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Old 08-11-2008, 12:35 PM
 
120 posts, read 715,142 times
Reputation: 81

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Last week I got my first ticket EVER and it’s a moving violation ‘Proceeded straight on a Must turn left’ lane. This was Smith st in Downtown.. Since I never had a ticket before, I am quite unsure how to deal with it and your help is appreciated.

Though I am guilty, I feel like it should have been only a warning due to my clean driving record.

Reading the ticket, it seems like I can ‘plead guilty’, send in the $110 fine and take Defensive driving to clear my records OR go to court and fight it over. The last thing I want to do is to go to court and waste one or many days.. I checked in some of the ticket attorney’s website and even though they say their rates start at $70, I do not know how much it would actually cost. If I hire an attorney (for say $70) do they go to court and represent me ? Do I have accompany them ? If I have to accompany them to the court, I don’t think attorney is a viable option.


Any other option than showing up in court in the hopes that officer wont turn up ?

Since I am brand new to this crap, I would request your advice and tips.
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Old 08-11-2008, 12:41 PM
 
Location: Clear Lake, Houston TX
8,376 posts, read 30,697,976 times
Reputation: 4720
Can you actually take defensive driving for this type of violation? If so, send in that $110 w/ a ''no contest'' plea and request to take it. Then git-r-done and have it removed. Simple since it's your first one.

BTW - You went through a BS ticket trap and there are several places in town you can safely proceed straight on a 'left / right lane must turn' lane.
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Old 08-11-2008, 12:57 PM
 
Location: Waco, TX
94 posts, read 278,070 times
Reputation: 60
Pay it and plead no contest. Don't bother fighting this one.

I agree, it should have only been a warning.
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Old 08-11-2008, 01:12 PM
 
120 posts, read 715,142 times
Reputation: 81
Quote:
Originally Posted by tstone View Post
Can you actually take defensive driving for this type of violation? If so, send in that $110 w/ a ''no contest'' plea and request to take it. Then git-r-done and have it removed. Simple since it's your first one.

BTW - You went through a BS ticket trap and there are several places in town you can safely proceed straight on a 'left / right lane must turn' lane.
Exactly. It’s a trap. I was coming from Polk st (on the left most lane) where two left lanes are LEFT ONLY and entered in to SMITH. The moment I entered in to smith, left lane is LEFT only and the adjacent one is left-and-straight. I realized it but the other lane was fully crowded and there was the traffic light. I was stopped at the light and I can see the lane in-front of me with no obstructions or anything. The light turned green and I proceeded planning to get in to the right lane…but immediately I saw the cop behind me with his lights and all stuff….
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Old 08-11-2008, 03:08 PM
 
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
8,309 posts, read 38,774,074 times
Reputation: 7185
Quote:
Originally Posted by HereItIs View Post
Last week I got my first ticket EVER and it’s a moving violation ‘Proceeded straight on a Must turn left’ lane. This was Smith st in Downtown.. Since I never had a ticket before, I am quite unsure how to deal with it and your help is appreciated.

Though I am guilty, I feel like it should have been only a warning due to my clean driving record.

Reading the ticket, it seems like I can ‘plead guilty’, send in the $110 fine and take Defensive driving to clear my records OR go to court and fight it over. The last thing I want to do is to go to court and waste one or many days.. I checked in some of the ticket attorney’s website and even though they say their rates start at $70, I do not know how much it would actually cost. If I hire an attorney (for say $70) do they go to court and represent me ? Do I have accompany them ? If I have to accompany them to the court, I don’t think attorney is a viable option.


Any other option than showing up in court in the hopes that officer wont turn up ?

Since I am brand new to this crap, I would request your advice and tips.
Go to court and request deferred adjudication. With your driving record the judge will agree. If you can go 60 (or maybe 90) days without another citation the ticket never goes on your record.
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Old 08-11-2008, 03:13 PM
 
120 posts, read 715,142 times
Reputation: 81
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimboburnsy View Post
Go to court and request deferred adjudication. With your driving record the judge will agree. If you can go 60 (or maybe 90) days without another citation the ticket never goes on your record.
Is it possible to do this thing without EVER having to physically go to court ? Do I have to pay the fine if I take this route ?
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Old 08-11-2008, 03:55 PM
 
Location: Clear Lake, Houston TX
8,376 posts, read 30,697,976 times
Reputation: 4720
Quote:
Originally Posted by HereItIs View Post
Is it possible to do this thing without EVER having to physically go to court ? Do I have to pay the fine if I take this route ?

Yes, but the fee is closer to $200 for deferred. If defensive driving isn't an option, this would be the way to go. And yes, you can mail that in, too. Did you get a computer print-out ticket + a mini-packet with an envelope? Just follow the directions.

Downtown night court is also an option if you're confused... they are open til 10pm and everything is very basic. You don't need to file any paperwork as the judge will do it for you based on your answers. Quite an interesting, vibrant crowd in that court, too.
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Old 08-11-2008, 03:58 PM
 
Location: Houston, TX
8,895 posts, read 19,995,992 times
Reputation: 6372
So you were in a lane that "must turn" and the lane next to you was "turn or straight"? If that is the case - those are the worst ones to opt to go straight in .... had someone been trying to turn from that lane you could have caused an accident. Suck it up and take the course, pay the fine or whatever. Like my mama taught me - if you miss your turn, exit, whatever - just go to the next one and come back around!
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Old 08-11-2008, 04:07 PM
 
Location: Clear Lake, Houston TX
8,376 posts, read 30,697,976 times
Reputation: 4720
Quote:
Originally Posted by texas7 View Post
So you were in a lane that "must turn" and the lane next to you was "turn or straight"? If that is the case - those are the worst ones to opt to go straight in ....
Agreed, but the ones I'm talking about don't have an ''either-or'' lane next to them.... and on the other side of the intersection is an open straight lane w/o any merging required. There is at least one of these in the Galleria and one in Bellaire.
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Old 08-11-2008, 08:04 PM
 
Location: Houston, TX
8,895 posts, read 19,995,992 times
Reputation: 6372
Quote:
Originally Posted by tstone View Post
Agreed, but the ones I'm talking about don't have an ''either-or'' lane next to them.... and on the other side of the intersection is an open straight lane w/o any merging required. There is at least one of these in the Galleria and one in Bellaire.
Oh I understand your point -- it just sounded like the op explained his/her ticket where they turned from an only lane with an either/or next to it.
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