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DC Speeding Ticket Hearing Process

On the scheduled date of the hearing process for your speeding ticket the first thing you should do after arriving is check in at the Information Desk at the DMV. At the DMV you are permitted to check in up to 10 minutes prior, but you must be checked in by your scheduled hearing time. You will then be issued a ticket number and will proceed to the waiting area until your ticket number is called.  Your administrative hearing will not be private and there will usually be about four to five other individuals who have also contested their tickets who will be in the same hearing room.

Anyone who plans on testifying during the administrative hearing will be asked to take an oath by the hearing examiner. Once everyone has been sworn in, the hearing examiner will ask how you plan to answer your speeding ticket. You have the option to admit, admit with an explanation or deny your citation.

If the hearing examiner finds you responsible, or if you chose to admit with explanation, you will be required to pay the fine associated with the ticket . Any points that are attached to the ticket will automatically be assessed to your driving record.

What Evidence is Likely to Be Presented at a Speeding Ticket Hearing?

An officer is required to prove a violation by clear and convincing evidence and must appear in person to testify during the hearing process for the ticket. Afterwards, an individual is permitted to ask the officer any questions related to their testimony about the alleged violation. If the officer does not bring his report, does not remember what happened, or does not appear at the scheduled hearing time, the ticket will be dismissed.

Entering a Plea

A nolo contendere in DC speeding ticket cases refers to a plea of no contest. Generally speaking, an individual is neither admitting nor disputing the charge. In DC speeding ticket cases, there are three ways to answer a citation.

  • Admit
  • Admit with an explanation
  • Deny the citation

You cannot plead nolo contendere.

What Mitigating Factors Might be Involved in this Hearing?

In some instances, a person is ticketed for speeding but their speedometer indicated a lower speed therefore it is often a good idea to have a mechanic check your speedometer checked for accuracy.

By using an auto mechanic you may be able to show the hearing examiner that your speedometer was calibrated and/or tested.  The mechanic will measure the accuracy of your vehicle’s speedometer and issue you a Speedometer Calibration Certificate. This certificate will state how many miles per hour your speedometer is off. A lawyer will then be able to use this certificate to prove that your speedometer was inaccurate at the time of the incident, potentially aiding you in the hearing process for speeding tickets.

Penalty Expectations

A speeding ticket is a traffic infraction that is handled at the DMV. The penalties of speeding are generally separated by how much over the posted speed limit an individual was traveling. If the individual was traveling 1 to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, they will receive a fine of $75.00 and two points; 11 to 15 miles per hour over, they will receive a fine of $125.00 and three points; 16 to 20 miles per hour over and they will receive a fine of $150.00 and four points and 21 miles per hour and over, they will receive a fine of $200.00 and five points.

Depending on the specific facts of the case, an individual may be charged with reckless driving as well as speeding . A charge of reckless driving comes with serious consequences.

  • Fines up to $1,000.00, the loss of your DC driving privileges
  • Points on your driving record
  • Higher insurance premiums and possible jail time

Negotiating Penalties

An individual may negotiate with the hearing examiner about their penalties. This can include requesting that the hearing examiner consider waiving the points associated with the ticket as well as reduce the fine. An attorney is also able to negotiate with the hearing examiner regarding such issues on the individual’s behalf.

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