Speeding tickets can lead to points on your driving record and insurance rate increases that will cost you significantly over time. That's why it can be beneficial to fight a speeding ticket when you are issued one. You might think that there's not much point in fighting it or that you don't really have a chance of getting out of the speeding ticket, but you may be surprised at the options that are available to contest it. Here are a few of the things that you should know about contesting a speeding ticket.

Just showing up sometimes matters

When it comes to contesting a speeding ticket in court, sometimes just showing up to court will dismiss your case. If you show up to contest the ticket but the issuing officer does not appear, many times the court will dismiss the ticket because of the officer's failure to attend court. For that reason, sometimes it's best to contest the ticket in court. The busy schedules of demanding law enforcement jobs sometimes lead things to slip through the cracks, so your issuing officer might not show up, making things easier for you.

Radar guns are notoriously unreliable

Your attorney might be able to fight the ticket for you if the officer used a radar gun to assess your speed. There are many instances in which a radar gun could be considered unreliable, including heavy traffic, lack of routine calibration and maintenance, and even minimal training and improper use. Your attorney can help you understand the factors that can best help you contest the radar results, including an assessment of the area where you were stopped, the prevailing traffic patterns in that area, and any records for the radar gun in question.

Extenuating circumstances matter

Sometimes, you can get a ticket dismissed not because you didn't do it, but because you had a good reason for it at the time. For example, if you were transporting someone to the hospital in a medical emergency, or if you were on your way to a parent, child, or spouse who was seriously injured in an accident, some judges will dismiss the ticket on compassionate grounds for extenuating circumstances. Be sure to document the situation thoroughly if you plan to use this defense.

Your traffic ticket attorney can help you assess your ticket and the conditions that led to it in order to formulate a strong defense that gives you the best chance at dismissal. For more information, reach out to a speeding ticket lawyer near you.

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