Got a speeding ticket in a school zone?

Ok so i got pulled over going 36 in a 20mph school zone when in fact i thought i was going the speed limit which was 35. I saw the school sign lights flashing at which point i was driving 20mph and then i thought the school zone had ended because the 35mph sign was up. I wanted to know what i can do i am for sure going to court and contesting the ticket and i heard if the officer doesnt show up then its an automatic dismissal? any help or advice would greatly be appreciated thanks.
Additional Details
there were no children present. I had a witness in the car with me and it was in the morning at around 8:00. The elementary school starts at 9:15.

trooper3316

Officers not showing up for court is for the most part a myth. If they have a valid reason, the case will be rescheduled.

As far as the actual trial, the officer will tell his side, and you will tell yours. The rest is up to the judge. Keep in mind it is where the officer observes the violation, not where you are stopped.

Julie E

Your best bet is to contact the courts and ask them these questions. They are the ones who will process your ticket and will know all the laws and regulation. You should also ask the courts if you are allowed to take a driving school class. This will prevent your insurance from going up and points from being placed on your license. Just make sure you get the courts permission before doing so. If you donâ€™t the courts will reject your driving school certificate. Good luck!

beverly

There's a couple of problems with your explanation that will probably finish you off in court.

To begin with, it will be your word vs. the Officer's word as to whether or not you were going 20 by the time you were in the zone (down from the 36 you were clocked at). The 'witness' in your car won't amount to much - in most cases the Judge is going to take the Officer's word over yours and anyone in your car because the Officer has no vested interest in whether or not you get a ticket. The fact that you admit that at some point you were travelling 35/36 MPH (since you 'knew' the speed limit was 35) reduces the whole argument to a debate not about your speed, but about where the zone begins and how fast you were going at that time.

Your second problem is the 'around 8:00' thing. Most schools have children present FAR earlier than the scheduled start of classes. It's also unlikely that every student in that school starts at the same time - most elementary schools stagger the start and end times of the various grade levels to prevent every student in the school from being in the halls at the same time. Even if the earliest class starts at 9:15, however, having kids there at 8:00 AM is not unusual at all.

It would be VERY difficult (if not impossible) for you to 'prove' that there were no children present at 8:00 (or at whatever time you got your ticket). This is all going to come down to you proving where the signage was posted indicating the 20 MPH zone vs. where the Officer says he clocked your speed. (Keep in mind that PROOF will need to be far more substantial than your passenger's say-so.)

Rock Firestorm

First off, no school zone is 35. No where in the world.

Second, you admit to doing 36, so you have no case.

Third, fighting a school zone ticket is probably the hardest one of all next to camera tickets to fight. You really have no case. Pay the fine and go to traffic school and it won't be on your record but I assure you if you fight and lose, and you will lose, you'll have court costs added to your fine.

Lady in Red

It is very difficult to challenge in court.
you must be able to prove what you are saying.

just pay it.

christian

okay its crucial depending on what the time of day was, the whether and if children were present or not. i would be prepared in court by taking pictures of everything were you got your ticket. ex. the sign locations the school and where you were pulled over. because the law for school zones is that the 20mph only applys if children are present

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