If you receive a speeding ticket or other traffic ticket in Michigan there is a standard process that is followed in all Michigan courts. Your ticket will be adjudicated at one of the many district courts in Michigan. Techniques for how to fight a speeding ticket can be found in many places online!
Speeding Ticket Informal Hearing
The first phase of the court process for a contested speeding offences ticket in Michigan is an informal hearing. This hearing is typically held before a court magistrate as opposed to a district court judge, although in some district courts the judge also hears traffic matters. You must notify the court that you wish to contest the ticket and an informal hearing will be set up.
This hearing, which is attended under a court subpoena, brings together the police officer who wrote the traffic citation, any witnesses that there might be, and you.
Generally speaking, you have nothing to lose by requesting or attending an informal hearing. There is always the chance that the police officer will not appear, in which case you can ask the magistrate or judge for a dismissal of the charge against you.
Even if you are found responsible at the hearing there generally are no additional fines or fees associated with this determination of responsibility. Just offer up the facts and circumstances as you remember them, stay calm, be truthful and offer any mitigating circumstances to the magistrate. For instance, if you think you are the victim of a ticket quota or other improper selective enforcement you should mention this to the judge or magistrate.
If you are found responsible for the infraction you will have the option to request a Formal Hearing to have the matter reviewed by a judge. Keep in mind that the police officer can also request a formal hearing if you prevail at the informal hearing, although this rarely occurs.
Remember, had you used the Trapster iPhone Application you may have avoided the ticket altogether!