Got a speeding ticket!!! What to do??

[Jzero]

What proof do you have that he used an illegal speed trap? Do you realize that in CA an illegal speed trap is simply defined as 2 lines on the road that they use to calculate your speed or a speed limit sign that isn't properly backed up by an engineering study?
Radar/Laser reckoning from a cop hiding on the side of the road isn't an illegal speed trap.

As for going to court, if you have the time and inclination, go. It is your RIGHT. You may be able to ask for leniency because it's your first offense. The DA may give you a plea agreement for a lesser, non-points-carrying charge.

Do you not vote because you know your candidate is going to lose?
It is your right to vote as much as it is your right to a trial when you are accused of a crime.
Beware that if you plead "Not Guilty" you need to have a good case. If you lose, you'll have to pay the fine AND court fees and the judge will probably give you the highest punishment available.

 

[stev0]

Originally posted by: guyver01

Originally posted by: ffmcobalt

Originally posted by: Deeko

What to do??

Pay the fine.

And stop speeding.

i think that sums it up nicely.

yes, yes it does.

 

[BooneRebel]

If you're intent on reducing it, then fight. My last ticket (it was a biggie) I went to court. Neither the cop nor the judge showed up. They brought in a judge from across the hall and he dismissed it. Whoopie!

 

[Doggiedog]

Go to court. Expect to wait a few hours. Talk to the DA and tell him you will plead guilty for a lesser charge. Ask him for no points and specifically say you have never ever gotten a ticket before (I'm assuming that's true). Hopefully, he will just fine you and make you pay a court charge but not give you any points.

I got my first traffic violation ever in 15 years of driving, 55 in a 35 (was distracted by a friend) and that's how I explained it to the DA. Better to pay $100 and not have any points.

 

[JOSEPHLB]

Antisocial-Virge

Thats a good link now I've read the "false" and "truth" stuff about it...
My goodness... If the internet didn't exist what would life be like

 

[LakAttack]

Originally posted by: JOSEPHLB
Aceshigh , did you send in the exact payment amount? I've read and heard from other sources about a little scamming you could have done yourself. If you send in the payment... Lets say the fine totalled out to be 55.95.. lets just use that as an example.. and you then send a payment in for the amount of 60.00 .. so basically.. they owe you some change.. They'll send this back in a form of a check...
Well the catch is, you dont cash the check.... Supposedly if that check isn't cashed, and the check number noted in the accounting records for your fine.. etc.. then supposedly the transaction is incomplete, and resulting in the fine posted on your driving record...

Thats just what I've read and heard... who knows though...

I've tried this, and it didn't work. I also spent 5 hours in traffic court one day and didn't see a single person beat the ticket.

 

[JOSEPHLB]

LakAttack, thanks..

Now finally some information can be gathered about that .... true information at least..

I had heard so many stories and myths..

 

[KC5AV]

Ok... you admit that you were speeding. That's good. Talk to the judge. Tell them that you know you were speeding, but this is your first ticket. Tell them it was unintentional. Request deferred-adjudication. If they allow it, keep your nose clean for a set period of time, and the ticket goes away. I think all you have to pay is court costs. If they turn you down, take defensive driving. There are a number of ways to do it now... you can rent videos, take it online, go to a comedy version of it... it's not as bad as it used to be. If you take the defensive driving, you might actually luck out and get a reduction in your insurance costs.

Oh, and slow down. It doesn't matter that everyone else does it. You are the one that got caught. If you weren't speeding, you wouldn't be here asking questions.

Edit: And read THIS thread.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: KC5AV
Ok... you admit that you were speeding. That's good. Talk to the judge. Tell them that you know you were speeding, but this is your first ticket. Tell them it was unintentional. Request deferred-adjudication. If they allow it, keep your nose clean for a set period of time, and the ticket goes away. I think all you have to pay is court costs. If they turn you down, take defensive driving. There are a number of ways to do it now... you can rent videos, take it online, go to a comedy version of it... it's not as bad as it used to be. If you take the defensive driving, you might actually luck out and get a reduction in your insurance costs.

Oh, and slow down. It doesn't matter that everyone else does it. You are the one that got caught. If you weren't speeding, you wouldn't be here asking questions.

Edit: And read THIS thread.

good advice.

 

[bolido2000]

Ok, I still have a few questions:

1- If I fight the ticket and I lose, do I automatically lose the option to go to traffic school or it depends on the judge?
2- I plan to do everything by mail to avoid the hassle. I read that my chances are better that way than going in person to court. Anybody has experience with this?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: stev0

Originally posted by: guyver01

Originally posted by: ffmcobalt

Originally posted by: Deeko

What to do??

Pay the fine.

And stop speeding.

i think that sums it up nicely.

yes, yes it does.

How about "Stop Bitching" tacked onto the end of that?

- M4H

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: bolido2000
Ok, I still have a few questions:

1- If I fight the ticket and I lose, do I automatically lose the option to go to traffic school or it depends on the judge?
2- I plan to do everything by mail to avoid the hassle. I read that my chances are better that way than going in person to court. Anybody has experience with this?

1. It is ALWAYS up to the judge whether or not you can go to traffic school. Hell the DA can suggest it and the judge could turn it down(although this is unlikely).
2. I do not see how you can not appear before the court if you choose to fight it. You were released on your own recognizance and if you plead not guilty you will have to appear in court unless you are pleading for dferred adjudication or traffic school directly to the court.

Your best bet is to pay the ticket OR go to court and try to talk to the DA before the sessions begins and try to work out a guilty plea with a reduced fine and/or traffic school.

If the DA is unwilling to work out a deal you either plead guilty or ask for a continuance so you can find counsel. You will NOT win a traffic ticket case without a lawyer. The chances that you could convince the judge you were innocent or framed is about as likely as you winning the lottery.

I have fought tickets with a lawyer and without. Get a lawyer if you want to fight it. If you want to plea talk to the DA. If you don't mind the points and higher insurance then just pay it.

Three basic options:
1. Plead guilty by mail and pay it.
2. Hire a lawyer and fight it.
3. Plea bargain or a deal with the DA for traffic school.

One option that varies by jurisdiction:
Deferred adjudication

You representing YOURSELF is not an option you want to consider.

 

[thomsbrain]

as for paying less with traffic school, when i got a ticket, the city made me pay MORE for the opportunity to take traffic school.

 

[VBboy]

"Your Honor, the defense motions for ticket dismissal due to the defendat's clean driving record"

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: VBboy
"Your Honor, the defense motions for ticket dismissal due to the defendat's clean driving record"

Motion denied. The defendant was doing more than 20 miles over the speed limit and regardless of his record, broke the law. I am assessing court costs on top of the 150 dollar fine and you may pay the clerk on the way out.

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: VBboy
"Your Honor, the defense motions for ticket dismissal due to the defendat's clean driving record"

Motion denied. The defendant was doing more than 20 miles over the speed limit and regardless of his record, broke the law. I am assessing court costs on top of the 150 dollar fine and you may pay the clerk on the way out.

You can fight the ticket by mail until the schedule date of the appeal. Then I would have to go to court. Apparently cops get paid extra for appearing in court, so is an incentive for them. According to ticketasassin.com if I appeal by mail the cop won't get paid extra and apparently 30% won't bother to submit the paperwork.

If all this is true and everything fails I think the worst case is that I get back to square one..which is paying the fine. Now, I am just wondering if the judge will be pissed and won't let me go to traffic school.

The ticket is around 250 btw.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: bolido2000

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: VBboy
"Your Honor, the defense motions for ticket dismissal due to the defendat's clean driving record"

Motion denied. The defendant was doing more than 20 miles over the speed limit and regardless of his record, broke the law. I am assessing court costs on top of the 150 dollar fine and you may pay the clerk on the way out.

You can fight the ticket by mail until the schedule date of the appeal. Then I would have to go to court. Apparently cops get paid extra for appearing in court, so is an incentive for them. According to ticketasassin.com if I appeal by mail the cop won't get paid extra and apparently 30% won't bother to submit the paperwork.

If all this is true and everything fails I think the worst case is that I get back to square one..which is paying the fine. Now, I am just wondering if the judge will be pissed and won't let me go to traffic school.

The ticket is around 250 btw.

You have your mind made up on how you think the outcome will be so do it how you wish. I am telling you my personal experience. Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: bolido2000

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: VBboy
"Your Honor, the defense motions for ticket dismissal due to the defendat's clean driving record"

Motion denied. The defendant was doing more than 20 miles over the speed limit and regardless of his record, broke the law. I am assessing court costs on top of the 150 dollar fine and you may pay the clerk on the way out.

You can fight the ticket by mail until the schedule date of the appeal. Then I would have to go to court. Apparently cops get paid extra for appearing in court, so is an incentive for them. According to ticketasassin.com if I appeal by mail the cop won't get paid extra and apparently 30% won't bother to submit the paperwork.

If all this is true and everything fails I think the worst case is that I get back to square one..which is paying the fine. Now, I am just wondering if the judge will be pissed and won't let me go to traffic school.

The ticket is around 250 btw.

You have your mind made up on how you think the outcome will be so do it how you wish. I am telling you my personal experience. Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

There were only like 2 people who were helpful and you were one of them. I might just follow your advice instead of fvcking around with the mail.

 

[911paramedic]

slow the #*@%@#*% DOWN!!!!!

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Go to court. Expect to wait a few hours. Talk to the DA and tell him you will plead guilty for a lesser charge. Ask him for no points and specifically say you have never ever gotten a ticket before (I'm assuming that's true). Hopefully, he will just fine you and make you pay a court charge but not give you any points.

I got my first traffic violation ever in 15 years of driving, 55 in a 35 (was distracted by a friend) and that's how I explained it to the DA. Better to pay $100 and not have any points.

What he said is basically true - at least that is what happened to the 2 tickets I got. Here in NJ it is more or less standard procedure that the DA will talk to you before the judge hears your case and make a deal with you. That is where you tell him that you will plead guilty to a no point charge and pay the fine. In my case the DA said that since I had a good record he was going to reduce it to a no point offence so I didn't have to ask him him for anything - just thanked him! Usually the fine they impose is less than what the original ticket would have been. But the most imp thing is not to get points as the increase in your insurance will far outweigh your fine. But this is NJ - YMMV depending on where you are.

BTW in both my cases the cops did NOT show up - guess they were out trapping more people!! Sometimes its hard to believe that we pay someone $65,000 a year + perks + car etc. to give tickets to people doing 71 in a 65 zone on the highway (my case) instead of catching real criminals. /Rant over

 

[Shrooms420]

1.pay the fine
2. go to traffic school
3.point erased off your record