Texas Speeding Tickets: What to Know and How to Fight Them

Let's face it, we've all been speed demons at one point or another in our lives. Perhaps the speed limit decreased by increments of five very fast, but you kept it steady at 60 for too long heading into a small west Texas town, and the cop caught you just as you were slowing down... *cough* just a random example...

Whatever the case may be, it's important to know that you have options when it comes to speeding tickets.

Speeding Ticket Consequences

In Texas, it is a Class C Misdemeanor to exceed the posted speed limit, according to Austin Hagee Law. The issue is when the driver exceeds 25 miles over the speed limit and they fail to pull over when an officer flashes their lights at them.

The fines associated with speeding vary with how fast the driver was going:

• $165 for one to five miles over
• $180 for six to nine miles over
• $195 for 10 to 14 miles over
• $240 for 15 to 19 miles over
• $265 for 20 to 29 miles over
• $300 for 30 miles or more over

Class C Misdemeanors, the mildest of the three, are commonly resulted from going 10 miles or more over the speed limit. These usually end in fines (see above) and points on your driving record. Luckily, through defensive driving courses, you can sometimes have these points removed.

Attending these course also shows the judge that you are committed to improving your driving, and it may further reduce your fines or other repercussions.

Jail time becomes a consideration when speeding tickets are tied to Class B and Class A Misdemeanors. These are mostly reserved for driving over 25 miles over the posted speed limit or for driving recklessly.

Contesting a Speeding Ticket in Texas

First off, it's crucial that you remain respectful and pay the fine on time. If you feel you were wrongly given a ticket, you can contest it.

This is a longer process and will require you to research the traffic violations of Texas and submit a not guilty plea. This can be submitted to your county court BEFORE the due date on the ticket.

Here you can submit evidence that you feel would dismiss the claim that you were speeding recklessly on a public road. Best case scenario is the judge removes the ticket altogether or at least reduces the fine total.