SuperCon16

so the other night, I was pulled over and the cop said he clocked me going 92 in a 65 zone.

the problem with that is, I have a radar detector that is pretty sensitive and goes crazy whenever i'm near a grocery store, let alone a cop radar. but this thing didn't go off at all when i passed the cop. also, when i passed the cop and i saw his headlights turn on, i looked down and was 83pmh.

my question is this: Do I try to fight this thing? Does saying "my radar detector didn't go off" count for anything in court? can this guy actually prove that he clocked me going 92? i live in philly pa and the ticket is 189 bucks and counts for 5 points on my license if i'm guilty.

lemme know your experiences with fighting tickets, radar guns and detectors and their proof capabilities and any advice you have!

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

I would go to court and hope the cop doesn't show. If he does show, forget it. You guilty. And no, your "radar detector defence" will not stand up to a cop's "radar offence"

mac11

iTrader: (1)

He cant prove anything now, its how many days later? You should have asked to see the radar and the log book if you thought he wasn't being honest.

And, no, "my radar detector didn't go off" won't give you any credibility. Neither will "I was really only going 83." 83 is still 18MPH OVER the speed limit so either way you are screwed.

Pay the ticket.

Fight tickets by slowing down. If you are going to drive ~20MPH OVER the posted limits deal with the consequences and don't bitch and try to weasel out of them. You were speeding, you know you were speeding. Deal with it.

BlueRenesis82

go in and plead it down. otherwise if your ticketing officer doesn't show, you are not guilty

mac11

iTrader: (1)

Not true everywhere.

See you this weekend.

BlueRenesis82

aye

rx8rotary

I sure wouldn't tell the judge that "my radar detector didn't go off" because all that tells him is that you make it a habit to drive fast. I would go to court, tell the judge you are guilty of speeding and ask if he will at least reduce the speed some so it is not as many points on your license. Request driving school (if available) to keep it off your record.

If this is your first ticket, or at least first in many years, the judge might cut you some slack.

Bob

dmp

Fight every ticket.

SilverStreak

I've never had to fight a ticket, so I can't vouch for the info here but it is worth reading.

http://copradar.com/preview/chapt7/ch7d2.html

Tyguy

run to canada and come back in a few years

Whitey

From my experiences.... if the officer doesn't show, they will reschedule your court date to allow him to testify against you on the new court date. It sucks but when you speed.....they've got you by the *****.

NoTears316

Be a man, and bite the bullet on this one... or come up with a better defense then what you have already considered.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

i don't know any cops that will let you walk out and check their radar and/or log book but maybe i'm wrong. even if they did, you think they'd be nicer to you if you're second guessing them? i think they'd probably also make a point to make it to court to ensure you get hit with the full amount.

Rems31

You can always fight to have the ticket/points reduced. Don't be an idiot by just paying it

VRZOOMZOOM

Go to court, get it reduced if your record clean.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

It all depends on your state. Some will reschedule if the officer doesn't show. Others, the Prosecutor is suppose to have his case ready for trial. The Prosecutor doesn't get the right for a continuance until you have already have asked for one. In my state, the officer sets the date of the trial and is expected to be there.

shazbot28

iTrader: (2)

Well it's too late but you CAN request to see the radar gun and it's record of the number he got you at the time when the cop stopped you if you ask nicely. If they can't provide evidence of a radar gun, you just called their bluff on only the radar gun part.

I haven't personally done it but this is information from my friend and his dad is a po po.

Since you have the ticket, there's also certain ways that you can weasel your way out of it as my friend did for 3 of his speeding tickets. (these were about 20 mph over the speed limit each) I don't know the whole specifics but some of it has to deal with past case laws he presents to the judge, asking the judge if an attorney is going to represent the po po, and if the officer knows how to tune the radar gun documentation of the radar being serviced. My friend said if the officer cannot pull documentation of it being serviced (and most times they're not the ones who tune the guns) then the charges can be dropped if it's done a certain way.

Stavesacre21

I was faced with a seeminly similar situation about a 1/2 year ago, clocked going almost the exact same speed. However, in defiance county...low and behold, going anywhere from 5-29 MPH over only called for 2 points and a $75 fee. I bit the bullet and just paid.

HOWEVER, for FIVE points...i'd probably fight that one if I were you. I don't know as though the "radar detector didn't go off" excuse will hold up in court, but you can always argue that he didn't show you the radar, and/or just hope he doesn't show up.

Fritz the Cat

Perhaps I'm stating the obvious, but couldn't the cop have nailed you using laser? Then your radar detector would be useless, right?

In any case, you're busted. Pay up.

Stavesacre21

however, if the cop was moving (towards or away from you), laser wouldn't be possible.

Laser requires stationary measures to be taken, which is why it would seem that so many cops get lazy and flip their radar on everywhere they go. All of our sheriffs and local cops do the same.

Those state troopers sitting the median...yea, they've got the idea. Undetectable...until they've already got your speed. That said, I always scratched my head and laughed when i'd hear about radar detectors that feature laser detection.

Razz1

That's the funnest thing I 've read on this forumn in months!

knight7

iTrader: (1)

True words of a rookie, Never ever pay up. specially if you live in NY, go to court not guilty, if the cop shows up reschedule, oh my lawyer is not here. and keep doing that eventually the cop is going to get sick and not show. but never pay for a ticket, unless is parking or found guilty by a judge. remember any mistake on the paperwork and you are off the hook.

P.S. Highway patrols usually dont show to court.

Stavesacre21

sure wish that went for the great state of ohio. the highway patrol tends to be one of the most punctual of all the enforcement around here. If you've ever been through Ohio, you'll know what i'm talking about. It's the the friggin green berets of the highway

Cattywampus

Why do people who get tickets come to a car forum for suggestions. Just pay the damn thing and suck it up.

therm8

5 points is killer.

There's no fighting a speeding ticket. The judge will never be on your side. Go to court (looking like an upstanding member of society of course) and plead down the charge. Take a driving course. Then your looking at a huge point decrease. You'll still pay the fine, but you won't get murdered on insurance. Don't ever mention the phrase "my radar detector" in traffic court...


Oh and radar detectors are nearly worthless in most encounters. Don't rely on them. They're best used as an aid. Your eyes are much more useful at avoiding tickets. Neither will help you at 30 over, so that's pay to play territory.