What Kind of Defense Should I Use

[calvinadhd]

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

Okay I was going down a 6% downhill grade at 12:00 at night on the Interstate. i was clocked at 94 in a 75 but i was passing and at the angle the cop was at waiting at the bottom of the hill it doesnt seem the trajectory of the radar gun used would have not properly picked up my speed and picked the other car. then after passing I slowed down and the cop passed me then slowed down then pulled me over. Now what kind of defense could i use to try and beat this in court. or should i talk to the prosecuter?
Thank you

[blewis]

Let me see if I understand you correctly. You state that you think the officer's radar actually picked up the car you were passing -- and that's the car that was doing 94? So, your defense is that you were actually going significantly FASTER than 94? Maybe it's just me, but I don't see that as the basis for a dismissal.

Barry

[sniper]

Well, you are partly correct. In stationary mode if the target is approaching from an angle of 6 degrees or greater (6 is from my memory), then the displayed speed would be different from the speed being actually driven my the target. This is know as the "cosine effect". So yes, you were probably driving at a different speed then he wrote you for. You can argue that radar issue.


























Wait, I forgot to tell you. The cosine effect in stationary mode when the angle is greater that 6 degrees is always in benifit to the target. The speed displayed on the radar unit is SLOWER than what is being driven by the target. So in your case, you would have been going faster than 94, if I understood your explanation. You don't really state you were driving the speed limit and were improperly issued a ticket or any other reason for a defense. Personally, I'd fork over the hard earned dough and chalk one up in the lesson category.

[blewis]

That's all true, Sniper. The other problem is that the cosine of 6 degrees represents a negligible error -- speeds indicated are 99.45% accurate. That means that if a vehicle were actually travelling 94 MPH and approaching at an angle of 6 degrees, the radar gun would still register 93.48. Conversely, if the radar gun indicated 94, the vehicle would actually be travelling at 94.51. Even at 15 degrees, readings are 96.6% accurate.

BTW, if you're standing at the bottom of a hill, with the radar gun aimed "up" the hill, there is NO cosine effect -- the car is still approaching straight at you. Now, if you're also standing on the opposite side of, say, a six lane road, you would introduce a cosine error. But, as Sniper already mentioned, it would be in the driver's favor.

Barry

[licensegrl]

Let me see if I understand you correctly. You state that you think the officer's radar actually picked up the car you were passing -- and that's the car that was doing 94? So, your defense is that you were actually going significantly FASTER than 94? Maybe it's just me, but I don't see that as the basis for a dismissal.

Barry

to quote your quote.......I believe the word you're looking for is HELL....and I love the quote and your response to this thread.

[blewis]

Ah, gee, thanks. Actually, I heard that expression about 30 years ago. I don't know where it originated (or I'd credit the author). The other variation I've heard is "Why am I in this handbasket, and why's it so hot?" I like that one, as well.

Thanks, again,
Barry

[licensegrl]

Thanks, I'll ad it to my personal collection.....