Wrong Date On Ticket, Corrected On Discovery

[callioca]

My question involves a speeding ticket from the State of: Washington

This is regarding the following thread to which I really need a follow-up answer:
http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48375

I was given a ticket with the wrong date marked on it by the officer. Per advice on this site, I filed as Contested and requested the Discovery. (I have copies of the original, uncorrected ticket. But the officer corrected BOTH instances of the date on his copy of the ticket, before filing it.)

Do I have any chance of beating this ticket? If not, am I screwed because I filed as contested? I could have asked for a deferral and am sad that I might not get a deferral since I filed as contested. My court date is June 17. Is there any advantage left of going in person? If there's no hope for it, I'd rather write a letter instead of wasting my time in court.

Help!!!

[LawResearcherMissy]

Do I have any chance of beating this ticket?

Maybe, maybe not. No one here can predict your outcome.

You admit in your other post that you were, in fact, speeding. You may well have to just own up to it and take your lumps.

[callioca]

Yes, I plan to just own up to it. I just sure wish I hadn't taken Barry's advice on this site and filed as contested! I could have gotten a deferral; probably won't be granted one now. anyone reading my case in the future: do not file as contested because of a wrong date. The file clerk probably checks them when the officer files his discovery. Don't be sucked into this amateur advice like I was.

[wrightbrother]

Why weren't you granted a deferral? What was the court's reason?

[blewis]

The ONLY reason you might not get a deferral is because of your statement in your original post

I only might be eligible for a deferral - I've had one a few years ago, but it was apparently not recorded at the WA DOL.

I asked you then how you knew that, but you NEVER responded.

Whether you request "contested" or "mitigation" has NOTHING to do with it. The only way you cannot request a deferral is to plead guilty and pay the fine! You can ALWAYS tell the judge at your contested hearing that you wish to change your plea from "not guilty" to "guilt with an explanation" and try to mitigate. Either way, you can ALWAYS request a deferral. If you're otherwise eligible, you will probably get it. But, if, as you said, you had one a few years ago, you will NOT be eligible!

Ah, forget it. I don't know why I waste my time.

Barry

[blewis]

Oh, and you said in the original thread:

When I received the copy of the discovery in the mail, I looked at it and discovered the police officer corrected one of the two dates on the ticket.

That being the case, I thought you STILL had a shot at contesting it -- so I didn't change my original advice. But now you're saying:

But the officer corrected BOTH instances of the date on his copy of the ticket

Perhaps you should get your own facts straight BEFORE asking for advice.

Barry