Ok I spend hours in traffic courts across Virginia every week. This means I have seen hundreds of people try to defend themselves in traffic court. Here is a quick compilation of the top ten worst things I have heard people say in their defense.
1.) “I was speeding because I had a lot to drink that night and I really had to pee.”
2.) “I was speeding because I was chasing down the driver who had cut me off.”
3.) “I did not know I was going that fast (101mph) because I just taken a couple oxycotine and was kinda out of it.”
4) “Those field sobriety test are bogus, I couldn’t have done them even if I was sober”
5) “I think it unfair that I get two speeding tickets on the same night.” (The judge did not know about the other ticket).
6.) “I don’t know what the big deal is, the officer behind me was speeding too”
7.) “Fairfax County has no authority to ticket me because the county government is unconstitutional…(Followed by 5 minutes of rambling about the UCC and other things they read online).
8.) Judge: “How do you plead?” Defendant: “Guilty” Judge:” Ok, I am going to find you guilty, do you have anything you want to say before I impose my sentence?” Defendant:”Wait, how can you find me guilty? I haven’t explained myself yet?” Judge: I found you guilty because you just plead guilty?” Defendant: “I want a do over”.
9.) “I was speeding to save gas”
10.) “I did not know I was going that fast because I was talking on my phone”
If you ever want help knowing what the right things to say are, feel free to call for a free consultation.
Luke J Nichols
(703) 383-9222
lnichols@nicholsgreen.com
