Just got a ticket at 4:30am in Coalinga for doing 40mph in 25mph
Hey Bony,
In my younger years I fought a number of speeding tickets and I was getting pretty good at it. It is not my intention to turn this into a ticket fighting thread, but with your posted limited facts, I would recommend the following (unless you have a more aggressive plan).
Since the ticket was in Coalinga and presumably this is not your home town, you can request a trial by written declaration. In that declaration, I would cite the traffic condition which I would assume is practically zero at 4:30 am on a weekend. Perhaps perfect driving conditions, clear skies, no fog. Moderate temperatures (no freezing), good visibility, etc. etc. Anything you can say (if true) about the safe conditions.
What your are doing is attempting to prove that at that time, in that place, under those weather conditions, your speed was safe and prudent.
I would not advocate that you say anything that is untrue or would compromise your great integrity, but 40mph at 4:30am does not seem to be un-safe.
"Prima Facie Speed Limits: Numerical speed limits (statutory and posted) that, if exceeded, justify enforcement action. However, if the accused motorist's actions can be proven to be safe, reasonable and prudent for the prevailing conditions, the charge of speeding shall be dismissed by the court of jurisdiction."
