best way to speak to a judge?

[kendogg]

::sigh:: for those of you that dont know.. I am going to court tomorrow for my 2nd 100mph + speeding ticket.. What is the best way to present yourself to the judge? How should I dress? Should I tell him the honest truth as to why I was going so fast?

my friend got a 110mph speeding ticket around the same place as me.. his ticket fine was 1350$ but no license suspension...

There is no possible way for me to pay for such a hefty fine as I am working, going to school and living paycheck to paycheck.. is there any possibility to get locked up? or ask for community service? I would much rather do time than paying a fine.. or is that just out of the question..



*crossing finger* (you know why)

 

[Russ]

<< There is no possible way for me to pay for such a hefty fine as I am working, going to school and living paycheck to paycheck. >>



Maybe you should have thought about that before engaging the lead foot.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Axman]

Hello your honor , I would just like to say that I am a life long resident of "where-ever" and I am gainfully employed by "whoever" for the past ? years , I have never been convicted of a crime (hopefully) etc. etc.

you should get a lawyer without a dought.

 

[mithrandir2001]

If this is your second 100+ mph ticket, I would definitely have an attorney with you. You will get a fine no matter what, but an attorney might help you obtain better terms.

 

[mesonw]

There might be an option to pay a fine over a set period, using installments. Surely that would be better than doing time. Being put away could have serious repercussions in gaining future employment.

 

[wnied]

Ask for pre-trial intervention. What this does is postphones the judges decision on the matter for 6 months, and if your a good boy and get no tickets or trouble during this time, the offense is expunged from your record. Though I doubt you'll get this opprotunity seeing this is your SECOND 100+ speeding ticket...Russ is right, you should've known better since you were caught once before.

~wnied~

 

[iamwiz82]

try to smile as the judge mounts you.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

I have to go to juvenile court in the begininng of october. Just be honest, and act like you are sorry it happened, even though you AREN'T because you did it twice.

 

[MeanMeosh]

your 2nd 100mph+ ticket?!?!?!?! you know, you really should have thought of that first one... but since its too late, get a lawyer... definitely get one.

 

[FettsBabe]

Explain your financial situation and ask if you could serve community service instead and only pay a portion of the fine. Take your W-2's and last years tax returns to prove your financial situation. Get an academic printout of your GPA (if you have a good average) and show him you are a good student and you may have to drop out to pay the fine. Be respectful and nice. Community service will do more good than you paying $1300 anyway.

 

[mithrandir2001]

<<

<< There is no possible way for me to pay for such a hefty fine as I am working, going to school and living paycheck to paycheck. >>



Maybe you should have thought about that before engaging the lead foot.

>>


True, though it kind of shows you that stiff penalties aren't necessarily a deterrent against undesired behavior. The death penalty, for instance, doesn't stop homicides. Where am I going with this? Well, I feel some behavior results from addiction and it cannot be easily mitigated by fines/penalties. I personally love to speed...it's just natural...and fines or no fines, I just can't drive the speed limit. How do you cure this "addiction"?

 

[b0mbrman]

on his knees?

 

[kendogg]

not like i didnt know....well knowing better thats besides the point.. its my fault but i just have to find out what to say and how to say it to the judge..

I think that there is a way out to everything if you just have the right sources.. ahem OJ

 

[Fiddy]

Two 100 mph + tickets? What are you, 12 years old? The Judge is going throw the book at you, especially if you appeared in front of him for the first ticket. Judges get very upset if you're back in their court for a repeat of the same offense. You can kiss that license goodbye.

If you want to race, go to a dragstrip.

 

[Fausto]

Guys, there was already a long-azz thread about the ticket a while back, you all offered your opinions about how he was unwise to have been speeding and is a very naughty boy, etc, etc, etc, ad nauseum. Just answer his question or shut the hell up (RUSS).

<puts flamethrower down>

Anyway, wear a conservative suit if you have one, or at least a business-casual outfit (no jeans), take out earrings or whatnot if you have them. Look the judge in the eye, don't mumble, don't say "Uhhhhh" every other word, and don't kiss the judge's butt. I would say that, unless you have a really, really plausable excuse as to why you were going that fast (again), honesty will be the best policy. IIRC, you were on a lightly-trafficked roadway? Perhaps pointing out that you weren't in a busy area would help somewhat? You could point out that this is going to break you financially, but he/she may just say "Well then you shouldn't have been speeding, shoud you?" Other than that, I think you're pretty much at the mercy of the judge as to his/her mood that day.

Good luck,
Fausto

 

[Viper GTS]

L-A-W-Y-E-R

I'd have had one on the first ticket, let alone the second.

I'm still kicking myself for not having the money to hire one for my 72 in a 55 ticket.

Viper GTS

 

[kendogg]

Fausto1: Thanks

one thing.. I have a suit but should I really wear that? wont it give off the image that I have money?

I think ill write some kinda essay tonite and prepare for tomorrow..

Fiddy: what are you trying to imply here? no i am not 12 years old.. actually I just turned 21..

 

[Tauren]

<<best way to speak to a judge?>>


With your lips pressed firmly to his/her ass!

 

[Fausto]

That's why I said "conservative" suit. Maybe you could actually document your income/expenses for the court (pay stubs, etc)? Viper's right...did you get a lawyer? That seemed to be the most-offered bit of advice in your original thread....they do cost money, but not as much as you may be looking at in fines otherwise.

Fausto

 

[badluck]

when the judge mounts you, at least have the common courtesy to not ask for a reach around...heh

 

[Bitek]

<< best way to speak to a judge? >>



Belligerently and querrelsome. Show him who's the real bitch and he'll fear you, but repect you

Ok seriously, get a lawyer. If you goto a big school, they may have student legal services for quite cheap (like $50)

My bro once got 24 pts worth of tickets one time (lose license @ 5 when a minor, a dui is worth 12) for doing a big smoky burnout across the high school parking lot as school was getting out. Covered the whole parking lot in smoke with his hot rod, and got every security gaurd and the on-duty policeman running out to catch him. It was dumb. Very funny, but very dumb.

Needless to say, he got a lawyer and had it reduced to 4 pts and fine was just a little over $100.
Also had a careless driving ticket reduced down to 0 pts another time as well (w/ a lawyer.)
He started driving the family van after that.

And I say to you as I said to my Bro: Slow down dumbass!:disgust:

 

[kendogg]

is it possible to find a lawyer that will run down to court with me tomorrow?

Tauren: that was a nice tip

very mature..

 

[EagleKeeper]

If the suit is not expensive, wear it. Else show up with out the jacket but with a tie.
Smooth shave, clean haircut.
Respectful, think before you respond to any questions.
If young (< 20) and can bring a older more responsible relative with you, do so.

Prepare to get the book thrown at you though, second time deserves no sympathy.
Think about getting rid of the vehicle, you are not mature enough to use it responsiblity and safely.
It is difficult to go more than 20 mph on a bicycle, or get a moped.

These suggestion may screw up you social life, but can help to save a life due to your attitude and discregard for other's safety.

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< Maybe you could actually document your income/expenses for the court (pay stubs, etc)? >>


That's one injustice of traffic fines...it's basically one size fits all. No wonder corporate executives drive their M-B S500s 100mph down the interstate: they can afford the fine and they'll take that penalty risk if they can get to their destination faster.

The only speeding ticket I got was for a 21 over. I had prepared a defense to demonstrate that the dictated penalty (4 points and $150 fine) exceeded the severity of the "crime" because it did not factor in burden of higher insurance premiums. So when the judge offered a 0-point plea bargain, I took it faster than you can say "you bet"...I doubt my defense would have worked.

 

[kendogg]

actually both times I got the ticket it was not my car that I was driving..
first it was my parents camry.. second was a saturn.
Both of those times I was driving I was going to visit friends .. I guess I was anxious to see them which caused me to drive the way I did

I drive a 98 Acura Integra gsr and have not received a ticket driving that car.