Good for you. See, proves the point that if you don't go to court there is a 100% chance you will be paying the ticket, I take the gamble EVERY time.

 

Nice! Why dont we make them our exclusive DTR DA??

J/K.

Jon

 

Unfortunately traffic citations don't have to be proven. If the judge believes the probability of you doing it was 51% then you loose. In my experience sometimes scientific evidence showing that you could not have committed the violation is enough to win the ticket. When your account of events do not coincide with an officers, his reputation as a truthful and accurate person are at stake on a professional level. Judges are very slow to tarnish an officers reputation because their career depends on it.

I have won cases when I was guilty and I have lost cases where I was completely innocent of all charges. You win some and loose some.

My advice is to dress nice and look as professional as possible, bring your friend as a witness, and provide as much detail as possible. Even if you do not know the details of the truck that caused the smoke make some up. For example "The truck in front of me had a sticker that said Edge Performance Products". The officer will likely fill in any info he doesn't remember so you might as well play on a level playing field.

Edit: I should have read all the responses before opening my big mouth. Good to hear Justice was served for once in our Legal system.