Recently was issued a ticket for 79 mph in 70. I was actually going much faster than this, but officer courteously dropped it to 9 mph over on the spot. I know, it’s my fault, but any ticket at all is no good for my license. Chances of this getting reduced to improper equipment, or at a lower speed? Additionally, can the police officer RAISE my actual speed in court if I contest this as “not guilty”? If I plead not guilty, it would be very unfortunate to be charged with my original speed (of about 95 mph). The state is North Carolina.
Conditions:
– Probably was actually going 95 in a 70, and interstate was clear with no vehicles around me. The ticket states under the category of Speed with “P 98”. Not sure what this lingo means but I assume it could be the speed the officer originally clocked me at, before he reduced it. The ticket is only charging me with 79 in 70, however.
-Vehicle is 15 years old
– I only have one other moving violation, which was reduced to improper equipment after taking a defensive driving course (2 years ago). Currently, my license record is clean.
Alec: Thanks for your q. Try getting this one dropped to IE (improper equip) also. You may have to do a driving school again or something. Failing that, ask the DA to reduce to 74/70. 79/70 is still too fast to avoid insurance points (under the NC Safe Driver Incentive Plan). Last option would be to ask the judge for a “PJC” (Prayer For Judgment Continued) which is sort of like a “pardon” for this. Thing is, you can’t have used one, and no one in your household can’t have used one, in the past three years. As for a trial, IMHO, not worth the effort. Cops are specially trained to estimate speed and, in my own experience, their word, therefore, is often given a bit more weight than non-cop “lay” testimony. I do believe the cop can testify as to what he saw, meaning your original speed. Bottom line, follow the advice above and consider it a win. You can get where you need to go without trials. Don’t run the risk or waste the time.
