Let's be honest, you've mostly been pulled over once, especially if you are reading this. And god knows you never want to go through that again. Seeing those unmistakable, flashing red-and-blue lights makes anyone tremble in fear. Here are 5 tips to get out of that pesky ticket.
1. Be Respectful
This sounds obvious, but you would be surprised by how many people have an attitude or argue with an officer. Make sure you have your license out immediately, clearly answer every question the officer asks, and do not move suspiciously whatsoever. Sometimes comical, light conversations help humanize you, making it increasingly difficult for some officers to give you a ticket.
2. Don't try to flirt or bribe your way out
Despite it seeming like many police officers are corrupt, very few are. They will not fall for blatant attempts at flirting or bribes. This will only encourage them to give you a ticket as it questions their integrity; therefore, is insulting.
3. Play the sad card
Hysterically crying and hyperventilating while yelling at yourself really shows an officer how shitty of a day you might be having. Sometimes officers will pity you. This a huge advantage as it makes an officer feel like a huge asshole in making your life worse.
4. Know the law
Few people know their actual rights. Call the prosecutor that is going to present the case against you to the judge to request a pretrial conference to negotiate. Additionally, you can prove that what you got a ticket for was legally justified in the context of the situation you were in. This helps your case as your now raising a legal point instead of implying the ticketing officer was wrong.
5. Never openly confess
Confessing to an officer that you were speeding or doing anything illegally forces them to give you a ticket. Acknowledging your guilt makes it almost impossible to prove you were innocent. You can't take back words.
6. Play the mistake of fact card
The phase "Mistake of fact" refers to an error made due to circumstances beyond one's control. Tickets can easily be dismissed if it is deemed such. For example, you could argue that you did not stop at a stop sign because something like a fallen tree obliviated your view of it.
7. Don't pay the ticket right away
Paying immediately shows voluntary admittance of guilt, eliminating any chance of you getting out of the ticket or possibly reduced. One usually has 90 days to plead guilty or innocent; and therefore, pay. You have plenty of time to figure out an alternative solution. Plus, often times people who attend court get their fine reduced.
Getting pulled over always feels like the end of the world. However, these tricks will at least help you get out of paying that pricey fine.
