So I got my first speeding ticket.

[SketchMaster]

On the way to a friends house that was maybe two blocks away I got pulled over for going 37 in a 20 school zone. It was around 11:27am and I just got back from a trip so I forgot school was back in, the normal speed limit is 40 but I wasn't paying attention, didn't see the big freaking flashing lights telling me to go 20 and got nailed by an unmarked car lying in wait.

Didn't put down a price but most people that I talked to said around $250-$400. so just how screwed am I?

Update: I'm going to try and fight this. I thought about what happened and wondered why I didn't see the school zone lights, I went back tonight and retraced my steps. I found that there is a tree growing in front of the lights and by the time you can see it's almost out of view, you have to be looking at the lights to see them. At least, from the view in my car. And if I was to see the lights, they are just before the intersection that the cop was hiding at. So by the time I realize I'm speeding and put my foot on the breaks the cop would have already marked me for speeding.

I'm going to drive by again at the same time that I was pulled over to see if this plays out the way I think it should. IF I'm right, I may have a shot at having the ticket dropped or lowered significantly.

 

[Brainonska511]

Edit: Now that you've posted....

Ouch, that sounds like a big fine. Does Colorado (assuming that's where you are based on the profile) have the whole points on the license bit? If so, the school speeding could hurt the insurance too. You can always try fighting it, but that may be tough if they used RADAR/LIDAR.

I had a speeding ticket of my own; I was going down to D.C. for July 4th to hang with my older brother and I got pulled over just before the Verazano Bridge. Supposedly I was clocked at 74 in the 45 (The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway has a speed limit of 50, but it drops to 45 for the bridge approach) so I put together a reason as to why I was going so fast and hopefully I can avoid the 6 points that come with that moving violation. The one bright side is that points only last 18 months from the date of the incident (not the date of being found guilty) and I won't be owning a car for 4+ years....

 

[SketchMaster]

I'm just having a crappy day it seems.

 

[pyonir]

school zone tickets are expensive. Expect to pay at least double what a normal ticket costs.

 

[randomlinh]

at least you weren't in VA... ugh. i'll just say i'm lucky i don't live in VA. at least.. i hope i'm lucky.

 

[SketchMaster]

Yes, Brainonska. we use the point system, it was 4 point which is all I have sinc I've only had my licence for 9 months and still under 21 (court date is the 26th, my birthday is the 29th. Happy Birthday!) but the cop said if I plead guilty they will probably drop it down some.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: SketchMaster
Yes, Brainonska. we use the point system, it was 4 point which is all I have sinc I've only had my licence for 9 months and still under 21 (court date is the 26th, my birthday is the 29th. Happy Birthday!) but the cop said if I plead guilty they will probably drop it down some.

I wish I could have done that. They set my traffic court date for 12/4. Of course that's the week finals start at the U of Chicago. I tried to reschedule, but they had no dates for when I'd be home so I had to plead my case in writting and hope that I can get off completely instead of being able to bargain it down

 

[mugs]

Generally it's not the cost of the ticket you need to worry about, it's the insurance hit.

See what options you have in your state to avoid that. Typical options in other states are defered judgement (you have to stay clean for 6 months and you pay the fine, but no points), traffic school, or pleading guilty to a non-moving violation. Here in NJ I called the court clerk to see what I could do to avoid the insurance hit and she said I could plead to a non-moving violation but it would cost about 3x as much.

Hoping the cop doesn't show up or just lying and saying you weren't speeding probably will not work.

 

[SketchMaster]

Insurance isn't really what made me sick. It's the fact that after all my other bills are taken care of, all thats left is gas money. At best I make ~$190 a week at a paid internship and spend about $30 a week on gas to get to and from work, I don't have $300 just kicking around.

And to make it even more fun, I got a call two hours after the ticket letting me know I got cut from four days a week back to three and some I only work two days. Looks like it's time to sell some old stuff and get a 2nd job.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Ouch dude, that hurts.

I got nailed on a 62 in a 40 (Which was really a 58, and the officer "paced" me which is how he got the bogus number) a couple years back, when I was still 16 or 17. Went to my court date, met with the prosecuter, he offered to drop it if I took traffic school, so I did. Shelled out the $200somethingish and 8 hours on a saturday and I've been clear since. And lighter on the gas pedal, for the most part.

 

[Skeeedunt]

they're kinda serious about those school zones

 

[ZoomStop]

Don't feel bad. I got a picket for doing 64 in a 45 (late for a wedding) mailed to me. Had a photo of my car with a web address. So I go to the website and they have this little video clip of me booking though an intersection. Doah!
At least there was no points involved but it was still a $90 ticket

 

[SketchMaster]

Not going down without a fight. *see update*

 

[sash1]

I got my first ticket this summer. 64 in a 50. Cop was nice, because I was easily going 70+. Cost me $130. I actually just barely made the deadline to pay it because I forgot, lol. It was due yesterday.

Oh well. Now I don't speed anymore.

 

[ViviTheMage]

make sure to take pictures if you are going to attest it.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: SketchMaster
Not going down without a fight. *see update*

I don't know if you should try getting pulled over again.

Just take pictures of the tree in the way and when you go into court, talk to the prosecutor before hand to see if that can help lower the ticket more because of the obstruction of the sign.

 

[SketchMaster]

Haha, no I'm not going to speed again. just want to make things as close to what happened as I can.

 

[secretanchitman]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
make sure to take pictures if you are going to attest it.

100% agree. thats what saved my mom. there was no way she could see a speed limit sign unless you drove by in the daytime...and she got busted in the night.

 

[Old Hippie]

I'm going to drive by again at the same time that I was pulled over to see if this plays out the way I think it should. IF I'm right, I may have a shot at having the ticket dropped or lowered significantly.

I'm thinkin' you've got a good, legal defense. Good Luck, and let us know the judge's decision.

 

[tommywishbone]

Save the children!

 

[Deleted member 139972]

.