo....30MPH barely. My better half, while possibly considered a bias witness can testify to that fact as we were both talking about it as we left the light. "GO SLOW".

Yeah, my Dad does say you're supposed to estimate the vehicle speed by eye, then confirm with the tool (radar). This guy didn't do that by his own admission. He said:

"I saw you get on it pulling away from the light and you left the car behind you in the dust. I pointed my gun straight at you". I had asked if maybe the radar hit another target.

Ah well, we'll see what happens. I figure I'll have to appeal it, but whatever. It's principle.

My record his clean. This isn't my first ticket ever in my life, but it's the first one in about 4 years and the last one was in a whole different county. I used to ride sport bikes so I've spent my fair share of time pleading my case in court. I have about a 50/50 batting average. Normally I'm looking for a technicality or loop hole as I won't lie about it, but in this case I'm flat out not guilty. In the past I had the best luck with a "guilty with explanation" defense, but this time I'm saying flat out not guilty.

I'm hoping the guy thinking about it and realizes his mistake and never turns the ticket in. We'll see. I'll call next week to see if it's in the system and go from there.

Like I said, I have respect for LEOs, and treated this guy as such. He just made a mistake is all. Makes me wonder how often it happens and folks get screwed. Probably a lot.
 
#8 ·
Same thing happen to me

I was passing a car going 75 in a 65 radar (Escort 8500 x50 ) was warning me. as I topped the hill a pickup truck was pulling over to the shoulder (busted) and a Highway patrol was crossing the median. I slowed down even more.

Then the HP hit the lights.. passed the pickup on the shoulder..and came tearing ass after me.

Pulled me over..says I was doing 97 in a 65. I said no way..It was the pickup truck

Make a long story short...fought the ticket..no points off and had to pay court cost...but what a @#$%^&* hassle.

Sorry to hear about yours Speedy...Good Luck !:thumbsup:
 
#9 ·
Sorry to hear about your ticket, Speedy. My greatest fear (next to someone running into me and stray grocery carts!) every time I take my car out - never without my Escort.
I'm sure it won't end up costing you anything but your time, but time is $$$ especially since it's time off from work. The speed on his gun could have come from anything.
Hope all goes as well as possible from this point.
Keep us posted.
 
#10 ·
Radar guns are only as good as the cops that use them. Many mistakes are made with them and it pisses me off because most of the time the people that get screwed because of the mistake get screwed in court also. I have been clocked for speeding 2 times that were bogus. One was "clocked you at 140 plus" when I was in a 95 Thunderbird with a 108 MPH speed governor!!! It could not even hit 140 without the damn governor. The second time was on the way home from Sea World in Daytona. Clocked me at "88" but my GPS and speedo said 78 and cruise was on 78. I got the "140 plus" ticket thrown out in court because I proved that my damn car could not go 140, but the 88 mph ticket I just said screw it and took the class so no points were given. Only thing that made me feel better about the 88mph ticket is that I pretty much cussed the state tropper and the other tropper that was with him up and down for 10 minutes. They almost took me to jail because of it. :)
 
#11 ·
Just wanted to throw a few things out ther for info.

1. Did he shoot Radar or Lidar. There is a difference. If he shot Lidar, there is no way he picked up another car. Lidar has a very direct beam. If your ticket shows a distance on it, it is probaly a Lidar gun.

2. Your dad will probably agree with me on this one. If you decide to fight it in court, even with a witness, if your argument is that you know you weren't speeding, that probably wont fly. Half the people I pull over for speeding say this. Judges know that we don't have to try hard to catch speeders, so why would we fang someone for no reason. If you try use the radar detector angle, the judge might question why you have a radar detector :scratchhead:.

3. In order to be certified for Radar, you must be able to visually estimate a vehicles speed within 5 MPH. My eye is trained enough that I can estimate a vehicles speed within 3 MPH. I practice this every time I shoot Radar to make sure I stay consistent.

Not saying your a liar, but I know in my Challenger I wont notice much difference in speed form 30 to 47 MPH. I think the natural reaction for people when they get lit up is to first take there foot of the gas and possibly brake before they look at their speed. That is why people say they are going 5 to 10 MPH less than what I catch them at. Either that or they are lying. I have paced people with the Radar on and both my Radar and Speedometer will show a speed and people will still swear up and down that they were not going that speed. just sayin'.
 
#12 ·
Speedy, now you can wear that handle proudly.. Or you could just change it to "Slow Poke".. :stickpoke:

Sorry man, just winding you up. Couldn't help it. Good luck fighting this.

:icon_cheers:
 
#14 ·
Yikes!!!

Sounds bogus to me Speedy. I had my new RT last July and got a speeding ticket 14 days later.... in my daily driver (Camry 4 cyl). Copper hiding behind a telephone poll with Laser radar gun. 75 in a 50. Dang. Going to court this July to fight it. Cop doesn't show... I walk free! Radar detectors are illegal up here in Canadaland.
Good Luck in court...make sure Wifey is with you as a witness eh!

StevoHemi :thumbsup:
 
#15 ·
I'm not sure about the Tennessee laws but in Minnesota if you get a ticket in one of the higher population counties and you have a clean record, they will allow you to negotiate an out of court agreement. You will pay about 50% more than the ticket price and you must also go one year from the previous ticket issue date without another similar ticket. If you go this route then nothing goes on your record as long as you do not get another ticket in a year. If you do get the second ticket then both go on your record. This offer is usually only given to those drivers that have a great driving record. Driving school is not required either.
 
#16 ·
I met my wife for lunch a few months back. We both left the parking lot in separate cars and ended up at a light together. I accelerated pretty hard and then exited at the next the road about 1/2 mile down. Moments later she was pulled over for speeding 17mph over the limit. The cop clocked my car, but I had already exited. He thought my wife was speeding. She got the ticket too. I am LE, and I can tell you mistakes happen when it comes to the radar. If I am not sure which car I clocked, it doesn't get pulled over. Some people do things differently though.
 
#18 ·
Sorry to hear about the ticket Speedy. Since everyone is sharing stories I will also. My wife hates the fact that I don't get speeding tickets. I get pulled over and she will tell them to give me a ticket, and yet somehow I don't. Drives her crazy.

Last summer while driving to a race track in southern Alberta, I was "blowing the carbon out" of the challenger. I didn't hit top speed, but was around 170 KMH going through the transcanada highway.

I moderated the speed to around 145-150KMH and was cruising down the road when I glanced at my nav/ipod to change songs. I look up and see a RCMP going the other direction, so I look at the speedo, see 147ish and look over at the broomrider and ask for my registration and insurance cause its going to be a good ticket. I drive up a mile or so and pull over on the side of the road and wait. I can see the RCMP had hit his lights, driven across the median and was coming up the road. During that time a little shitmobile passes by me, and then the Cop Car goes screaming past me lights and sirens going and pulls the shitmobile over.

I look at the wife, she is pissed off, I chuckle and said alrighty lets keep going and drove off. She still can't get over it.
 
#20 ·
Your car must have looked that fast,couldn't be the fiesta next to you. Any point system where you live? If not pay the fine ,cheaper than missing a days work.
Tout
 
#21 · (Edited)
Yep, there's a point system and also gets reported to insurance. I think the class is like $110 or something and the citation wouldn't go on my record, but that's not the point. The point is I wasn't speeding. I'm just a stickler like that.

On the way home I went back by the location I received the citation.

The officer stopped me 1046 feet from the traffic light including a 5 lane intersection.

Also, he and his partner were writing citations 26 feet beyond a speed change sign. It's 45 on one side of the sign and 30 on the other. Makes me wonder how legal that is to begin with. I mean 26 feet inside the new speed zone and you know they're getting your speed well before that posted speed sign so they have time to step out in front of you to make you stop.

I'll be going Sunday and taking a few photographs. I have some faith in the justice system, whether right or wrong. We'll see what happens. I may change my tune after my court data haha ask me in a month.
 
#34 ·
I have some faith in the justice system, whether right or wrong. We'll see what happens. I may change my tune after my court data haha ask me in a month.
I used to be a trial attorney. notice i said used to be. thats because I have VERY LITTLE faith in the justice system.

if the cop has even a few trials under his belt, he knows exactly what to say on the witness stand to convict you. anything that he may know that may help exonerate you will not be recollected or downright disputed. guaranteed.

a cop on the stand takes pride in getting the judge to believe him. he will not say anything that will help you (or least not intentionally). When a judge sides against a cop, they take it personally as if his integrity is being questioned so they make sure they have an iron clad case- even if it is a little adjusted for the audience.

ask him how he knows that 47mph car was you and he'll respond that he saw you and visually estimated your speed and that he is trained to do this, blah blah blah blah. If you ask him whether or not it was possible thAT THE RADAR RECORDED THE SPEED OF ANOTHER DRIVER AND HE'LL RESPOND THAT YOU WERE THE FASTER CAR IN THE BUNCH AND THAT NO ONE WAS MOVING FASTER THAN YOU WERE.
 
#22 ·
Crappy cops suck. If he's confused on how to use a radar gun, I fear what may happen if he ever has to use a real gun.
 
#26 ·
I had an issue like this earlier, cop was next to me, cop across the road, me and the cop next to me get the green turn light...he starts to go, I go, bam lights on his cruiser and the one across the road come on and they say I ran the turn light? o_O, thankfully had "connections" so it was thrown out...but wow, some cops are just jerks these days, flat out liars.
 
#28 ·
I would fight it, just the points and insurance alone is worth the fight. Usally they will drop it to 5MPH over and this just gives a small fine, no points or insurance notification.
Tout
 
#29 ·
J sorry to here this but you know the HO is an attention getter and only 26feet to slow down well kinda looks like a trap but hey it's posted and that sucks. I wish you the best on your defense the law has a way of equaling everything out...in reference to your data logging we all do it but hopefully you can prove that the unit was not up to current certification...
 
#30 ·
J sorry to here this but you know the HO is an attention getter and only 26feet to slow down well kinda looks like a trap but hey it's posted and that sucks. I wish you the best on your defense the law has a way of equaling everything out...in reference to your data logging we all do it but hopefully you can prove that the unit was not up to current certification...
Exactly Jeff. If I get a ticket at least let me EARN it. Then I'd just go to class and call it a day.

I'm quite confident either the officer left his previous offender's speed locked on the equipment, OR it picked up another vehicle approaching the intersection. At any rate, I asked my Dad about the 26 feet from the 30MPH sign as well and he said the judge would frown on the fact that the officers were that close to the posted limit considering they have to step out in the road to make the stop.

I believe they were actually shooting the other direction as the speed goes from 35 to 30 and their cars were hidden behind the Lowe's straw trailer from that direction as well. From the stop light I was at, they were literally in plain site and actually stood out. I thought there had been either an accident or a shop lifter.
 
#32 ·
I beg to differ.

I often will estimate my speed that I'm driving without looking at the speedometer, to see how close I can come to the actual speed. I'm ALWAYS within 5 MPH.

YMMV
 
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