And I won!
I don't want you to get the impression that I am a scofflaw, but I was in court today for another speeding ticket. Two in two days, but they're my first tickets in 2+ years.
Yesterday I won because the CHP didn't show. See the other thread for this.
This morning I was back in front of the same judge, and this time the Oceanside PD officer DID show up. He was good. Put on a very succinct and authoritative case. Then I put on my best defense under the Basic Speed Law of California (VC 22350). The road was dry, the road was wide, no traffic, the cop and I were the only cars in sight.
The judge explained to me that the posted speed (25mph) had a prima facia assumption of correctness, and my presentation did not overcome it. Guilty.
Now this gets weird: I get a call around 3:30 from the court to tell me that the judge "Sua Sponte" (on his own motion) reversed himself and now I was not guilty! I went over to the court to pick up the paperwork, and the judge wrote that "...the Defendant established by competent evidence his speed did not constitute a violation of the basic speed law at the time, place and under the circumstances."
Whoo-Hoo!!! 2 for 2. I tell you I'm golden.