Casting Doubt, was: Another speeding ticket question

[Steve Jensen <sjensen@mindspring.com>]

Greg Johnson wrote:

>Go back to the "scene of the crime" with a camera and take pictures of
>the speed limit signs.  When you get to court (fight it) be calm, cool
>and professional.  So the judge the pictures, tell him you speed and
>explain that in this instance the officer was simply mistaken.  Not
>wrong, mistaken.  Good luck

I whole heartedly agree with this one.  Be sure to "step" the pictures -
have someone else drive and shoot pictures every 250 ft. or so, so the
judge can see the natural terrain.  You may want to glue them to a poster
board with a map showing where each photo is physically located on the map.
 I did this about 7 years ago when an airhead hit my wife from behind on an
single lane exit ramp.  Airhead was young, pretty and single; investigating
officer was young, handsome and single, so he writes my wife an improper
lane change citation(!).  My wife takes our show and tell project to court,
judge throws it out.  The look on airhead's face was priceless when she
realized our insurance was not going to repair her car for an accident
_she_ caused.

The job here is to cast doubt: my brother, the former cop now attorney,
just examines the details.  If he, like any other good attorney, can find
holes in what they say, he (or you) can pick away at it.  If the officer is
wrong, prove it.  If you show your map and ask the officer where he pulled
you over and you have a clear photo of the speed limit sign (showing 35 mph
speed limit, not 25 mph) on your show and tell, game over for him, judge
throws it out.

As Steve B. mentioned, if you can afford it (and when its your license on
the line, how can you NOT afford it?), get a good attorney.  Be prepared
and stand up for your rights.  

End of rant.

-Steve Jensen
(who almost got bagged by radar this a.m. for _not_ paying attention, won't
happen again)
87 5KCSTQ