Speeding Ticket in MA, entrapment?

[mikal hook]

Hi, I have a NH drivers license. Several months ago I received a speeding ticket in MA, I think it was for 88 (approx) on a 65 mph interstate. The police officer was in his cruiser, hiding down an embankment, WITH NO LIGHTS ON, no interior or exterior lights at all, this happened late at night, when I was exhausted and had to drive several hours home from the airport. I know I was speeding but do not think I was going as fast as he says he clocked me. There were other cars on the road as well that were speeding but I was the unlucky one. I had 2 people/witnesses in my vehicle that can testify to the fact that he was hiding with no lights on. I was stunned and did not ask to see radar, I know I was not thinking! My first question is: Was this a legal stop? Some people have told me that it is entrapment, which I don't think would wash in court, but is it legal for him to hide in the complete dark like that? I decided to try and fight the ticket, I checked the request for court hearing, promptly mailed the summons and have not heard anything back. This is going on 6 months, what should I do? Do nothing? Call NH DMV where I live? Call state of MA where the ticket was issued? I have no ticket # or info., as I mailed it in!? Thanks for your advice!

[mark v]

It is legal to pe parked with his lights off here in Wisconsin. Just cause you cant see the cops doesnt make it legal to break the law.

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by mark v

It is legal to pe parked with his lights off here in Wisconsin. Just cause you cant see the cops doesnt make it legal to break the law.

Yeah, I hate that.

During the day, I usually run 73-76ish, but at night I usually don't go above 70. I figure I'm safe there, because they almost never bother you on the interstate for less than 10 here.

I believe here though, if they are parked on the side of the road (like a street road) they have to have parking lights on.

[mark v]

I travel a lot and use my GPS to calculate my speed and travel time. Going 5MPH over 65MPH (70MPH) you gain about 2 to 3 min driving 80 miles, not worth speeding in my opinion because the min you get off the Highway and hit a red light you loose everthing you gained.

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by mark v

I travel a lot and use my GPS to calculate my speed and travel time. Going 5MPH over 65MPH (70MPH) you gain about 2 to 3 min driving 80 miles, not worth speeding in my opinion because the min you get off the Highway and hit a red light you loose everthing you gained.

I'm curious how you came up with this number...

Let's take a 70 mile trip..

At 70mph, it will take 1 hour.

At 65mph, it will take longer. 65 / 60=1.083 (miles per minute)
70 miles / 1.083 mile per min = 64.6 mins.

So, say you were traveling 80 miles..
1.083 miles per minute at 65
1.166 miles per minute at 70

80 miles / 1.083 mile per min = 73.8 mins.
80 miles / 1.166 mile per min = 68.6 mins.

So, it would actually gain 5.2 mins on a 80 mile trip.

Still not much, but to each their own. You have to remember when you are using your gps, the speed and time may be effected by hills, since when you are traveling uphill, it is a longer distance, and downhill is a shorter distance. Perhaps that is where the discrepancies are from?

[mark v]

My GPS came up with the numbers on average.

[paulmartin143]

Originally Posted by mikal hook

Hi, I have a NH drivers license. Several months ago I received a speeding ticket in MA, I think it was for 88 (approx) on a 65 mph interstate. The police officer was in his cruiser, hiding down an embankment, WITH NO LIGHTS ON, no interior or exterior lights at all, this happened late at night, when I was exhausted and had to drive several hours home from the airport. I know I was speeding but do not think I was going as fast as he says he clocked me. There were other cars on the road as well that were speeding but I was the unlucky one. I had 2 people/witnesses in my vehicle that can testify to the fact that he was hiding with no lights on. I was stunned and did not ask to see radar, I know I was not thinking! My first question is: Was this a legal stop? Some people have told me that it is entrapment, which I don't think would wash in court, but is it legal for him to hide in the complete dark like that? I decided to try and fight the ticket, I checked the request for court hearing, promptly mailed the summons and have not heard anything back. This is going on 6 months, what should I do? Do nothing? Call NH DMV where I live? Call state of MA where the ticket was issued? I have no ticket # or info., as I mailed it in!? Thanks for your advice!

I think it's definitely entrapment. While most roads in MA are so bad you can't possibly go above speed limit, here they have it, a beautiful interstate where you can finally step on it and safely go at 90 mph without even noticing it

Now, on serious note, you are probably already found guilty and consequences will follow soon. Call MA RMV to find out if that's the case. Also, call PD that issued a ticket (find which one based on where you got the ticket). Don't just ignore it. FYI, there is no SOL, it's a civil infraction.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by mikal hook

... I checked the request for court hearing, promptly mailed the summons and have not heard anything back. This is going on 6 months, what should I do?

Contact the MA count court and see if there is a warrant out for your arrest becuase you did not get the notification of the court date (In this case you are automatically guilty and will spend time in jail !)

[TerryB]

I thought if the insignia was visable that was enough. I pass a cop every morning with no lights on. But I haven't seen him pull anyone over yet.

[mark v]

Put it this way if Cops had to be 100% visible only seriously stupid people would get caught speeding.

If they catch you on Radar speeding means they were visible since they cant see through objects and know who was speeding.