Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Missouri

Q: Can a ticket get thrown out due to contradictions with the charge?

I received a speeding ticket (my first in 10+ years). The ticket says it's for "SPEEDING 36-40 MPH OVER" but below that it says driving 90, posted speed limit 60.... which is 30... not 36-40. Ninety in a sixty is consistent with what the officer stated/alleged.

Even if that doesn't matter... How much trouble am I in?

The court is the Saint Charles Municipal Court on Zumbehl.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Andrea Rogers
Andrea Rogers
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Eureka, MO
  • Licensed in Missouri

A: Any error on the ticket can be corrected at any time. This does not sound like an error. This appears to be a situation in which the police officer wants the Prosecutor to know you were speeding 36-40 miles over but the cop gave you a break by issuing the ticket for only 30 miles over.

You can go to court and plead guilty on your own without an attorney, but I don't recommend that option. If you plead guilty, the judge will sentence you and jail time is definitely a possibility for this high a speed. The better option is to hire an experienced traffic law attorney to try and work out a plea bargain deal with the Prosecutor. I highly doubt that the Prosecutor will agree to amend your ticket to a non-moving violation, but there's always a chance. Or you could get probation with a suspended imposition of sentence.

Most criminal defense/traffic ticket lawyers offer a free consultation.

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