Signing a Speeding Ticket: What You Need to Know

Law Blog

No matter how late you may be running to get where you need to go when you drive too fast your risk getting a speeding ticket. If you are pulled over and you receive a ticket, you will likely be asked to sign the citation. Some think that if you refuse to sign the ticket, you are not responsible for the fine. Although you can refuse to sign, you need to know about any particular issues will face when doing so. Here are some things to know before you refuse to sign a speeding ticket:

What Do State Laws Say?

When you sign a speeding ticket, it does not necessarily mean you admit fault. The goal of the signature is to show that you are aware of the citation and have been made aware of your required court appearance. It also shows you have been told how to deal with your ticket in any alternative ways available in your state.

You also need to consider the state in which you get the ticket. Some states have no signature requirement. Others require it and are very strict. If you are in a signature-required state, it is advisable to sign your ticket. If you do not sign it, you could receive an additional citation. You may even be arrested and required to remain in jail until your court date.

Can You Claim You Did Not Receive a Speeding Ticket?

Another tactic some attempt to use is to not sign the ticket and later make the claim it was not given at all. This is not a good tactic to employ. First of all, most tickets have a duplicate as a record for the officer. Secondly, the officer has your information to prove you received a ticket. This not only includes your name and address, but also the identifying information of the vehicle you were driving at the time. In addition, officers typically have dash cameras on their vehicles as well as body cameras. There is ample proof you received a speeding ticket, so it is best to not risk perjury by claiming you never received a speeding ticket.

Can You Get Out of a Ticket if the Officer Does Not Attend Court?

Because of their busy schedules, some people assume they will not have to pay a speeding fine when an officer does not attend the hearing. Many states do not require the officer to come to court. The officer can submit an affidavit instead. In other areas, the ticket with the officer's signature serves as proof you were speeding and deserved the ticket.

If you receive a speeding ticket in a state that asks you for a signature, it is always best to comply and sign the ticket. If you believe you received the ticket wrongly, you can always appeal the ticket in court. If your case is strong enough, a judge may be willing to dismiss the fine. You can also work with a speeding ticket attorney if you want extra help appealing the ticket. 

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27 August 2020

Business Law Basics: What Small Business Owners Need to Know

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