Question on a ticket.

[Bldrinker]

I was pulled over for tailgating this morning (guilty) Where the ticket says date of violation the officer accidently wrote my birthdate. I understand its a minor mistake, but is there any chance that could help me get out of it or reduced?

I'm in the middle of getting my CCW so this was bad timing for me to screw up.

[TJW]

Typically, a police clerk will review every citation and do their data entry into a computer database. Normally the police clerk will catch these errors and have the officer amend the citation to fix mistakes. If the police clerk doesn't catch the mistake, the court will catch the error and send the citation back to the PD for correction, before they accept the citation or before your court appearance. The officer will then amend the citation and you will be sent a letter explaining the mistake and that it was corrected. You will have absolutely no chance of getting off on the citation or get anything reduced because of an error. Sorry

[Bldrinker]

Typically, a police clerk will review every citation and do their data entry into a computer database. Normally the police clerk will catch these errors and have the officer amend the citation to fix mistakes. If the police clerk doesn't catch the mistake, the court will catch the error and send the citation back to the PD for correction, before they accept the citation or before your court appearance. The officer will then amend the citation and you will be sent a letter explaining the mistake and that it was corrected. You will have absolutely no chance of getting off on the citation or get anything reduced because of an error. Sorry

Oh well I knew it was a long shot, but I figured I would at least ask.

Thanks for taking the time to explain it to me.

[teetsjones]

Typically, a police clerk will review every citation and do their data entry into a computer database. Normally the police clerk will catch these errors and have the officer amend the citation to fix mistakes. If the police clerk doesn't catch the mistake, the court will catch the error and send the citation back to the PD for correction, before they accept the citation or before your court appearance. The officer will then amend the citation and you will be sent a letter explaining the mistake and that it was corrected. You will have absolutely no chance of getting off on the citation or get anything reduced because of an error. Sorry

That's not always true. I had a ticket dismissed because the CHP Officer did not enter the the street I was on. He wrote South bound crossing Elm to Greenback. I contested the ticket and the Judge dismissed the citation, in his words. "if the officer could not determine what street he was on I doubt his ability to judge your speed."

[glock_this]

I've had one dismissed in college as my license plate on the citation was 1 letter off.

[Bldrinker]

Thanks for the reply guys, he was also off on the location by 2 cross streets.

I'm not in ANY WAY AT ALL trying to bring a negative opinion on the officer, he was actually extremely nice and we had a few jokes with one another, and I am guilty of the charges. I have no problem paying the fine.

Only reason im looking to get out of it is it may affect my CCW application.

[Spyder]

I got off on a ticket once because if a mistake on the cite too. 25mph in a 0mph zone.

I don't think that getting it dismissed or paying the fine will make a difference. Either way, the citation will show up when they look for it. Maybe call or email the person who is reviewing your application and give them a "Just to let you know..." message.

[ChrisO]

For that type if mistake it is HIGHLY unlikely to be dismissed. What is more likely is getting a correction in the mail. Showing up to court dressed professionally and asking the judge for a reduction sometimes helps with the fee.

[micro911]

I wonder how the officer made that kind of mistake. Maybe he had a fight with the wife in the morning.

[Win231]

When I was 17, I got a ticket for not entering a left turn lane at the right spot. A male friend was in the passenger seat. The cop mistakenly said my passenger was female. I tried to beat the ticket by saying "If the officer made that mistake, he may have not been paying attention to my violation, either." It didn't work; the judge said "The officer probably looked at the hair & thought it was a girl." Rather stupid because he didn't have long hair & didn't look like a girl.

The judge would have been smarter if he said, "The officer made a mistake, but you still entered the left turn lane at the wrong spot."

[71MUSTY]

That's not always true. I had a ticket dismissed because the CHP Officer did not enter the the street I was on. He wrote South bound crossing Elm to Greenback. I contested the ticket and the Judge dismissed the citation, in his words. "if the officer could not determine what street he was on I doubt his ability to judge your speed."

I had a similar experience where the officer listed the wrong make and color for my car. Judge threw it out similarly " If you don't know which car he was driving how do you know he was speeding"


Granted this was 30 years ago and may not apply today.

[ChrisO]

Mistakes happen, were human too. maybe he was on mandatory OT/tired who knows... It really is a easy mistake to make. Bottom line is you got cited and it is HIGHLY unlikely for you to get the ticket thrown out because of such a small mistake... It does not negate the fact you did what you did and got caught. Sometimes eating a slice of humble pie and asking for a break from the judge because of financials works best... If he's been a traffic cop for awhile you likely won't win this battle. Good luck.

[Bldrinker]

Mistakes happen, were human too. maybe he was on mandatory OT/tired who knows... It really is a easy mistake to make. Bottom line is you got cited and it is HIGHLY unlikely for you to get the ticket thrown out because of such a small mistake... It does not negate the fact you did what you did and got caught. Sometimes eating a slice of humble pie and asking for a break from the judge because of financials works best... If he's been a traffic cop for awhile you likely won't win this battle. Good luck.

I agree, just concerned about the ccw app is all. If I could get it thrown because of the mistake that would be great. If not I have no problem paying for my mistake. Play stupid games win stupid prizes right?

[BarrettM99]

I got a ticket dismissed few years ago due to wrong color listed for the vehicle. But I think that works for parking violations only. That's what mine was. Still felt good to get out of it

[ChrisO]

I do CCW interviews for my department and I'll tell you right now at least in my county it's not a big deal...

I agree, just concerned about the ccw app is all. If I could get it thrown because of the mistake that would be great. If not I have no problem paying for my mistake. Play stupid games win stupid prizes right?