Speeding Ticket - Pay or Fight?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by JoshVette
I didn't want to preach, but oh well.....
MOST of these responces really sicken me.........when will people start taking responsability for there actions?
Nice example you are setting........and we wonder why we have so many lazy and back talking disobedient kids that try to get away with everything.......why not, there parents are the one's doing the training.
Flame away, I don't care, someone needs to say it, obviously SOME of you didn't learn it when you were growing up.
MOST of these responces really sicken me.........when will people start taking responsability for there actions?
Nice example you are setting........and we wonder why we have so many lazy and back talking disobedient kids that try to get away with everything.......why not, there parents are the one's doing the training.
Flame away, I don't care, someone needs to say it, obviously SOME of you didn't learn it when you were growing up.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville va
I agree with the fellow LEO's. We have to go to court with no option to not go. Most others just don't go to work because they don't feel like it. You should always assume that the Police Officer will be there. 
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 9
From: Sandy Eggo, California
Call the court and see if you qualify for traffic school. You can take the traffic school course on the Internet in less than an hour. You just read the paragraphs and answer the questions at the end. The traffic school will mail you your completion cetificate because they have to sign the certificate for it to be valid. Pay with your credit card on-line. You submit your certificate to the court and the fine and points are dismissed. No time off of work, and not court costs to pay. It's a no brainer. Why take the chance of losing in court.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 9
From: Sandy Eggo, California
Originally Posted by pcfred
If the truck was doing less than 55 and you sped up only long enough to pass him safely then the question is if 77 was a reasonable speed in which to pass him.
Whether you thing it was a "reasonable speed in which to pass" or not, it makes no difference.
The other section is CVC 22350, the Basic Speed Law, which states that you shall not drive faster than it's safe, based on the current weather, road design, and traffic conditions.
Traveling at 77 mph is obviously in excess of 65 mph, and a violation of the "Maximum Speed Law", and there's no defense for that. It's pretty plain and self explanatory. It's one of those "Thou shall not do it" sections of the vehicle code.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by JoshVette
I didn't want to preach, but oh well.....
MOST of these responces really sicken me.........when will people start taking responsability for there actions?
Nice example you are setting........and we wonder why we have so many lazy and back talking disobedient kids that try to get away with everything.......why not, there parents are the one's doing the training.
Flame away, I don't care, someone needs to say it, obviously SOME of you didn't learn it when you were growing up.
MOST of these responces really sicken me.........when will people start taking responsability for there actions?
Nice example you are setting........and we wonder why we have so many lazy and back talking disobedient kids that try to get away with everything.......why not, there parents are the one's doing the training.
Flame away, I don't care, someone needs to say it, obviously SOME of you didn't learn it when you were growing up.
I agree that kids are lazy today because of their parents, but WTF does that have to do with this.
He never stated that he was not speeding and that he was not at fault. He merely asked if he should fight the ticket. I am sure the fine is not the issue. Living in the North East we experience some of the highest insurance premiums and even the smallest of infractions can cause your insurance premium to increase for 3 years. Fighting the ticket will hopefully reduce the points and with taking a defensive driving class can still maintain his current insurance premiums.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 0
From: bloomfield nj
first, depending on your driving record will dictate whether or not you will even get a pass.if your record is pretty clean,plead not guilty to speeding,get the prosecuter to plea you down to careless,pay the fine/court cost/state surcharge[if your state has one]or dummy school[if no surcharge,your state should have dummy school] and be done with it. if your record is already point jammed,it's over,just bend over,grab your ankles and squeal like a pig.
regardless if the charging officer is there or not,you can still be charged.
regardless if the charging officer is there or not,you can still be charged.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,287
Likes: 0
From: york pa
Originally Posted by live2win
i really don't see what your grounds would be to defend your actions? sounds like the truck was doing the speed limit. IMHO take your punishment and pay the fine.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
It is not the point of whether or not we want to admit fault or not, it is a matter of the best way to go about the issue. The main issue to me is not paying the fine, it is the long term effects of higher insurance premiums for three years that get tacked on with the fine by the insurance companies. To me I just look at tickets as another bill I have to pay for. I am never disrepectful to the LEO giving the ticket that I was at fault for. He is just doing the job he is paid for, but on the other hand, I always hire a lawyer to get the points reduced so my insurance won't go up. I don't do this to buck the system, but I also don't think I should pay a "fine" to the insurance company for 3 years also if they find out.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,876
Likes: 8
From: Las Vegas NV
St. Jude Donor '06 & '12
Originally Posted by ZFORME
I was speeding 77 in a 55mph zone. Past a truck that was frogging around and a trooper was sitting just down the road. This was at 11 pm. Got my ticket so can I plead for mercy?
The town JP is a good guy and owns corvettes. I just don't feel much like taking my punishment for this. I would rather not have to let my wife find out about me speeding.
The town JP is a good guy and owns corvettes. I just don't feel much like taking my punishment for this. I would rather not have to let my wife find out about me speeding.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by AMERICAN_HP
I think this is kind of a ridiculous question. What are you gonna do, Lie to the judge and tell him you weren't speeding.
No he is going to say he passed a truck that was dumping crude on his car and he did not intend to speed, but it happen. He will then ask for lenience from the courts because he is an outstanding tax paying citizen.
He will not get off not paying a fine. He will hopefully get a reduced fine and no points....
Last edited by Wicked Weasel; Nov 16, 2005 at 10:16 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by ZFORME
I was speeding 77 in a 55mph zone.
Bend over and take it like a man! You all wonder why when your actually not guilty the judges are cynical and seldom believe you or find in your favor. Believe me it only takes a few of these types of situations before a judge starts believing everyone is lying about their guilt.
I'm the first to encourage folks to fight a ticket that was not just but on the reverse if you were guilty then grow up and take your medicine!
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Rochester WA
St. Jude Donor '05-'07-'08-'09
just paid mine
I was out driving safely on back roads Vet day, and was enjoying my
time in the seat, when from a stop sign I left slowly, then starting
watching my rpms, 3 grand, shift, 3, grand, shift, then just as I was
getting to 3 grand again, I see a county mounty, and wow slow down,
but it was too late. Clocked me at 63 in a 50, ( not posted anywhere
mind you), but got me on the darn lazer. He reduced it down to a 55 in a 50mph . I'll be good for 3 years, then I'm buying the paint, and the other electronics to warn and ward off their tactics.
I don't take chances, but I still want to enjoy my Corvette., and btw,
there was not a sole on that road except the fuzz.
I think they should make it harder to get a license to drive, and then
allow higher speed limits. 85 for freeway ,if people would use common sense and know how to handle their cars instead, the speed
limits are set so that poor drivers can operate an automobiles, and they still have tons of pile ups all the time!!!
time in the seat, when from a stop sign I left slowly, then starting
watching my rpms, 3 grand, shift, 3, grand, shift, then just as I was
getting to 3 grand again, I see a county mounty, and wow slow down,
but it was too late. Clocked me at 63 in a 50, ( not posted anywhere
mind you), but got me on the darn lazer. He reduced it down to a 55 in a 50mph . I'll be good for 3 years, then I'm buying the paint, and the other electronics to warn and ward off their tactics.
I don't take chances, but I still want to enjoy my Corvette., and btw,
there was not a sole on that road except the fuzz.
I think they should make it harder to get a license to drive, and then
allow higher speed limits. 85 for freeway ,if people would use common sense and know how to handle their cars instead, the speed
limits are set so that poor drivers can operate an automobiles, and they still have tons of pile ups all the time!!!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
The rules for traffic court I live by: (I have been there many times, tried it many different ways)
1) DO NOT hire a lawyer, unless it is a serious case like DUI. For a simple traffic violation, screw the laywer (no offense to any lawyers in here, but I hired one once and that moron just said everything that I could have said myself and charged me $800).
2) ALWAYS go to court, there is a chance the officer will not show (which has happened to me no less than twice), and one time I got off with the cop there because he screwed up the ticket AND I plead guilty. But even if it is just to go and say "GUILTY, yes I did it, I am sorry."
3) NEVER, 'just pay it' and I do not believe in the 'do the crime, pay the time' or whatever that saying is. We're all human, we make mistakes. Even the court system is setup that they offer leniency.
4) I actually like going to court, it is very entertaining to hear the other cases and the excuses.
5) It is worth it to go to court and unless you are totally beligerant in court or with the cop or do something totally outlandish like pass a short bus (seen it happen), the worse that can happen is everything stands, but hey at least you tried.
6) Always dress up for court.
1) DO NOT hire a lawyer, unless it is a serious case like DUI. For a simple traffic violation, screw the laywer (no offense to any lawyers in here, but I hired one once and that moron just said everything that I could have said myself and charged me $800).
2) ALWAYS go to court, there is a chance the officer will not show (which has happened to me no less than twice), and one time I got off with the cop there because he screwed up the ticket AND I plead guilty. But even if it is just to go and say "GUILTY, yes I did it, I am sorry."
3) NEVER, 'just pay it' and I do not believe in the 'do the crime, pay the time' or whatever that saying is. We're all human, we make mistakes. Even the court system is setup that they offer leniency.
4) I actually like going to court, it is very entertaining to hear the other cases and the excuses.
5) It is worth it to go to court and unless you are totally beligerant in court or with the cop or do something totally outlandish like pass a short bus (seen it happen), the worse that can happen is everything stands, but hey at least you tried.
6) Always dress up for court.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by ZFORME
I was speeding 77 in a 55mph zone. Past a truck that was frogging around and a trooper was sitting just down the road. This was at 11 pm. Got my ticket so can I plead for mercy?
The town JP is a good guy and owns corvettes. I just don't feel much like taking my punishment for this. I would rather not have to let my wife find out about me speeding.
The town JP is a good guy and owns corvettes. I just don't feel much like taking my punishment for this. I would rather not have to let my wife find out about me speeding.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
We don't drive corvettes to do 55MPH, we can do that in our beater. Not all of us can take it to the track either. Now I'm not condoning reckless driving, tailgating or speeding but when you are driving 10-15 MPH over the posted limit, on the highway (Though you were going a bit faster), I say fight or do whatever is necessary to beat the ticket or at least give it a try. These cars were born to run (Like my Bruce Springsteen reference....). 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 347
From: yardley, pa 19067
Plead not guilty!! I got a ticket for doing 53 in a 35 zone...Went to court, met the cop beforehand...He let me plead guilty to doing 40 in a 35 zone..That equaled a fine with no points!! You are accused of a crime and they have to prove you comitted the crime..It's no different than being accused of murder, it has to be proved!! That's why they work out a deal with you to speed up the process...