My NY speeding ticket was from a moving radar. How do I beat it?

You were driving through Catskill or somewhere nearby, thinking you were fine, and then out of nowhere — flashing lights, a quick pull-over and a ticket. The officer didn’t clock you with a radar gun on the side of the road; they followed you and got your speed while driving. 

That is what’s called a “moving radar,” and it’s one of those things that sounds complicated but boils down to this: a police cruiser used a radar device while in motion to calculate how fast you were going. And just because you got a ticket doesn’t mean you have no shot at beating it.

Understand how moving radar works

A moving radar unit measures your speed while the officer’s car is also in motion, usually while following you. These systems require not just equipment that has been tested and maintained, but also an officer who is trained to use them properly. If any part of that equation is shaky, like an outdated radar unit or a questionable reading, you might have a chance to get the ticket reduced or dismissed.

Ask for the radar calibration records

Radar equipment isn’t self-proving. If you want to challenge the accuracy of the speed reading, you can start by asking whether the radar was recently calibrated and if that calibration followed the proper procedures. Devices like these need regular testing, and if those logs are missing or outdated, it could raise doubt about the reading that got you ticketed.

Check the officer’s training and pacing logs

Using a moving radar isn’t just a matter of pressing a button. Officers have to know how to use the device correctly, especially when they are pacing you, which means following you at a consistent distance to verify speed. If the officer didn’t pace you properly or lacks documentation proving radar certification, that could work in your favor.

Review maintenance and accuracy logs on the device

You are allowed to ask for information about when the radar unit was last maintained, whether there were any known issues and how often it gets tested for accuracy. If the device was due for service — or worse, if there’s no paper trail — that might call the reading into question and open the door to a better outcome in court.

What to do if you’re ready to fight back

You don’t have to just take the hit, pay the fine and accept the points on your license, especially if something about that ticket didn’t sit right with you. If you are leaning toward challenging the charge but are not sure how to request records or argue technicalities in a local court, that’s where talking to a lawyer can really help. They’ll know what to ask for, how to use it and how to keep things from spiraling into court dates, license points or insurance hikes you could have avoided.