How do I fight a speeding ticket in Bexley, Ohio

BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH)–If reading legal jargon and codes is your idea of a good time, you will love Bexley’s traffic code.

General Code Penalty

(a) Predicate Motor Vehicle or Traffic Offenses. Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever violates any provision of this Traffic Code which is a predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense and for which no other penalty is provided is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates such provision is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates such provision is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
Source: Bexley.org/court

Regardless of the offense, you can always fight the charge in court. There is decent info coming from the Bexley Clerk of Court, Marquan Stewart.

“We are looking into offering community service for those who cannot pay,” said Marquan Stewart Bexley Clerk of Court. “The mayor wants this and we’re looking at what other courts are doing to make sure we are proper.”

Stewart also noted that all payable traffic citations are $115 and is exploring an option of income-based penalties.

You have twice a month on every other Thursday to appear before the magistrate.

2021 Bexley Mayor’s Court dates

Jan 7 and 21
Feb 4 and 18
Mar 11 and 25
April 8 and 22
May 6 and 20
June 3 and 17
July 1 and 15 and 29
Aug 12 and 26
Sept 9 and 23
Oct 7 and 21
Nov 4 and 18
Dec 2 and 16

2022
Jan 6 and 20
Feb 3 and 17

Should you choose to contest the ticket, you will need to show up to court as specified on the traffic citation:
Bexley City Hall in Council Chambers
2242 E. Main Street
Bexley, Ohio 43209

Clerk of Court at 614-559-4437

Should you want to plead guilty and pay the ticket you can go about this a number of ways.

Pay by mailing a check to the address above and make the check payable to Bexley Mayor’s Court.
Drop the payment in the Bexley City Hall Parking Lot Dropbox between 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM on the day of court.
In-person payments are not being accepted because of the pandemic

There are benefits of contesting the ticket. If you pay the ticket, you are admitting guilt. If you choose to show up in court, you have a chance to get a smaller fine or the charge dropped. Since you’re not a lawyer you may want to hire one.

When you get to talk to the judge, you will plead “not guilty.” No this is not lying even if you know the ticket is legit. This is the state’s burden to prove that you are guilty. Therefore, by law, you are innocent. This is a time where you can ask the judge to appoint you a lawyer if you cannot afford one.

According to law firm Tyack Law’s, you can get the ticket dismissed. Here are a number of options: