How to get out of a speeding ticket in southern california?

ok, i just got a speeding ticket doing 80 on a freeway where the speed limit is 65 on the fast lane. I didnt even notice I was speeding because the cars behind me and in front of me where doing the same speed so I was consistant with everyones speed on the freeway. Anyway the patrol car pulled in behind and pulled me over and stating on the ticket as "excessive speed doing 80mph. My question is if there is any chance of winning this case because I feel like I maintaned a steady speed with everyone else and that it would be unsafe to lower my speed as others were right there with me. Do I really have a case here if so what should I do to prove this?
Additional Details
When you say "hope that the cop doesn't show up in court" are you saying to ask for a court date and pleading not guilty on the paper work that is mailed to me and when my court date arrives plead not guilty if the cop doesnt show?
Im still confused on the process of how to plead initially when i receieve my paperwork to get an opportunity of the cop not showing up to court.

UCANTCME

The officer is sworn in, takes the stand and testifies to the following

1. He identifies both you and your car
2. He clocked you on radar, you were clocked say at 55 in a 30 mile zone.
3. He tested the radar gun three ways:

He pressed the button for the internal circuit test and it tested ok

He tested it with a 30 mph and 50 mph tuning fork as per manufactures manual and it tested as being accurate

Office Jones drove by his location as a test at 30 MPH and 50 MPH. The radar guns readings agreed with Officer Jones readings on his speedometer

4. He was trained on the use or radar two years ago and recently had a refresher course

The prosecution rests it's case, smiles at you knowing that your goose is cooked

Here are some shortened sample questions to to give you an idea.

Officer, how many radar guns does your department have
How did you determine that this particular certificate is for the tuning forks you used that day

Please present a document showing the serial number of the radar gun you used that day

Please present a document showing that the tuning forks with the serial numbers indicated on this certificate belong to that gun

If you can't present the documents do you have any witnesses that can testify by direct personal knowledge that this certificate does indeed belong to the tuning forks that belong to the radar gun that you used that day

Failing to prove any one will lead to a dismissal or verdict of not guilty.

The Burdon of proof is on the prosecution.

browncat79

No you don't have a case because going with the flow is not a defense. If you go to court, there is always a chance that the cop won't show up and your ticket will be dropped. If he shows, try to get traffic school to get it taken off your record so your insurance rates won't rise.

80 mph is over the speed limit and unless you were speeding to avoid an accident or some kind of harm, the ticket is justified; you can go to trial and hope that the officer doesn't show up. In that case you will be cleared. No one will buy the defense that it would have been unsafe to lower your speed since there was no legitimate reason to be speeding in the first place.

garrisonbight

NOPE... you were doing 15 over so you will have to pay.

I was actually FOLLOWING a highway patrol car once that was NOT showing lights or using it's siren... just on the way for donuts... and got pulled over by a second officer for SPEEDING...

GP_Jeep

Do the right thing. Tell the truth by pleading guilty ( becuause you are) and accept the punishment imposed by the court.

Be an upright citizen and take responsibility for your own actions.

dreynolds699

no you cannot get out of this one sorry and good luck

R P

A buddy of mine got a simular ticket. He asked the cop why he was getting a ticket when a bunch of cars are speeding. The cop told him " it's kinda like fishing, there's alotta fish out there. you're the one that's caught."

wah hoo

there is no way to blame the other traffic. The judge will tell you that if everyone else on the block becomes a heroin addict does that make it right for you to do it too. You did the crime, now pay the ticket and get on with your life.

Lisa

It's a long shot but your only defense might be the necessity defense if you could prove somehow that it would be more dangerous to drive the speed limit (i.e. other cars might ride your bumper and follow too close). I don't think the judge will go for it though. Just show up and hope the cop is a no show. If he's not there and he never asked for a set-over ahead of time, they usually just dismiss the ticket. If he's there, I would say there is about a 99.5% chance you will lose. They will probably reduce the fine though if you have a good driving record and if this is your first one, you could request diversion like a traffic school class or something.

thud.fan

Right after I got out of the Air Force in the last century, I was doing the "flow of traffic" on the 134W out of Glendale, CA in the #1 lane...Lit up...RATS!..Never saw the little bugger...I was just one of the crowd...Had to pull over into the center median...Told the officer my sob story and we told "war" stories for 15 minutes and he still gave me a ticket...The point is if one is exceeding the limit, one can be cited - regardless of how many around us are doing the same thing.

If this is your first moving violation, the court may offer remedial driver's ed as a penance plus cost of the court...If not, it could get expensive...Just make sure you show up in court at the appointed time...If you don't, a warrant can be issued for your arrest - failure to appear...that means jail, bail, vehicle impoundment, late for work, no license/registration renewal, etc, etc, etc.

All the best

Cappo359

You're gonna pay the fine, but keep in mind that in California you can go to traffic school to keep the point off of your license. (as long as you haven't done the traffic school gig in the last 18 months.) That'll at least keep your insurance from going up for the next 3 years.

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