Burger Blasts Speeder Over Frivolous Suit

Miami lawyer Bret Clark, who challenged his 1982 speeding ticket all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, lost his appeal today--and received a tongue-lashing from Chief Justice Warren E. Burger as well.

Calling Clark’s appeal “utterly frivolous,” Burger said the nation’s highest court should order Clark to pay a $1,000 penalty for wasting the state’s time.

No other member of the court voted for imposing such a penalty, but the court was unanimous in rejecting Clark’s appeal.

Clark received the speeding ticket while driving along the Florida Turnpike on Aug. 12, 1982. At the time, he was a law student.

Clark’s car was timed by a police officer using a radar device. When Clark asked to see the speed recorded, the device’s screen already had been cleared.

Clark, who was admitted into the Florida Bar in 1984, pleaded not guilty and represented himself at trial. He lost, and was fined $100.

Clark then began a series of appeals that culminated in today’s court action.