JOL Speeding Ticket License Suspension Appeal Question

[rm10]

Short Version: Any advice on appealing a license suspension from a speeding ticket for a JOL?

Longer Version:
I'm 17, and about a month ago I got a speeding ticket, I paid it on my own, and a few days ago I got the letter in the mail saying that my license would be suspended for 90 days, and I would have to take the mandatory classes and pay the $500 reinstatement fee.
I know it was stupid to speed, I haven't since I got that ticket, and I understand that I should not just be given a free pass because its my first offense and otherwise I haven't done anything majorly wrong, (no drugs or alcohol, do well in school ect.).
However I am still hopping to appeal on the license suspension, my parents obviously are not happy about the ticket, and even if I do get it appealed I wont be able to drive for a time anyway. My parents have their own plan on punishing me, and what I need to do for them to allow me to drive again.
I would like to appeal the license suspension 1) because my parents plan probably will not last 90 days, and 2) because part of their plan is having me drive with them in the car before they let me drive by my self again.
Again, I know that I did a stupid thing, and the 90 day suspension is the consequence, but any advice on the appeal would be great, and if you think that having my parents give their plan to discipline me and why their plan will be effective (for me personally) will be helpful in the appeal.

 

[Markbnj]

Short version: GL with that.

 

[shortylickens]

Yur gonna need a lawyer. Ask your parents for help. They probably dont like traffic justice system any more than you do.

 

[Matthiasa]

If you got your license suspended for just getting pulled over for speeding "once" you were likely going fast enough for it to be considered street racing.

That or while you thought you paid the ticket, they never received the funds.

Also who gets a ticket for the first time they get pulled over for speeding?

 

[deadlyapp]

Usually you can get a waiver for driving to work/school/etc but it's jurisdiction specific.

You should have gone to the court at the very least (if you didn't) and talk to the judge. I've many times had tickets reduced or points taken off after getting in front of the judge.

I recommend finding a lawyer versed in the traffic law. There are also some good "self-help" sites that will give some good advice with a modest payment - obviously not as good as a real lawyer.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Advice: Don't appeal. You've learned your lesson, now deal with the consequences and dish out the cash for the reinstatement. You'll end up paying more with lawyer fees and headaches than it's worth.

 

[ImpulsE69]

While your explanation seems a bit odd to get a suspension, when I was very young I got mine suspended due to a late charge on a seatbelt ticket that they never told me I owed when I went in and paid it....ugh....so I know sometimes crap happens.

On a completely different note though, I have actually successfully appealed a license suspension. I had 3 speeding tickets in a year once when I travelled a lot for work which is apparently a 90 day suspension in my state. I honestly didn't expect my appeal to make a difference but it did and I am glad I took the time to do it. Keep in mind though my circumstances probably had some pull, and it may have simply been the timing (was around Christmas) or the planets may have all been aligned just right.

I will say up front, don't expect to gain any traction, but it definitely doesn't hurt to try. My appeal was in writing. I did it after I had my court date to appeal, which was turned down by the judge. State laws may be different, so be sure to check the process of appeal in your area. Basically, don't expect your court date to go your way. don't remember for certain who I sent this letter to, but I know I had looked up methods to appeal, and this was basically the last ditch effort that went before a board.

Be honest, respectful, and show that you have learned your lesson. Start by explaining in detail what happened from your side of the story. Don't come off as "woe is me, the man is down on me, and don't make excuses. If you were at fault, admit it and stress how you know you were wrong and that you won't do it again. If there was some element out of your control, include that, but again, don't come off as an excuse. Explain how losing your license would impact you (such as school activities, work, etc). I

It won't keep you from having to pay the fines and driving school, but it might just save you from getting the suspension.

Good Luck.

For those wondering, that was 8 or so years ago, and I haven't had a speeding ticket since...now I need to go find a big piece of wood to knock on.

 

[cabri]

Why would your license be suspended for a speeding ticket that was paid.

If that is why it was suspended, go provide the receipt to the court.

 

[Tweak155]

Show up and look nice in court.

 

[CraKaJaX]

While your explanation seems a bit odd to get a suspension, when I was very young I got mine suspended due to a late charge on a seatbelt ticket that they never told me I owed when I went in and paid it....ugh....so I know sometimes crap happens.

Some states (I know MA for sure) suspends your license in addition to fining you when you're still operating on a JOL. I believe this is exactly what happened. It'll still get suspended even though they received payment for the initial fine.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Some states (I know MA for sure) suspends your license in addition to fining you when you're still operating on a JOL. I believe this is exactly what happened. It'll still get suspended even though they received payment for the initial fine.

Ah, good point. It's possible the other stuff I mentioned won't help him considering the circumstances.

 

[Schfifty Five]

You need to provide more details OP, such as, how fast were you driving when you got your ticket?

Actually, let me be more specific, how fast did the ticket say you were driving?

 

[CountZero]

How fast were you cited? What was the speed limit where you were cited? How long did you have your license? Do you have a compelling reason to need your license (like volunteer work or maybe a job, I don't think standard after school stuff would count)?

Car accidents are the number one killer of teens so no judge is going to throw out the suspension unless it was a very minor level of speeding and you've had your license a while and perhaps also you have a compelling reason to need your license. Why risk you getting in an accident that kills yourself or someone else blowing back on the judge? It isn't worth it to them.

 

[K7SN]

When was 16 I got a ticket for running a stop sign which I didn't do. I plead not guilty and when I got to trail, the officer that wrote the ticket was there. They collect your Drivers License for the Judge to view (Before computer records) I explained that I had been waiting at the stop sign for at least five minutes so there was no way I could run the stop sign. The officer responded that the first time he saw my car it was in the middle of the intersection at a good rate of speed. He said my El Camino got his attention because the cars in front of him were having to break. He then said I proceeded to speed, had four in the front seat of my 59 El Camino including a half dressed girl and two other juvenile boys who (along with the girl) had been drinking. The only good thing he said was it didn't appear I had been drinking. The judge with a big scowl on his face turn to me for a rebuttal. I said everything the officer said was true. I got stuck with those three and wanted to get rid of them as quickly as I could. I dropped the clutch and burned rubber across the intersection and then went through two gears only slowing down to turn right toward girls apartment. I said I'm guilty of all those offences but the ticket is for running the stop sign and I didn't do that qnd am not guilty of the citation. The Judge with a bigger scowl asked the officer who said it was very possible I had been waiting that long as traffic at 10:30 on a Sunday night on Paradise Rd (The road to the airport) was always very heavy. The Judge said the charges were dismissed but I should come by his office in 3o days to retrieve my license. I walked for a month, (Yes your parents told you about walking to school) it was five miles and I hitchhiked if I could.


90 days may seem like a long time but 53 years from now you'll have a story to tell about when you paid a fine and lost your license.

 

[LTC8K6]

My advice would be to do the time, pay the fine, and learn the lesson.

You admit to speeding and you do not yet have a full license.

Don't get into the habit of trying to get out of things.

It's better for you in the long run to take your lumps now, and remember what happened.

 

[TwiceOver]

I sideswiped a vehicle when I was 14 and they didn't take my license. Where TF do you live?

 

[edro]

Ohio had a mandatory 90 day suspension for any violation if you're under 18 and mandatory 6 month for second violation under 18.
I had both.
They did give me work and school privileges though, which were the only places I drove.

No way in hell your appeal will work. Just ask for work/school privileges.

 

[marincounty]

Fight all tickets. You have rights in this country, exercise them. The govt has created this fascist system to extort money from motorists, you have the right to fight their system.
If everyone just rolls over for them, their system just continues on.
The advice to get a lawyer is good, if you can afford it.

 

[Rakehellion]

Short Version: Any advice on appealing a license suspension from a speeding ticket for a JOL?

Longer Version:
I'm 17, and about a month ago I got a speeding ticket, I paid it on my own, and a few days ago I got the letter in the mail saying that my license would be suspended for 90 days, and I would have to take the mandatory classes and pay the $500 reinstatement fee.
I know it was stupid to speed, I haven't since I got that ticket, and I understand that I should not just be given a free pass because its my first offense and otherwise I haven't done anything majorly wrong, (no drugs or alcohol, do well in school ect.).
However I am still hopping to appeal on the license suspension, my parents obviously are not happy about the ticket, and even if I do get it appealed I wont be able to drive for a time anyway. My parents have their own plan on punishing me, and what I need to do for them to allow me to drive again.
I would like to appeal the license suspension 1) because my parents plan probably will not last 90 days, and 2) because part of their plan is having me drive with them in the car before they let me drive by my self again.
Again, I know that I did a stupid thing, and the 90 day suspension is the consequence, but any advice on the appeal would be great, and if you think that having my parents give their plan to discipline me and why their plan will be effective (for me personally) will be helpful in the appeal.

You've had your license for three months and already got it revoked. Bravo. :thumbsup:

 

[Rakehellion]

I sideswiped a vehicle when I was 14 and they didn't take my license. Where TF do you live?

Was that back in the 1960's?

Also, where the hell do you get a driver's license or learner's permit at 14?

 

[ImpulsE69]

Was that back in the 1960's?

Also, where the hell do you get a driver's license or learner's permit at 14?

In 'merica. Where do you live? Communist China?

Currently, teen drivers can get a learner's permit at age 14 after that an intermediate driver's license at age 16, after they've driven at least six months with an adult in the vehicle. There currently is no passenger restriction for young drivers.

 

[jlee]

Some states (I know MA for sure) suspends your license in addition to fining you when you're still operating on a JOL. I believe this is exactly what happened. It'll still get suspended even though they received payment for the initial fine.

I came here to post this.

 

[Phoenix86]

Again, I know that I did a stupid thing, and the 90 day suspension is the consequence, but any advice on the appeal would be great, and if you think that having my parents give their plan to discipline me and why their plan will be effective (for me personally) will be helpful in the appeal.

Advice: take it as a life lesson, 90 days isn't that long to be w/o a license.

DO NOT DRIVE DURING THOSE 90 DAYS. I can't stress that enough, you'll be fucked for years if you violate.

Here's another way to look at it: what justification do you have for the judge to overturn the suspension? Your parents disciplining you isn't enough, you owe that to your parents. The judge is taking what you owe society. How does paying your parents pay back society?

Perhaps, if their plan was especially good the judge might, maybe, possibly give you a break. At this point you are throwing yourself on the mercy of the court (use that exact line), there's no need for a lawyer to do this, it'll only cost you more.

Basically, be a stand up person to the judge. Admit fault, tell them your parents plan for punishment, ask for courts mercy. Worse case is the judge says no and you deal with your 90 days.

 

[lupi]

one speeding ticket and they revoked you...thinking that is lite on details.

 

[MongGrel]

Fight all tickets. You have rights in this country, exercise them. The govt has created this fascist system to extort money from motorists, you have the right to fight their system.
If everyone just rolls over for them, their system just continues on.
The advice to get a lawyer is good, if you can afford it.

Laws were made to curtail idiotic behavior.