Beware the Vermont criminal/traffic ticket combination

For Vermont police officers, speeding on a local road is one thing, but speeding at over two times the legal limit brings about a totally other set of circumstances.  In many cases, those motorists who are found to have been driving 30mph or more over the posted speed limit can not only face a hefty fine and up to 9 points issued on their license, but also a criminal citation to appear in court to answer to the charge of excessive speed.

In these such cases, it is important to contest both the ticket and the criminal charge, as there may be a way to resolve both for something far less than what the law prescribes.

The most common places for these double penalties to occur are in the following areas:

1)  Town center with a speed limit of 30mph or less;

2)  School zones;

3)  Hospital zones;

4) Dangerous roads that have a series of sharp curves.

A police officer holds some discretion in determining whether or not to arrest a motorist while also issuing them a ticket.  If the speed is close to the 30mph over threshold, they may cut the motors a break if the motorist is polite and their record shows few previous traffic violations.  However, do not be shocked if the officer asks you to step of your vehicle and handcuff you for this type of Vermont traffic violation.