Minneapolis, MN asked in Traffic Tickets for Minnesota

Q: In Minnesota Is there a reasonable chance of dismissing a speeding ticket based on observation of officer alone?

Officer said he does not have a radar or laser reading of my speed, but that he observed me going quickly after somebody called in a motorcycle

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: If police have no speed measurement evidence, such as RADAR or LIDAR, the prosecution will have less evidence to present at a trial. So that is more favorable for the defendant. But, all the many considerations for defending a speeding ticket would still apply, including how to persuade a prosecutor to agree to a "no record" outcome, discovery issues, and trial planning and execution. So, helpful but not magic.

A: If I were the judge, I would want to know why the officer gave you a ticket unless he was confident you were speeding. It seems unlikely an officer would give someone a ticket going 43 in a 40 when just eyeballing it.

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