I recently received a speeding ticket by a officer of a City PD, not in my hometown. Where/how fast particulars aren't important, but it was a justified amount over the speed limit to receive a citation.
So I called today to pay my fine and ask about any deferred options they have. Municipal court said that I had no options for deferred because I was in a construction zone with workers present. This came as a surprise to me because I didn't know that I was in a construction zone and wasn't told this by the officer. I certainly have no way to know if workers were present since I didn't even know it was a construction zone. I didn't see any.
I am as pro-cop as they come and I always step up and pay what I owe. I have never disputed any ticket that I have received in my 25 years of driving. I am not arguing that I was speeding, nor do I think I am a victim of some grave injustice. Frankly, I might just pay the double fine so that I don't have to waste time driving an hour + each way and disputing it. But I am considering contesting it for the principle of the matter.
My questions....
1. Is is common for an officer, when giving a citation, to tell the driver that they are in a construction zone with workers present? I would have liked to be told that so that I could confirm. Boxes were checked on the citation indicating such, but I had no reason to study the citation when he handed to me to sign. Now its my word against his. Maybe he checked the boxes by mistake?
2. What are my chances in court if I dispute the ticket? What should my defense/tactic be if I go try to dispute it?
All opinions welcome
So I called today to pay my fine and ask about any deferred options they have. Municipal court said that I had no options for deferred because I was in a construction zone with workers present. This came as a surprise to me because I didn't know that I was in a construction zone and wasn't told this by the officer. I certainly have no way to know if workers were present since I didn't even know it was a construction zone. I didn't see any.
I am as pro-cop as they come and I always step up and pay what I owe. I have never disputed any ticket that I have received in my 25 years of driving. I am not arguing that I was speeding, nor do I think I am a victim of some grave injustice. Frankly, I might just pay the double fine so that I don't have to waste time driving an hour + each way and disputing it. But I am considering contesting it for the principle of the matter.
My questions....
1. Is is common for an officer, when giving a citation, to tell the driver that they are in a construction zone with workers present? I would have liked to be told that so that I could confirm. Boxes were checked on the citation indicating such, but I had no reason to study the citation when he handed to me to sign. Now its my word against his. Maybe he checked the boxes by mistake?
2. What are my chances in court if I dispute the ticket? What should my defense/tactic be if I go try to dispute it?
All opinions welcome
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