Yet another traffic ticket advice thread

[KEV1N]

Hey all, about 3 weeks ago, on July 3rd, I was caught in a speed trap on Hwy 101 in this shitty town called Willitts. Going 55 in a 35. If you know Hwy 101, it goes through towns, and the limit was 35 in the town, but the speed limit was changing and I was accellerating as the 101 turned back into an actual freeway. Bastards.

1. I got the the citation. It's $135. I am eligible for traffic school.
2. Willitts is a 150 mile drive from where I am, Davis.

Regardless, I'm going to sign up for traffic school, to obviously keep points off my license.

Should I request a trial by written declaration, I.E. write a sob story or some sort of letter to get out of my $135 fine? I can't really go to court due to the distance. Or should I just pay the fine and and go to traffic school and consider it a lesson learnt?

 

[Ns1]

www.ticketassassin.com

 

[Azraele]

I'd just pay the fine, get the schooling, and consider it a lesson learned.

There are two towns here where drivers have to be very very careful about their speeds. In one, the speed limit is 25, a limit imposed after a little girl was killed by a speeding driver. I'm not sure why the other town is so strict, but drive too fast there and pay the price.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: KEV1N
Should I request a trial by written declaration, I.E. write a sob story or some sort of letter to get out of my $135 fine? I can't really go to court due to the distance. Or should I just pay the fine and and go to traffic school and consider it a lesson learnt?

Doubt the sob story will work.

But you might be able to delay the case. I challenged a ticket that I received out-of-state (New Jersey, Traffic Cop Central of the Free World) and of course, they wanted me to show up in court. I told them I was at school and could not attend their scheduled court date. So the case was delayed OVER A YEAR until I could find the time to appear at my convenience. Hard to believe, but this was a little district magistrate's court and the ticket came from some lamer township cop. Had it been a statey, I doubt I could have dragged it out like I did.

Don't know what traffic school is like in Cali, but skipping points is always a good thing.

 

[KEV1N]

I'm usually a good letter writer so I might just try to fill out the "Trial by Declaration" form and submit a contest to the ticket.

But it looks like I still have to pay the fine. Grr. Does that mean if I win the "Trial by Delcaration" the fine is refunded?

Bad mood!

 

[Jzero]

New Jersey, Traffic Cop Central of the Free World) .

4th of July week, I was leaving Atlantic City on Rt 30. I saw no less than 6 cops between AC and Absecon, all with people stopped.
Wow.

Anyway, I dunno about you, but my time is worth enough that I probably would drive nearly 4 hours to fight $135 ticket. I'd lose more than that in taking a day off work. You may be able to hire a lawyer in Willitts to argue your case without you present, but again, the cost may outweigh the benefits.

 

[KEV1N]

Ticketassassin says that if I submit my case in writing, that they request a written declaration from the officer too. And, 70% of the officers don't submit this declaration. If the declaration isn't submitted my case is thrown out and my money returned. That sounds really good.

However it also says that If i'm found guilty I'll be fined again. WTF.

 

[Luden]

I have found that small towns by highways put there one cop by it for there sole income...

 

[d33pt]

i would go for the trial by declaration first, and if you get turned down...then request a court trial to appeal.. delay this trial for 6 months... hopefully by then something would've happened to the officer so that he can't appear.. if not, plea guilty and request traffic school... the point will not show up on your record until the day you are convicted

 

[txgixer]

Originally posted by: Luden
I have found that small towns by highways put there one cop by it for there sole income...

Undoubtedly.

I use an attorney on EVERY ticket. So far none of the past 4 tickets (in 18 months) have resulted in any points, a few fines, and a few dismissals.

 

[danchler]

Fight it.

I'm fighting one right now and I will never go down without a fight again.

 

[TallBill]

Yet Another Traffic Ticket Advice.... thread..

yatta ?

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: d33pt
i would go for the trial by declaration first, and if you get turned down...then request a court trial to appeal.. delay this trial for 6 months... hopefully by then something would've happened to the officer so that he can't appear.. if not, plea guilty and request traffic school... the point will not show up on your record until the day you are convicted

Unless California has changed the rules you can't plead not guilty and after you lose attend Traffic School. Also remember that traffic school is at the judges discretion so If they send you the letter saying you can get traffic school then and you show up the judge may think you are wasting his time and not allow the traffic School. ANd of course in california If you get a ticket you insurance company "FIGURES" it is you rsecond because EVERYONE GOES TO TRAFFIC SCHOOL. DO the school and don't speed, $135 is a pretty cheap lesson. I did my Traffic school on line and it took about 30 minutes and cost 17 bucks. That of course was 3 years ago.