hand held speed guns

[danchip]

can someone on here explain the legalities of using a hand held speed gun to catch motorists speeding and how this evidence can be used in court seen as the gun itself does not record what vehicle was travelling at the recorded speed

[ABerrant]

The testimony of persons operating the device is allowable as evidence also!

[society]

So if the carrier of the speed gun has a gripe against a motorist they can fabricate a story and it will be admissible in court? Well this surely is not very good, especially for the 'deemed guilty' motorist.

[ABerrant]

How do you think Courts operate and have operated for centuries?

If a police officer witnesses an assault it should only be able to go to court if there is camera footage?

[New Judge]

Nobody is "deemed guilty".

To support a charge of speeding evidence has to be brought to show that the offence occurred. As has been said, oral evidence given on oath may be presented to the court (along with anything else the prosecutor deems fit) and it is up to the magistrates to decide who and what they believe.

[Gerry123]

magistrates courts were called police courts before. a policeman would never lie or fabricate evidence?

[jackthehat]

I believe that the Police are now obliged to provide evidence of 'recent calibration' of the speed gun.

I know of at least one (possibly) apocraphyl story where the speed-gun in question was brought into court and its use was demonstrated by the defence barrister. He pointed it at the judge and solemnly intoned "............you appear to be travelling at 20 miles per hour, m'lud".
Needless to say the case was dismissed.