Speeding Ticket in Las Vegas
Many people think of Las Vegas as little more than one big speed trap. For proof, just try driving south on Buffalo past Charleston and see how fast the speed limit changes from 45 to 35. Cops just love it there. For motorists, however, it’s a different story.
Las Vegas is notoriously tough on speeders. Even first offenders will feel the pain, and if this violation pushes your demerit point total to 12 or more within one year, you can bid your driver’s license a lengthy goodbye.
Whatever your situation, the one thing you must not do is ignore the traffic ticket. That’s one sure way to find yourself under arrest. On the other hand, if you decide to plead guilty and be done with it, this will hurt you as well in the form of fines, demerit points and higher insurance rates.
Fortunately, there’s a better way. You can challenge your speeding ticket, and if you decide to go that route, here are some things you can do.
You Can Question the Findings of the Issuing Officer
Your court appearance gives you the chance to tell your side of the story. The officer who stopped you must show up as well, and if he fails to make the scene, you could be in luck. His absence will deprive you of your constitutional right to dispute his allegations, and the judge will have to throw out your case.
You Can Challenge the Speed Measurement
The precise method by which the traffic officer measured your speed can often make a difference. Every technique has its flaws, and pointing them out will often help to bolster your case. For example:
- Radar guns require precise calibration and often fail in heavy traffic or under poor weather conditions.
- The laser gun’s narrow, hard-to-aim beams can easily have targeted you by mistake.
- The pacing method depends on adequate lighting, a long straightaway and the trailing cop’s ability to maintain a uniform following distance.
- The success of the aircraft technique hinges upon light traffic conditions, accurate ground markings, a speed-savvy pilot and corroborating testimony from the officer on the ground.
- The VASCAR method relies upon the hair-trigger use of a computerized stopwatch and is only as dependable as the reaction time of the officer who employs it.
In a perfect world, each of these methods might consistently return accurate measures of speed. In the real world, however, prejudiced readings can often occur.
You Can Back Up Your Case with Evidence
In the eyes of the cop who issued your citation, the case is open-and-shut. You were speeding and he caught you: end of story. Fortunately, witnesses, traffic cameras and forensic evidence can often provide you with the proof you need to challenge those allegations. Furthermore, if you are able to establish that law enforcement in any way violated your constitutional rights when issuing your citation, this fact alone may force the court to negate the assertions against you.
Let Vegas Ticket Wizard Help
Our goal at Vegas Ticket Wizard is simple: We want to have your speeding ticket reduced to a non-moving violation. If we succeed, you will neither lose your license nor receive points on your driving record. You will not even have to show up in court. Our attorneys will appear instead to fight the traffic citation in your place.
Don’t let your speeding ticket throw a monkey wrench into your future. Whether you are a Las Vegas resident or just visiting the city from out of state, let the pros at Vegas Ticket Wizard fight the charges for you while you wipe the problem off your slate for once and for all. Contact us at 702-202-0500 or submit your traffic ticket online.