Got speeding ticket - 74 in 55mph. Pay or go to court?

[jdini76]

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer
Always fight it if you have the time. If the officer doesnt show up you win (in my state anyway)

This is a myth. the ticket is for the state vs. you. not the cop vs. you. The cop is mearly a witness. The prosecutor does not always need to call a witness in order for the judge to rule against you..

 

[FoBoT]

pay it , you are guilty

 

[jdini76]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
pay it , you are guilty

Just because someone went over the speed limit doesn't mean he did it on purpose. as a result, he should not have to pay the high fines of the court that were set in place to avoid people from doing these things on purpose.

If a person accidently kills someone, do you think they should get the death penalty which would (most likely) be given to someone who committed pre-meditated murder?

 

[Golgatha]

One ticket in 10 years does not insurance raise. If it does go up, I'd tell them to stuff it and find another carrier.

 

[Metron]

Don't pay the ticket!

I don't know about Georgia laws specifically, but you generally have 4 better options:

1) Go to court and negotiate. In many states if the officer involved doesn't show, the ticket is dropped. The Assistant District Attorney will typically negotiate down the fine and points if you're honest and respectful. I've had great success with this method.

2) Opt for "deferred adjudication." This is typically a probationary period of 90 days. As long as you don't receive another ticket in that period, you pay court costs and a fine (usually equal to the original ticket cost... free revenue for the county!), but no "points" are assessed since the charge is dropped.

3) Take defensive driving. You typically attend a 6 hour class (some states allow online) on defensive driving techniques. You must pay for the court costs, fees, driving record fee and course fee, but the charge is dismissed. Bonus in that the insurance companies are usually required to give you a 5-10% discount for attending this course.

4) Get a lawyer. Most lawyers use procedural methods to have the ticket dismissed, such as filing a change of venue to a higher court which doesn't deal with traffic tickets (thus the case and ticket are dismissed). Typically more expensive, but the ticket is usually dismissed. Worst case, you'll pay a reduced fine, plus the attorney fee.

Your options will vary by state... contact the court clerk listed on the ticket and ask what options are available to you.

 

[dawza]

In NY, you can almost always get the ticket reduced to a lesser violation simply by showing up to court. I got caught doing 20+ over the limit, which would have been ~4 points + $250; going to the local county court and speaking with the judge and officer for less than 5 minutes resulted in a reduced offense (still a moving violation, though) and $100 off the charge. Aside from asking if I plead guilty or not (obviously yes), there were no additional questions, and both the judge and officer were very courteous.

 

[pnad]

Originally posted by: Metron
Don't pay the ticket!

I don't know about Georgia laws specifically, but you generally have 4 better options:

1) Go to court and negotiate. In many states if the officer involved doesn't show, the ticket is dropped. The Assistant District Attorney will typically negotiate down the fine and points if you're honest and respectful. I've had great success with this method.

2) Opt for "deferred adjudication." This is typically a probationary period of 90 days. As long as you don't receive another ticket in that period, you pay court costs and a fine (usually equal to the original ticket cost... free revenue for the county!), but no "points" are assessed since the charge is dropped.

3) Take defensive driving. You typically attend a 6 hour class (some states allow online) on defensive driving techniques. You must pay for the court costs, fees, driving record fee and course fee, but the charge is dismissed. Bonus in that the insurance companies are usually required to give you a 5-10% discount for attending this course.

4) Get a lawyer. Most lawyers use procedural methods to have the ticket dismissed, such as filing a change of venue to a higher court which doesn't deal with traffic tickets (thus the case and ticket are dismissed). Typically more expensive, but the ticket is usually dismissed. Worst case, you'll pay a reduced fine, plus the attorney fee.

Your options will vary by state... contact the court clerk listed on the ticket and ask what options are available to you.

WONDERFULL advice.
Going to the court date doesn't mean you are fighting or contesting the ticket. You can just go there to bargain with the ADA. In my state they typically will let you pay a higher fine with no points to avoid insurance increase.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

here they allow you to pay an additional $100 plus court costs to get it amended to a non-moving violation

 

[OutHouse]

just pay it. last month i got nailed by the colorado state patrol for doing 70 in a 55. Yes i know i was speeding but it was at 11:30 at night and i was the only fricken person on that road besides the trooper.

which reminds me i need a new radar detector. the CSP is using a new band i think its the KU band. i have seen the CSP using radar several times without my dector going off. and sure enough that night i got my ticket it didnt go off.