DOH!!! Corvettes and Cops
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
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From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
DOH!!! Corvettes and Cops
Yep, got my first ticket! now, I drive my car 90 miles round trip every day to work, people pass me in Mini-vans, S-10 pickups, and Civics. Never mind turning the other cheek at stoplights. But on Saturday, my birthday, I was driving into town with my buddy who was visiting from PA on a two lane 55 mph road. I was going down a long grade in 6th gear, my foot wasn't even on the gas. then all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I see a county cop slow down in the opposite lane turn around, and flip on his lights. I said to my friend, gee, he must have got a call in the opposite direction, then he centers his car behind ME! I was amazed because I certainly didn't feel like I was speeding! Sure enough, the speedo said 70, my tach read 1200 rpm's! I plead guilty, the car was doing the speed. I said to my friend, "boy I feel bad for that guy, he has to drive around all day in a damn 3.5L V-6 Intrepid, maybe if he gets enough tickets they'll upgrade him to a Charger Hemi". But, my question is, "Would he have even noticed if I was driving my wife's 4 banger Escape"?
Well anyway, I'll go to court, plead guilty, and look for clemency, I haven't had an infraction in over 10 years!
John
Well anyway, I'll go to court, plead guilty, and look for clemency, I haven't had an infraction in over 10 years!
John
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 459
Likes: 5
From: Atlanta GA
Sorry you got tagged, no he probably would not have noticed your wife's car. Our cars are so beautiful they stand out big time!!!!!
Going to court can be very beneficial. I once got two tickets, went to court, as a thank you for showing up they erased the first ticket and lowered the fine on the second - I did not even have to ask.
Good luck.
Going to court can be very beneficial. I once got two tickets, went to court, as a thank you for showing up they erased the first ticket and lowered the fine on the second - I did not even have to ask.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
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From: St. Louis Missouri
Sorry to hear about the ticket. I hate to say it, but he probably would have noticed your wifes 4 banger escape, since he was going the opposite direction I am sure he clocked you with Radar and you were 15 MPH over the limit. That is a very writable ticket.
Team Owner
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
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From: Life is a game/Golf is serious. IA
Hopefully, they'll cut you some slack.
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Chances are he would have tagged any car going 15 over. See if they offer a defensive driving course that if you attend will erase the ticket. Worth a shot.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Waldorf MD
On what basis would you plead not guilty ? You should tell of your record and ask for some consideration. If you want to do it right, get a lawyer, perferably one who was or knows the prosecutor/police well (ask around), they can get you off completely, but it will cost $400 to $1,000.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
On what basis would you plead not guilty ? You should tell of your record and ask for some consideration. If you want to do it right, get a lawyer, perferably one who was or knows the prosecutor/police well (ask around), they can get you off completely, but it will cost $400 to $1,000.
The only reason I said to plead not guilty is so that a court date can be set and then you can talk to the prosecutor. You dont need a lawyer if you feel comfortable talking. I have gone with many friends as support and told them to talk to the prosecutor. Many times the prosecutor is willing to make a deal based on the infraction. If you are x over they may knock it down to a non-moving violation. If you are too far above x then they may lower it to a lesser point value.
If you dont feel comfortable about doing it yourself then go ahead and get a lawyer, but he is only doing the same thing that you would do. Of course as you stated a lawyer that knows everyone probably have an easier time lowering it.
If you really wanted to you could even go as far as a trial and make them prove that how they tracked you speeding was legal. Getting off a speeding ticket though is almost impossible so I would not suggest going this route.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
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In most jurisdictions, since you were doing only 15 mph over the limit and haven't had a moving violation in the past year, you can get the citation dismissed by attending a defensive driving course. Cheaper than hiring an attorney and trying to fight it, and the ticket will never show up on your record.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
You can usually do traffic school.
Here in Vegas there is a Law firm that will get your moving violations reduced to a parking ticket. He does it for FREE as he states as "public service". He wants you to call him if you get in BIG trouble.
get a lawyer, perferably one who was or knows the prosecutor/police well (ask around), they can get you off completely, but it will cost $400 to $1,000.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Columbia MO
First off, Kudos for accepting responsibility and not posting a "Wah, I got a ticket, cops suck" thread.
I totally agree with Wicked Weasle, use your 10 year clean driving record when talking to the prosecutor. Tell him that the stop alone was enough of a wake up call to make you more attentive in your driving, and while you totally expect to pay a fine, you'd prefer that the incident doesn't effect your license or insurance. Show the prosecutor some respect and be honest and odds are he'll knock it down to a non-moving violation (ie. faulty equipment). Same fine (probably less), but no points.
Just my 2 cents.
I totally agree with Wicked Weasle, use your 10 year clean driving record when talking to the prosecutor. Tell him that the stop alone was enough of a wake up call to make you more attentive in your driving, and while you totally expect to pay a fine, you'd prefer that the incident doesn't effect your license or insurance. Show the prosecutor some respect and be honest and odds are he'll knock it down to a non-moving violation (ie. faulty equipment). Same fine (probably less), but no points.
Just my 2 cents.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Iowa
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I used that point of reasoning once in my defense of a ticket and the judge said back without hesitation, "all that means is that you just haven't been caught in 10 years".
I hung my head and paid the fine.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
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I totally agree with Wicked Weasle, use your 10 year clean driving record when talking to the prosecutor. Tell him that the stop alone was enough of a wake up call to make you more attentive in your driving, and while you totally expect to pay a fine, you'd prefer that the incident doesn't effect your license or insurance. Show the prosecutor some respect and be honest and odds are he'll knock it down to a non-moving violation (ie. faulty equipment). Same fine (probably less), but no points.
C5 General
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From: Boosted in Manhattan & Round Rock TX. President of the Non Club Club of Kansas and Round Rock , Not the flat part.
Team Owner
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
yeah some judges dont want to hear anything even when the township is wrong. Figure you and I are not keeping them on the bench so who are they going to be siding with more often I would always talked to the prosecutor before the judge though. I have seen it plenty of times that even before court they will call out and ask if anyone would like to talk to the prosecutor. For the most, the prosecutor will work something out with you. I once even talked to the LEO before the case and he helped me out. You just have to be respectful and understand they are doing a job.
I know most people though dont feel comfortable talking so getting a lawyer is a good idea if there is any chance you will lose your license or that the points will send your insurance up. Many times you will find a lawyer at the court house and throw him some cash and they will talk for you. Heck it is quick money for the lawyer and it may safe you a few points.....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
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From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
I agee that the best course of action is just to state "I SCREWED UP"
explain the good driving record, lack of familiarity with the car (I've had it one month), and take it upon them to show leniency. If they don't, OH WELL! But, you have to try. ONE ticket, with my INSURANCE company will not raise rates, driving school if offered, is a good deal. I've got to try, I've never done this and not walked away with something. (I had alot of practice in my younger years) I'm 51, a HS teacher and a good talker, I'm sure I'll come up with something. Thanks Y'all for the advice.
John
explain the good driving record, lack of familiarity with the car (I've had it one month), and take it upon them to show leniency. If they don't, OH WELL! But, you have to try. ONE ticket, with my INSURANCE company will not raise rates, driving school if offered, is a good deal. I've got to try, I've never done this and not walked away with something. (I had alot of practice in my younger years) I'm 51, a HS teacher and a good talker, I'm sure I'll come up with something. Thanks Y'all for the advice.
John