At what point is radar gun evidence legitimate in court?
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At what point is radar gun evidence legitimate in court?
A police officer used a radar gun to clock me speeding from 808 ft away. Is that within the legal margin?
Asked on June 15, 2016 under General Practice, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
There is no hard and fast cut-off. A radar gun will work out to 808 feet away, and even further, for example. However, what happens is that the radar beam "spreads" as it travels, and at that distance, is wide enough to take in or capture multiple vehicles at once; therefore, if there were a number of vehicles around, in front, behind, etc. you in proximity, the gun could have clocked someone else, not you. You may be able in court to cast sufficient doubt on the speed reading on this basis IF there were other cars around you. If you were essentially the only one on the road at that point, and everyone else was hundreds of feet away, however, this argument will not avail you.
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