After getting a ticket in Florida, you might think that the only option that you have is to pay the fine and go on about your business. However, there are some tickets that you could possibly fight in court.
Is it worth fighting?
Sometimes, a ticket isn’t worth fighting in court if there is enough evidence that you committed the action that resulted in getting the ticket in the first place. Common traffic violations that are often difficult to fight include speeding in excess of 10 mph over the speed limit or driving with a tag that’s expired. If you have never received a ticket before or if it’s been several years since you’ve had a ticket, then it might be a little easier to simply pay the fine so that it’s handled.
Was it your car?
If you’re given a ticket for speeding, one of the defenses could possibly be that the equipment used by the officer was faulty at the time you were stopped. You could raise the question of whether or not the officer clocked the speed from your vehicle or another driver who was nearby at the same time as yours. This defense could also be used if you’re given a ticket for running a stop sign or red light.
Showing up for court
A way that you could fight and win against a traffic ticket is if the officer who gave you the ticket doesn’t show up for the hearing. In this instance, the matter is typically thrown out as there might not be enough details provided before the court date. Keep in mind that an extension could be granted for another day if there is a valid reason why the officer didn’t appear.
While there are times when you want to go ahead and pay a ticket, there are a few ways that you could try to navigate your way around one without paying the fines.