reidksmith
Regular Member
imported post
This morning, I pulled out of my house onto the main road, heading to a doctors appointment a couple miles away. There are two entrances to my subdivision and I rarely take the one I used today. The main road has a speed limit of 35.
Within seconds I had been pulled over by a police officer. I had the window halfway down, car off, hands on the wheel, etc. I informed the officer that I was a CPL holder but was not carrying. He asked if I knew why I had been pulled over. In part because I had no idea, and also in practicing my 5th amendment right, I politely responded that I was unaware of his reason for pulling me over. The officer kindly explained that I was speeding, and that I had been going 37 in a 25mphschool zone. He took my license and insurance and quickly processed the ticket.
The officer then returned to my vehicle and explained that he had to cite me as he was on traffic patrol and have to give everyone he stopped a citation. He suggested I call the court to get them to lower the offense to a no-points offense or take it to a hearing if they would not comply with that request.
A quick background on myself. I have already graduated from college, but I am taking two courses at a local university and work as many hours as I can get at a gun store in order to pay tuition. I live with my parents but because I am responsible for all of my own bills, including insurance, gas, etc, it is already nearly impossible for me to make ends meet and I have no savings.
I plan on taking the ticket to court because I simply cannot afford the ticket. The township in question has raised their traffic violation rate to a whopping $180 and that is well beyond my means. My chief concern, however, is the fact that despite living along this apparent school zone for some time, I was completely unaware of its presence until today. On my way back, I soon discovered why - the signs for the school zone are at the opposite end of the street, far from my subs entrance - which
I rarely use anyway.
direction of travel, ---->
==[sign] ======= [entrance] ======= [site of violation]==
I have already taken pictures to show that the signs are not visible from my entrance. Furthermore, (more in a matter of curiosity than of evidence, as I doubt it is submissible,) I asked both my father and brother what the speed limit was outside our house. Both responded with 35mph. When given a time, my brother responded that it was 35mph, 24/7.
Does anyone here have any suggestions with how to deal with this citation? What is my strongest argument? I'll be speaking to a good friend who is an attorney, but plan to represent myself.
Thanks for your time.
This morning, I pulled out of my house onto the main road, heading to a doctors appointment a couple miles away. There are two entrances to my subdivision and I rarely take the one I used today. The main road has a speed limit of 35.
Within seconds I had been pulled over by a police officer. I had the window halfway down, car off, hands on the wheel, etc. I informed the officer that I was a CPL holder but was not carrying. He asked if I knew why I had been pulled over. In part because I had no idea, and also in practicing my 5th amendment right, I politely responded that I was unaware of his reason for pulling me over. The officer kindly explained that I was speeding, and that I had been going 37 in a 25mphschool zone. He took my license and insurance and quickly processed the ticket.
The officer then returned to my vehicle and explained that he had to cite me as he was on traffic patrol and have to give everyone he stopped a citation. He suggested I call the court to get them to lower the offense to a no-points offense or take it to a hearing if they would not comply with that request.
A quick background on myself. I have already graduated from college, but I am taking two courses at a local university and work as many hours as I can get at a gun store in order to pay tuition. I live with my parents but because I am responsible for all of my own bills, including insurance, gas, etc, it is already nearly impossible for me to make ends meet and I have no savings.
I plan on taking the ticket to court because I simply cannot afford the ticket. The township in question has raised their traffic violation rate to a whopping $180 and that is well beyond my means. My chief concern, however, is the fact that despite living along this apparent school zone for some time, I was completely unaware of its presence until today. On my way back, I soon discovered why - the signs for the school zone are at the opposite end of the street, far from my subs entrance - which
I rarely use anyway.
direction of travel, ---->
==[sign] ======= [entrance] ======= [site of violation]==
I have already taken pictures to show that the signs are not visible from my entrance. Furthermore, (more in a matter of curiosity than of evidence, as I doubt it is submissible,) I asked both my father and brother what the speed limit was outside our house. Both responded with 35mph. When given a time, my brother responded that it was 35mph, 24/7.
Does anyone here have any suggestions with how to deal with this citation? What is my strongest argument? I'll be speaking to a good friend who is an attorney, but plan to represent myself.
Thanks for your time.