I got another ticket in OC, Cali... I have a question

[SnowPunk98]

I just got this ticket the other day and I have been to traffic school in the last 6 months so I cant go again im pretty sure. If I take the ticket to court, and the cop doesnt show up am I scott free? and if he does show up can I plead guilty and would they lower the price of the ticket?

 

[Ns1]

you can always plea bargain with the da ^_^

 

[Dragnov]

Your profile says you live In Orange County.... so why in the world are you speeding in Orange County?! The cops actually enforce the law here. =)

 

[notfred]

If you plead not guilty, and the cop doesn't show up, you're scott free. However, the cop WILL show up. You're chances of him not showing up are 1/100.

If you change your plea from not guilty to guilty when the cop shows up, you're msot likely NOT gonig to get a reduced fine. FYI, you have to show up twice if you plead not guilty, once to enter a plea, and a second time (which the officer will be notified of) to hear the case.
You will however, most likely get a reduced fine if you plead guilty at the first hearing.

And yes, you're right when you say you can't take traffic school again. Only once per year.

 

[SnowPunk98]

wasnt speeding, I didnt stop "all the way" and I "cut off" the cop, what an ahole

 

[neovan]

your first hearing will be when you plead "no contest", "not guilty", or "guilty" If you plead "no contest" or "guilty" you will not be able to get another hearing and you will have to pay the fine. If you plead "not guilty" then the judge will give you another time when you should come back and plead your case (this giving time to inform the cop that he has been summoned to appear in court). If he doesn't show, you win, no fine no anything. If he does show, in the most likely case he will, you will have to plead your innocence to the judge (in the most likely case, you will lose), you will have to pay the fine and another day has been wasted in court.

For the traffic school...you can not take traffic school twice in an 18 month period.

BTW...what was the ticket for? If it was speeding...forget it! you're GUILTY!!!

 

[neovan]

<< wasnt speeding, I didnt stop "all the way" and I "cut off" the cop, what an ahole >>



This is usually a "my word against his" argument...and in more likelihood...the judge will believe the cop's word...sux but its true.

Unless you really like to argue and think you have a valid argument...then go fight for your right.

But if you know you're guilty and are just P.Oed then just plead "no contest" and take the rest of the day off!

Good Luck to you!

 

[gooseman]

How about you just slow the hell down and obey the traffic laws??? Life will be much simpler if you do that. (and insurance will be MUCH less expensive!!!!)

 

[ThisIsMatt]

<< How about you just slow the hell down and obey the traffic laws??? Life will be much simpler if you do that. (and insurance will be MUCH less expensive!!!!) >>

/me hands you some KY so you can get your foot out of your mouth.

 

[Passions]

Can't we all get along?

 

[ThisIsMatt]

<< Can't we all get along? >>

Dude, it's 1:52 here, I have class at 9:40. I still need to d/l a 20MB webpage, verify all the links, etc etc, and then burn it to cdr for a project due at said class. I'm waiting on other team members to finish their crap and put it on the webpage before I can do all this.

Do you think I'm in a good mood?

I didn't think so

 

[SnowPunk98]

I never stop at this stop sign, its the one at the main street on my girlfriends street. Traffic only comes from 1 direction and no one is ever coming, if they are I stop but I allways roll through it.

 

[SnowPunk98]

So I might as well pay it and not go to court

 

[Harvey]

If you go to court, it's most likely the cop will show up. They allow for that in their scheduling. Assuming you have no defense to beat it, since you can't do traffic school, the fastest and cheapest way through it is to pay it, and be done with it.

 

[SnowPunk98]

If I go to court, the cop shows, and I have a somewhat decent argument is it possible to be trown out or the price be lowered