How to Get Out of a Speeding Ticket (maybe)

So you woke up late, are running late to work and driving over the posted speed limit. Suddenly you hear a siren, look in your rear view mirror and see flashing police lights. "Oh crap!" you think to yourself. Now what? Well first things first. You need pull over as soon as possible and safe to do so. If you cannot stop and pull over immediately, at least turn on your emergency flashers or blinker to let the officer know that you are aware of him and are making an effort to pull over. Failing to do this and driving for an additional distance may make the officer think that you might be up to something.

Now once you have pulled over, the officer will pull his car behind you. The officer will generally offset their police car slightly to your left to make sure he does not get hit by a passing motorist while he speaks with you. Place both your hands on the steering wheel and roll down your window (if the weather is good) in anticipation of the officer walking up to your driver window.

It's possible he may walk up to your passenger window as well. This is especially true on the freeway where it is extremely dangerous. Keeping your hands in plain sight will put the officer a little bit more at ease with you. Remember this officer will be deciding whether or not to give you a ticket so you want to put him at ease as much as possible.

When the officer makes contact with you let him explain to you why he stopped you. He may also ask you questions about it such as if you knew how fast you were driving. The best policy is to be honest with the officer. If an officer feels that you are lying to him, he will almost always give you a ticket. If you were speeding and you know it- tell the officer you are sorry and why if you have a good reason.

But whatever you do or say, make sure you do or say it before the officer goes back to his car. This is because once he goes back to his car, he will make the decision whether or not to ticket you. Once an officer writes a ticket, it is basically impossible to have him void it. This is because each ticket is serialized and issued to that officer. A missing ticket or voided one may raise red flags for that officer's department or supervisor.

Remember:

1. Be polite, respectful, courteous and honest. Officers already have a stressful job and often deal with angry and upset people. Being polite, respectful, courteous and honest is always sound policy and will go a long way. It's always easier to give a ticket to a rude person than it is to a nice one. Calling the officer "Sir" or "Ma'am" would be very appropriate.

2. If you believe you have a good excuse as to why you were speeding, tell the officer no matter how ridiculous it may sound.

3. If you have a clean driving record, tell that to the officer as well. Officers are usually more likely to let you go with a warning if you have a clean driving record as opposed to someone who has had multiple tickets in the past for the same thing.

4. If you are on hard financial times, explain that to the officer as well. Officers are human and have bills and families too.

5. Remember you are your biggest (and usually only) advocate!

If all fails and the officer issues you a citation and you do not agree with it, do not argue with him about it. The side of the road is no place to argue with an officer about a ticket which is already written. The proper place is in court. If you have questions, you can ask him but he does not have to answer them here. He will, however, have to answer them in court if you decide to contest the citation.