Question about a speeding ticket

[liquid51]

I was ticketed for going 99 in a 70. The cop claimed I was going a lot faster, but was "doing me a favor" by writing it for less than 30 over. His notes say "I-L passed me paced 100+", and Pace Clock for the measurement device.

I really don't think he had an accurate speed on me at all (just knows I was moving quick), and I'm pretty confident he wouldn't show up to court anyway (looked to be a few days overdue for retirement IMO :P ), so I'm thinking I'm going to fight it.

Does anyone know what the "I-L" means in his notes? Any other bits of advice here? I'm in Florida btw.

[snrusnak]

I don't know the answer to your questions, but how fast were you actually going?

JMO but if I was actually caught speeding I'd pay it. But then again I'm a very ethical person lol.

If you were doing say 90mph, then I'd fight it. You may lose but usually whoever is "right" wins.

[Lesley]

if I was actually caught speeding I'd pay it. [up] Thats what you call being a man and owning up to your actions. Being responsible. Living the life of an adult. Props to you sir snrusnak.

[snrusnak]

karma's a bitch lol :D

[wolfo68]

if it goes to court and he shows up. they are going to take his word, keep that in mind. if it gets up rated to a 30+ miles over it's excessive speeding and possibly reckless endangerment.

unless you have a way of knowing he won't be there or proving you weren't going that fast I'd just pay it.

There's a lot more to lose there if they start adding charges. and they will if you waste their time when they paced you.

[wolfo68]

I believe I-L means the indicated individual. I'm not sure what the letters actually stand for but that's what it seems like.

[chelch]

I would pay up...not worth it.

[Rhino1]

I'd fight it. It's the American way. Read-up on how to fight this type of ticket. [smirk]

[user_deleted]

liquid: here's my best advice as i'm a retired PA. State Police detective and have a bit of insight with these tickets:
1. I-L is acronym for "indicted licensee". cop-speak for "you".
2. if you were travelling at over 100 and he wrote you for 29 over the limit you've already received a bit of a break so to speak so that is probably as good as it will get. a hearing is a crap shoot but what i'd suggest is contact the court folks who's info will be listed on your ticket/summons. request a hearing and do NOT name the time and date...let the court scheduler do that. show up and hope the officer doesn't. if he/she doesn't, when the hearing commences announce to the judge that you can't properly defend yourself when the prosecutor has failed to appear, you took time off for work, etc......and request that the charge be dismissed. the judge/magistrate will agree and dismiss it.
if you have a hearing and officer shows up, ask him kindly and courteously PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF HEARING if he could knock a few more MPH off the ticket so that you can plead guilty, pay it, and waive the hearing.
hope that helps.

[wolfo68]

+1 to lunaticfringe.

[BuddhaBuell]

I do not know if this thread would help in your case but knowledge is power
;)

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/General-Motorcycle-Chat/I-beat-my-Lidar-ticket-You-can-too


:)

[browland]

Keep in mind if you go to fight the ticket and at bare minimum keep the same charges and don't wind up having something tacked on you still have to pay court costs, which you avoid by paying it out right. I've tried to fight one here in Al and it was pretty much, yeah ur guilty no breaks no favors pay your fine plus court costs. Which was doubly bad since I had to miss a few hours of work too.

[wolfo68]

in iowa and nebraska I know you have to pay court costs either way.

[BurningExample]

same in MI and even he doesnt show in Michigan you still have to pay, his written testimony is good enough.

[liquid51]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think I'm going to take the driver's safety class on this one. I'll just pay the ticket and they'll wipe the points.

For the record, the roads were clear, the wind was at my back, and I had yet to see just what she'd get up to. Yeah, you know the rest. Let's just say I bounced the rev limiter in 5th... However, I was actually pulled over several miles down on a different toll road, where I'd been cruising at about 90. I don't know if he saw me on the Turnpike, but if he did, he definitely didn't clock me. I don't think he would have been in the mood to do me any favors :(

I am glad I got this out of my system actually. It's my first ticket on the Buell, and while I do ride very safe, I tend to be a little heavy on the throttle whenever the coast is clear. Since being pulled over, I've been much more conscientious of how fast I'm going.

[snrusnak]

Was this in orlando? State trooper? They have a bad rep for not giving any slack, I'd feel lucky if I were you. I've been pulled over by a few state troopers in my cars for going 5-10 over and usually they are pretty tough...

[liquid51]

FHP. The ticket is written so poorly though, I figured it wouldn't hold up in court. In the "motorcycle" box he checked "no", and even though he pulled me over on 429 south of the Turnpike, he listed the location as SR-91 (Turnpike). Didn't even ask me for registration. Handed him my license and started pulling out my registration, but he just shuffled back to his car. Looked to be in his late 50's and having a very bad morning :(

[snrusnak]

hmm....oh well.

Knowing it was on the 429 I have less judgement on you; talk about a dead, wide open highway lol

[browland]

make sure you call to ask about the driving school well in advance. I called and the clerk said I had to come to court and request it. Went to court and requested it and was told no. Then asked the clerk while I was paying and they said the only time they give driving school as an option here is if you lawyer up.[down][mad]

[mowgoli84]

ALWAYS fight your tickets.

In most states its 50 bucks to get yourself a hearing. I'd toss down 50 any day if there is a possibility that it will save me grief in the long run. I've gone through this process a half a dozen times, or more. It's all about playing your cards right.

You said the officer who wrote you the citation claimed he was already giving you a brea; was he cool with you, did he seem like he'd be the type of guy that if he did show up to court he'd be okay with the charges being cut down a bit? Numerous times I showed up to the courthouse early, sat next to the officer and started up conversation, and eventually asked him if he'd be cool with dropping the speed a bit in exchange for doing a motorcycle class, etc.

Also, there is nothing that says you can't call the station and speak to the officer who wrote you the citation. I've called up officers and simply said, hey, I'm taking this ticket to court.. I am not denying that I was speeding but I'd really like to see if I can work with the judge and yourself to knock the punishment down a bit, and possibly enroll in a class to make me a better driver.

Also, if there are numerous errors on the ticket then you could likely get off scotch free... if he even shows up.

Worst case you get the same charges already laid out....He got you on pace clock? I am not even sure what that is, if its not radar then its not always accurate.. even radar can be off if its not calibrated right.. used that card once to.. I asked when the last time the radar gun used to catch my speed was calibrated and they couldnt prove that it had been calibrated per its scheduled calibrations.

even under 30 over, you are looking at some points... fightttt ;)

[mtnmason]

you shoulda ran :D








(totally kidding there!) Post again after all is said and done if you decide to fight it. I was popped this saturday w/ 83 in a 70. He dropped it three clicks to keep from giving me a reckless. I will definitely have it continued three times as allowed. Should give me enough time to form a plan.

[Cecilsan]

I'm with snrusnak, if anyone is pulled over and you know you were excessively speeding, man up and pay it.

[mowgoli84]

I'm with snrusnak, if anyone is pulled over and you know you were excessively speeding, man up and pay it.

All about dealing with the consequences of my actions... but not on speeding tickets... especially on a highway.

[snrusnak]

Well, if I had bounced my bike off the rev limiter in 5th gear, then got pulled over a few miles later and written up for 99mph, I would be pretty happy about that....not upset. JMO. A few miles earlier and you wouldn't have the opportunity to pay a ticket and take a class, you're bike would be impounded and you'd lose your license(auto too).

Again I'm not trying to bash him, I've done some similar things. But I know it's possible to get caught, and if I choose to do something then I am willing to pay the consequences(think before you act).

[harrisiv]

I'd contact a LOCAL attorney after getting a copy of a 10 year DMV report and see if you can get a free consultation. In some states you can get better treatment--especially if you have a clean driving record. You can also get credit for taking an accredited driver safety course but I would save that for bargaining power with the court unless an attorney advised otherwise.

My largest worry (not to mention driving points) would be the affect of such an excessive ticket can have on your insurance premium (usually much more than the cost of a traffic attorney). Additionally, pacing must be done according to strict procedure (officer speedometer calibrations must be current AND on file in the court where you are appearing).

The court system is a foreign world hopefully for most but a "guide" in this case may be worth its weight in saving your insurance and knowing what you are up against before being put on the spot in open court. I am always suspect about pacing cases so I would exercise my rights since we need everyone, including law enforcement to play by the rules! Law enforcement officers receive my utmost respect but they can make mistakes just like you and I.

Just a few thoughts for you to chew!