Don't Go, Speed Racer, Go! Top 5 Speeding Ticket Tips

By Christopher Coble, Esq. on November 03, 2016 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

You've wanted to drive fast since you were a kid. And all those Fast and Furious movies didn't do much to assuage your lead foot. The only problem is all these nitpicky speed limit laws and all those pesky police officers happy to enforce them.

If you've gotten pulled over pushing your car to the limit, you may have some questions. Lucky for you, we've got all your speeding ticket answers.

1. Speeding Ticket: Should I Fight It or Pay It?

It's the first thing everyone wants to know -- is it worth it to fight the ticket in court? Speeding violations are generally strict liability crimes, meaning it won't matter what excuse you have for speeding. But if you can prove that the officer clocked the wrong car, that the speed estimate was faulty, or some other defect in the ticket, you may be able to get it dismissed.

2. How to Fight a Speeding Ticket Based on Radar or Laser Evidence

You may think that if a cop gets you on the radar gun, that's the end of it. But, like any other electronic equipment, radar and laser speed detection devices require regular calibration to ensure that the they remain accurate. If the device hasn't been properly or recently calibrated, or if the officer hasn't been sufficiently trained on the device, you may be able to challenge your ticket.

3. How to Act in Court for a Speeding Ticket

If you do decide to challenge a speeding ticket, there are better and worse ways to present your case. Being on time, dressing professionally, and speaking politely to the court and the officer who issued the ticket are all good ideas. Ranting and raving in your PJs? Not so good.

If you're trying to avoid a speeding ticket, your best bet is to avoid speeding. And while many states don't specifically prohibit radar detectors, many have laws about where you can have them and a few outlaw them completely.

5. Can a Speeding Ticket Land You in Jail?

Most of the time, no. Speeding tickets are traffic offenses that normally just require you to pay a fine or take some driving classes. But if you're going so fast as to constitute reckless driving or if you have a long history of speeding tickets or some unpaid fines, you could end up behind bars.

If you need help with a speeding ticket, contact a local criminal defense attorney today.

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