When fighting a traffic citation, what is the percentage of police officers make a court appearance?
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M$7 Answers
While there certainly aren't any hard statistics publicly available on this, I might suggest that you do the following:
Traffic court is open session. You can sit in. Not only will you figure out how many of the cops show, but you'll get to know first hand what happens. It's all pretty routine once you've seen it a couple of times.
Importantly if you sit in, listen and look for the officer who gave you the ticket. Does s/he specifically show up?
The other folks who will know are the specialty traffic lawyers. They know the cops as good as the folks who work in doughnut shops (I love cops, & have them in the family, j/k). Many of these traffic lawyers offer a free consultation and you can ask one (or more) of them flat out if that cop shows up all the time or not.
These couple of things are really the only way to get a idea of this percentage.
I've had a few speeding tickets. I've fought each one without the help of a lawyer.
I hope that this is helpful for you, Evan!
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I have fought 3 tickets and my girlfriend has fought 2 and the officer appeared EVERY time. However, you have the ability to cross-examine the Officer in court. It's your right to be able to face your accuser. My girlfriend managed to get her case dismissed both times by using a combination of research and very clever cross-examination. I got one dismissed.
Depending on where and for what you are ticketed, some officers don't show up but will enter the video from their vehicle into evidence. This has been a hot-button issue here in Los Angeles because of "Stop-light cameras" that take the picture of the license plate, driver, and car as it blows through a red light. You don't even get pulled over. A ticket just shows up at your house.
Long story short: if you have the time and patience to fight a ticket that you truly believe is unfair then I say go for it. You may win, you may not. If, however, you are just upset that you got caught then pay the fine and move on. You will be happy you didn't lose time fighting a losing battle.
Personal conversations with police officers.
Personal experience.
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M$
If you get a date that is close to the holidays or during the summer; it increases the odds that the officer will be on vacation and not appear. Also, delaying the case is said to increase the chances the the officer will not appear.
I learned this when I wrote How to Beat a Speeding Ticket for Mahalo.
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M$i.e. if you were pulled over by the state police on the HWY in the rural wisconsin you're screwed, but if you were pulled over in downtown DC by metro police its probably 50/50 whether they will show up or not.
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M$
If you committed a traffic offense and deserved a citation, pay the fine and chalk it up to experience. You may someday wish that law enforcement was readily available for your protection/assistance rather than fighting frivolous traffic citations in court.
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M$I would almost gauruntee you that there is no percentage statistic available for that.
However I can tell you that out of the 6 traffic tickets i've faught in court, the officer has only shown once.
Just ask yourself if its even worth your time to fight it.
The odds are in your favor though based off personal experience/experience of others.
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
