Got a Speeding Ticket? What to Do Now?

 

6 Reasons For Speeding Ticket Dismissals

You surely don't want a speeding ticket or any other type of traffic violation ticket on your record or want a clean driving record. In addition to fines, you may face points on your driving license and an increase in your car insurance premiums.

Just as traffic regulations and punishments differ from state to state, so do possible reasons for having a traffic violation ticket dismissed. No need to panic; it’s doable. It is critical to note that paying your ticket does not dismiss it. If you want to fight your speeding ticket in court, there are a variety of reasons why the court may dismiss your ticket.

The officer fails to appear in court

The most common situation that results in the dismissal of a speeding ticket is when you are present in the court as required, ready to fight your ticket, but the officer who issued the ticket is missing. The court cannot admonish you without the issuing officer being present. In such cases, you might ask for your traffic violation ticket to be dismissed.

The police officer makes an error

Similarly, if the police officer makes a significant mistake during the trial, the traffic violation ticket may be canceled. To take advantage of this opportunity, it is necessary to pay attention to everything the officer says and take notes to point out any contradictions. You can also request to examine the officer's notes to determine any differences between them and the officer's testimony.

An error on the ticket

In rare cases, mistakes by the officer may result in immediate dismissal. These can be incorrect driver's license or license plate number, incorrect date, or incorrect vehicle code section. In such circumstances, the court may conclude the traffic violation ticket is incorrect and dismiss your case. Irrelevant inaccuracies include the make, model, or color of the car; the speed; and the address/location where the alleged incident happened.

Faulty equipment

This one may be challenging, but if you can prove the equipment used by the officer in evaluating whether to issue you a traffic violation ticket, such as a radar detector, you may be able to get your ticket dismissed. Read your ticket carefully; if the officer stated that they stopped you using radar yet the radar slot on the citation is blank, you could bring this up in court. Your car may be subject to defective equipment defense. You may get your car examined to verify whether your speedometer is measured accurately, which may help you avoid a traffic violation ticket.

It’s the first ticket 

If you are fortunate enough to be dealt a kind judge, and this is your first traffic violation ticket, you may be able to get your ticket dismissed, especially since you still have a clean driving record. You can also present proof, such as eyewitnesses, higher academic grades, or community service, anything that would give the judge grounds to dismiss your case.

Proof of presence nowhere near the scene.

If you were not there at the time the traffic violation ticket was issued and can prove it, the court would most likely dismiss your ticket. However, this defense is typically used for those who receive red light violation tickets due to red-light cameras. If you receive a traffic violation ticket from an automated speed detector and can demonstrate that you were elsewhere at the time of the alleged violation, your chances of having your ticket dismissed increase.

The Bottom Line

It can be tricky to get a speeding traffic violation ticket dismissed, but not uncommon. Traffic officers are well-versed in what has to be said and done, and courts usually pay close attention to their evidence. If you can provide proof that casts reasonable doubt on your crime, the court may declare that the state failed to prove its case. If your case is complicated, you may speak with the best traffic ticket lawyers using our Tikkit App