Should I contest my ticket for speeding in a school zone? PLEASE HELP [REPOST]?

School was dismissed, I was in the parking lot following tons of other cars out of the senior lot. As usually when I came to the stop sign I turned right, there is a sign that states "school zone ended" with a speed limit sign that said 35 mph probably around 40 feet from the stop sign. As I passed the sign I sped up. About 30 feet (maybe more) past the sign, I saw a cop car cresting the hill... I figured I was going right around 35 so I didn't feel the need to hit the brakes. As I passed the cop car the officer slowed, swung around and pulled me over.

The officer accused me of going 40 in a school zone! It is so absolutely absurd! There is no way I could have accelerated to 40 before I passed the end of school zone sign unless I took the corner going like 15 mph which I couldn't because I made a complete stop as I always do!

I'm not a reckless person. I'm always very caution about pedestrians on the roadways, I always slow down and move over as far away as I can from them or the sidewalk.

The only thing I can think of is that there is a yellow sign on the officers side of the street showing pedestrians walking with bags... BUT the sign actually saying 20 mph when children are present comes after the point of the stop sign I was stopped at BEFORE even turning onto the street!

I have taken some pictures for evidence but I'm worried because they can't really show the distance between everything that they are pretty much useless. I was thinking of going back to the site and measuring everything so I can make an accurate diagram.

I'm terrified if I contest I will loose or they'll get me with something else and it will still be plastered on my record.

This is my first ticket btw.
Additional Details
i was told if you contest and loose, you'll have to pay more! is that true?

im in high school, trying to graduate and get into college, and have a job! i have no extra money to pay a ridiculous ticket.

Rob

Normally I would just say to tell the judge you are guilty with an explanation in hopes of a reduction. But I think if you are able to illustrate the distance you had to accelerate to go with the pictures you might have a slim chance. If he clocked you with radar there is no disputing the speed. I would put emphasis on being on the other side of the school zone sign if that is where you were. The guy that says you will eat court fees and not be allowed to take driver course, that is entirely up to the judge, and every judge is different. You may even what to attend a driver's course before the hearing so you can prove to the judge that you are willing to change in the event that you are found guilty.

If found guilty, their will be a sentencing phase. During this the judge will ask if there is anything else you would like to tell the court. This is the point you want to try to make yourself look good. Tell him your not usually an aggressive driver, you've never had a ticket or a warning (if true). Tell him that you would be willing to go to driving school to better yourself. Most of all, be respectful and honest with the judge and the officer. I have seen judges take things for face value, and I've seen them say, "Ok, have a seat on the bench behind you while I have the clerk pull your record."

I suppose it depends on what state you are in, but in Maryland if the officer fails to appear it looks very bad on him/her and all his/her morning traffic cases get dismissed, not postponed, and that is from experience.

dude0795

There are few very good ways to contest the radar. Get a decent lawyer and he/she should know them.

Otherwise you probably should plead guilty and pay the fine. They will never get you for anything else while in court unless you freak out but that will have nothing to do with your ticket. They can charge you with a lesser included offense but only after dismissing the ticket for speeding. Maybe for something with no insurance points.

i got haters

if u can u should probably pay the ticket if possible. i have a feeling that if u contest that its not gonna go well.

soinlove3238

thats crazyyy!! stand your ground and defend yourself!! : )

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!

Drageruka

Option 1 Pay the fine , Take Def Driving get it off your record and then your just out the cost of the ticket.

Option 2 - take it to court. Dismissed if the Officer doesnt show up to contest it when you plead not guilty... Either way if convicted you pay the fine and do the Def driving... if no Show they dismiss it.

Either way you are probally gonna lose... IE Your A young Driver , and the Cops are usually given the benefit of the doubt cause they have dash cams. if the lights were on then they were recording.

And Yes you can get up to 40 mph in a matter of seconds. Depending on how you drive... Most cops are driving through school zones with their radars on anyway ...

Now... if you were walking and a car was going 35-40 in a 20mph (During School Hours) then wouldnt you want them to slow down, Schools usually 8-5 or something like that ... more than likely you were in the wrong... cops dont MAKE up how fast you are going... the radar tells them... and yes its recorded for court purposes... pay they fine, do your time.

040Aaas

why does this guy above feel obligated to answer a question that obviously says "repost" and have an attitude about it?

contact a lawyer for a free consultation.

Rock Firestorm

Note the morons who tell you to fight it have the spelling ability of a first grader.

Do not waste your time. You will lose and you will have court costs added to your fine. I already told you this last time you posted this but apparently it wasnt what you wanted to hear.

I assume you're going to fight it no matter what anyone tells you. So go ahead. When you lose, and you will, besides court costs added to your fine, you lose the right to go to traffic school.

I'd suggest paying it and going to TS but you won't; for some reason you think you're going to fight it and win and you won't.

I'll repeat this again when you write the question a third time.

PS and the moron telling you if the officer doesn't show up they dismiss it is of course guessing, this is NOT true. They just reschedule your court date until he does show up. Remember, most of the people here are passing off bad guesses as answers.

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