Fighting a Speeding Ticket...

He tells me he had me going 65mph in a 45.  I didn't question him or give him any attitude.  After he leaves, I look over the ticket and notice that it says "paced at 65+".  Now it makes sense as to why my fuzz buster didn't go off (yeah I don't think him seeing that helped me)

I really don't believe I was doing 65+.  I was on my way to work and I was going in early for the hell of it.  I had no reason to speed.  I was probably doing around 50 at the most like I typically do on that street.  So was I speeding?  Yeah but certainly not 65+.

I would think that if any car had been following me that closely, for the length of time that is probably required for pacing, that I would have noticed them in my mirror.  I think its possible that at the point he caught up to me, he was doing 65, but I was not and as he started to slow down, I slowed down also, but to turn into work.  It probably looked like I saw him and hit the breaks.

So I'm looking for help, tips, and any opinions you guys have as to my situation.  I plan to talk it over with a few people and try to figure out if I should bother fighting it.  I know about the calibration thing, but he was driving one of the newer Chargers, so that probably won't help me.

I think things that would hurt me in court are:
-My age, 20
-My car, a Red Firebird with loud exhaust
-A 5mph over ticket last fall from the same guy
-My fuzz buster if he remembers it and mentions it in court

The fine is $80, no big deal, but obviously I'd rather lose the points.  I'd like to see about paying the fine and taking a driving class or whatever to get my points dropped.  This cop is known for pulling people over a lot, so I'm not sure if that would mean if he will or won't show up in court.

Also, I he never had me sign anything.  I'm sure the laws are different in each state/county/whatever, but does anyone know if that means anything?  I live in Michigan.

jmac3 wrote: It's only $80 and you want to fight it?

I don't care about the fine, I care about the points for insurance.

Worth a shot, whats the worst that happens? You lose and you're where you started...

jmac3 wrote: choopie911 wrote: Worth a shot, whats the worst that happens? You lose and you're where you started... +what the court charges you to do it. Here it's at least $20 to fight it.

That's what I need to find out.

choopie911 wrote: Worth a shot, whats the worst that happens? You lose and you're where you started...

Exactly. I got a ticket that everyone said I couldn't beat, but yeah, I beat that rap! Fight the power man. Even if it doesn't go your way, at least you tried.

^^ I find it hard to beleive that an officer was telling kids in driving school to challenge tickets written by his fellow officers. He is either the worlds worst cop or someone is stretching the truth a bit. 

Sounds like your brother needs to slow his arse down if not getting tickets is that important to him.

Regarding Zata, if the court costs aren't that high, it doesn't hurt to try and fight it, but you will most likely lose. My opinion of tickets is that I usually deserve them for the other 1000 times I wasn't caught speeding.

Edited by oldpbnoob - 17 June 2008 at 9:33am

According to my dad, who has been a cop for something like 15 years or so, maybe a couple more idk;  If a police officer is actually certified with the radar gun, he does not even need to have the printed report or whatever from the gun, and his testimony alone is considered admissable in court. I imagine "pacing" did not mean he met your speed, so much as he judged your speed compared to the pace of those around you.

If he's actually certified, you can't beat it.

usafpilot07 wrote: imagine "pacing" did not mean he met your speed, so much as he judged your speed compared to the pace of those around you. If he's actually certified, you can't beat it.

Well I don't think there was anyone near me.  So whether he judged me from a distance, or he actually did follow me, I think these extra points really suck based on an estimate.  I'll take them if its a radar though.

I really wish I would have realized what he did so I could have ask him, but I had originally thought he used radar and I was really confused why my fuzz buster didn't go off.

Zata wrote: usafpilot07 wrote: imagine "pacing" did not mean he met your speed, so much as he judged your speed compared to the pace of those around you. If he's actually certified, you can't beat it. Well I don't think there was anyone near me.  So whether he judged me from a distance, or he actually did follow me, I think these extra points really suck based on an estimate.  I'll take them if its a radar though. I really wish I would have realized what he did so I could have ask him, but I had originally thought he used radar and I was really confused why my fuzz buster didn't go off.

Even then, if he's certified, a "I watched him from point A to point B" will be enough for a judge.

20 mph over the speed limit is reckless driving in my state. I would just pay it.