Can Someone Get a Speeding Ticket Without Being Pulled Over?

I have encountered this situation twice, and in both instances, I contested the tickets in court. Sadly, I lost both times. The legal system, as it often does, seems to favor the word of the police officer, even when there is clear evidence that contradicts the officer's claims.

The Legal System's Bias

A judge is supposed to weigh the testimony and evidence presented equally, regardless of the witness's profession. However, in practice, the testimony of a police officer carries more weight. For instance, there is no concrete physical evidence or video/printed evidence from a radar speed-detection device. Instead, it often boils down to the word of the officer against the driver's statement about their speed.

The Case Against Me

During one of these encounters, the officer claimed that I was speeding when the radar gun recorded my speed. In court, I was able to prove that I could not have been where the officer said I was. I attended a professional baseball game 70 miles away on that particular day, and I had clear evidence to support this claim. I even had the ticket stubs for the game, the exact time it ended, and the time it would have taken to drive back home.

The officer's testimony was riddled with errors, including incorrect dates and locations. Despite my evidence, the judge still believed the officer's account of the speed I was traveling. Even the officer admitted to not remembering the traffic stop, basing his account on a written report that itself contained factual inaccuracies.

Witnessing the Bias

I could have had a witness in the car, my teenage son, but I chose not to bring him to court. I doubt it would have made a difference, as the judge often defers to the police officer's word. It's a rigged system.

In the other case, my reason for not fighting the ticket immediately was more personal. I was still wearing a "Bud Light" wristband from purchasing a beer at the ballpark, which I had the intention of drinking at the game. I wasn't concerned about being pulled over for drinking, but I didn't want to undergo field sobriety tests because I was tired. When I saw the officer's flashing lights, I pulled to the curb to let him pass safely. The speed limit was 20 mph, and I was traveling around 15 mph. The officer claimed to have clocked me speeding a mile back where the speed limit was 30 mph. It seemed impossible to me how he could have taken an entire mile to catch up with a vehicle traveling so slowly.

The System's Rigidity

No matter what evidence is presented, the system often sides with the police officer. It's a challenge to contest these tickets successfully without overwhelming evidence, as judges tend to trust the officer's word despite evident flaws in the officer's account.

Keywords: speeding ticket, traffic court, police error