The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Ugh, apparently my speedo reads off.. by a lot

mikep · 11-02-2002, 02:43 PM

In most states you have 3 options for fighting a ticket

1. Pay the ticket. Take the hit.

2. Go to court and plead Nolo Contendre or no contest. Different states have different terms for this legal right but what it means is you can admit guilt and explain your circumstances . This will give you an opportunity to take a day off work and sit in court for 4 hours waiting for your turn and explain your case to the judge who at his discretion, may drop a portion of the fine . The infraction will still go on your driving and insurance record. Probably not worth it in this case as the fine is relatively small. Iv'e had a few speeding tickets in Oregon and the fines in Oregon are relatively small compared to some states. Lots of traffic cops in Oregon especially in smaller towns without much tax base. Anything is possible. Iv'e had $300 tickets dropped to $15 which was the lowest administrative fee possible but the infraction still went on my record ( I was guilty but I made up a good story ) .

3. Plead not guilty. Dont do this!!!! First off I have to say that an claiming an inoperative speedometer will only get you lectured by the judge on top of having to pay the fine. You are "guilty" in as much as you were exceeding the speed limit . Having faulty equipment is besides the point and as its your fault that its faulty , the judge wont look very favorable at your case at all. Explaining the reason is for nolo contendre pleas. If you plead not guilty and the judge finds against you , you will still pay the fine and take the hit on your record the same as if you just sent the money in. Speeding is almost impossible to get dropped by pleading not guilty though. The judge WILL find against you if you plead not guilty and he accepts the ticketing officers written testimony that you were exceeding the speed limit. He will! Radar guns are calibrated often and with the calibration certificate in hand along with the ticketing officers testimony its a pretty lock tight case against you. There are exceptions to pleading not guilty in traffic citation cases. Not guilty is good for times where there was no observing officer such as right of way cases involving accidents. If you can talk a good game then you can sometimes get the charges dropped entirely.

11-02-2002, 02:43 PM	#13
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	In most states you have 3 options for fighting a ticket 1. Pay the ticket. Take the hit. 2. Go to court and plead Nolo Contendre or no contest. Different states have different terms for this legal right but what it means is you can admit guilt and explain your circumstances . This will give you an opportunity to take a day off work and sit in court for 4 hours waiting for your turn and explain your case to the judge who at his discretion, may drop a portion of the fine . The infraction will still go on your driving and insurance record. Probably not worth it in this case as the fine is relatively small. Iv'e had a few speeding tickets in Oregon and the fines in Oregon are relatively small compared to some states. Lots of traffic cops in Oregon especially in smaller towns without much tax base. Anything is possible. Iv'e had $300 tickets dropped to $15 which was the lowest administrative fee possible but the infraction still went on my record ( I was guilty but I made up a good story ) . 3. Plead not guilty. Dont do this!!!! First off I have to say that an claiming an inoperative speedometer will only get you lectured by the judge on top of having to pay the fine. You are "guilty" in as much as you were exceeding the speed limit . Having faulty equipment is besides the point and as its your fault that its faulty , the judge wont look very favorable at your case at all. Explaining the reason is for nolo contendre pleas. If you plead not guilty and the judge finds against you , you will still pay the fine and take the hit on your record the same as if you just sent the money in. Speeding is almost impossible to get dropped by pleading not guilty though. The judge WILL find against you if you plead not guilty and he accepts the ticketing officers written testimony that you were exceeding the speed limit. He will! Radar guns are calibrated often and with the calibration certificate in hand along with the ticketing officers testimony its a pretty lock tight case against you. There are exceptions to pleading not guilty in traffic citation cases. Not guilty is good for times where there was no observing officer such as right of way cases involving accidents. If you can talk a good game then you can sometimes get the charges dropped entirely. __________________ No truck :-( Last edited by mikep; 11-02-2002 at 05:53 PM.