What must be ensured for SMD to be admissible as evidence in court?

• A. Proper operation, calibration, and maintenance records
• B. The absence of any prior disputes
• C. Only witness testimony from training sessions
• D. General compliance with legal standards

Answer: (A)

For a speed measurement device (SMD) to be admissible as evidence in court, it is essential to ensure that the device has been properly operated, calibrated, and maintained. This means that the SMD must not only function correctly at the time of the offense but also that it has been regularly inspected and calibrated according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and any applicable legal standards. Proper documentation of these processes—showing that the device was maintained and operated within standards—provides a foundation for the reliability of the evidence being presented.

When maintenance records and calibration documentation are available, they support the argument that the SMD was functioning as intended at the time of measurement. Courts often look for this level of meticulousness to establish the integrity of the data produced by the SMD, which is crucial for proving the accuracy of speed measurements relevant to traffic violations.