Traffic Violation question

[Frost]

I was given a ticket in Shenandoah County (Virginia) for something I wasn't doing. I posting honestly and really have no reason to lie on here because this is not the court and won't affect how the court sees this case at all.

Two friends and I were all on separate motorcycles riding down 81S in Shenandoah County. We were pulled over and given tickets for 89 in a 65. To report the facts only, I can only say I know for sure I was not going that fast. I was going at LEAST 15mph slower than that. The State Trooper was sitting on the right shoulder, we were in the left lane boxed in by cars and an 18 wheeler. I was about 3-4 car lengths behind the leader. The leader was behind a car. The traffic behind me was pretty tightly packed. Traffic slowed (I can only assume because they saw the police car). The car wasn't even visible until we passed it and I saw it through a gap between an 18 wheeler and a car. My friends finally got in front of the 18 wheeler after it slowed down, it took a while for me to regroup with them and get into the right lane myself but in the process, I notice the car pulled out. I was the only one to see him pull out but none of us expected we would be pulled over. Well, we were. The car got behind me and turned on the lights. We all stopped as a group and the State Trooper gave us all the same ticket. We didn't argue with him, didn't ask to see the radar, and he was actually nice. There are no complaints about how he acted. He did tell us we didn't have to go to court even though it is a Reckless charge but the box on the ticket is not checked saying we don't have to go. We plan on going anyway.

I have some problems though. I don't understand how I can be given the same ticket as 2 other people when I wasn't very close to them, meaning I wasn't even in site. The angle would have put me behind cars and an 18 wheeler. I was going 9mph over at the most. I didn't argue with the office because I was intimidated and scared that I may anger him or make things worse for myself. I don't have much experience with being pulled over so I was extremely nervous, scared, and confused. Also, we talked to 3 different lawyers and none of them are confident anything will be dropped or reduced. I feel like I'm stuck and won't be dealt with fairly.

My record is fairly clean. The only thing on it is "Failure to obey highway sign while sleeping." Maybe you are all familiar with the "while sleeping" part but it was explained to me that that just added a code that made it a 0-point violation and $75 fine. Other than that, I have +5 points (maximum), I have my Class M license, and my bike is legal.

I'd like to hear some serious feedback on this. Thanks in advance.

[dwf]

Diagram the whole thing out, take it to court and present your version. That's what the court is there for.

[Cinnamon]

Did he have radar or lidar? That makes a big difference. And when you noticed the trooper, and you looked down at your speed, I can guarantee that the trooper locked your speed in way before you saw him.

Good luck.

[JD45]

I was given a ticket in Shenandoah County (Virginia) for something I wasn't doing.

Of course not, we give tickets out all the time for....heck I don't know...just cuz...

[GoDirectly2Jail]

I was given a ticket in Shenandoah County (Virginia) for something I wasn't doing. I posting honestly and really have no reason to lie on here because this is not the court and won't affect how the court sees this case at all. {sic}

Does that mean in court you would have a reason to lie?

(I know it's not what you meant to say, just thought it was funny.)

Virginia State Troopers have no difficulties finding violations at any hour of any day. There are that many to choose from. Consequently, they usually only pick the "slam dunks" to pull over, ie those that they are confident of getting a conviction on. There is no reason for a Trooper to waste time on an ambiguous charge when the next "slam dunk" is literally right around the corner.

Good luck in court.

[sbrad]

This is not a forum where officers will tell you how to beat a speeding ticket. I think you're looking for an attorney website.

[Deputy12]

Generally, when I have bikers in a bunch. In in an instance like you described, we would write on the basic speed rule and not issue for the radar speed. It would be cheaper, but at least it would leave out room for doubt in the LEO's mind. On the other hand, if they were all together and I felt they were closely matched in speed, I might write for the radar speed or drag racing. Sounds like some kind of speed contest. I've seen it often with the bikers. Not that it is the case with you.
But, as stated by others, the officer would be the one who would be able to tell you what he saw and did. I won't judge, I was not there.
BTW, thanks for stopping for the officer, the crotch rockets usually run around here. Unfortunatley they end up somewhere behind thier scoot at some point. ROADRASH!!!!! :eek:

[Frost]

Thanks for some of the responses. Again, I'm not trying to "beat" the ticket. That implies that I'm guilty and want to get out of it. I wasn't going that speed and I'm trying make sure I get a fair day in court.

The ticket says he got me with "S-R Radar."

It would be one thing if he got me for 1-9 which I was doing. When I said I was going at least 15mph slower, it's because I'm always very worried about my record. I have one minor 0-point moving violation so it is pretty clean. I'm more willing to go 9 over than 24 over. It seems as though he got a car or truck in the front and saw us in the pack and decided to go for the bikes since we didn't run (I'll never run). He even made a comment saying "Good thing you guys stopped, I never would've caught you."

Anyway, I wasn't looking for a lawyer to jump out and save the day or a law enforcement officer to come up with some trick. I just wanted to get some feedback on what to expect and how I might handle getting the truth across. I'm a horrible speaker when it comes to presentations or anything in front of people I don't know. I'm not comfortable with going on my own and explaining but it seems like lawyers just don't want to touch it.

I'll keep checking around. Thanks guys.

Take care

[Gooch]

What kind of bike is it?

[Frost]

03 Honda RC51

[rdp]

If you want to fight it, go ahead.

Rice rockets have a bad rep. due to the number of idiots with them and their constant involvement in police pursuits.

[Gooch]

03 Honda RC51

I used to have a Yamaha R6 and one of the reasons I got rid of it was because of the bad stigma attached to sportbikes. You don't have a very good chance of winning if you fight it especially if you were riding in a group of sportbikes. You can try but you may not get the desired outcome.

[Oldbillplod]

You might be able to get off the ticket if he wasn't wearing his hat, just a thought but worth giving it a go.