Posted on June 17, 2016 in Traffic Violations
Nothing puts a damper on a good day like a traffic ticket. Whether you think the ticket is justified or not, these little scraps of paper eat your hard-earned cash and may put a ding on your driving record. What’s fact, and what’s fiction in regard to getting out of a ticket? We debunk some common traffic ticket myths.
Unfortunately, this one is a whopper. Many drivers have tried – and failed – to get out of a ticket by telling a judge that the radar machine must have misfired and caused an officer to believe that they were speeding. There are a couple things wrong with the defense: First, it notoriously difficult to prove. Secondly, as a layperson, you don’t know much about the nature of a police radar gun and can’t speak to its efficiency. If you’re still committed to this defense, you could say that perhaps a radar gun hadn’t been calibrated recently and ask your defense attorney to get calibration records to support your claims.
Speeding to overtake a slowpoke driver isn’t a viable excuse for speeding. If you want to pass someone on the road, you still need to stay within the designated speed limit. If you go over it, a police officer is well within his or her rights to pull you over – and give you a ticket. The next time you’re tempted to hit the gas and pass a lazy motorist, keep an eye on your speedometer.
Some people think they’re off the hook when they notice the citing officer forgot to have you sign the ticket. As nice as this would be, it’s simply not true. All your signature shows is that you promise to show up for court or pay the fine by the specified date. Neglecting to sign this doesn’t relieve you of the responsibility, so pay your ticket or show up to court on time. Not paying your ticket will lead to extra fines and possible criminal penalties.
This is both true and untrue. Most of the 50 states are a part of the Interstate Driver’s License Compact, which means that states do forward ticket information to your home state. A handful of states don’t participate but don’t count on it as a way to get out of a ticket. Rules and regulations change all the time – you don’t want to find yourself on the wrong end of the deal.
Unfortunately, this is a commonly misunderstood rule. By law, you have the right to face your accuser, but how courts handle this is entirely up to judges. They may let you off when an officer doesn’t show – but it’s more likely that they’ll simply reschedule your hearing for a later date.
When someone accuses us of something, it’s only natural that we want to explain our side of the story. People can admit guilt without realizing they’re doing so, but a police officer will certainly note it. Don’t give them the opportunity to use your words against you – remain silent and fight your battle in traffic court, with the help of an attorney.
Do you need help getting out of an unfairly issued traffic ticket? You need an experienced traffic violations attorney who knows Arizona traffic laws.
For more information, contact the traffic violation attorney Craig Orent. Give us a call at (480) 656-7301 or visit our law office at 11811 N Tatum Blvd UNIT 3031, Phoenix, AZ 85028. We offer a free case evaluation, so get the help you deserve today.
