Careless Driving Citation, but Wasn't Speeding

[evilgalblues]

My question involves a careless driving ticket from the State of: South Carolina, North Augusta. I was pulled over earlier today for speeding 54 in a 45. I was coming down an incline at the time and was braking down it and my speedometer said 46. There was a dark car coming up behind me that looked to me to be speeding, it had to brake hard enough the front dipped when it came up behind me. The cop was coming from the opposite direction. He refused to let me see the radar/ calibration saying he didn't have to. Instead of charging me with speeding he decided to charge me with careless driving because it was a less expensive charge (133.75) and I wouldn't get points off my license. I wasn't speeding and I don't know how to prove it. I don't really want to plead guilty since I wasn't doing anything and just pay the fine but going to court would be a hardship because I am disabled. How would I go about stating my case and would it be worth it? It seems like a BS charge that they use to make you feel like the officer was giving you a break so you will just shut up and make them money. I don't want to end up bedridden for weeks if I'm likely to get rubber stamped through by the judge and have to pay all the fine anyway. I dont know where to start. Thanks in advance for the help!

[aaron]

Contact the prosecutor's office and see what (if anything) you can negotiate to get the fine reduced. You can also schedule a hearing and see if you can convince the judge to cut the fine - but be careful, as there's also potential for the court's adding court costs to the ticket charge.

[evilgalblues]

and they would negotiate a not guilty or settle without a verdict?

[aaron]

You will negotiate for the best outcome you can obtain. I can't promise what a prosecutor will or will not do.

[evilgalblues]

I hope they would, I would pay it to make it go away, I just dont want to plead guilty for something I wasnt doing and have it affect me later if I am ever able to work again. Thanks!