Ca Speeding Fines Amounts
2004
CA speeding ticket, officer wrote wrong max speed limit.?
I was pulled over on I-5 right before Sacramento. I was speeding, Im not going to lie. I was going 81 in a 70. When I was pulled over the officer told me exactly that. However, not reading what I signed when I signed the ticket, I noticed after he marked I was going 81 in a 65. Now I know that is only a 5mph difference, but I would think this contributes to the fine amount.
Im going to court tomorrow and am not sure what I should do. I have already contacted the courts and highway patrol and they both basically told me to go to court. But what do I plea? Do I ask for a trial or do I just explain the circumstances right then and there to the judge. I haven’t gotten a ticket for 5 years and am elgible for traffic school, but I just want to make sure that I am at least being fined for the appropriate amount.
Any suggestions? Like I said Im not going to contest that I was speeding, I was. I just want to know if since the officer made an error that If I can be found not guilty.
Perhaps it was 65 where you were first observed speeding.
The speed where you are stopped is not relevant – the speed where he observed you IS.
If he got it wrong it will make a difference in the fine. It can make the difference between the recommended $146 (for 1-15 MPH over) payout versus $266 (for 16-25 MPH over). I imagine the officer and the court would allow you to plead to the lesser speed limit.
If you are otherwise eligible, I would recommend you look in to traffic school. That will lessen the insurance rate impact of the violation.
– Carl
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