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Ratings. Guidance. The Right Lawyer.
Is ADHD a feasible defense in traffic cases?
Everett, WA
Viewed 51 times.
Posted 5 months ago in Speeding / Traffic Ticket
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I'm a habitual speeder.
When driving, I often get lost in my own thoughts, and when I think to look at the speedometer -- whoops! -- I'm going 70 in a 60 mph zone. I don't *want* to speed, but...it just *happens.* To help prevent this in the future, I've even installed an alarm in my car to alert me when I'm speeding! The problem, however, is that I have several speeding tickets already, and he cost of the potential fines and long-term repercussions are...ruinous. My medical situation is very well-documented; I receive accommodations at my college, and I'm on medication. My psychologist even gave me the dubious distinction of being "the most profound ADD case [he's] ever seen." Joy. I hate to seem as though I'm shirking responsibility, but...is my "condition" a valid defense in court?
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Also, for what it's worth, I've never been in an accident, and I've never run afoul of the law in any other form, aside from my traffic infraction woes. Answers (3)
Nicole Terece Dalton
This attorney is licensed in Washington.
Posted 5 months ago.
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In Washington courts, depending on your county, speeding tickets can be a bit of a technicalities game. Although having a mental disability sometimes works as a defense in certain criminal cases, I think it is unlikely the judge will dismiss a speeding ticket for this reason. A condition that makes it difficult for you to pay attention on the road is unlikely to get much sympathy. However, a lawyer experienced in handling traffic tickets may be able to find technical defects with the ticket in your case and obtain a finding of not committed. I would advise you to look for a lawyer who works regularly in the county where you got the ticket and who has experience handling these. You should also talk with your doctor about ways to work on the speeding issue.
Joseph Briscoe Dane
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