Gregory Ricks 
It’s happened to the best of us. You’re driving down the highway, minding your own business, when you see those flashing lights in your rearview mirror. You pull over, and the officer informs you that you were going 10 miles over the speed limit. Now you’re facing a costly speeding ticket—but there’s no need to despair. With a little knowledge and effort, you can fight speeding tickets and win.
Before we get into the specifics of how to fight a speeding ticket, it’s important to understand what exactly you’re up against. A speeding ticket is a civil offense, not a criminal one. This means that you won’t be arrested or have to go to jail if you’re convicted; however, you will be required to pay a fine. In some states, speeding ticket fines are as low as $50; in others, they can be upwards of $500.
In addition to the fine, you may also have to pay court costs and other associated fees. And if you live in a state that uses a points system for traffic offenses, you can expect your insurance rates to go up as well. In short, a speeding ticket is nothing to scoff at—but there are ways to beat it.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that contesting a speeding ticket is very much an uphill battle. Out of all the people who attempt to fight their tickets in court, only a small portion is successful. So why even bother? Because it’s always worth a try—and if you do win, the payoff can be significant.
There are two primary ways to beat a speeding ticket: by proving that the officer made a mistake or by finding flaws in the prosecution’s case against you. If you can do either of these things, there’s a good chance the judge will throw out your ticket.
Let’s say, for example, that the officer who issued your ticket fails to show up in court. In this case, the charges against you will be automatically dropped—so it pays to know when your court date is and make sure the officer does too!
Alternatively, let’s say that the officer did show up but was unable to produce evidence that properly supports his or her claim against you—such as an accurate radar reading or pacing data. If this happens again, there’s a good chance your ticket will be thrown out.
Using a traffic ticket lawyer to fight a speeding ticket
If you’re facing a speeding ticket, it may be worth your time to hire a traffic ticket lawyer to help you fight it. Traffic ticket lawyers have years of experience defending clients in court and know how to find flaws in the prosecution’s case against you. They can also help you build a defense strategy and represent you in court.
If you decide to go this route, be sure to do your research and find a traffic lawyer who has a good track record of winning cases. And remember, the earlier you start working with your lawyer, the better chance you have of winning your case.
