When you get a traffic ticket, you are essentially being told that you broke a traffic law. But the government can’t punish you for breaking the law unless they find you guilty (either by admitting the violation or being found guilty at trial). Here are some tips you might want to think about if you want to fight your ticket.
If the ticket was given based on an officer’s personal opinion, the driver could challenge the officer’s decision. For example, a driver could say that changing lanes was safe because of how busy the roads were and how bad the weather was.
If a driver got a ticket for speeding, he or she might be able to say that going over the speed limit was safe because other cars were going faster. Some drivers may also be able to fight the ticket by saying that the way they were driving at the time of the ticket was necessary to avoid an accident. This defense could be used, for example, if the driver had to change lanes quickly to avoid getting hit by another car.
Here are Some Strategies to Fight for Traffic Tickets:
- Learn the Rules
When you get a traffic ticket, the first thing you want to know is what the officer is going to charge you with. You can consult Nevada Revised Statutes and know about different provisions in the law and possible penalization. If you want to fight a traffic ticket, it’s good to start by getting acquainted with the law you’re accused of breaking. A traffic ticket lawyer can help and provide assistance.
- Check your Ticket for Mistakes
Technical errors too affect your case. So, check the ticket thoroughly and see if there are any serious mistakes. Grave errors may weaken the case against you and you can get the clean chit. Tickets for minor offenses are usually a small amount of fine.But for major violations like driving the wrong car or taking the wrong lane, may put you in a difficult situation. Check the whole ticket to see if anything is wrong.
- No Policeman Is There
The police are there to make sure people follow the rules. The judge’s job is to decide if the officer was right to give you a ticket. The judge does not hire the police. They’re just a trustworthy witness to what happened. If the police officer doesn’t show up to the hearing, there will be no proof that you broke the law. You have a constitutional right to question your accuser. If the police officer doesn’t show up, you are likely to win the case.The same goes for any other witnesses you might need to show that you broke the law.
- Challenge what the Policeman Says
In many states, you can question what the police officer says happened. To fight the ticket, you have to argue with the officer’s decision. For instance, if a police officer gives you a ticket for making an unsafe left turn, you can say that what you did was “safe.” Or, you could argue that the officer didn’t have a good view of your car or the traffic coming the other way. The goal is to question what the officer sees. It’s hard to fight a radar gun in court, but it’s easier to say that the officer didn’t know how fast you were going. Test what they’re saying.
- Radar Guns are Used to Give Tickets to Drivers
On a speeding ticket, the officer must write down the speed measured by a radar gun or the speed he estimated from what he saw. Radar guns need to be readjusted every 30 to 60 days, but this doesn’t happen very often. Bring this matter up in court. Make the officer check the date that the radar gun was last calibrated.
- Tickets Based on Word of Mouth
If the police officer gave you a ticket based on someone else’s word, he can’t testify in court that this is true. We call this “hearsay.” The person who actually said what was said must go to court and testify in front of the judge.
- Make People Doubt What The Policeman Says
In some situations, it often comes down to arguing about who has the right version of the facts. For example, if you were pulled over for not stopping when you were supposed to, the judge will decide who is right. Sadly, the badge usually comes out on top. You will have to make the policeman’s facts look very questionable.
Statements from people who saw or heard something can be helpful. Diagrams are a good way to show proof. Be ready to show the judge a drawing. Show where the traffic lights are, where other cars are, etc. Even better are photos or videos of the intersections, stop signs, or worn-out road signs.
- Showing Error
Can you show the judge that you didn’t mean to speed or that you missed the stop sign because of something else? The judge may throw out the traffic ticket if the mistake was honest and reasonable. Maybe you live in the area and know there is a stop sign, but it was covered by something. Or, the sign said 45 miles per hour, not 35. Bring pictures to back up what you say.
- You Were Right or It Was Important
You could also say that what you did was okay given the situation or that it was necessary for you to do what you did. For example, if there is something on the road and you have to change lanes without using your blinker.
Legally, you can use an emergency or precautions as a defense. Did you speed up to pass a truck with an unstable load or to avoid a car at an intersection? These all could be good legal reasons to speed.
- Not-So-Good Defenses
We have seen over 10,000 tickets. We know what kinds of arguments work and what kinds don’t. The most common story we hear is that the driver told the judge, “Everyone else was speeding too. The officer chose you out of a dozen other people who broke the law. Even if you admit to being guilty, saying that there were other guilty people there won’t help your case.
Conclusion
Traffic violations are taken seriously by the state, which means that any violation could lead to a fine. If a driver has a history of other violations, even a simple one like speeding or changing lanes in the wrong place could lead to a suspension. Depending on the type of traffic violation and the evidence the officer has against the driver, a lawyer may be able to help the driver fight the charge. The lawyer might be able to look over the violation, find more proof that the officer’s observations were wrong, and figure out what kind of defense might work in this case.
