Ticket - Should I dig myself deeper? (LAC)

[Rave Racer]

    I'm not going to claim to be an expert, but I'm facing down $25,000 to
$60,000 in fines and a possible 6 months in jail.  This all starting with a
broken muffler.  I think I dated a cops daughter sometime in the past or
something because I'm no criminal.... at least not for what I"m being fined.

     My advice first would be the same as you've already been told.  Buy
that book.  Look for one that talks about loop holes.  Some of these loop
holes are apparent in your story.  Pacing is full of loop holes.  The pacing
car must hold a steady speed for an established length of time, and the
officer must prove it.  Hand helds are subject to loop holes, aim being the
biggest.  One of my favorites is that if you weren't shown the radar then
the entire thing may be void.  I've heard of people getting off because
their name wasn't spelt right on the ticket.  If the radar or speedometer
hasn't been calibrated or maintained and records kept to prove it, you can
get off that way.  Locally here, if the radar wasn't calibrated before the
start of the shift, all tickets written on that radar for the day could be
void if fought.

    From reading your story, I don't think this cop did you any favors.
Speeding or not, I don't have a very high opinion of the law and the
hypocrisy apparent within.  You lose nothing by fighting it, and you may
have to spend some up front, but if you have a lawyer represent you, he may
be able to get it lowered even more.  Something to do with prejudice against
those who can't afford to hire a lawyer, being scum and worth digging into.
People like me.  Bitter much?

       Rave Racer
'89 Jetta 1.8L 16V GTX  gone but not forgotten
 http://www.vwot.org/members/Pete.html
'87 Audi 4000 Quattro Sedan
 http://www.audifans.com/registry/view.php?action=viewCar&carid=110
'72 Triumph GT6
 http://www.triumphowners.com/uploaded/50-50-111014_20raveracer-gt6-1.jpg
'83 Toyota Tercel (yoda)    ...is no more


> Message: 16
> Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 17:00:38 -0700
> From: Pat Korach <tm2 at zipcon.net>
> Organization: Western Data Com, Inc.
> To: Benjamin Kaupp <bkaupp at ugconnection.com>
> Cc: quattro at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: Ticket - Should I dig myself deeper? (LAC)
>
> Benjamin
>
> Check on the internet for fighting speedng tickets(Google Search).  I got
a
> speeding
> ticket going thru Bellingham, Wash. doing 59 int 60 zone and got a ticket
> for doing
> 74.   The cop was using a hand held lazer and clocked me 14 over when I
was
> under the speed limit.
> You can clock a tree going 20mph with a hand held lazer if you are moving
> it back and forth slightly. They are inaccurate when not held absolutely
> still.  BC, Canada
> has outlawed lazers except on tripods for clocking cars.  I got the ticket
> thrown out because
> 30 days before the court date I requested from the court the following:
> A copy of the Ticket (front and Back), The officers statement, and any
> other pertenant
> informantion pertaining to the case.
> The court only sent me the front side of the ticket and no officers
> statement.  I received
> a letter from the statepatrol prior to the court date stating that they
> would need another
> two weeks to get me the officers statement.  When I went to court I plead
> not guilty
> because I was not sent all the information I requested and the ticket was
> thrown
> out because I was not sent the back side of the ticket.  The said prior to
> starting court
> you could plead 3 way.  1. Guilty but explain your curcumstances and I my
> lower the
> fine, 2. Guilty and pay a adminstrative fee (More than the ticket) If you
> keep your nose
> clean for a 2 years the ticket dropped and not on your record. 3. Plead
not
> guilty and take
> your chances.  You might check on what the laws are in your state  about
> similar ways fight
>  the ticket and get stricket from your  record.
>
> Pat Korach
> Kirkland, WA
>
>
>
>
> Benjamin Kaupp wrote:
>
> > So... the last day I had my car before I went to college, I was pulling
> > out of a stoplight and (apparently) I peeled out a little and
> > accelerated rather rapidly. Now, I'm not denying anything, including my
> > own stupidity, but I'm wondering a few things about the ticket I got...
> > a) it was for exhibition of speed. Does anybody know the official CA
> > definition for this?
> > b) I was doing 50 when he pulled me over (according to the ticket)... E
> > of S is a $540 min + poss jail + 2 points on license... Should I go
> > fight it? Oh, and I have a point on my license, but I can get 4 in 1
> > year.
> > c) the cop said it wouldn't show up on my insurance, said he was doing
> > me a favor by not getting me for speeding instead... But looking at
> > other tickets, I think I may have wanted speeding...
> >