Caught Speeding by Plane Going 105mph in a 70mph Zone

[agottlieb1]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Washington

I'm 23 and this is the 2nd speeding ticket of my life. My first one was when I was 17 I think (going 82mph in a 70mph zone).

I was driving home to Seattle and was caught going 105mph in a 70, apparently by plane, in Ellensburg, WA. I was actually going 105mph, so this isn't a case where the cops got it wrong. Please save any negative commentary....I know what I did was stupid.

What are my options? The fine is $298, but I'm more concerned about insurance rates going up. I'm willing to drive the 2 hours to get to court if that will help me in any way. Should I check "pay the fine", "mitigation hearing", or "contested hearing"?

Is there any way I can get out of this? Thanks in advance for your responses.

Aaron

[Speedy Gonzalez]

What is the exact section you are cited with? Did you get pulled over by a ground unit? Do you know if that ground unit paced you or used RADAR/LIDAR?

Wait for 7 days, then send your ticket back checked "Contested Hearing". File a discovery request 14 days before your hearing, then post the results here. Let us pick the evidence apart.

[agottlieb1]

Hey, thanks for your response. It says on the ticket the violation/statute code is 46.61.400. Is that what you were looking for? Or something different?

I was pulled over by a cop car, and he informed me that a plane had caught me going 105mph. So, I don't believe the cop car actually did anything except pull me over. The guy in the plane must have radioed the guy in the car, directing him to pull me over.

Why specifically 7 days and 14 days? And how do I file a discovery request?

Thanks again for your response.

[kyle99]

Hey, thanks for your response. It says on the ticket the violation/statute code is 46.61.400. Is that what you were looking for? Or something different?

I was pulled over by a cop car, and he informed me that a plane had caught me going 105mph. So, I don't believe the cop car actually did anything except pull me over. The guy in the plane must have radioed the guy in the car, directing him to pull me over.

Why specifically 7 days and 14 days? And how do I file a discovery request?

Thanks again for your response.

This thread by Barry is a must read for all Washington speeding tickets, and will show you how to file for discovery:
http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89115

[Speedy Gonzalez]

Why specifically 7 days and 14 days?

1. So you do not inadvertently trigger "filed" status on your ticket with the court before 5 business days. Outside probability, but the agency has 5 business days to file, which usually equates to 7 total days with a weekend. If they don't file within 5 business days (day of does not count, holidays, weekends, etc don't count), then you can make one motion and they MUST dismiss it with prejudice (I.E. They can't re-file). Check with the court when you file your contested hearing on what date it was filed with the court. This is an important piece of info.

2. 14 calendar days prior to your trial complies with the discovery rules and gives the prosecutor's office the LEAST amount of time possible to comply with your request. It's a chess move. Nothing more.