So, I'm headed east on the Massachusetts Turnpike right before exit 3 in the S. I'm in the right lane, following the speed of traffic with my cruise control set at 72. I come around the corner and the staties have a speed trap set up (one car on the radar gun, the other waving people in). I step on my brakes and slow down with traffic to 65. Next, the cop gets out of his car and waves me to the side. I sit there forever while he's writing up another woman before he comes to ask for my driver's license and registration. He sternly says, "I stopped you for going 82," and walks away while I'm trying to get out, "There's no way I was going that fast." Eventually, he comes back to my car, gives me the ticket and says, "You have 20 days to pay or request a hearing," and starts to walk away from me. End of discussion. I look at the ticket for his name and it's illegible. I ask, "Excuse me. What's your name, officer?" He gets all frazzled and says, "It's on the ticket. I tell him I understand, but I can't read it. Finally he gives me his name, but with an undeserved, maybe even unprofessional attitude.

Anyway, I don't know what to do. I know I have to take this to court, but I've been in this, "it's there word against mine" situation before and lost. But really, I had my cruise set at 72... and I know it was 72 because of the giant digital speedometer that read 72 with the green cruise light below it and my right foot resting far from the go pedal. I just don't know where this 82 could come from. I mean, I would have known if I was going 82. In that case, I wouldn't have been in traffic, but rather passing it. If he had said 75, I would have figure speedo error and maybe understood, but 82 is a 10mph difference. I'm also doubly pissed because I was being an ideal pike driver due to my fear of getting ticketed: Right lane, cruise control at 72, following traffic speed, with the top up. On top of that, I think that he made a note that I was in the passing lane. It's only two lanes, and I am positive I was in the right lane. What can I do about this?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My biggest problem is that I am a 19 year old (exactly, who here just said to themselves: "Well...") who is blessed enough to have this car. This doesn't help the situation in cases such as this, but basically, I am looking for a credible argument for my case. On the street, I try to be as responsible as possible. I reserve the FUN for the track. Even the signature is just a joke, so please, don't flame me.

 

That sucks.

Check out "Beat your Ticket" from Nolo Press -- there's some self-help stuff on their site, too.

http://www.nolopress.com/lawcenter/index.c...34B6F4035C8BE0E

http://www.nolopress.com/lawstore/products...49C429BC4908A41

 

Some very useful information there. Thank you.