got a ticket

[rh71]

Was going to a game but was running late since I didn't know I had to get gas... so already way late, I come up on a yellow but I decide to gas it - I would've made it before the other side turned green... but "where's a cop when you need him" was right at that corner waiting for his light... I saw him and broke hard... no screeching or anything but I wound up with the rear of my car over the white line.

He comes out, pulls a U-ey behind me and I get busted for "passing a red light". Then when he gives me my ticket he politely says to me "you can probably go to court and get it reduced if you think it's worth your time... so you don't get any points on your license. It looks clean on my end."

Ok then. I will.

>> Is there a chance to reduce it so my insurance isn't affected AT ALL ? I've heard of getting it changed to a lesser, non-related, charge... does that happen or do they simply keep the charge but it will just cost you less $ & points ? One other thing I may as well ask... I'll be on vaca on the date they say the courtdate would be... can these be rescheduled or am I SOL ?

 

[Xyo II]

"since you don't have any points on your license"??!
err "SO" you don't have any points on your license?

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Einstein Element
"since you don't have any points on your license"??!

"get"... fixed.

 

[Xyo II]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Einstein Element
"since you don't have any points on your license"??!

"get"... fixed.

Don't you start with points on your license per year, and they get taken off?......

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Einstein Element

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Einstein Element
"since you don't have any points on your license"??!

"get"... fixed.

Don't you start with points on your license per year, and they get taken off?......

I believe you're right but whatever the case, it's so I don't get penalized that way... you know what I mean.

 

[Xyo II]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Einstein Element

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Einstein Element
"since you don't have any points on your license"??!

"get"... fixed.

Don't you start with points on your license per year, and they get taken off?......

I believe you're right but whatever the case, it's so I don't get penalized... you know what I mean.

kk Well if you try getting it reduced, good luck. I wouldn't bother with it unless it affects your insurance.

 

[Alex]

yeah me neither
unless you frequenely get tickets in which case you should just learn how to drive.

 

[Al Neri]

nassau cops doing their jobs i see?

 

[rh71]

I'll pay the $175 because I'm guilty of "passing a red light" but I don't want insurance rates going up in addition. It will if I plea guilty, no ?

Originally posted by: Don Rodriguez
nassau cops doing their jobs i see?

The one time I decide to run a yellow at night I get busted... I never do it otherwise because I know they can see the lights easier at night.

 

[j00fek]

you got served

 

[EPCrew]

Just submit your ticket with a plea of not guilty and you'll be given a court date. When you arrive, you wait in line with the rest of the not guilty pleas. The cop who issued the ticket will most likely be there and will approach you with a plea bargain to reduce your fine and/or points. He'll talk to the prosecutor and you'll be on your merry way.

If he's not there, then you win.

 

[rh71]

^ thx but is there a chance to reduce it so my insurance isn't affected AT ALL ? I've heard of getting it changed to a lesser, non-related, charge... does that happen or do they simply keep the charge but it will just cost you less $ & points ? One other thing I may as well ask... I'll be on vaca on the date they say the courtdate would be... can these be rescheduled or am I SOL ?

 

[SViper]

I'm not a lawyer by any means, but from a majority of people I have talked to, you never plea "guilty" to a traffic violation. At most, you plea "no contest." Of course, you could also go in and talk to your DA to get it reduced to a lesser violation.

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, don't plan on being a lawyer, and never have open a law book in my life.

 

[rh71]

^

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: rh71
^ thx but is there a chance to reduce it so my insurance isn't affected AT ALL ? I've heard of getting it changed to a lesser, non-related, charge... does that happen or do they simply keep the charge but it will just cost you less $ & points ? One other thing I may as well ask... I'll be on vaca on the date they say the courtdate would be... can these be rescheduled or am I SOL ?

Yes, you can reschedule; call the court ahead of time. Like, today.

The "plea bargain" that EPCrew mentioned is often a reduction to something that doesn't affect your insurance...depending on the severity of your offense, of course. Considering the cop himself said you could probably get it reduced, he'll probably be inclined to work with you if you're polite and well-dressed the day of.

Good luck. We all pay our driving taxes at least once...