{"id":3677,"date":"2024-11-07T07:31:39","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T15:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp-site\/?p=3677"},"modified":"2025-03-18T10:57:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T17:57:00","slug":"how-to-get-a-school-zone-ticket-dismissed","status":"publish","type":"car-insurance","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/car-insurance\/how-to-get-a-school-zone-ticket-dismissed\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a School Zone Ticket Dismissed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-jerry-key-takeaway border-primary flex flex-col rounded bg-gray-50 p-6 border-l-4\"><div class=\"flex flex-col md:block md:space-x-1\"><span class=\"has-primary-color text-lg font-semibold\">Jerry Summary<\/span><span class=\"text-gray-900 text-base\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"jerry-block-content\" contentclassname=\"text-gray-900 text-base\">\n<p>You can challenge a school zone ticket by confirming the school&#8217;s hours, identifying all school zone markers and comparing the posted limits to the speed you were driving. You can also hire an attorney to negotiate on your behalf.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>School zones exist to protect students. But if you\u2019re distracted, you might not notice the change in the speed limit near a school. These areas should be clearly marked with \u201cschool zone\u201d signs that indicate changes in driving rules; often, there are even flashing beacons to indicate school zone enforcement. If the signs are not clear, it may be grounds to challenge a speeding ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve created a guide on how to get a school zone ticket dismissed in court, as well as what to expect if you can\u2019t do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-school-zones\">What are school zones?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A school zone is an area surrounding a school where speed limits for motorists are restricted. They exist to protect school-age children from potential accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It should be noted that school zone rules are only enforceable when the school is in operation, which should be indicated on nearby regulatory signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-tickets\">Why would I get a school zone ticket?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re unaware that you\u2019re driving in a school zone, you may wind up getting a ticket since the speed limit for the zone will be lower than that of surrounding areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speed cameras are often used in a school zone, so you might be sent a ticket by mail. If you\u2019re pulled over by law enforcement, you\u2019ll receive the ticket in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-fight-the-ticket\">How to fight a school zone camera speeding ticket<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your first and simplest option, of course, is to pay the <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/what-is-a-citation\/\">ticket<\/a> \u2014 but this may lead to points being added to your driver\u2019s license and the charge appearing on your driving record. As a result, you\u2019ll likely also face an increase in your <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/\">car insurance<\/a> rates, as insurers consider zone violations on driving records when pricing policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you decide to fight a school zone speeding ticket in court, make sure you have strong evidence for your case. Here are a few steps you can take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/best-car-insurance-companies\/\">Best car insurance companies<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Examine your ticket<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure you know exactly when you need to show up in court, as well as the alleged speed and precise location of your car at the time you were ticketed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Determine if school was in session when you received your ticket<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on your local district, you can determine if school was in session when you received the ticket by calling or emailing to ask for a school zone schedule. If you received the ticket outside of designated school hours, you may have grounds to successfully fight the charge in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Locate all school zone markers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If school zone markers are not clear, this can strengthen your case. Return to the school zone to take pictures of all markers, especially those that might have been difficult to see at the time your ticket was issued. Also, you should determine the exact location where you were cited for speeding to confirm it was truly within the school zone and properly marked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Figure out the speed limit surrounding the school zone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Check the speed limit in the area surrounding the school zone compared to your vehicle\u2019s alleged speed at the time you received a ticket. If you were driving within the regular speed limit, you\u2019ll have a better chance of winning your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Hire an attorney to represent you on your court date<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although you may fight the ticket yourself, your best chance of winning in court is to hire an attorney. An experienced professional who knows the ins and outs of the law can identify the optimal way to fight the charge and the appropriate evidence to present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An attorney can also negotiate on your behalf to lower the fine or reduce the charge to a lesser infraction if your case can\u2019t be won.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-much-is-a-ticket\">How much is a speeding ticket in a school zone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The fine for speeding in a school zone depends on the specific rules of your jurisdiction and how badly you violated the speed limit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some averages from a <a href=\"https:\/\/getdismissed.com\/school-zone-speeding-ticket\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California attorney\u2019s office<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$280 for driving 1 to 15 miles over the speed limit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>$409 for driving 16 to 25 miles over the speed limit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>$532+ for driving 25 miles or more over the speed limit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ticket-options\">What are my options if I choose not to fight the ticket?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some states will allow you to attend traffic school to reduce the points on your driving record. You\u2019ll still have to pay the cost of the original ticket, but you\u2019ll be protected from long-term insurance hikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/car-insurance-quotes\/\">How to save money by comparing car insurance quotes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-cta\"><div class=\"flex flex-col items-start gap-4 rounded-xl border border-zinc-200 px-12 py-8 md:flex-row md:items-center md:gap-14\"><div class=\"flex-1\"><span class=\"text-xl font-black text-gray-900\">SIMPLIFY YOUR CAR INSURANCE IN MINUTES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"flex-1\"><a href=\"\/signup\/insured?service=insurance \" class=\"bg-primary block w-full rounded-full px-14 py-2 text-center font-black text-white hover:no-underline\">Find savings now<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"!mbs-12 !mbe-12 wp-block-jerry-faqs\">\n  <!-- Title -->\n    <h2 class=\"medium-title text-black mb-1.5 pt-12 uppercase\">\n    FAQ  <\/h2>\n  \n  <!-- Accordion -->\n  \n<div class=\"max-w-screen-lg my-6 [&amp;_li:last-child]:border-b-0\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-jerry-accordion\">\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        <strong>How many points is a school zone speeding ticket?<\/strong>      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>School zone speeding tickets carry a higher number of points than speeding tickets in other areas. The specific number of points varies by state and the severity of the speeding violation, but generally, you can expect to get 1-4 points for minor speeding in a school zone, 6-8 points for moderate speeding in a school zone and 8 or more points for excessive speeding in a school zone \u2014 though check your state laws for specifics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        <strong>What is a typical school zone speed limit?<\/strong>      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>Most states enforce school zone speed limits between 15 and 25 mph.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        <strong>How long do school zones last after school?<\/strong>      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>The lower speed limit near a school typically remains in effect for a period after school hours to ensure the safety of children who may still be walking, biking or waiting for transportation. The exact duration of the school zone varies by location and should be clearly indicated on posted signs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        <strong>Do school zone rules apply when school is out?<\/strong>      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>No. School zone rules only apply around typical school hours, which should be clearly marked on signs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n  <!-- Contact link -->\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-meet-experts\" data-wp-interactive=\"jerry\/meet-experts\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;modalVisible&quot;:false}\">\n  <div class=\"font-circular text-2xl font-extrabold text-slate-900\">Expert-driven. Built for you.<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"my-3\">\n    <div class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-3 border-b border-neutral-200 cursor-pointer font-semibold text-gray-900\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.toggleModal\">\n  <button class=\"text-left text-base\" type=\"button\">\n    Why you can count on Jerry&#8217;s articles  <\/button>\n\n  <div class=\"transition data-[visible=true]:md:rotate-180 text-xs iconify i--chevron-down text-gray-500\" data-wp-bind--data-visible=\"context.modalVisible\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"modal-backdrop fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-50 overflow-hidden overscroll-contain bg-black\/70 font-body transition-transform delay-100 duration-0 md:relative md:z-auto [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:translate-y-full [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:bg-black\/0 [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:md:hidden\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onModalInit\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.hideModal\" data-wp-bind--data-visible=\"context.modalVisible\">\n  <div class=\"modal-view fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 flex max-h-[75%] w-full flex-col rounded-t-3xl bg-white pb-7 pl-7 pt-3.5 transition md:relative md:rounded-none md:pl-0 md:transition-none [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:translate-y-full [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:md:hidden\" data-wp-bind--data-visible=\"context.modalVisible\">\n    <div class=\"modal-header md:hidden flex justify-between items-center pb-1 mb-1 border-b border-zinc-200\">\n      <div class=\"modal-title text-base font-semibold\">Summary<\/div>\n\n      <div\n        class=\"modal-close-btn wp-block-group w-11 h-11 mr-2.5 content-center text-center\"\n        data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.hideModal\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"iconify i--close text-gray-500 cursor-pointer\"><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"modal-body pr-7 overflow-y-auto\"><div class=\"wp-block-template-part\"><div class=\"flex flex-row items-center gap-2.5 rounded-lg bg-gray-pink px-4 py-5\">\n  <span class=\"iconify mt-0.5 shrink-0 self-start text-xs text-primary i--shield-check\"><\/span>\n\n  <div>\n    <div class=\"font-body text-xs font-bold text-primary\">Our goal is clear, trustworthy information.<\/div>\n    <div class=\"mt-1 font-body text-xs text-gray-600\">\n      Our content is created, edited and fact checked by a team of licensed insurance agents, automotive pros and\n      experienced journalists who know the industry inside and out. Facts are thoroughly researched, verified and kept\n      current, and our editorial team is separate from our business partners, so our opinions &#038; tips are unbiased. All\n      insights drawn from Jerry\u2019s proprietary, aggregated customer auto insurance quotes data provide unique, real-world\n      guidance.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"text-base font-semibold text-gray-900\">Our experts<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"my-8 flex flex-col gap-8 items-center justify-center\">\n          <div\n        class=\"meet-experts-item group relative flex h-auto w-full flex-none flex-col justify-between overflow-hidden rounded-3xl py-9 text-sm shadow-variant-card\"\n        data-expand=\"false\"\n        data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onItemInit\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"grid h-full w-full grid-cols-1 overflow-hidden px-8 md:grid-cols-4\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Megan-Lee.png\" class=\"size-16 rounded-full md:size-32 col-span-1 md:ml-4\" alt=\"meet-experts-thumbnail\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Megan-Lee.png 250w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Megan-Lee-150x150.png 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Megan-Lee-56x56.png 56w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Megan-Lee-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 260px, (max-width: 576px) 432px, (max-width: 720px) 540px, (min-width: 720px) 250px, 100vw\" fetchpriority=\"low\"\/>\n          <div class=\"col-span-3\">\n            <div class=\"my-4 flex-1 content-center font-circular text-lg font-medium text-slate-900 md:mt-0\">\n              Megan Lee            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <div class=\"text-slate-500 mt-2 leading-6\">\n              <p>Megan Lee is an editor, writer, and SEO expert who specializes in insurance, personal finance, travel, and healthcare. She has been published in U.S. News &amp; World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for several websites, including NerdWallet. When she`s not crafting her next piece of content, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to drink cortados, attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food.<\/p>            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute hidden group-data-[expand=true]:flex bottom-0 w-full h-24 bg-gradient-to-t from-white from-30% to-transparent to-100% items-end justify-center\">\n          <div\n            class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-center gap-2 my-4 font-circular text-primary\"\n            data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.onItemExpandClick\"\n          >\n            <span class=\"text-sm\">See more<\/span>\n            <span class=\"iconify i--chevron-down text-xs\"><\/span>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n          <div\n        class=\"meet-experts-item group relative flex h-auto w-full flex-none flex-col justify-between overflow-hidden rounded-3xl py-9 text-sm shadow-variant-card\"\n        data-expand=\"false\"\n        data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onItemInit\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"grid h-full w-full grid-cols-1 overflow-hidden px-8 md:grid-cols-4\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Everett-Cook.png\" class=\"size-16 rounded-full md:size-32 col-span-1 md:ml-4\" alt=\"meet-experts-thumbnail\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Everett-Cook.png 250w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Everett-Cook-150x150.png 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Everett-Cook-56x56.png 56w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Everett-Cook-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 260px, (max-width: 576px) 432px, (max-width: 720px) 540px, (min-width: 720px) 250px, 100vw\" fetchpriority=\"low\"\/>\n          <div class=\"col-span-3\">\n            <div class=\"my-4 flex-1 content-center font-circular text-lg font-medium text-slate-900 md:mt-0\">\n              Everett Cook            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <div class=\"text-slate-500 mt-2 leading-6\">\n              <p>Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett&rsquo;s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He&rsquo;s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.<\/p>            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute hidden group-data-[expand=true]:flex bottom-0 w-full h-24 bg-gradient-to-t from-white from-30% to-transparent to-100% items-end justify-center\">\n          <div\n            class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-center gap-2 my-4 font-circular text-primary\"\n            data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.onItemExpandClick\"\n          >\n            <span class=\"text-sm\">See more<\/span>\n            <span class=\"iconify i--chevron-down text-xs\"><\/span>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you were ticketed for speeding in a school zone, you can fight the ticket in court if your evidence is strong enough.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":54931,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"single-advice","meta":{"jerry_authors":"[{\"id\":\"366\",\"type\":\"main-author\"},{\"id\":\"115\",\"type\":\"editor\"},{\"id\":\"187\",\"type\":\"reviewer\"}]","jerry_author_ids":[366],"jerry_idx_page_label":"","jerry_meta_desc":"If you were ticketed for speeding in a school zone, you can fight the ticket in court if your evidence is strong enough.","jerry_related_posts":"[32558,22514,6347,6300,46619]","jerry_summary":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[31,86,619,346,369],"class_list":["post-3677","car-insurance","type-car-insurance","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-car-insurance","tag-car-knowledge","tag-resource_car_insurance","tag-state-laws","tag-traffic-tickets"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-insurance\/3677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-insurance"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/car-insurance"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3677"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-insurance\/3677\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63842,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-insurance\/3677\/revisions\/63842"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}