Speeding ticket + pleading Not Guilty (question)

[VBboy]

When you get a speeding ticket and plead not guilty, do they set up an actual trial for you (for another date), or does the matter get tried right there and then, on the same date?

To those who are curious, it was 70 in 55, and I wasn't drunk or anything

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Then and there.

 

[Pokey007]

Since a ticket is an infraction, they have no trial. On the ticket there should be a section explaining what you have to do. Generally you can send in the money, or else you can contest it. When you contest it, you will recieve a court date which you can reschedule. Plus, if you need to, you can contact the courthouse and have the police officer who gave you the ticket subpoenaed. When your court date comes around, you go and meet with a judge who decides the outcome on a popenderance of the evidence.

 

[Yossarian]

I don't know what state you live in, but here in California if you plead not guilty and lose you also lose the opportunity to just go to traffic school. Sadly it's easier to just plead guilty, take traffic school, and get off with a fine rather than a hit on your insurance.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

If you plead not guilty you tell your side of the story right there, then the cop tells his side, then the judge says guilty, then he nails you with big fines :|

 

[notfred]

<< If you plead not guilty you tell your side of the story right there, then the cop tells his side, then the judge says guilty, then he nails you with big fines :| >>



Not here. In California, you show up for an initial hearing. No witnesses are expected to come. If you plead guilty, they deal with your fine right there. If you plead NOT guilty, they schedule a second date, on which you should bring evidence and witnesses. They also call the cop and tell him to come in on that day.

 

[calbear2000]

<<

<< If you plead not guilty you tell your side of the story right there, then the cop tells his side, then the judge says guilty, then he nails you with big fines :| >>



Not here. In California, you show up for an initial hearing. No witnesses are expected to come. If you plead guilty, they deal with your fine right there. If you plead NOT guilty, they schedule a second date, on which you should bring evidence and witnesses. They also call the cop and tell him to come in on that day. >>



Exactly.