My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Washington
I’m hoping to get some advice for my speeding ticket I received in Kirkland, Washington. I’m not sure if I should contest, mitigate or just pay this thing. I might have a case for contesting, but I’m hoping you guys can help me figure things out.
While driving on an open 4 lane road with no traffic, I spotted a motorcycle police officer on a small business driveway. I glanced at my speedometer just to make sure I was ok, and I saw 40. The speed limit is 35. I thought not a big deal, but I was surprised when the officer pulled out behind me and pulled me over.
She said I was being cited for speed of 48 mph. I told her that was very surprising since I had looked at my speedometer when I saw her and saw 40. She asked for my license, reg, insurance and went back to her motorcycle. It was 86 degrees that day, which is hot for Kirkland, and I saw her waiting in the shade while the info was being processed.
When she returned, I again said I was very surprised at the reported speed and I asked “Is there a chance there was an error”. She said “There’s always a chance for error.” I asked how the speed was recorded, and she said LIDAR. She said she made a visual estimate that I was speeding, and then captured my speed using LIDAR. She said the LIDAR requires calibration, which is done every day. She said “There was no operator error, but there’s always a chance for error.”
I explained that I thought I was going 40 and thought it was weird that I would be getting pulled over. She said “Yes, we generally don’t pull someone over for only going 5 over the limit, unless it’s a school zone because of the kiddies.”
She then sent me on my way.
There’s a chance I was speeding before I saw her, I can’t say for sure. I was hoping the admission of “chance for error” by the officer had some merit. Maybe the hot day messed with the LIDAR. Maybe I have no case, but I just wanted to seek this forums advice before I just give in.

