Fighting speeding tickets

[FireInTheHole]

Does anyone out there have any experience fighting speeding tickets? I've got a court date coming up and was wondering if anyone had any great advise. I'm not looking to hire a lawyer - I'm not about to lose my license or anything like that. It was a speed trap catching people by COP coming in from Banff. They were sitting in an 80 zone right after it changed from 90 to 80 - on a 6 lane highway. They apparently clocked my doing 101. I'm convinced that I was in the 90 zone when they clocked me, which would mean that I was still speeding, but not by much.

Any suggestions?

[troutman]

Your only hope will be if the cop does not show up for the court date. This happens quite often, and the charge could be thrown out. Officers are often too busy with other matters to attend court.

If the officer is there, the Crown evidence will be accepted.

[FireInTheHole]

So Troutman, you're basically saying that I don't have a hope? If the officer shows up then my goose is cooked? What about negotiating the demerits out and paying the fine?

[Pagal4321]

Check the PM

[Hockey_Rules_22]

I was on a highway with three lanes. It was 55. The cop was behind me and I went faster. He pulled me over and said I was doing a 100 in a 55 and I told him that I had no idea. It was 4 am. He came back and gave me a 75 in a 55. I didn't lose my licences. I just got 4 points and my insurance went up. I know that doesn't help, but I know what you went through.

[Yellefan]

I have a friend who has gone to court for every ticket... he has never paid the full amount of the ticket... if the cop shows up the fine will often be reduced, if the cop doesn't show up you're home free.

[Regulator75]

I am going to fight a speeding ticket tomorrow. I too have no clue what's going to happen, it was the first time I was actually pulled over. I am willing to pay the fine, I just don't want any demerits. Lets hope the cop doesn't show up.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally posted by Conroy_Chick@Aug 17 2004, 04:51 PM
I was on a highway with three lanes. It was 55. The cop was behind me and I went faster. He pulled me over and said I was doing a 100 in a 55 and I told him that I had no idea. It was 4 am. He came back and gave me a 75 in a 55. I didn't lose my licences. I just got 4 points and my insurance went up. I know that doesn't help, but I know what you went through.

100 in a 55?? wtf were you thinking??

Remind me not to let my children play on your street.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally posted by Yellefan@Aug 17 2004, 10:52 PM
I have a friend who has gone to court for every ticket... he has never paid the full amount of the ticket... if the cop shows up the fine will often be reduced, if the cop doesn't show up you're home free.

Yup, I also have a buddy who fights every ticket, and the fine gets reduced every single time. When you get in front of the judge, he'll ask you what you want. Just say "I would like the fine reduced" and almost without fail, they'll reduce your fine and you're on your way (as long as it's not something ridiculous like 90 in a 50 zone).

[Hockey_Rules_22]

I forgot to mention that I was 18 I only had my licence for a year. So I wasn't too responsible like I am now. It wasn't a street it was a highway and it was 4 am. I was also coming home from a concert and trying my friends home.

[The Goon]

Is it the same procedure fighting photo radar tickets? I just got one of those today and the area in which it happens goes from 80 to 50 to 80(construction). I have been careful to watch it but I start to speed up toward the end of the area and they got me at 70 in the 50 zone.

[BlackArcher101]

Just talk with the prosecuter and plead guilty. You'll get no demerits and possibly a smaller fine.

[Mcgavins]

I've shown up three times to fight traffic tickets - twice no cop (case thrown out) and the other time I just plead guilty to the prosecutor and wound up with no demerits and 1/3 of the fine was taken off.

Best advice, just show up!!

[hah]

Do not take the stand and let the prosecutor ask you questions. It is your charter of right to not have to testify again yourself.

Charter of rights 11C

Once you are on the stand you have no chance. Go early and watch the people on trial before you and see what happens.

I am not a lawer and take this advice for what it is worth.

Good luck.

[FireInTheHole]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I leave in half an hour to go to court - can't say I'm really looking forward to it.

[@theCBE]

Originally posted by The Goon@Aug 17 2004, 11:17 PM
Is it the same procedure fighting photo radar tickets? I just got one of those today and the area in which it happens goes from 80 to 50 to 80(construction). I have been careful to watch it but I start to speed up toward the end of the area and they got me at 70 in the 50 zone.

I was wondering about the photo radar too... i just got a ticket my self..going 14 over... $90 !!!


i know there are no demerits.... but what about getting the fine reduced?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally posted by hah@Aug 18 2004, 01:04 AM
Do not take the stand and let the prosecutor ask you questions. It is your charter of right to not have to testify again yourself.

Charter of rights 11C

Once you are on the stand you have no chance. Go early and watch the people on trial before you and see what happens.

I am not a lawer and take this advice for what it is worth.

Good luck.

that sounds like a challange to me

then again I don't have a speeding ticket to fight

I agree, unless you're a debater, lawyer, or rhetorician DO NOT take the stand

[BlackArcher101]

Originally posted by @theCBE+Aug 18 2004, 10:34 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (@theCBE @ Aug 18 2004, 10:34 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-The Goon@Aug 17 2004, 11:17 PM
Is it the same procedure fighting photo radar tickets? I just got one of those today and the area in which it happens goes from 80 to 50 to 80(construction). I have been careful to watch it but I start to speed up toward the end of the area and they got me at 70 in the 50 zone.

I was wondering about the photo radar too... i just got a ticket my self..going 14 over... $90 !!!


i know there are no demerits.... but what about getting the fine reduced? [/b][/quote]
Photo tickets are easy to get the fine reduced on. Just talk to the prosecuter and make a deal. Usually it involves you pleading guilty and he will give you 50% off, no questions asked. You can probably try to get less, but I never needed to.

edit: me no spell

[Kobasew7]

Canada has it a lot easier apperently when dealing with speeding tickets. I was driving for over 4 years when I got my first and only speeding ticket. 79 in a 55, I had just gotten off a exit from I-95 going on I-100..that dropped the speed from 65 to 55. I didn't know and kept going the normal 10-15 over.. a undercover cop car got me. Went to court.. judge told me..I havent been driving under 2 years or over 7..so my fine and points (demerits) were staying. Ended up costing me 5 extra bucks for court fees.

I guess my luck..

Basically, if your still here reading..go in..plead guilty and apologize..say it was a bad day and you've learned your lesson. Judge should have sympathy..unless my judge transfered to Calgary...if so, your screwed cause he has no heart!!!

[ChipOne]

i turned off a side street into a playground zone, but the entry wasn't marked on the side street.

because i was doing 50 in a 30 i thought i was toast. i think the ticket was around $400. i almost puked knowing that i could've waxed some kid and not had a clue about it.

they went and got pictures of the side street so that i could use it in court, then put in a request to the city to update the sign. i called one of those traffic defence places or whatever and they got me off...no fine, no ticket, no demerits, no record to affect insurance.

the best part is, though, that they got the city to put up signage on that street.

kids need to be safe. adults need to drive.