First speeding ticket (well, 2 in 3 days) in my 10 years of driving, what to do??

[KDKPSJ]

Well, I was on vacation to Niagara Falls from NJ. Everything was great until I get two speeding tickets, one on the way to and another on the way back. But I found out NYS is giving a weird citation that doesn't tell me how much I should pay. I should mail the ticket to the court indicating guilty or not, and they will reply back with outcome.

1. In Syracuse area. I was out of gas but was following traffic as I am new to the area. Then I was caught and I was the only one pulled over, obviously because I was only out of state vehicle around and they know I won't drive all the way again to fight in court. Ridiculous, but well. Got 77 in 55.

2. Two days later, somewhere between Syracuse and Buffalo. I am not complaining as I was alone doing 80 in 65.

Now.. how much should I expect for those tickets? Tried to look for the information over the web, but nothing clear. My financial is really in bad shape right now and just can't afford few hundred bucks (considering insurance going up as well) unless I sell some of my stuff or borrowing from my family in advance, so I should get prepared. There is no way to fight for these tickets or worth to fight, right? I may include a letter to both court saying this is my first speeding ticket, saying my serious financial hardship and begging for lower fine since getting two in 3 days is too much considering I am new to area.. bad idea?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Vette73]

Plead not guility and wait for bill?

 

[KDKPSJ]

Plead not guility and wait for bill?

Shouldn't I appear in court if I do so??

 

[Paperlantern]

The last ticket i had in NY was 82 in a 65, if i recall it was $160 with a surcharge of some sort for another $40 or $60, so it was in the neighborhood of $200 - $220. 80 in a 65 will probably fall in that same bracket, the other one might be a notch higher being that is 22 over and not 15-19 over. My guess, conservatively you might be looking at $450 in fines total. Perhaps more depending on how high the 22 over one is. Sorry dude.

Yes, I would imagine you would have to show up if you plead not guilty. They will give you a court date in that case, if you cant make it, it's best to just pay the fines. I know I had to. Plus, from where i live in OH, a drive to NY and back is about 12 hours at minimum (6 out, 6 back), if it was eastern NY for me its about 18 hours, so the fuel cost would completely offset the money saved on the citation IF I even won in court. Lesson learned, don't speed in NY, i know I don't anymore. Period.

 

[StageLeft]

That sucks, but I drive the stretch of road regularly you got nailed on and 77 in a 55 I will only do if there are a LOT of other cars so that I can "hide" among them, preferably not in the passing lane. The po-po in these parts have a lot of traps. It's like they are trying to, all by themselves, fill the state's budget gaps. I don't have the guts to set cruise more than 72-74 and even the upper part of that range only if a lot of traffic around, hopefully some going faster.

It's pure anecdote but it seems the state troopers are out thicker recently than they used to be. I doubt he got you for out of state, btw. It's possible, but they cannot really tell where you're from until quite close anyway--certainly if they are in a trap they cannot tell right away because you are shooting by them at 77-80.

BTW, kind of general area but don't get caught doing 150 km/hour in ontario, you will quite literally and legally be gang banged by the cops there for that on the side of the road, the penalties are obscene.

 

[SithSolo1]

I dunno about up there but down here in GA they are trying to make a dent in a $30 mil speeding revenue deficit during the month of August. They are nailing people for 5 over and under. I've never seen so many sheriffs(small town) and highway patrol out before before.

 

[bigpimpatl]

I dunno about up there but down here in GA they are trying to make a dent in a $30 mil speeding revenue deficit during the month of August. They are nailing people for 5 over and under. I've never seen so many sheriffs(small town) and highway patrol out before before.

dude that email is fake. Go look it up on the AJC and basically every local news affiliate. It's fake. There aren't any more cops than usual (which is still a lot btw).

 

[Zargon]

too many cops in NY to speed, I made that drive a week ago, only place worse is Ohio

 

[slag]

Well, I was on vacation to Niagara Falls from NJ.
1. Got 77 in 55.

2. I was doing 80 in 65.

My financial is really in bad shape right now and just can't afford few hundred bucks

There is no way to fight for these tickets or worth to fight, right? I may include a letter to both court saying this is my first speeding ticket, saying my serious financial hardship and begging for lower fine since getting two in 3 days is too much considering I am new to area.. bad idea?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Here's your help.

1. Dont take vacations if you are low on money.

2. Don't speed, and if you do and get caught, suck it up and pay the fines. Don't even think about speeding if you cannot afford the fines.

3. If you cannot afford to pay the fines, 1, you shouldn't be driving, 2, you shouldn't be speeding, and 3, you shouldn't be taking a vacation while doing the above two.

4. Fight what? You admitted you were speeding. The fines are punishment for your offenses. Pay up.

 

[Svnla]

OP, see if you can plead guilty AND take defense driving class so the tickets won't show up on your driver record = insurance surcharges. You still have to pay the fines/cost of tickets.

That's what I did several years ago.

This is why I always drive like an old lady when I am out of state (all the way to the right and at or barely over the speed limit).

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

do you drive a daewoo?

show up to court, they will offer you a plea bargain.

 

[boomhower]

Be glad you weren't in NC. >15 over while traveling 55 or more is a mandatory court appearance. Either you come back or you have to pay am attorney to represent you.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Here's your help.

1. Dont take vacations if you are low on money.

2. Don't speed, and if you do and get caught, suck it up and pay the fines. Don't even think about speeding if you cannot afford the fines.

3. If you cannot afford to pay the fines, 1, you shouldn't be driving, 2, you shouldn't be speeding, and 3, you shouldn't be taking a vacation while doing the above two.

4. Fight what? You admitted you were speeding. The fines are punishment for your offenses. Pay up.

Well, I know I shouldn't have. The vacation was planned a month ago, but my financial got extremely bad two weeks ago. Heck, my parents were worried if I would jump into Niagara Falls to commit suicide. lol

Anyway, I was wondering if there is any way to get remedy by going court, but I guess not.

 

[MotF Bane]

everydae, I-90 (NY Thruway), right?

 

[StageLeft]

Be glad you weren't in NC. >15 over while traveling 55 or more is a mandatory court appearance. Either you come back or you have to pay am attorney to represent you.

That is just fvcking retarded. Can I get a hell yeah?

 

[KDKPSJ]

everydae, I-90 (NY Thruway), right?

One on the way back was. I gotta take a look for the first one, which is still sitting in my car's glove comp. I didn't want to see it last night after 7 hours of driving way back.

 

[MotF Bane]

One on the way back was. I gotta take a look for the first one, which is still sitting in my car's glove comp. I didn't want to see it last night after 7 hours of driving way back.

Yeah, the speed limits are far too low on 90 - at least in the summer.

 

[jpeyton]

First, do something you should have done a long time ago:

http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passpor.../dp/B001F0RPGG

http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Custom-.../dp/B001AZLS7I

Before you complain about the expense, how expensive are two speeding tickets, lost points on your license, and insurance rate hikes?

 

[bruceb]

Chart here has range of fines:

http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/spee-ndx.htm

For non-commercial vehicles, the fines are:
Speed Range of Fines
up to 10 mph over $90 $150
more than 10 mph over $180 $300
less than 30 mph over $180 $300
more than 30 mph over $360 $600
inappropriate speed $45 $150

Note: NJ assesses 2 points for an out of state moving violation
You have 2 of them, so that is 4 points. You should take the NJ
Driver Ed course so 1 of those tickets will end up being point free.

 

[KDKPSJ]

First, do something you should have done a long time ago:

http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passpor.../dp/B001F0RPGG

http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Custom-.../dp/B001AZLS7I

Before you complain about the expense, how expensive are two speeding tickets, lost points on your license, and insurance rate hikes?

Good point, but both was by laser, which obviously my Valentine 1 didn't help. I honestly didn't know they were using laser over there that extensively.

Anyway, with laser enforcement spreading, it was a trip that taught me radar detector is getting useless unless you have laser shifter, which I didn't get even when I could. I am not a speed demon to begin with and also a firm believer that laser shifter is ethically wrong. I'm going to sell Valentine 1 to pay those tickets and become slower driver. lol

 

[ivan2]

for my expired meter parking ticket in nyc, when I plead not guilty and want it to be reviewed by a judge, they mailed back to reduced the fine (from like 30ish to 20ish) and then ask if i still want it to be reviewed by the judge. I suggest you can try to plead not guilty to see if they will let u pay less.

 

[Meghan54]

dude that email is fake. Go look it up on the AJC and basically every local news affiliate. It's fake. There aren't any more cops than usual (which is still a lot btw).

http://www.ajc.com/news/another-urban-myth-georgia-577141.html

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-police-write-30-586771.html

 

[LTC8K6]

Be glad you weren't in NC. >15 over while traveling 55 or more is a mandatory court appearance. Either you come back or you have to pay am attorney to represent you.

Also a 30 day revocation if you are a resident...

 

[mb]

How long has it been since you got the ticket?
I got a ticket in NC (22mph over) and within a couple days I got dozens of letters in the mail from lawyers who wanted to handle it. I picked the cheapest and mailed them a check. The check was for the cost of the ticket + $250 to cover their fees. If they lose they pay the ticket, if they win they refund the ticket cost. You don't even have to show up. I was lucky and got mine dropped and the $250 was less than the ticket cost, not to mention the time and gas money it would have taken to go down there.

 

[metalmania]

It's a known secret. Just go online, instead of paying the ticket, press the "plead not guilty" button, next page they will show a discount. If you agree to the amount, just press OK and no more plead is allowed. Pay the amount after 24 hours. It will not work on moving violations.

I had a $115 ticket dropped to $95, one $35 ticket dropped to $26. Not bad at all.

for my expired meter parking ticket in nyc, when I plead not guilty and want it to be reviewed by a judge, they mailed back to reduced the fine (from like 30ish to 20ish) and then ask if i still want it to be reviewed by the judge. I suggest you can try to plead not guilty to see if they will let u pay less.