Can I Fight A School Zone Speeding Ticket?
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In California, roads that are within 500ft of a school are posted as school zones. The maximum speed limit in these areas is often 25mph. But in some instances the speed limit can be as low as 15mph. When a driver exceeds the speed limit and is caught, then a traffic citation is issued and the driver must face major consequences. This is especially true with school zone speeding tickets. School zone speeding tickets are more costly and include harsher penalties than standard speeding tickets. Therefore, one might be wondering if they can also fight a school zone speeding ticket? And the answer is yes. You can fight a school zone speeding ticket. Let’s learn more..
Why Do School Zones Exist?
Well, to start with, it is obvious that school zone speed limits are there to protect kids during recess, before school, and after school. Children are less cautious and think less when it comes to darting out in the middle of the road. So it only makes sense that drivers need to go slower so they have enough time to stop in case a child steps into the street.
How Would I Receive A Ticket?
If you are speeding in these zones, then you may be caught by a camera or by an on-duty official. You’ll likely be pulled over if it’s a case of the latter and given a ticket to sign. If you’re caught via a camera, then you’ll receive your ticket in the mail. In order to avoid this ticket, you will need to look out for changes to speed limits and school zone signs. In addition to being vigilant when around cyclists, pedestrians, crossing guards, stopped school buses, and, of course, children roaming around. If you do so every single time, then you will likely avoid any trouble.
Overall, drivers are advised to use their own common sense to determine how fast they should travel especially in certain weather conditions such as fog, rain or snow. These weather conditions can make it extremely difficult to see ahead of you. So you may need to drive even slower than the speed limit posted.
Cost of a School Zone Speeding Ticket
Average fines for speeding in a school zone are as followed:
- $280 for driving 1 to 15mph over the speed limit
- $409 for driving 16 to 25mph over the speed limit
- $532+ for driving 25MPH or more over the speed limit
What Are Your Options?
If you receive a school zone speeding ticket, here are your options:
Pay the ticket – Just paying the fine is always an option. Keep in mind, you will not only have to pay the fine but also higher insurance premiums for the next three years. Every traffic ticket puts 1 or 2 points on your driving record. Therefore, when your insurance company does their annual yearly review, they will see these points and increase your rates.
Fight in court – The typical way to contest a traffic ticket in California is to appear in court in hope to convince the judge to reduce or dismiss your ticket. It is possible that a judge lowers your fine or dismisses the charges. However, there is no guarantee. So not only could you lose a day at work, but quite possibly still end up paying the entire fine.
Traffic School – With this option you still have to pay the ticket, and the ticket remains on your record. The positive is the point will be hidden from your insurance company, protecting you from insurance hikes.
A Trial by Written Declaration – A trial by written declaration is fighting your traffic ticket in writing instead of going to court. We highly recommend that you first try a trial by written declaration to see if you can get your ticket dismissed. Ticket dismissed means no points, no penalties, and no hours wasted doing traffic school or going to court. Keep in mind, if a trial by written declaration does not work, you can still do traffic school or ask for a new trial.
What You’ll Probably Want To Do If You Choose To Fight
The very first thing is note down the location of the issue and the alleged speed. Then head back to the location and get a school schedule in order to determine whether the school was in session during the time of your ticket. If your ticket was received outside the times, then you may have a strong case on your hands.
Also, be sure to locate the school zone markers. School zone signs should be well marked. If one is hidden behind a tree, bush, or other signs then you will have a good chance of getting the ticket dismissed.
Lastly, hire help from a traffic ticket dismissal service that is experienced in dealing with these kinds of cases.
What GetDismissed Can Do For You
GetDismissed, a traffic ticket dismissal service, has helped tens of thousands of drivers fight their traffic tickets through the trial by written declaration process. Our system will build a defense package for you. All you have to do is photograph your ticket and driver’s license, discuss your circumstances and download your defense document and send the documents to court. Get started today!
Steve has been leading the fight against traffic tickets for over 22 years and is the CEO/President of GetDismissed, a service that empowers California drivers with traffic tickets to fight back without going to court. As a thought leader and business entrepreneur, Steve has also been featured on TV, Radio, Print, and Online as a traffic ticket expert talking about such subjects as distracted driving, contesting traffic tickets, traffic ticket myths, traffic ticket tips, traffic law, and more. Steve is a published author, releasing his first book in 2011, and now has four books regarding fighting traffic tickets which can be found on Amazon. Read More…
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Photograph your ticket & license.
*If you don’t have your ticket handy, it’s okay — you can still start the process and just add it later!
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Provide info through guided questions.
*Be sure to quickly add as many notes about the stop as you can so you don’t leave out any important details!
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Sign & send your defense to court.
*We will send you a completed packet for the court that just needs your signature and a stamp!
What Types of Tickets Do We Help With?
GetDismissed produces results in fighting all kinds of tickets. Unfortunately, this list does not include exhibition of speed citations. Your best bet in fighting one of these infractions, is to contact an attorney. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf to try and reduce fines, or even to reduce the charges to a lesser infraction which could possibly qualify for traffic school.
We do however, contest infractions revolving around speeding, red lights, red light cameras, cell phones, signs (primarily stop signs), carpool violations, U-turns, out of lane violations, and commercial violations. If you receive a citation and have questions, contact us today.
