I got a speeding ticket even though I was well under the speed limit. The officer said I was going 45 in a 35 zone, but I know I wasn’t speeding. Can I ask them for evidence, like video footage, or is there another way to fight this? It’s in Hillsborough county, Florida.
You can ask for the officer’s records, but video proof isn’t usually required in speeding cases. They typically rely on the officer’s testimony and their speed measuring device. It might be tough to win without that kind of proof, but a lawyer could help you fight it. I’d say it’s worth looking into.
@Vic
I don’t get why they don’t have video for something like this… it seems like it’d be easy to prove. Just doesn’t seem fair.
Rowen said:
@Vic
I don’t get why they don’t have video for something like this… it seems like it’d be easy to prove. Just doesn’t seem fair.
Yeah, it’s annoying, but it’s really just the officer’s word against yours in most cases. If they don’t have video, you could question how accurate their device was or if they made mistakes during the stop.
I had a similar issue once. What you can do is ask for the officer’s logbook and ask if the speed measuring device was calibrated properly. That could be a way to cast doubt on the ticket.
Xavi said:
I had a similar issue once. What you can do is ask for the officer’s logbook and ask if the speed measuring device was calibrated properly. That could be a way to cast doubt on the ticket.
Good tip! I didn’t even think about checking the calibration. Definitely going to ask about that if I end up fighting it.
If you can’t afford a lawyer, you can defend yourself, but just be aware that you might not be able to get the ticket dismissed easily without some solid proof or help. You could try asking the officer for the records, but without that, it could be tough.
@Huxley
Yeah, I’m kind of leaning toward doing it myself since I don’t have a ton of time to find a lawyer. Just not sure what to ask for at the trial yet.
@Huxley
I think if you push for the officer’s logs and bring up any doubts, they might just drop it. Worth a shot.
Honestly, I’ve dealt with traffic tickets before and it’s hard to fight them without legal help. But if you’re doing this yourself, make sure to ask for the officer’s calibration logs for their speed detection device.
@rayo
I’m definitely going to ask about that. I just wish there was an easier way to deal with this without having to pay for a lawyer.
If you’re thinking about representing yourself, remember that you can always ask for the trial to be postponed if you need more time to prepare. That might help if you’re feeling rushed.
Harley said:
If you’re thinking about representing yourself, remember that you can always ask for the trial to be postponed if you need more time to prepare. That might help if you’re feeling rushed.
Oh, that’s a good idea. I didn’t know you could ask for a delay like that. Might help me buy more time to get things sorted.