I see all these sites on how to beat a ticket and lots of them are just plain garbage,  don’t ever PAY for this advice.

Some of the advice out there is so silly it makes me laugh. Some of this bad advice is from Lawyers.

1. 1.Best way to beat a ticket it not to get one. This means leaving your temper and urge to be confrontational to the officer in check.
   

2. 2.Be POLITE. Don’t argue, you WILL NOT WIN a roadside argument with and Officer. I have had to arrest a number of people who escalated their roadside arguments.
   

3. 3.Don’t admit anything. The officer will ask you if you know what you did or state what you did. Apologize and tell him you didn’t realize. Even though most people know they were speeding etc.
   

4. 4.ASK for a break. IF you don’t ask you won’t get one. Normally, when an officer walks away you are getting a ticket.  ASK for a warning. IF that’s not working ask for a lesser no points offense. I have on many occasions let people pick their own offense, IE; Seat belt/ bald tire/light out in place of a Speeding ticket.
   

5. 5.DON’T BE REMARKABLE. If you make the officer remember you or annoy him you are less likely to get a plea bargain later.
   

6. 6.Don’t ask to see the radar unit. We don’t have to show it to you and it will just make the officer remember you.
   

If you get the ticket don’t get mad and start to be abusive, which is very common. This only makes the officer remember you and can cause problems later in court.

Procedures will vary from State to state and even from area to area within a state. My experience is from New York and may differ from California. Regardless, techniques for beating a ticket remain the same.

Now many sites will tell you some of the following.

1. 1.Maybe the officer won’t show up. One site stated the following, “Never go with the date on your ticket. That's usually a 'gang date' for the officer. If you schedule for an extension that falls on a different day, chances are they aren't going to come in on their day off just for you."
   

Here’s the problem. “Gang dates” are the best opportunity to get a PLEA BARGIN. Some places the cases will be prosecuted by the DA, some places the case will be prosecuted by the officers.  My traffic court trial days always had approximately 100 trials scheduled.  I would plea bargain at least 80 of those, I would never let anyone who was abusive plea bargain. ASK for a plea bargain for a lesser, NO POINTS offense. You can ask this from either the officer, DA or whom ever is prosecuting your case. 

I have run into people who postponed their dates in hopes I wouldn’t show, all I can say is THANK YOU.

Here is the problem with the statement, “ chances are they aren't going to come in on their day off just for you.”. Are you kidding?  I’m coming in on OVERTIME. My traffic court days are scheduled on a regular working day. IF I have to come in special JUST FOR YOU, I’m getting paid overtime at $50 a hour with minimum 3 hour call out. Which means I’m getting paid $150 to come in for a 1/2 hour to prosecute you.  The only time I would not come in would be if I were away on vacation, at which point I would postpone the trial.

Does it happen?  Yes, it does but it rare.

Other sites have you matching wits with the officers and asking dozens of questions. THE PROBLEM,  most officers are experts and have spent many hours testifying. YOU trying to trip up an experienced officer is going to come off as a waste of the courts time.

In all my years of traffic court I have lost only 1 trial. The defendant had a attorney , who pointed out I failed to sign the traffic citation.  I pointed out to the Judge I could sign it on the spot as the statute of limitations had not run out. The Judge just laughed and said I needed to lose at least one.  A good laugh was had by all.

Remember officers are PROFESSIONALS who do this every day.  Trying to match wits with silly claims will just annoy the Judge. I have noticed, the more you annoy the Judge, the higher the fines get.

Many people get a lawyer. Most lawyers just plea bargain for you. Rarely, do they go to a full blown trail. I have had it happen, all met with guilty verdicts.

If you are going to question the officer here are a few facts you will need to know.

1. 1.Officers need to be certified to issue radar tickets.
   

2. 2.Officers are certified to estimate speeds, in NY it’s plus or minus 5 mphs.
   

3. 3.Your ticket is based on the officers visual estimate and corroborated by the radar unit. The officer DOES NOT NEED THE RADAR UNIT TO CONVICT YOU.
   

4. 4.Officers will bring the radar units certification and their own certification with them.
   

5. 5.Officers are trained to testify.
   

IF they forget any of these items your case “SHOULD” be dismissed.

Let’s face it,  99.9% of people in traffic court are truly guilty. All you are doing at trial is hoping for the best.  Your best opportunity is to get a plea bargain. Once you’re past that you chances are fading fast.

I don’t recommend  trying to dazzle the judge with your knowledge of radar errors, or books you read on the internet.

Good luck on your venture to beat your ticket.