4 Possible Defenses to Speed Reading Instruments in Maryland
Speed reading instruments are one way Maryland police officers catch speeding drivers. When fighting the ticket in traffic court, judges and jurors often side with the officer since reading instruments provide the evidence needed to support a conviction. However, there may be some effective defenses a Maryland traffic defense attorney can raise against the instrument’s readings and pacing. An attorney may also question the officer’s training.
At the Law Office of Hillel Traub, we want to prepare you for all possible outcomes in a court case, so we detailed four possible defenses to speed reading instruments in Maryland. To determine if a specific defense is usable, we will launch a thorough investigation into the traffic stop and protect your legal rights throughout the case.
Lack of Officer Training
Lack of officer training is one of the first defenses your attorney will examine. However, most modern radar units are easy to operate and do not require officers to receive a certification or license. Yet, using a radar gun does take practice and skill to use effectively. Your traffic attorney can ask if the officer received any comprehensive training from an experienced instructor as a defense. If the officer responds that they did not receive any instruction, it may look bad for the prosecution.
Operator Error
There are several ways that Maryland police officers may produce a false radar reading. For example, an officer may not know that a radar beam from a few hundred feet away is wide enough to cover multiple traffic lanes. In this example, the officer may have clocked a nearby vehicle instead of the person charged with speeding.
Improper Calibration
Improper calibration of the speed reading instrument is another possible defense. Police officers must check the radar gun for accuracy against an object at a known speed each morning. If the speed on the equipment matches the known speed, then the gun is calibrated correctly. Some courts or judges hold this calibration method as the only acceptable method of calibrating a radar unit. As part of your defense, your Maryland traffic defense attorney can question the calibration of the radar gun. The officer may respond in a way the judge does not accept as a proper calibration or that they did not calibrate the speed reading instrument at all.
Weather Conditions
Radar gun error may also result from adverse weather conditions. On windy days, the radar gun may pick up wind speed instead of vehicle speed. Heavy rain or snow can also give false readings. Ultimately, the worse the weather conditions are, the higher chances of a false reading occurring are.
Speak to a Skilled Traffic Defense Attorney in Maryland Today
The cost of speeding may be high, and a conviction may lead to hefty fines or points on your license. Protect yourself from these consequences by calling Attorney Hillel Traub or the Law Office of Hillel Traub today. Attorney Traub is a fierce traffic defense attorney who has proudly served Maryland residents for more than 20 years.
As a former attorney for the Maryland MVA, Attorney Traub brings a unique perspective to traffic charges. You can be confident that he will make every effort to reach a favorable outcome. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Maryland traffic defense attorney, call (410) 580-1100 or complete our contact form.
