Speeding Ticket - What to do now?

[Mule]

I got caught speeding in San Jose, 80 in a 65 zone. Here's the situation:

I was doing about 70-75mph going with the flow of traffic in the 2nd lane of a 4 lane freeway when this "slow" car was infront of me, I attempted to pass it on the right side, when the cop pulled me over.

He said I was doing 80mph(i don't know about that, wasn't looking when passing), but he said he didn't clock me, but paced me with a car next to me that he clocked doing 80mph.

My question is that is it legit for him to clock someone else doing 80mph and not pull him over, but pull me over instead? I think because I was closer to the pullout lane.

Anyways any comments about how to beat this ticket would be helpful, also is it worth fighting for this ticket(3 hour drive).

Also I once heard that a friend's friend had wrote a letter to the judge apealing for a lesser sentence and he got it. This was my first pullover and first traffic citation in ~4 years? I'm 20

PLEASE NO NEFFING, Helpful comments only!
ONCE AGAIN, NO USELESS COMMENTS!!!

 

[JohnnyKnoxville]

The only beatings should be the cop clubbing you on the head.

Slow Down!!!

 

[chiwawa626]

hahhaha lol po!!

 

[TripleJ]

Yeah, I hate people that speed, so slow down. Pretend that the speed limit is the only speed you can possibly go and stick to it. It's called self control. Speeding only gives you a better chance of crashing, and a chance to get caught speeding. Anyway, enough of my rant...

If you thought you were only doing 70-75mph well then you should write in about it. How much money and how many points do you expect to save from it anyway? Other than that, there isn't much else you can do.

 

[GoldenBear]

Are you male or female? If you're male..I have no suggestions, sorry

 

[pulse8]

You admit you were speeding. You should take the ticket and pay it. The cop can pull over whomever he wants. If he singled you out, it's ok, he's allowed. I would just say pay it and if you don't want another ticket, don't speed.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Aww man, poor you, ive never seen a cop in San Jose... in fact the stretch between Redwood City and Gilroy is my test track... indeed if you see a 93 trecel going 110 mph on 101 South, thats me, so wave next time.

Caught an unlucky break, next time just look a lil more =).

 

[Mule]

I've been speeding my entire life, and I'm usually pretty good at spotting cops from a distance, but this time I was in a real hurry to get somewhere, I guess I just forgot to check the mirrors.

 

[JohnnyKnoxville]

<< PLEASE NO NEFFING, Helpful comments only!!!
ONCE AGAIN, NO USELESS COMMENTS!!! >>




OK then I'll say it again

SLOW DOWN!!!

If you're in such a hurry, try leaving earlier genius

 

[Donuts]

Usually if you just go to court and admit it, the Judge will give you a lesser fine. If you come up with some lame excuse he's heard a million times he's going to give you what he can. Expect $10 for every mile over the limit. Also, be sure and ask for traffic school.

 

[spamboy]

&quot;slow down...&quot; gimme a break, 65 is soooooo slow. 80 is not that fast, people.

 

[ggavinmoss]

You made yourself a target by passing on the right...

-geoff

 

[goldboyd]

i dont understand why people always cry about getting speeding tickets. you were breaking the law, you got caught, simple as that. yes i've been pulled over before, but i blame no one but myself, my fault, i pay the fine, end of story.

 

[OS]

crap, just read that it's a 3 hour drive. This is to the listed courthouse right? It's probably best to just pay it and go to traffic school unfortunately.

I'd love to help you fight it, but that 3 hour drive basically makes it not worth your while.

 

[Doctorweir]

Move to Germany and speed legally...

Sorry, man...not helpful, but when the cops have your balls, they have 'em...:frown:

 

[thraashman]

what's with all you telling him to slow down. 80mph is slow. Really slow. I average about 90 mph. and I've yet to get a ticket.

 

[TripleJ]

In fact, 80 is so slow that if you hit a pole you'll only halve the size of your car or snap it in half!

 

[Mule]

<< what's with all you telling him to slow down. 80mph is slow. Really slow. I average about 90 mph. and I've yet to get a ticket. >>


Yea, that's what I was saying 2 weeks ago, be careful man, they kinda creep up on you.

Also I managed to driver 85+ the rest of the trip, seems like you can't teach a old dog new tricks.

 

[bo_bear]

Seems like you have no remorse and hasn't learned your lesson. In fact, you sound like you are almost proud of what you did. I have no sympathy for you. You broke the law, you paid the price. When you shell out those bucks for your ticket, I hope you'll remember this and don't speed again. Yeah, maybe 65mph is slow for you (or for most people), but that's the law so live with it or don't drive.

 

[BatmanNate]

1) Get it mitigated. Even with some bogus excuse like you had to pee really bad, the judge will usually lower the fine at least some.

2) Pay via check by mail. Write the check for $5 over. They are required by law to send you a reimbursement for the difference. DO NOT CASH THIS CHECK. You will still lose the cost of the fine plus the $5, however

3) IT WILL NOT GO ON YOUR RECORD OR YOUR INSURANCE!!! This really works. Good luck!!!

~~Nate~~

 

[Whisper]

I see nothing wrong with speeding, so long as you're keeping up with the flow of traffic (the MAJORITY of traffic, that is...not the vette you just saw flying by at 110). If most everyone around you is doing 70 in a 65, then do 70. If they're doing 45 in a 55, then do 45. 80mph may not be THAT fast, as you say, but if you're going significantly faster than those around you, then you present a risk to both yourself and other drivers on the road...and that really irks me.

I was recently pulled over for doing 63 in a 45. Was clocked at the bottom of a hill because I had room between myself and the car in front of me, and didn't feel like braking all the way down. What am I going to do about it? Go to court, plead guilty, accept the points on my liscence, and pay the fine. Luckily this city is infamous for traffic tickets, and thus they only charge $5/mile over as opposed to the standard $10.

edit: duh, I can spell

 

[ThisIsMatt]

It's not so much paying the ticket that I dislike. I would be much more willing if I could donate the money to something WORTHWHILE rather than give it to the endless line of bureaucracy...

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Whisper - so what happens when the cop and I are the only ones currently on the road?

 

[Whisper]

Then just follow the posted speed limit. There's really no good reason to be speeding in that case, as it won't save you much time, will end up wasting more gas, and could perhaps stop you from seeing that idiot a mile down the road who forgot to turn his headlights on, or didn't stop for that red light.

If you're going to speed in that case, then just speed responsibly. The most I'll ever do over a posted limit is 10mph if there are no cars around, and that's if it's a highway. Generally 5mph on anything with a speed limit of 45 or less.

 

[xyyz]

as for these people who are being brash... ignore them... if they aren't helping you they're useless. I don't understand why people feel if someone violates the speed limit they outta' be shot. Almost everyone drives faster than the posted speed limit... and they drive safely as well.

you haven't had a ticket in 18 months... so it's probably in your best interest to play $30 for traffic school and have it wiped from your record.

you can fight it... but sometimes the judge might not even listen to what you have to say and pass judgement by looking at the facts the cop has presented... my traffic school instructor was telling us about this... there was some judge that simply glanced at the tickets and said guilty or innocent... if you lose you can't go to traffic school most of the time (unless you appeal and the judge is feeling generous enough to let you attend eventhough you've challenged the ticket).

think about what you want to do carefully. i'd say pay the fine... so that you don't get the point... this will save you money for 3 years.