Towing Issues: Speed limit signs, speed limit signs, speed limit sign

Question
If your driving and the last speed limit sign you passed is vandalized with spray paint changing the numbers from 50 to 60 and a cop pulls you over for going 65 can you be held responsible for a 15 mph over speeding ticket?  

Answer
Most states and police department allow a certain limit over. If the sign was vandalized the prosecutor will probably argue that it should have been easy to determine it was not a factory sign. Also, you were still speeding and in most states there is not a difference for 15 over or 5 over. It usually starts with 20 over. The judge will simply ask how you plead. If you plead not guilty and admit you were going 65 in what you thought was a 60, you are still guilty. Your best bet is to take a picture of the sign as soon as possible and take that with you to court. If you have a good prior driving record the prosecutor may recommend that the case be nol-prossed.