Need advice on how to fight a BS speeding ticket

[bleuhaze]

I need some advice on how to go about beating a radar clocked speeding ticket. Normally when I get pulled I just tell the cop "you got me" and pay the fine, but this time I really was'nt speeding and he was acting like an ass to boot. Here's the short version, 4 Lane scenic highway, with obstructed veiw (poles trees bushes ) the west bound lane I was in was easily 20ft higher than the east bound where he was shooting the radar from not to mention the 25 yard median strip, there was other traffic going in both directions and I was riding my XR250L which has the radar cross section of a piece of paper!. I tried to politely ask the LEO if he was sure it was me he clocked because I checked my speed when I saw him and it was nowhere near what he said it was (I was going 50 he said 61.5 in 45 zone. He then tells me there was no other traffic around and that his radar said I going 61.5 (he kept stressing the .5 for some reason), he wrote the ticket for that speed and then shows me his radar which still was showing 60, and when I asked him about that he said its what he got it locked on but I was doing what he said. Well guys.....any advice?, i've tried a couple of times in the past to fight tickets but to be honest I had zero success and any help would be appreciated.

TIA

[XxMerlinxX]

Ooookay. Let's see if I can't help ya out a little bit here. I'm a little confused as to the area you were riding in, but I believe you were a.) Higher up than the officer b.) partially obstructed from the officer and c.) surrounded by traffic. You're going to want to mention all of this in court. It would also benefit you greatly if you went and took picture of the place and possibly made a diagram. That way the judge doesn't have to go off of hearsay. Ask the officer if there were any obstructions or objects nearby that could cause radar interference. When he says no, ask him if the site had been pre-tested for radar operation. Ask him about traffic conditions. Was the area congested? If he says there were no other cars around, mention that it was so-and-so time on a 4 way highway that's normally pretty busy (even if it's not, he can't prove otherwise).

I really think the elevation is going to play a big part in this. Radar is not supposed to be shot up at anything, it should be shot straight at or down on something. You might also want to mention that you had just checked your speed and you were traveling 10 mph below what the officer clocked you at.

Hope this helped and post up anymore questions you might have.

[r6fun4me]

If you get a ticket for a licensed radar operator and if they id you (using your drivers license) as the speeding person (this what the officers opening line will be to the judge) now you job is to say that the radar gun is lying because cops don’t lie in court (that’s what the judge will think) my best advice is to go to court and watch see how it is done and look for similar cases to yours.

[lwpat248]

What state did you get it in and what is the statute # on the ticket?

[bleuhaze]

The area I was in is a semi congested area here on the MS gulf coast (gulfport to be exact)
and Merlin, you are dead on with the elevation thing.....I went to where this all happened on my way home today and guess what?.......with the obstructions and the elevation difference he could not have possibly had me on the radar,not within any distance that would be remotely considered valid, not to mention that he also could'nt have seen me til just before he turned around. But all the advice I am getting here is going to be used to get my ducks in a row prior to traffic court, especially the pics and diagrams, because like I said, he could'nt see me, much less lock a dash mounted radar on me.


Thanx guys
Bob
P.S why is it that I almost always get popped either in the cage or on a put put bike?

[shawn22407]

just something to think about with radar and traffic. radar bounces off the largest objects if there were "tractor-trailer/larger truck around" even a car may effect his ability to say for sure he was reading your speed. the officer would have been picking up there speed long before yours also bridges have an affect on radar if you were traveling near in front behind or to the side of a truck he would be unable to read your speed.... not telling you to lie but you might remember a couple of larger vehicles within 20 to 30 feet of you. if you start out with you had just checked your speed though stick with it and use the larger vehicles around you as added info of traffic being on the highway........

radar certified***
x-cop there's no money in it..LOL