Speeding Ticket question...

[Kyle]

Hey-
Well I got my first ticket yesterday on I-5 going 77 in a 60. The cop was nice enough to mark it as 75 in a 60 bringing my ticket from $135 to $105.
Now for my question-
On the back of the ticket there are 3 options
-sending in payment
-Mitigation Hearing
-Contested Hearing

It says that the mitigation hearing means I agree I commited the infraction and I want to explain the situation, and the contested one is that I did not commit the infraction and the cop has to prove I did.

Ok, I have heard that a lot of times the cop will not show up for the hearing and the ticket is thrown out, do I have to select contested hearing for that to happen? The cop doesnt have to show up to a mitigation hearing does he? But if I loose the contested hearing there probably isnt any chance for the fine being lowered is there? He apparently got me on his speed gun going 77, so if I contest it I am afraid the ticket will go up to the $135 range.
If I go to the mitigation is that the best chance of having the fine lowered?

Basically, I dont have an excuse and dont plan on making one up either. I just was not paying attention to my speed, and should have set cruise control like I usually do. I was going to go pick up my GF at her work, but I heard cops dont like to hear you were in a hurry or somthin.
If I just tell the judge that it was a mistake and I did not know I was speeding do you think there is any chance of a lowered ticket? or should I just send in the $105 (even though at this point in time I dont exactly have it...)

Again- I know I broke the law and deserve the ticket, I'm just confused over my options. Also, it was a state cop if that matters.
Thanks, I know that these threads get repetative

 

[Viper GTS]

Deferred adjudication is your friend (if it's an option).

You shouldn't care about the fine, you should care about the points on your license.

Viper GTS

 

[HappyPuppy]

Show up in court, plead guilty and ask the judge for traffic school. You sill still have to pay the fine, but you won't get any points.

I hate traffic court judges. I got a ticket for an illegal U turn at 2:30 am one morning. I showed up for court nd the chick in front of me had the exact same ticket, same approximate time and same block of same street. She plead no contest and the judge fined her $25. I stood up, plead no contest for the same infraction and the a$$hole fined me $45. Prick! She was a really hot blonde, too.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Usually driving school is an option.

In my case:
Doing 82MPH in a 65 in Sacramento county (17 over)
$142 for the ticket
$30 for the ABILITY to take traffic school
$25 for traffic school
$1 for parking (twice) in the court parking lot.

Last time I got a ticket (in Eldorado County, 1994-1995) I had to pay $102 for 60 in a 45, but they cared more about me not doing it again. I wasn't given the option for traffic school since I had a reckless driving charge dropped (hydroplaned infront of a sheriff). Sacramento just wanted me to fork over the cash and go back to doing 82MPH in a 65.

 

[kyutip]

The only thing that matters is your points.
You will pay fine regardless of what you choose.
Driving school will eliminate the points on your record.
Don't count on the officer of not being there.
He got paid whether he's on the street patrolling or sit in court waiting for you while eating donuts.
If you were him, what would you do ?
If you want to contest the ticket, you better have a mighty good reason.
I think 99% of the time, the judge will make you pay fine.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Deferred adjudication is your friend (if it's an option).

You shouldn't care about the fine, you should care about the points on your license.

Viper GTS

Some states hand out deferals easier than others. Here, you can only have one every 7 years, you have to pay $100 administrative fee, you have to take 4 hour dd class, and it is still at the magistrate's discretion.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Mailing the payment in was always the easiest for me.

 

[Kyle]

ok, thanks. I think I'll just choose mitigation hearing and ask for driving school or deferred adjudication (if I can figure out how to say that =)