Fighting a speeding ticket in Arkansas

**troubleddriver** · 10-22-2006, 10:03 PM

Last saturday night i was driving home (in Arkansas) on a very curvy road s curves after sharp turns going 30mph in a 30 mph however as i came around a corner we saw a cop with his blue lights on parked in a empty parking lot.... I passed it and he pulled out behind me with his lights on so i pulled over...he then proceeded to tell me I was going 47...hpowever i was only going 30 no way would i have made it around those curves at 47 anyways he gave me a ticket. However he already had his blue lights on when i came around the blind curve B) there was no way i was going 47 nor could he have had me on radar. I plan to fight the ticket but should i file a complaint that the police officer is issuing wrong citations ie speeding tickets when i wasn't speeding and already having the lights on before i even was by him?

**lwpat** · 10-23-2006, 05:53 AM

I fail to see what having his lights on or off has to do witht he violation. That is immaterial, he could have been finishing up with another vehicle. Your best option is to check with the clerk and see if they will accept online traffic school and the ticket not show on your record.

**troubleddriver** · 10-23-2006, 01:34 PM

Quoting lwpat

I fail to see what having his lights on or off has to do witht he violation. That is immaterial, he could have been finishing up with another vehicle. Your best option is to check with the clerk and see if they will accept online traffic school and the ticket not show on your record.

I pulled over to the side of the road because he had his lights on so he could pass me however he pulled up behind me and said i was speeding which a i wasnt and b) he couldnt have used radar on me seeing i was around the curve...in other words he could have had that persons speed on his radar not my speed

**chuckycheese** · 10-24-2006, 08:00 AM

He could "lock you in" with his radar in just an instant. If you challenge it in court the question you'll need to satisfy is "Why would he have reason to unfairly charge you with a reading he picked up from another vehicle?".

If traffic were extremely heavy, you could 'give that a shot' but I think you're going to be fighting an up hill battle. If you dispute it in court, go there with a creative plan that makes sense; otherwise, send 'em the dough and move on.

**blewis** · 10-24-2006, 09:47 AM

I hear these kinds of arguments all the time -- the cop was just trying to fill his quota; that was the reading of the last car he stopped, etc. I, personally, find these types of arguments ludicrous. Do you really think it's that hard to find genuine speeders?

There is a road near my place with a 35 mph speed limit. Literally, EVERY car on that road will be going 40 - 45. It's two lanes in each direction, center barrier, limited access (no side streets or driveways). Why is the speed limit 35? Absolutely no idea!!! But it is, and a cop could sit there all day long (and sometimes do) and give out tickets about as fast as they can write 'em.

Now, do cops ever make mistakes -- yes. Everyone is human (yes, even cops), so it's always possible. But, for the most part, there's absolutely no need to "cheat" and issue tickets to people who don't deserve them. I think Carl, our resident police officer and fellow human being, will agree.

Just my $.03 (adjusted for inflation)
Barry