Got a Speeding Ticket in Kansas City? Here’s How to Fight It

Receiving a speeding ticket in Kansas City is maddening and costly. Tack on the fee, court fees, and higher insurance costs, a split second lapse of judgment will have you paying a great deal of money. You can contest the ticket and lower or even cancel fines. What follows is everything you need to know about contesting a speeding ticket in Kansas City.

Understanding Fines on Speeding Tickets in Kansas City

It’s always better to know what you’re working with before you fight. With speeding tickets in Kansas City, fines are graduated based on how far over the limit you were:

• 1-5 mph over limit: Most likely to be a small fine with little impact.
• 6-10 mph over limit: Greater fines, potential penalties on your driver’s license.
• 11-20 mph over limit: Greater penalties, potential time in court.
• 21+ over limit: Increased fines, increased points, and license suspension.

Kansas and Missouri use a point system for traffic ticket reporting. Excessive points can lead to increased insurance, license suspension, or loss of license.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disputing a Speeding Ticket

Search for Errors on the Ticket

Errors on your ticket make it dismissible. Double-check for errors in:

• Your name, driver’s license number, and address.
• The time, date, and location of the violation.
• Your vehicle model and year.
• The sign speed and posted speed limit.

If you notice errors, you can potentially get the ticket thrown out.

Know Your Legal Options

When contesting a citation, usually you have three options:

• Pay the Fines: A plea of guilt to the offense is equivalent to consenting to accept the penalty, i.e., points against your license.
• Contest the Ticket in Court: You go to court to plead and introduce evidence to contest the ticket.
• Request a Mitigation Hearing: You plead guilty but ask for leniency, i.e., a lighter fine or no points on your license.

Gather Evidence

You require evidence to enable you to have a good criminal defense. Think:

• Dashcam Video: If you have a dashcam, look at the video to ensure you were within your speed.
• Witness Testimony: If the other motorist or witness happened to observe what took place, their testimony might be useful to you.
• Speedometer Calibration Reports: In case your speedometer malfunctioned, the mechanic may produce a report which you might find useful.
• Weather and Road Conditions: Poor road conditions, illegible signs and bad weather all work for you.

Challenge the Officer’s Evidence

Police officers use various speed measuring methods, some of which include radar, laser, or pacing. You can challenge the accuracy of these devices by:

• Requesting to view the speed measuring device calibration records.
• Requesting information about the officer’s location and line of sight at the time of your measurement.
• Requesting the officer to assume the officer had the reasonable belief that your vehicle was the target of the measurement.

Think About Retaining a Traffic Lawyer

Having a traffic ticket attorney can really be in your best interest. An attorney may:

• Find loopholes in the law.
• Negotiate reduced charges with the prosecutor.
• Represent you in court if necessary.

Most traffic attorneys offer a free consultation, so it is well worth talking to a specialist before making a decision.

Go to Your Court Hearing Prepared

If you’d like to contest the ticket, attend your hearing. Prepare by doing the following:

• Dress up: You never know, dressing up will do you good.
• Be respectful and polite: Address the judge as “Your Honor” to be in position and keep calm.
• Plead your case well: Keep it brief and concise, and don’t forget to bring facts.
• Practice your defense: Practice your defense so you sound good and credible.

Other Options for the Ticket to be Reduced or Dismissed

If too much hassle to fight, you have the following options:

Requesting a Diversion or Deferral Program

Kansas City also has diversion for first-time offenders. You can get your ticket dismissed by completing a defensive driving course or probation without future convictions.

Negotiation with the Prosecutor

Prosecutors will negotiate to settle by agreement. You may be able to:

• Plead to a non-movover charge (which will not be assessed against points on your license).
• Request that you perform community service in lieu of paying fines.
• Request that you have the fine reduced so that you can attend traffic school. 

Defensive Driving Course

Some courts allow drivers to take a defensive driving course so that the ticket is dismissed or the points are taken off their driver’s license. Call the court in your case and see if that is an option for you.

Last Thoughts: Is It Worth Challenging a Speeding Ticket?

Whether or not you will fight a speeding ticket is your choice. If the charge and fine are not very significant, then simply paying the fine is best. But in case you can be fined a lot of money, charged very high insurance, or have your driving license taken away from you, then it will be cheaper for you to fight the ticket and save a smudge off of your driving record.

Never weigh the expense of retaining an attorney against what you might save. Quibbling about a ticket in most cases, if you have a good case, will be worth the expense.

With knowledge of your rights and choices, you can quite easily make an intelligent choice and even steer clear of ridiculous fines. By appearing in court and fighting the ticket, negotiating down to a lesser charge, or attending defensive driving school, knowing how to work the system will enable you to start over.

If you’ve got a Kansas City speeding ticket, don’t panic. Back away, consider what you can do, take some documentation, and sort out what you’re going to do. The inconvenience of fighting a ticket is worth it occasionally in a bid to save you money and not have it hanging on your record for years.