Busted! How do you contest it?

[VasalineWarrior]

Hi all,

got nabbed the other day and have decided to contest the fine so am looking for advice on the correct way to do this. Situation was as follows:

Travelling down sh-1 at about 1am, and get pulled over. Officer asks how fast I was going, state that I dont know as I am tired and not paying much attention, reckoned probably about 65k in the 50 zone. Gets worked up and goes back to his car, takes my licence details etc, then calls me back to his car.
Takes the rest of my details down, then says I am lucky he doesnt have a radar (he didnt) and issues me a ticket for 65ks, and also says he had to do 140km/hrs to catch up with me, tells me to be carefull and then buggers off.

My first mistake was to admit the 65km bit I know, but on reflection I am pretty sure I actually made it to the 70km zone just out of town when I was doing this. As he doesnt have any proof in the form of a radar reading (only the statement that he was doing 140 to catch me), I reckon I have a good chance of contesting this.

Can anyone point out the proper way to do this and/or advice on how to proceed. Would be especially interested to hear from resident cops on site and maybe someone who has been through this before (madboy?)
Should I simply state my case in a letter as above, or just say ''I want to contest this in a court of law'' and wait for a hearing date so I can explian it to a judge?

[cowpoos]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha....should of keep ya mouth shut...lol





how many demerits left now?

[Meanie]

Dam shame you said about 65 but hey it was early morning
How fast he had to go is irrelevent, he could have been miles behind you or had to turn around and how quick did he want to catch you
I,m sure you will get off youll just need to find the right way to go about it, an easy way to explain your side is to write it down then you will be sure you wont miss anything relevant
I got off a similar ticket years ago by writing a letter
Good luck and keep us posted

[MSTRS:Me]

Hung by the tongue, I'd say. You might get off but chances are you won't and it'll cost you more than the face value on the TIN

[XTC]

Fight it fight it!

[Lou Girardin]

NEVER ADMIT TO SPEEDING.
It's used in evidence.

[VasalineWarrior]

Well I never actually admitted to it, it was just a guess. As for clogging up the courts it will be my pleasure to waste their time, as I am sure I am in the right. Isnt that what courts are for, so that everyone can get a fair say? Otherwise whats the point of having them?

[Sparky Bills]

YOUR A BLOODY HOLIGAN!!!!
SHAME ON YOU!!!

[VasalineWarrior]

You should be great at giving advice here man-didnt you just get yours back for being a hooligan?

[bobsmith]

Contest it, you can use, early in the morning, it was just a guess not a statement, and the fucking pig intimidating you as excuses. Especially the only "evidence" is your guess - NOT A STATEMENT - saying that you MIGHT have been doing 65 in 50, which now you think you weren't.

Don't let this get by, it may affect your future insurance, etc... Oh and try writing a letter to them before taking it to court. - court is expensive if you lose...

[nadroj]

Well I never actually admitted to it, it was just a guess. As for clogging up the courts it will be my pleasure to waste their time, as I am sure I am in the right. Isnt that what courts are for, so that everyone can get a fair say? Otherwise whats the point of having them?

You guessed - You guessed wrong - You loose!
Once you admit doing wrong it's all they need to prosecute - your admission is noted. You also admitted not knowing what speed you were doing - they could have booked you for more. When you get pulled up THINK before you open your mouth - It's much less expensive. Sorry but that's how it is.

[VasalineWarrior]

So if i had said 120 would he have booked me for that? I think I have a good case, so what would the expenses involved be if the letter doesnt work?

[nadroj]

So if i had said 120 would he have booked me for that? I think I have a good case, so what would the expenses involved be if the letter doesnt work?

Yes he could have & probably would have.
Costs = lawyer + court costs & depending on your attitude in court as to how much the judge decides to punish you.

[Fatjim]

My only advice is leaving the letter to the last possible moment.

I don't know if cunstables are consulted when letters arrive arguing a ticket, but if you leave it the maximum (2 months?) he won't remember the details in anywhere the same detail as you do. I guess it's more likely to be dropped, especially for a 15k over.

[Sparky Bills]

You should be great at giving advice here man-didnt you just get yours back for being a hooligan?

Doing 103kms on a learners licence is hardly being a hooligan.
But thats another story.

I agree with Jim. Dont let it go to court though. You gotta contest while its still with the cops.
wait about a month and then send a letter in. That way you still have a month to sort it.
Let me know if you need any help.