Should I bother contesting this speeding ticket?

Question

On 24th Feb I was stopped for speeding. Got the ticket, was told I would receive the letter offering me a speed awareness course within 14 days, went on my way. Today, on 10th March, I ve just received the letter - 15 days after I received the ticket (not including the day I was stopped). I ve done some online research and if websites make any comment on the time limit the police have to send the NIP, they say it s a 14 day time limit. Not 14 working days or anything like that. I just rang the police non-emergency number the question it & then ask how to appeal it since it was a day outside the time limit, and the lady said that her colleague had told her that the NIP is to be issued  within a reasonable amount of time , not within 14 days, and that 15 days was still reasonable. Since I was told by everyone - starting with the police officer who wrote out my ticket - that I would receive the NIP within 14 days, do I have a leg to stand on if I contest the ticket?

Mary C · Answer

I doubt that you can get off because the ticket information was not delivered to you within the time frame promised by your police officer.  (What is the date of the post mark on the envelope?  I frequently get mail that was post marked several days ago. I don't know why.)

Your best shot of beating this ticket is to look around in the courtroom to see if your cop is there for others' tickets.  If not, then plead not-guilty.  Or you could get your case continued to a time when the cop is not in court.  If the Officer does not show up for the court hearing, then you are free to go.

Good luck!

? · Answer

Have you noticed how precise the traffic ticket has made you?  You should adapt that specificity to the posted speed limit signs and learn how to live free of worries like this.  Pay your fine, take the course, be nice and smile and things will work out.

Chief BaggageSmasher · Answer

Don't bother. By your own research,

<< if websites make any comment on the time limit the police have to send the NIP, they say it s a 14 day time limit. Not 14 working days or anything like that.>>

The key word is send. If it was sent to you within the 14 day period, then you cannot claim this as a reason.

Anonymous · Answer

You should always plead not guilty because except for a DWI or a DUI
if you plead not guilty and go to court on your assigned date and the 
officer fails to show up to defend his case, then your charges will be
dismissed.

tim · Answer

Look up the statute of limitations for the statute number within the state you are being charged and it will tell you . The statute number will be on the ticket

Linda R · Answer

Seriously?  How can a letter get to you on a Sunday - NO mail delivery.

Tavy · Answer

No, many have tried and failed on this one. They are not responsible for the delay in Royal Mail..
Take the course , you might learn something.

Ron · Answer

Not gonna help your case at all. When dealing with the government, reasonable time is what you get. You did the crime now do the time.

Gert · Answer

I don't think so.

? · Answer

pay it or you'll have a warrant out for your arrest

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Should I bother contesting this speeding ticket?

10 Answers