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Message

LIDAR Speeding Ticket

Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:28 pm
Posted by Beer Genius
Lafayette
Member since Jan 2013
233 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:28 pm
I need some advice on what I should do. I feel like I have been wronged in this by a Lt. that wanted to just meet his "Quota".

I feel I have a decent chance fighting this ticket in court, before I talk to a lawyer friend of mine, I wanted to see other side of perspective that I may have missed or not.

Please refrain from the obvious comments such as "Stop Speeding"...because that does not contribute to my initial question.

Finally, here is the scenario. I was traveling I-49 southbound from Harry Guibeau Exit in Opelousas. At that sharp descent hill few miles after the merging ramp, there was a State trooper standing outside of his SUV with LIDAR radar pointing at the apex of the hill. He was on a level ground when I was at top of the hill, in the left lane. I was traveling alongside with group of 3 cars. 2 in Right lane and I was in the middle of the pack. Obviously, he pointed at the left lane where I was.

Before the apex, I admit that I was going at 80 mph. But knowing this bottom of hill was a speed trap. I slowed down to 76 mph before crossing the apex. I saw the cop pointing in my direction, he got in his suv and took him about a minute to stop me. He said I was going over 80 mph, I said "Oh wow, that is not right, I believe I was not going at that speed, maybe 75-78 mph but not 80 mph."

I asked to see his LIDAR read out, he refused and told me to subpoea it. I asked when was the last time he calibrated it. He went back to his SUV, 10 seconds later, a quick walk back and told me 4:30 AM. I took the ticket and got in my car.

Okay, here is why I think I can fight this is because there is few things wrong in this ticket and the situation.

In the "DOB" line, he put the year 67 where I was actually born in 87.

Secondly, in the "Unlawfully Operated" space, he put the year 2015.

Thirdly, he did not take down my VIN number.

Fourth, He did not put specific location where he took the LIDAR reading. No milepost indicated or whatsoever, only "Southbound".

Fifth, He did not write the distance how far he took the LIDAR reading to where my car was "considered" to be in excess of 80 mph. Which I thought was required to record with the LIDAR violation.

That's just all from the citation. Now let me get into the technical aspects. When the Lt. told me he calibrated the LIDAR at 4:30 AM. I knew that was shady because to calibrate that radar, it has to be in daylight and clear conditions to record the speed accurately. I checked the weather data for June 26 4:30 AM. It was still dark and slight rain. He used the LIDAR THAT he calibrated at 4:30 AM to record me at 7 AM where the conditions were overcast. Which is a HUGE difference. For one, the difference in light conditions can cause problems with the light refraction algorithm in the LIDAR.

Secondly, The LIDAR must be stationary, using a tripod is highly recommended. However in this case, this Lt. was pointing up at an angle that possibly could have caused an error in its readout. Your arms and hands will no matter what weave and bob at an evaluated angle without the use of tripod. Remember I said I was traveling in a group of cars alongside me. This could have caused a error readout.

Thirdly, what I read, LIDAR is already calibrated out of the box/shop and no need to re-calibrate. I would have to subponea the data report to confirm that.

That's pretty much it. Before you say anything that I was speeding and I should pay for it. Consider this, interstate is seen as "Relative Speed". In other words, it is acceptable to drive within in reason from 70-75 in a safe way as in a way to not impede traffic flow. I know I was definitely at 76mph when I crossed the APEX, the Lt putting 80mph on my ticket is just wrong and possibly would make my insurance rate go up if I dont fight this.
Posted by CT
Kate Upton's back
Member since Sep 2004
21054 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:31 pm to
Posted by Slinky
Member since Dec 2013
3118 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:31 pm to
Go to court.

ETA: slow down.
This post was edited on 6/28/14 at 12:33 pm
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
56114 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:36 pm to
that all sounds very scientific and well thought out. frankly however, you are arguing over whether you were going 78 mph (as you say) or 80 mph (as he says)...

now, do yourself a favor...call in and ask them if you can just pay the fine and keep it off your record...if so, pay it and forget about it and move on with your life...

Posted by TROLA
BATON ROUGE
Member since Apr 2004
12412 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:36 pm to
God damn that's a lot of info... I'd go to court just to justify that information in my memory bank
Posted by SG_Geaux
Beautiful St George
Member since Aug 2004
78072 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:39 pm to
quote:

Beer Genius



How much is your time worth ? I would just call the DA, explain the thing, get it changed to a non-moving, and send them a money order.
Posted by Tigerlaff
FIGHTING out of the Carencro Sonic
Member since Jan 2010
20890 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:40 pm to
quote:

Please refrain from the obvious comments such as "Stop Speeding"...because that does not contribute to my initial question.


Stop speeding.
Posted by TexasTiger39
Member since Mar 2009
3671 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:41 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 8/8/20 at 11:08 am
Posted by SPEEDY
2005 Tiger Smack Poster of the Year
Member since Dec 2003
83411 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:43 pm to
quote:

I need some advice on what I should do. I feel like I have been wronged in this by a Lt. that wanted to just meet his "Quota".

I feel I have a decent chance fighting this ticket in court, before I talk to a lawyer friend of mine, I wanted to see other side of perspective that I may have missed or not.

Please refrain from the obvious comments such as "Stop Speeding"...because that does not contribute to my initial question.

Finally, here is the scenario. I was traveling I-49 southbound from Harry Guibeau Exit in Opelousas. At that sharp descent hill few miles after the merging ramp, there was a State trooper standing outside of his SUV with LIDAR radar pointing at the apex of the hill. He was on a level ground when I was at top of the hill, in the left lane. I was traveling alongside with group of 3 cars. 2 in Right lane and I was in the middle of the pack. Obviously, he pointed at the left lane where I was.

Before the apex, I admit that I was going at 80 mph. But knowing this bottom of hill was a speed trap. I slowed down to 76 mph before crossing the apex. I saw the cop pointing in my direction, he got in his suv and took him about a minute to stop me. He said I was going over 80 mph, I said "Oh wow, that is not right, I believe I was not going at that speed, maybe 75-78 mph but not 80 mph."

I asked to see his LIDAR read out, he refused and told me to subpoea it. I asked when was the last time he calibrated it. He went back to his SUV, 10 seconds later, a quick walk back and told me 4:30 AM. I took the ticket and got in my car.

Okay, here is why I think I can fight this is because there is few things wrong in this ticket and the situation.

In the "DOB" line, he put the year 67 where I was actually born in 87.

Secondly, in the "Unlawfully Operated" space, he put the year 2015.

Thirdly, he did not take down my VIN number.

Fourth, He did not put specific location where he took the LIDAR reading. No milepost indicated or whatsoever, only "Southbound".

Fifth, He did not write the distance how far he took the LIDAR reading to where my car was "considered" to be in excess of 80 mph. Which I thought was required to record with the LIDAR violation.

That's just all from the citation. Now let me get into the technical aspects. When the Lt. told me he calibrated the LIDAR at 4:30 AM. I knew that was shady because to calibrate that radar, it has to be in daylight and clear conditions to record the speed accurately. I checked the weather data for June 26 4:30 AM. It was still dark and slight rain. He used the LIDAR THAT he calibrated at 4:30 AM to record me at 7 AM where the conditions were overcast. Which is a HUGE difference. For one, the difference in light conditions can cause problems with the light refraction algorithm in the LIDAR.

Secondly, The LIDAR must be stationary, using a tripod is highly recommended. However in this case, this Lt. was pointing up at an angle that possibly could have caused an error in its readout. Your arms and hands will no matter what weave and bob at an evaluated angle without the use of tripod. Remember I said I was traveling in a group of cars alongside me. This could have caused a error readout.

Thirdly, what I read, LIDAR is already calibrated out of the box/shop and no need to re-calibrate. I would have to subponea the data report to confirm that.

That's pretty much it. Before you say anything that I was speeding and I should pay for it. Consider this, interstate is seen as "Relative Speed". In other words, it is acceptable to drive within in reason from 70-75 in a safe way as in a way to not impede traffic flow. I know I was definitely at 76mph when I crossed the APEX, the Lt putting 80mph on my ticket is just wrong and possibly would make my insurance rate go up if I dont fight this.





Posted by SPEEDY
2005 Tiger Smack Poster of the Year
Member since Dec 2003
83411 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:45 pm to
quote:

I need some advice on what I should do. I feel like I have been wronged in this by a Lt. that wanted to just meet his "Quota".

I feel I have a decent chance fighting this ticket in court, before I talk to a lawyer friend of mine, I wanted to see other side of perspective that I may have missed or not.

Please refrain from the obvious comments such as "Stop Speeding"...because that does not contribute to my initial question.

Finally, here is the scenario. I was traveling I-49 southbound from Harry Guibeau Exit in Opelousas. At that sharp descent hill few miles after the merging ramp, there was a State trooper standing outside of his SUV with LIDAR radar pointing at the apex of the hill. He was on a level ground when I was at top of the hill, in the left lane. I was traveling alongside with group of 3 cars. 2 in Right lane and I was in the middle of the pack. Obviously, he pointed at the left lane where I was.

Before the apex, I admit that I was going at 80 mph. But knowing this bottom of hill was a speed trap. I slowed down to 76 mph before crossing the apex. I saw the cop pointing in my direction, he got in his suv and took him about a minute to stop me. He said I was going over 80 mph, I said "Oh wow, that is not right, I believe I was not going at that speed, maybe 75-78 mph but not 80 mph."

I asked to see his LIDAR read out, he refused and told me to subpoea it. I asked when was the last time he calibrated it. He went back to his SUV, 10 seconds later, a quick walk back and told me 4:30 AM. I took the ticket and got in my car.

Okay, here is why I think I can fight this is because there is few things wrong in this ticket and the situation.

In the "DOB" line, he put the year 67 where I was actually born in 87.

Secondly, in the "Unlawfully Operated" space, he put the year 2015.

Thirdly, he did not take down my VIN number.

Fourth, He did not put specific location where he took the LIDAR reading. No milepost indicated or whatsoever, only "Southbound".

Fifth, He did not write the distance how far he took the LIDAR reading to where my car was "considered" to be in excess of 80 mph. Which I thought was required to record with the LIDAR violation.

That's just all from the citation. Now let me get into the technical aspects. When the Lt. told me he calibrated the LIDAR at 4:30 AM. I knew that was shady because to calibrate that radar, it has to be in daylight and clear conditions to record the speed accurately. I checked the weather data for June 26 4:30 AM. It was still dark and slight rain. He used the LIDAR THAT he calibrated at 4:30 AM to record me at 7 AM where the conditions were overcast. Which is a HUGE difference. For one, the difference in light conditions can cause problems with the light refraction algorithm in the LIDAR.

Secondly, The LIDAR must be stationary, using a tripod is highly recommended. However in this case, this Lt. was pointing up at an angle that possibly could have caused an error in its readout. Your arms and hands will no matter what weave and bob at an evaluated angle without the use of tripod. Remember I said I was traveling in a group of cars alongside me. This could have caused a error readout.

Thirdly, what I read, LIDAR is already calibrated out of the box/shop and no need to re-calibrate. I would have to subponea the data report to confirm that.

That's pretty much it. Before you say anything that I was speeding and I should pay for it. Consider this, interstate is seen as "Relative Speed". In other words, it is acceptable to drive within in reason from 70-75 in a safe way as in a way to not impede traffic flow. I know I was definitely at 76mph when I crossed the APEX, the Lt putting 80mph on my ticket is just wrong and possibly would make my insurance rate go up if I dont fight this.




Posted by SPEEDY
2005 Tiger Smack Poster of the Year
Member since Dec 2003
83411 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:46 pm to
quote:

I need some advice on what I should do. I feel like I have been wronged in this by a Lt. that wanted to just meet his "Quota".

I feel I have a decent chance fighting this ticket in court, before I talk to a lawyer friend of mine, I wanted to see other side of perspective that I may have missed or not.

Please refrain from the obvious comments such as "Stop Speeding"...because that does not contribute to my initial question.

Finally, here is the scenario. I was traveling I-49 southbound from Harry Guibeau Exit in Opelousas. At that sharp descent hill few miles after the merging ramp, there was a State trooper standing outside of his SUV with LIDAR radar pointing at the apex of the hill. He was on a level ground when I was at top of the hill, in the left lane. I was traveling alongside with group of 3 cars. 2 in Right lane and I was in the middle of the pack. Obviously, he pointed at the left lane where I was.

Before the apex, I admit that I was going at 80 mph. But knowing this bottom of hill was a speed trap. I slowed down to 76 mph before crossing the apex. I saw the cop pointing in my direction, he got in his suv and took him about a minute to stop me. He said I was going over 80 mph, I said "Oh wow, that is not right, I believe I was not going at that speed, maybe 75-78 mph but not 80 mph."

I asked to see his LIDAR read out, he refused and told me to subpoea it. I asked when was the last time he calibrated it. He went back to his SUV, 10 seconds later, a quick walk back and told me 4:30 AM. I took the ticket and got in my car.

Okay, here is why I think I can fight this is because there is few things wrong in this ticket and the situation.

In the "DOB" line, he put the year 67 where I was actually born in 87.

Secondly, in the "Unlawfully Operated" space, he put the year 2015.

Thirdly, he did not take down my VIN number.

Fourth, He did not put specific location where he took the LIDAR reading. No milepost indicated or whatsoever, only "Southbound".

Fifth, He did not write the distance how far he took the LIDAR reading to where my car was "considered" to be in excess of 80 mph. Which I thought was required to record with the LIDAR violation.

That's just all from the citation. Now let me get into the technical aspects. When the Lt. told me he calibrated the LIDAR at 4:30 AM. I knew that was shady because to calibrate that radar, it has to be in daylight and clear conditions to record the speed accurately. I checked the weather data for June 26 4:30 AM. It was still dark and slight rain. He used the LIDAR THAT he calibrated at 4:30 AM to record me at 7 AM where the conditions were overcast. Which is a HUGE difference. For one, the difference in light conditions can cause problems with the light refraction algorithm in the LIDAR.

Secondly, The LIDAR must be stationary, using a tripod is highly recommended. However in this case, this Lt. was pointing up at an angle that possibly could have caused an error in its readout. Your arms and hands will no matter what weave and bob at an evaluated angle without the use of tripod. Remember I said I was traveling in a group of cars alongside me. This could have caused a error readout.

Thirdly, what I read, LIDAR is already calibrated out of the box/shop and no need to re-calibrate. I would have to subponea the data report to confirm that.

That's pretty much it. Before you say anything that I was speeding and I should pay for it. Consider this, interstate is seen as "Relative Speed". In other words, it is acceptable to drive within in reason from 70-75 in a safe way as in a way to not impede traffic flow. I know I was definitely at 76mph when I crossed the APEX, the Lt putting 80mph on my ticket is just wrong and possibly would make my insurance rate go up if I dont fight this.



Posted by biglego
Ask your mom where I been
Member since Nov 2007
76567 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:48 pm to
You write a lot of words
Posted by tLSU
Member since Oct 2007
8623 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 1:11 pm to
It's incredible how this board is filled with so many trashy poors who speed and then rage and come up with nutty theories and defenses when they get caught.
Posted by Gris Gris
OTIS!NO RULES FOR SAUCES ON STEAK!!
Member since Feb 2008
47474 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 1:25 pm to


Geez, buddy. Your lawyer friends aren't going to risk their own reputations taking this crap to court for you. Call and see if they will reduce the ticket to a nonmoving, pay it and move on. You'll be lucky if the cop didn't write a note on the ticket that you were an arse and not to negotiate the ticket. They may make you go to court to defend it if you don't pay it up front and accept that the violation will be reported.

You will lose, be stuck with the fine and probably some court costs. You don't need to be an attorney to figure out not to question cops who issue tickets when they're writing you up. This is common sense stuff. It's not complicated.
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11432 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 2:01 pm to
quote:

Beer Genius


You sound like an idiot.

Posted by blackmouth
God's Country
Member since May 2014
387 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 2:04 pm to
Officer Marmalard has already talked to his buddy, DA Neidermyer. They played golf with Judge Wormer this morning. You are screwed, but legally so only. Now you cant take this lying down.... This situation requires an absurd gesture on someone's part.

You are just the man to do it...


Drink heavily, become an ex pat...burn down the house....

Lawyer Bluto has your back...
Posted by Mung
NorCal
Member since Aug 2007
9054 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 2:07 pm to
TL;DR

District court in St. Landry, patron saint of speeding tix? Good luck w that. Just call and they will reduce to non-moving. Pay the fine. They DGAF about anything but your money.
Posted by Stexas
SWLA
Member since May 2013
6037 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 2:25 pm to
I always SMH at the street made lawyers that try to figure out every technicality to get out of a ticket. Bottom line, you were speeding, you admitted it here. You can ask the ADA to amend it to a non-moving violation and pay the fine and if you're not a dick (or weren't one to the cop) go one about your day. Any attorney will cost you more than that...


Slow the frick down 75-78mph doesn't get you there much slower than 80-83. Seriously, over 100 miles a few minutes? What is so fricken important in that 5 or 10 minutes that you're willing to risking paying $150-300 fine for??
Posted by tunechi
Member since Jun 2009
10199 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 2:48 pm to
Say LIDAR one more time pls
Posted by chalupa
Member since Jan 2011
6761 posts
Posted on 6/28/14 at 2:58 pm to
quote:

LIDAR radar


If you knew so much about laser, you wouldn't be calling it radar.

Anyways, I'd try to fight it just on the grounds that several info was filled out incorrectly.
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