Ticket Marked Pace - Officer Stationary?

[Jade280]

Hello all, looking for some insight on a speeding ticket I received on the NJ Turnpike.

I was traveling in a 65mph zone going over the speed limit. I was traveling in the far right lane and spotted a trooper parked (stationary) on the right shoulder. As most would do I instantly slowed down to below the speed limit (to approx. 60-62mph) and continued.

I see the trooper pull out from my rear view and kept a steady speed. He stays back for a few seconds then speeds up and pulls me over. The exact distance from where he was stationary to the exact milepost listed on the ticket was .988 miles (lets round it up to 1 mile). I received a ticket and the equipment was marked "PACE", 85 in a 65.

I passed him doing about 75 and that is when I slowed down. I figured he must have clocked me (radar or laser) and seeing how it was the morning and traffic was pretty light, I just figured they may have been doing a blitz and writing for anything.

Reviewing the ticket later on, that is when I noticed the PACE box marked. This is what surprised me. For one he was stationary and as I mentioned before, the exact distance was 1 mile from where he was sitting to the spot I pulled over (this is where he marked the location of offense on the ticket). If I was really doing 85mph, just by doing simple math, I would have been further down the road already then where I was stopped. This is what is not adding up for me.

I spoke with a few people and they were surprised a trooper would use pace, especially if he was not moving originally. Either he made a mistake on the equipment part of the ticket or did not visually judge correctly. Others stated he may be calling a bluff and hoping I just pay it and not bring it to court. I intend on getting discovery from the municipal court where the offense is listed, I would really like to see his proof on this ticket and the calibration/certification records before I go to the courthouse.

Anybody hear of something like this before? It's the first I've encountered of a PACE ticket from a stationary officer in such a short distance covered. I know the standard is to follow for 3/10ths of a mile but maybe he could be mistaking his "catch up" speed and wrote for that? What do you think? Thanks!!

[Sarge]

Your point is valid and you just mught be able to beat this summons in court. Unless the box was marked improperly and the Trooper has the documents to prove his case which would be his patrol log and radar log.