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Speeding 50+ in 35, King County, Washington

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  • 03-14-2009, 12:25 PM
    DarkHelmet
    Speeding 50+ in 35, King County, Washington
    My question involves a speeding ticket from the State of: Washington.

    First of all, thank you all for the replies and help on this forum. This is my first post, but I have read many similar posting that have helped me.

    I have a couple specific questions to my situation. I received a speeding ticked for 50+ in a 35. The officer actually wrote 50+. Fine is listed as 144.00. The officer paced me. At the time I don't think I was speeding. I pulled onto the street and noticed a police car about 1/4th mile ahead(this was not the officer that pulled me over). So I was conscious of my speed. Although I don't remember my exact speed, I was not going anywhere close to 50+. This is my first traffic ticket ever. Should I contest it?

    A couple things to note.

    1) The fine listed $144, seems to be from the wrong rate table, 144 is for people doing 15 over in a speed zone over 40. I think the right fine would e 154. is that something to help or hurt my case?
    2) on the ticked it says my car is gray. But my car is black. Does that help at all?
    3) officers putting 50+ on the speed. does that mean anything? Ie was he unsure of my speed? or is he implying that I was going faster? Does that make a difference?
    4) I just noticed my 15 days ends today. Can I just contest this today and work out the details later. Or do I limit my options for deferral or mitigation if I contest today?

    Any help or pointers would be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance.

    --pat
  • 03-15-2009, 12:45 PM
    blewis
    Re: Speeding 50+ in 35, King County, Washington
    "Court" time is different from civilian time. If the 15 days ends on a Saturday or Sunday (or holiday), the time actually ends the next COURT business day. But, if you call the Clerk, they will usually tell you that no one really gets excited even if it's a couple days late. But if you want to be sure, just get it postmarked tomorrow (or hand carry it to the court) -- and be sure to make a copy of both sides.

    You can always change the type of hearing from mitigation to contested or vise versa -- and you can request a deferral at either. So just pick one for now.

    I don't think the errors are going to amount to much (although you could argue that the errors call the officer's powers of observation into question -- after all, if he can't SEE that your car is black, and can't read if off your registration, and can't look up the right fine, maybe he got the speed wrong, as well), but it all depends on the judge.

    The 50+ might tell the judge that the officer was giving you a break, since at 16 over, the fine goes up.

    Regardless of whether you want to fight, mitigate, or seek a deferral, it's still a good idea to call the Clerk of the Court and ask for the filing date of the ticket. If it's more than 5 days (not counting weekends), you can get a dismissal pursuant to IRLJ 2.2 (d).

    Good luck,
    Barry
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