Radar and speed limit signs is there a minimum distance

I am curious on if there is a minimum distance from a posted speed limit sign that a police officer has to maintain while using radar or laser? I recently got a speeding ticket very close to a change in speed zone. In my particular case I was traveling at 68 in a 55 and came up on a 45 mile per hour sign. Just as I noticed the sign and started to reduce my speed I notice a police car traveling in the opposite direction make the U-turn. When he made the U-turn he and I were no more than 50' to 75' feet after the posted sign. He then wrote me the ticket for 68 in a 45, was I speeding yes however I had noticed the sign and was slowing prior to crossing its path. Was I going 45 after the sign no; however I do not believe I was going 68 either. Is it splitting hairs? Not really as I believe that the D.A. has the ability to drop the points and issue just a fine as long as the speed was not in excess of 19 miles over. I have not been pulled over in over for anything in over three years, my license is clean and I would like to keep it that way. Can someone in the know chime in on the subject? Thanks in advance, Vic

 

House bill HB160, the super speeder bill does not apply in my case as I was not traveling in excess of 75 MPH on a two lane road and I was not traveling in excess of 85 MPH.

I however am not pleased that I have been charged with going 68 MPH in a 45 MPH zone as I believe the radar reading was taken before the speed limit sign and I was slowing as I approached the sign. I appreciate the responses and advice guys alothough I would still like to know if there is minimum distances for radar/laser at speed zone changes. Guess I will have to call an attorney later today.
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Unfortunately he wrote the location in the 45 MPH zone as it was the closest intersection to reference the location and it is where I stopped.

 

Thanks for the response guy's. Chris it happened in Loganville, GA which gives this a bit more of a twist as Loganville actually shares counties, Gwinnett and Walton.

I have been down this road once before in Loganville back in 2001 as I was clocked for speeding 63 in a 45. I went to court and plead not guilty, I could have opted for a change of venue to Gwinnett Co court because of this reason even though the incident happen in Walton Co. When I came back a second time and the judge asked me if I was ready to plea my case I said yes. The court clerk then leaned over to the judge and whispered to him telling him that the officer was not present. The judge then said he would have to reschedule the hearing. I objected, stating that I was present and prepared and asked that he dismisses the charge. He said NO, again I objected and reminded him that he asked if I was prepared in which I answered yes and they were not prepared. He again said it was his decision on if he would reschedule and he chose to reschedule. (complete BS IMO).

I came back a month later pissed and ready for war however the point still remained the officer clocked me, checked his equipment and it passed. I chose to represent myself, I had so much information on the inaccuracy of radar it would make your head spin as it did mine. For the record these really nifty units are subject to some very big inaccuracies as I found out myself in researching them. I knew my testimony would more than likely be thrown out, as I am not an expert on radar equipment so I had a strategy. The entire time I plead my case riddled with questions about the inaccuracies of radar I asked specific question about, surrounding traffic, direction of travel, my speed and the speed of other motorists.

After my presentation, the judge would not allow any of my radar testimony, as I was not an expert. However during my questioning of the officer he acknowledged that I was following by two car lengths another white truck that was not speeding and I maintained my lane while being the only vehicle speeding??? I asked him if there was an accident? He said no. I then asked him if I was driving a helicopter? Both he and the judge gave me a funny look and the dozen police officers behind the bench started snickering (In Loganville the officers sit behind the bench and the judge). The judge asked me to clarify my question. I stated that it was not possible for me to be the only vehicle speeding, while following another vehicle traveling in the same direction that was not speeding and maintain my lane and not be involved in an accident unless I jumped over top of the other vehicle.

The courtroom broke out in laughter including the police behind the bench. The judge however was in not so much of a laughing mood as I had wasted 20 minutes of the courts time (AS HE HAD WASTED MINE). He asked if I had anything else to say for myself, and I responded no, he then found me guilty as charged and doubled my fine. I asked if they would take a check, as I didn't bring that much money with me.

I guess I will hire an attorney this time and request a change of venue. Sincerely Vic