hello everyone,

well, i got a speeding ticket back in february, 2007 (santa clara county) and decided to go with ticket assasin to dispute via written declaration. i used the cop did not put their vehicle number so i cannot verify whether his car's speedo is legit reason.

i requested traffic school but was denied. am going to trial on 7/9. anyone have experience with this? what should i expect?

thanks in advance.

 

whenever you go to court, be prepared.

the officer is going to be very clear, elaborate, and brown-noser to the judge with his story.

you gotta be ready to pick, attack, defend your story and his story.

gl!

 

all i want to do is have the chance to go to traffic school. what should i prepare if the cop does show up on 7/9? thanks.

 

Just to point out the obvious, if you're young you're already guilty if the officer shows up. I'd recommend calling the court house and finding out where you can get the engineering survey for the section of road you were ticketed on, as many roads are safe at higher than posted speeds, however the engineering survey determines how fast you should be going depending on weather, traffic, and pedestrian traffic, hopefully you remember those facts.

BTW, what code did he get you for?

Be happy you didn't get it in San Ramon, because Contra Costa County judge is a pure dick. The policeman forgot how many cars were there, then went "oh yeah" when I said there were two others, the engineering survey said I was going at a safe speed, and the officer could not remember the last time he recalibrated his speed gun nor did he bring any paperwork about the gun, yet I was still guilty. Then again, when I asked for a trial by declaration (had to ask because I was a minor then) he just laughed at me and said "No, I want to see your pretty face again."

 

I think most of the success of the written declaration comes from cops that don't bother to respond. Doesn't really matter what you say on paper or in court. If the cop wants to nail you, you're sol.

 

usually you would choose to fight the ticket, OR attend traffic school.
I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure if you choose to fight it, you have no traffic school option.

 

I think RM is right. You have to plead non-guilty or no contest to recieve it.


EDIT: No, I believe that if you pleade not-guilty and you choose to fight it, you loose the opportunity. But if you plead guilty immediately or no-contest, then you can opt for it that day.

 

When I fought my ticket and the judge found me guilty, he still gave me traffic school. So it is possible... but I'm guessing from the responses highly unlikely.