Nolo Contendre: How to Reduce a Speeding Ticket

Speeding tickets are among the most issued tickets in the United States. While they may be a major hassle, the recipient is usually deserving of a ticket. However, there are times when the fines and/or penalties that a speeding ticket may incur seem a bit outrageous. In this article, I will offer some tips on having your speeding ticket reduced.

The first thing to remember is that if you have gotten a speeding ticket, it is likely your fault. Reducing a speeding ticket does not negate the fact that you may have been traveling too fast in a certain area. The biggest key to not getting a speeding ticket is to not speed.

Now, the first step to reducing a speeding ticket actually takes place on the scene. Be sure that you have the officer double check all of his equipment and facts, including his radar gun. There are some states that make it a requirement by law that upon request the driver may view the speed clocked on a radar gun, and in most states a calibration of the radar gun may be requested. If any of these options are available to you, please use them to your advantage. Politlely ask the officer to check the accuracy of his detection device. An uncalibrated radar gun may be the most useful tool in reducing a speeding ticket.

The second step in reducing a speeding ticket will be to follow up on your ticket before your court date. If you know anyone that resides in your county or state's legal system, preferably a probate court judge, then go to them and ask for any advice they may have on reducing your speeding ticket. In some cases, taking a defensive driving course before your court date will appeal to the mercy of the court and show that you truly are sorry for speeding. Also, if the opportunity to speak to your presiding judge arises, whether you know them or not, do so. This shows that you understand the consequences that a speeding ticket may carry, and can go a long way in reducing your speeding ticket.

The last step to reducing your speeding ticket will take place right before and during your court date. If your speeding ticket records you going at an excessive speed, you may be able to speak with a solicitor before going to court. The solicitor will ask you if you plea guilty, non-guilty, or nolo contendre. The first two choices should be self-explanatory, but the third choice is somthing that many Americans are not aware of. Nolo contendre is a latin term that translates to "I will not defend it". This basically means that you are agreeing to the charges of the ticket but no willing to refute the evidence of the case. What this will often do for you is have your speed reduced by a small margin. The solicitor will mark this directly on your citation, and the matter of a couple of miles per hour can go a long way in recuding your speeding ticket.

If all else fails, then remember that while in the court room you must be courteous, polite, and mannerly. It also doesn't hurt to dress professionally and be clean shaven. A judge is much less likely to pass a harsh judgement on someone who looks like an upstanding memeber of society than some kid that just walked in off the street. Remember that it is ultimately according to the judge's discretion on how much of a fine or what kind of a punishment will come from your speeding ticket.

As stated before, the ultimate guarantee that you will not have to deal with a speeding ticket is to not speed. However, if you are one of the many Americans that are facing the threat of having your pockets emptied by a hefty speeding ticket, remember these simple steps in reducing your speeding ticket.