Whizzbomb

Hello,

I got a ticket for 80 in a 55.

Brief history: No marked cars were on the road I was on, but an unmarked car was. I'm 99% sure he saw me. I exited onto a major highway and was then pulled over by a marked car.

The marked car was not on the road that the unmarked car was.

When I saw his lights he was about 6-8 cars behind me (not car legnths, but cars). I did a LOT of research on the potential flaws for VASCAR, Lidar, Lasar and Rader and thought I had a case. While I was pulled over the unmarked car pulled in behind the marked car. Then a motorcycle unit pulled up. Within about a minute everyone but the marked car left.

The cop testified that he determined my speed by pacing me (before today in court I'd never heard of it). I was found guilty, fined and got 2pts.

After reading up on determining speed by pacing it seems like it pretty much boils down to my word against his. I have 30 days to appeal.

Does anyone know of a way to refute his story given the facts above? I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to appeal or not.

Any help (links or personal experience) greatly appreciated,

Joe

Edr0e

They should have you on video. Yes, they can and they will pace you. He was probably following you for a while you just didnt know it.

mclarenf3387

I thought the car that witnessed the violation has to make the stop otherwise its hearsay?

UnsanePyro

How long were you going 80? If it was just a brief run up to 80 and you slowed back down, I don't think he could have paced you.

CL Platano

I know in the troopers in NY do that a lot have an unmarked vehicle as a scout and have a marked car pull you over so the public does not get an idea of what the unmarked car looks like. Its your word against a cop and the fact you were speeding you do not have a chance.

Doom878

We have the jet or coptor that guns you while his buddies pull you over. So it's a valid ticket. Anyway of appealing and not getting points?

Bdog

How fast were you actually going... 80+mph? The officer is trained to visually notice wreckless driving which anything over 80mph is. He can witness the infraction and radio ahead for another unit to make the arrest. If he is in the middle of a stop and a car passes him at 100+mph and there is a unit up the road, he just has to radio that unit and tells him what just happened. Kinda like you can call in a wreckless driver, suspected DUI, people racing... and they may stop the suspected vehicle on hearsay. While on duty an officer is already sworn in, so what he tell the other officer is law. Some Judges are idiots and you may get off on a technicality, but if he knew you were speeding at a high rate of speed, he can just write the ticket for 80 in a 55, since that is wreckless driving.

KilroyR1

Don't bother, you'll never get it over-turned in MD.

Ask me how I know.

Don

Whizzbomb

You ain't kidding. This cop (county) TOTALLY had his shit together. Speedometer calibration dates, year of his car, etc. And for some reason he felt the need to wear his vest OVER his uniform. I guess I'll just eat it

6MTpromises

Went through the same thing about 7-8 years ago in Gaithersburg. Theres no getting out of it, be happy thats all you got in trouble for w/ the Mont. County Police.

Whizzbomb

On the plus side, he did fail to notice my illegal tint

65 Fury Convert

There you go, find the good in the bad because you aren't going to get this overturned. Was the cop there when you went to court?