Negligent Driving, Second Degree in Washington State

[mikehoncho71]

My question involves a careless driving ticket from the State of: Washington

Today I was cited with negligent driving in the second degree in
Tacoma and I am wondering if my case is worth contesting, i.e. do I have any chance of getting at least a deferrment. Here are the
details:

I was driving down Ruston Way (speed limit 30 mph) in the rain, going
roughly 40 mph (I typically go about 10 mph over or less but probably
closer to 40 because I was worried about being late for class) and I
drove by a police car that was parked on the side of the road, the
officer was outside of his car doing something, I believe he said
there had been an accident there and a pole was hit, but his car was
the only car on that side of the road at the time. As I approached at
about 20 feet away I saw him at the side of the road flagging at me to
slow down, and I am confident that I applied the brakes to slow down
as I went past him. A little ways down the road I resumed driving at
35 mph, about 1/4-1/2 mile from where I saw the officer, and within 60
seconds he came speeding down the road pulled me over.
I don't recall all the details of our conversation because I was a
little anxious and he appeared very upset, but he asked me if I knew
what the slow down signal meant to which I replied yes, and I also
told him "I thought I did slow down." He told me that he saw me speed
up when he was flagging me and that he has two witnesses who will
testify to that so he said don't bother contesting it because you will
lose, and he asked my age and gave me a comment about knowing which
pedal was the accelerator and which one was the brake. I said I was
sorry and he angrily replied "No, you are not sorry." After he gave me
the ticket I apologized again and I did my best to be respectful the
entire time, and kept my cool.
My insurance card was expired but I have active insurance and I will
be able to prove that.

I was convicted of reckless driving when I was 17 in 2002 but I have
not received a single traffic violation ticket or even a citation
since then despite driving nearly every day, also I have worked as a
valet since November 2009 without a single incident at work, and my
boss has complimented me on the cautious nature of my driving.

I am almost certain that the officer didn't clock me on radar, so I
think it would be my word against his and the supposed witnesses he
has, and that doesn't make me confident I have a chance of fighting
it.

Do you think there is a chance of success, however limited, if I were
to contest this?

[blewis]

Some jurisdictions will grant a deferral for neg-2, others won't. You can call the Clerk of the Court list on your ticket and ask. However, if I were you, I'd take a look at the evidence (and the witness list) first. Contesting the ticket cannot hurt -- especially in your situation (yes, you can still request a deferral if you contest -- assuming it's available to begin with). This thread will walk you through the various steps. When you receive your discovery materials, come back and post them. Who knows, you might not even need you use the deferral.

Barry