It can happen to anyone: You are cruising down the freeway ten miles over the speed limit, assuming that you are going with the flow of traffic. As you are enjoying the ride, you look in your rearview mirror to see those telltale blue and red lights. You pull over and are routinely hit with a speeding ticket. Most people just pay the ticket because it is the easiest option; however, most people do not realize that the points on the record can sometimes increase their premiums by 30%. With a little research and tenacity, you can greatly reduce, or sometimes eliminate, your fine and the points on your record.
First, make sure that all of the information on the ticket is correct, such as time of day, intersection, location, etc because sometimes missing or incorrect information on a citation can often be grounds for dismissal.
If you have done your homework and still have to make a court appearance, the first option is to reschedule your court date to increase the odds that the ticketing officer doesn’t show. Since you have a legal right to question your accuser, a case will often be dismissed if a cop is a no-show. If your police officer shows, you have the option to approach the district attorney and simply ask for a plea to a lesser infraction since most traffic courts are going to offer some level of flexibility.
Sometimes you have to do your due diligence and actually fight your ticket, but if you gather your information and take it seriously, it can increase your positive chances. A sound argument can often result in a dismissal, because police officers are required to submit written rebuttals, which doesn’t always happen.
Speeding tickets are an annoyance, but it is part of operating a vehicle. You can never go wrong contesting a ticket if you have the time and energy, because can always increase your chances of coming out ahead.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources. This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements, nor is it intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and the language contained therein will govern such policy. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
