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Judge finds driver guilty after LIDAR reading of 72 mph on SR 522; $370 penalty imposed
Summary
In a contested hearing July 16, Judge Jennifer Grant found Mazumal Sadat committed a speeding infraction after a police LIDAR unit registered 72 mph in a 40-mph zone; the court imposed a $370 penalty and warned about repeated offenses.
A contested infraction hearing in Lake Forest Park Municipal Court on July 16 ended with the judge finding the defendant committed a high-speed violation. The city’s evidence included a LIDAR affidavit prepared by Lake Forest Park police Officer Sam Gallon showing a locked LIDAR reading of 72 mph in the 15700 block of State Route 522.
Judge Jennifer Grant reviewed the officer’s affidavit, which states the officer performed internal and external calibration checks on the LIDAR unit and obtained a 72-mph locked reading at a recorded distance. The defendant, Mazumal (Musa) Sadat, testified under oath and acknowledged speeding but disputed the magnitude of the reading and pointed to traffic conditions. After hearing the evidence, Grant found the city had met the preponderance-of-evidence standard and entered a committed finding.
Outcome and context: The court imposed a $370 penalty. Grant noted the defendant’s driving history, told him that repeated high-speed citations threaten license consequences and insurance rates, and urged him to slow down. The judge offered information about payment plans if needed and confirmed the court will mail the official notice to the defendant’s listed Kirkland address.
Why it matters: The LIDAR affidavit and calibration checks were the central evidentiary basis for the finding; the case illustrates how municipal courts rely on calibration logs and officer attestations in contested speeding hearings. Grant emphasized safety and the personal consequences of repeated infractions.
Ending: The judge closed the contested hearing after imposing the fine and advising the defendant to address license and insurance implications; the clerk will mail the judgment and payment instructions.
