VA - Do officers have to get a locked reading

**YTCD** · 07-09-2009, 07:15 AM

Hey I was wondering since I recently recieved a ticket do officers have to get a locked reading in general or to even issue you a citation in the state of VA?

**lidper24** · 07-09-2009, 09:00 AM

Probably not... their radar shows a speed, they write a ticket for that speed. The radar gun doesn't give printouts anyway, so it's their word they got a reading

**Fritter** · 07-10-2009, 06:41 AM

Out of fairness I always write the citation rounding down in incriments of 5. Example, locked at 73, I write 70. Even if I don't get a lock. That is a convenience more then a standard. We don't have to show you the radar gun although sometimes I do.
Bottom line, speeding is speeding. And from experiance there are too many speeders to waste my time pulling over someone who isn't speeding just to put my integrity on the line to get a ticket. It just isn't worth it.

F

**Asleeper** · 07-14-2009, 12:20 PM

They don't have to "lock" the speed into the unit. Not like it would matter since they aren't going to show you speed reading anyway.

**StlouisX50** · 07-22-2009, 09:55 AM

Are you asking if they have to get a constant reading of the speed or a spike in the speed and use that speed?

I know while using the Stalker Lidar gun if you dont use S mode you can get high speeds that differ from the locked speed at times.

**Freebird** · 07-22-2009, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Fritter

Out of fairness I always write the citation rounding down in incriments of 5. Example, locked at 73, I write 70. Even if I don't get a lock. That is a convenience more then a standard. We don't have to show you the radar gun although sometimes I do.
Bottom line, speeding is speeding. And from experiance there are too many speeders to waste my time pulling over someone who isn't speeding just to put my integrity on the line to get a ticket. It just isn't worth it.

F

I agree with fritter, my high school friend became a State trooper and we have had this discussion also. He said there are so many speeders he does not have to sit long before having his next capture. He works a 70mph zone and starts citing at 80+

**Gokhos** · 07-26-2009, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Fritter

Out of fairness I always write the citation rounding down in incriments of 5. Example, locked at 73, I write 70. Even if I don't get a lock. That is a convenience more then a standard. We don't have to show you the radar gun although sometimes I do.
Bottom line, speeding is speeding. And from experiance there are too many speeders to waste my time pulling over someone who isn't speeding just to put my integrity on the line to get a ticket. It just isn't worth it.

F

Interesting. I've often wondered about this. Is there any legal or court problem with writing a ticket for less than what the radar gun shows?

Also, in TX, can a LEO cite for speed based on visual estimate alone?

**indykappa** · 07-27-2009, 07:39 AM

i think alot of LEOs use the "round down" method. i have received a handful of speeding tix in my life, and everytime the officer comes up to my window and says "i got you doing (insert speed of 5-8mph less that what i was actually doing)"

i think that most people know they are speeding, and are happy to accept a "78 in a 65" when they know for a fact that they were doing 85...it's almost like you feel like you caught a break, but the officer may just be guessing on an actual speed.

it's still speeding...it still ends up getting you a ticket