Speeding tickets

fuji · #1 06-07-2002, 08:59 PM

I did a search and I did not find a thread on this subject. Anyway, I got my first speeding ticket this morning, running late for class

The ticket is $193 and I live in NJ, the high insurance state!
(Hey, it's better to be late than to be late and get a ticket). I was going 47 in a 25 mph area. I know I was wrong, but I heard of ways where people have gotten tickets thrown out. When I was stopped, the police officer asked if I have any other tickets on my record and I told him no. He suggested I should go to court. Does anyone have advice or suggestions? I really appreciate it!
Next time I will slow my a$$ down!

TLAW · #2 06-07-2002, 09:09 PM

The police always tell you to go to court. In my opinion, get a lawyer. He'll get it knocked out, especially if you don't have too many tickets on your record. If you go to court, it could go either way, but chances are that you could be found guilty. And you don't want that, especially in Jersey!
A lawyer will cost you a couple hundred probably, but it would be better than raised premiums in the long run. Police always advise you to go to court, because they want the fines. Don't forget that!
Whatever you do, good luck!

librasoul22 · #3 06-08-2002, 01:18 AM

Whoo-hoo! Have I ever earned my expertise on THIS topic! Let me tell ya! LOL! I have amassed many a ticket but the most I have ever been fined was $170. Going 74 in a 45 zone, I was! I was RIDING OUT to the beach, bumpin "Nobody" by Keith Sweat and I was singing right along with Athena Cage when next thing I know I see the flashing lights. He was having none of my story, NO slack whatsoever. I must say, he was the LEAST lenient traffic cop I had ever dealt with. Hmm...I HAD a point before I got to reminiscing...

Oh yeah...go to traffic school, if you have one in your state. It negates points on the license and most of the time it will reduce your fee. I wouldn't go to court, like they are really gonna overturn his/her word against yours

The system works out that way!

Ideal08 · #4 06-08-2002, 10:46 AM

I was in traffic court last week (my accident, remember?

). Anyway, this chick went up to the table and the dude asked her if she was feelin' lucky. The girl told him yeah. I'm trippin, cuz he ain't ask nobody else that. So he tells her, the cop forgot to turn in the original citation, and she was free to go, no fines, nothin. I was

!!! I'm like, why my cop have to do his job??? LOL

I said all that to say you never really know. In the case of a speeding ticket, I don't know that it matters much. But if you ever get cited for an accident, don't just pay the ticket (admission of guilt). Go to traffic court and plead No Contest. That way the other person can't use your plea against you in a civil suit.

RedAngel · #5 06-08-2002, 04:10 PM

I agree with Ideal08.

If you have a good record and you might be alright.
I had two speeding tickets within a year of each other, previously no speeding violations. I ended up with no points and I took it to court.
The first ticket was a 45 in a 30. Everybody including a lawyer told me get ready for the points on my license since police radar is never wrong. I questioned the radar and wanted to see the maintenance records. My court date was postposted for three months. By the time I got to the police court they told my ticket along with 22 others that night were thrown out. There was a problem with the radar gun on the police car.
The second ticket was a 40/30 by the time I was called the police officer had gone home for the night----case dismissed.

It's been five years and I learned my lesson.

librasoul22 · #6 06-09-2002, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RedAngel
I agree with Ideal08.

If you have a good record and you might be alright.
I had two speeding tickets within a year of each other, previously no speeding violations. I ended up with no points and I took it to court.
The first ticket was a 45 in a 30. Everybody including a lawyer told me get ready for the points on my license since police radar is never wrong. I questioned the radar and wanted to see the maintenance records. My court date was postposted for three months. By the time I got to the police court they told my ticket along with 22 others that night were thrown out. There was a problem with the radar gun on the police car.
The second ticket was a 40/30 by the time I was called the police officer had gone home for the night----case dismissed.

It's been five years and I learned my lesson.

Man. I wasted all that time in traffic school and spent a grip and it could have been avoided...that sucks!

Riley · #7 06-10-2002, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RedAngel
I agree with Ideal08.

If you have a good record and you might be alright.
.

This is true. My first speeding ticket was for 43/30 zone. I plead quilty with a reason. The cop wasn't there but I do not think they have to be present in MD. My reason, I was comming off a steep hill and I WAS riding my bakes and he caught me as I was comming off the hill. End result I hust had to pay court fines. The judge did ask if I had any tickets for moving violations b4 and I said no. He said there is no reason to mess up my record.

Kimmie1913 · #8 06-10-2002, 02:35 PM

It differs from state to state. If you really want to know what to do, find someone who knows about YOUR STATE to talk to. I am in MD and my advise to someone here would be to go. Actually, it would be to tr for a postponement of your original date and then go and hope the cop doesn't show. (They do have to be there in MD or you can move for a dismissal based on their absence) If he does then ask for a PBJ (probation before judgement) or plead guilty with a reason and hope for court costs and no points. And pay attention to the judge's demeaonr before you are called. If he is throwing the book at everyone, you may want to hedge your bets and withdraw your case, if he is listening and being lenient and you have a good record, it is worth the try.

TLAW · #9 06-10-2002, 02:49 PM

good advice Kimmie.

Riley · #10 06-10-2002, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kimmie1913
It differs from state to state. If you really want to know what to do, find someone who knows about YOUR STATE to talk to. I am in MD and my advise to someone here would be to go. Actually, it would be to tr for a postponement of your original date and then go and hope the cop doesn't show. (They do have to be there in MD or you can move for a dismissal based on their absence) If he does then ask for a PBJ (probation before judgement) or plead guilty with a reason and hope for court costs and no points. And pay attention to the judge's demeaonr before you are called. If he is throwing the book at everyone, you may want to hedge your bets and withdraw your case, if he is listening and being lenient and you have a good record, it is worth the try.

When I went to cort my cop wasn't there. (I am in Maryland) In fact, none of the officers who wrote tickets for the people were there, so I am not sure about that. IT could have been the reason why the judge just made everyone pay courts fines. Everyone seemed to plead guilty w/a reason.
I got a speeding ticket in GA, and I just had to mail a payment in but they didn't issuse points.

Kimmie1913 · #11 06-10-2002, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Riley

When I went to cort my cop wasn't there. (I am in Maryland) In fact, none of the officers who wrote tickets for the people were there, so I am not sure about that. IT could have been the reason why the judge just made everyone pay courts fines. Everyone seemed to plead guilty w/a reason.
I got a speeding ticket in GA, and I just had to mail a payment in but they didn't issuse points.

Did anyone challenge the ticket or did they all just go along with the judge and ASA (state's attorney) ? As an attoney, I have never seen anyone get the conviction on a ticket when the cop wasn;t there in MD if they plead not guilty.

ClassyLady · #12 06-10-2002, 08:33 PM

Okay, I just got a speeding ticket over Memorial Day. This one is my second. I was going 64 in a 50, which really isn't that bad considering the street is more like a highway than a real road. The police officedr dropped it down to 59 for me. He said that being more than ten miles over requires a $100 fine and five points on my license. My fine is $60, which, again, really isn't that bad but I'm still heated about that.

When I got my first one, I had to go to court because I was under 18. I was doing 64, again, in a 45 mph zone. (A minor speeding, that's a dag-gone shame) The police officer dropped it down to 54. Anyway, the judge was really nice, she was even asking me if I liked my car because she was interested in buying one. All I had to pay was $20 in court costs. That's why I'm mad at this $60 ticket. I'm still only nine miles over the limit but this time I have to pay $40 more.

RedAngel · #13 06-11-2002, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kimmie1913
It differs from state to state. If you really want to know what to do, find someone who knows about YOUR STATE to talk to. I am in MD and my advise to someone here would be to go. Actually, it would be to tr for a postponement of your original date and then go and hope the cop doesn't show. (They do have to be there in MD or you can move for a dismissal based on their absence) If he does then ask for a PBJ (probation before judgement) or plead guilty with a reason and hope for court costs and no points. And pay attention to the judge's demeaonr before you are called. If he is throwing the book at everyone, you may want to hedge your bets and withdraw your case, if he is listening and being lenient and you have a good record, it is worth the try.

Very good advice.

kiml122 · #14 06-11-2002, 07:16 AM

Well I have had my share of tickets. The last one I got was about 7 or 8 years ago. I was stopped for speeding and to top it off I didn't have my DL, insurance card, or vehicle registration with me. The tickets amounted to a little over $700. I went to court and the insurance and vehicle registration one were thrown out since I was able to produce them. I plea bargained the ticket, which meant the ticket was re-written to only 5 miles over the speeding limit (I was clocked going 70 in a 35 I think). What this meant was no points on my license so my car insurance did not go up, and the speeding ticket amount was reduced.

All this I did without a lawyer. I tell yeah either know a cop who can get it thrown out, which happened to me, or plea bargain if it's for speeding. That's if your state has such a thing.

Eastcoast Sunshine · #15 06-12-2002, 12:03 PM

Try talking to the prosecutor before your case. They usually will reduce the severity of points you'll receive (esp if it is your first)because you at least appeared (in court), however, depending on which town you were stopped in, some of them don't want to hear anything except the sound of you opening up your wallet.

If you are facing a severe fine or suspension, you may want to consult an attorney. Though they are extremely costly (about $1000+) don't settle for a public defender.

I hope this helps
Good Luck!