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I dont know much about getting/losing points and involving lawyers, but the last time I got a speeding ticket, I just showed up in court, said I was guilty and paid the fine (it was $75). But of course, I am living in Kansas city, MO and was doing a 60 mph in a 45 mph...Could be different in different state, but I was just saying how the court appeal went for me.
Unfortunately it is very different here in Mecklenburg Country.
I have had tickets in MA, PA, NY, OH, VA, SC, & NC (other counties) and what you describe is 100% my experience except here.
Most other places it is very easy to chat with a ADA for 2 minutes and get the ticket, reduced, thrown out, ect.
I dont know much about getting/losing points and involving lawyers, but the last time I got a speeding ticket, I just showed up in court, said I was guilty and paid the fine (it was $75). But of course, I am living in Kansas city, MO and was doing a 60 mph in a 45 mph...Could be different in different state, but I was just saying how the court appeal went for me.
Regarding traffic tickets, always fight/go to court, and never, NEVER, admit guilt - just plead no contest if you have to, but never plead guilty. Over 90% of tickets are uncontested, meaning people just pay the fines - remember that when you're standing in those long lines at the court house - that's only 10% of the people....
If you just pay the fine, you admit guilt and avoid court costs, but pay higher insurance premiums for the next three years or so until the points drop off, and the cost to you is much higher in the long run. Plus, depending on your insurance company,m your rates may not drop, or you may get dropped from coverage.
If you go to court, you have to face the type of court it is. Last time I got a speeding ticket in Meck county (a long long time ago - I got the ticket thrown out btw), traffic court was mixed with other minor offenses including DUI, child support, theft, assault, etc. Compared to the more serious crimes, speeding was not high on the DA's list of cases to present that day. In raleigh, traffic court was more of a kangaroo court, where you're beaten into PFJs plus court costs (again, haven't been there for a while). Greensboro has administrative court where you can agree to taking a safety course to get most cases dismissed.
Best bet is just getting a lawyer who can get the charge changed to a non-moving violation and you pay a nominal fee. This keeps your record clean, your day free from being in a courthouse, and you stressing over the court date.
Location: Charlotte,NC, US, North America, Earth, Alpha Quadrant,Milky Way Galaxy
3,770 posts, read 7,551,028 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mullman
mspiggy007,
Unfortunately it is very different here in Mecklenburg Country.
I have had tickets in MA, PA, NY, OH, VA, SC, & NC (other counties) and what you describe is 100% my experience except here.
Most other places it is very easy to chat with a ADA for 2 minutes and get the ticket, reduced, thrown out, ect.
Hmm, I have to say that it looks like they are so backed up they will instantly ask you if you want to plead down to 5 mph over if you pay the fine and leave. Now since you haven't had a ticket in so long you can tell the DA that you want your sorry, and you'll go to driving school if they can dismiss it.
That scenario *has* worked as recently as 2 months ago.
This is funny, no one mentions to slow down, instead looking to get off after the fact. Hope you did not have children in the car when driving that fast.
This is funny, no one mentions to slow down, instead looking to get off after the fact. Hope you did not have children in the car when driving that fast.
You read my mind. It seems everybody thinks it is ok to go 87 miles per hour?? Not only they are not thinking about the people in their cars, they don't care about the innocent people in other cars they endanger.
Maybe the rest of us need to see an attorney to see that people who speed, DO get their licenses revoked.
Location: Charlotte,NC, US, North America, Earth, Alpha Quadrant,Milky Way Galaxy
3,770 posts, read 7,551,028 times
Reputation: 2118
Quote:
Originally Posted by forumner
You read my mind. It seems everybody thinks it is ok to go 87 miles per hour?? Not only they are not thinking about the people in their cars, they don't care about the innocent people in other cars they endanger.
Maybe the rest of us need to see an attorney to see that people who speed, DO get their licenses revoked.
Well generally I agree with you, although I would say it's context. If the OP said he was drunk, driving 87 in a 35 mph on a rainy night, yeah, there wouldn't be to much assistance I believe. However tickets are issued at the discretion of the issuing officer. It's his/her call to write one up, tell you to slow down, or do anything. I think it's good to take the context of a situation into consideration as everything is not black and white- if that's the case we should all turn ourselves in for not stopping fully at a stop sign, going 1 mile over any speed limit at any time, or failing to use a turning signal.
Now we all have the right of due process and have that right have the charge challenged in a court of law. The poster has said that he hasn't had a violation in 5 years and in the turmoil of moving (I know how that is) you forget to do these things- that should be considered as well and will be.
Go to court on any given day right before it opens and watch the DAs come out and tell anyone who wants to plea down their violation in exchange for paying the fine today and leaving and you'll see our legal system in action (love it, hate it, or be indifferent). Given that, everyone has the right to navigate the system with this knowledge.
Well generally I agree with you, although I would say it's context. If the OP said he was drunk, driving 87 in a 35 mph on a rainy night, yeah, there wouldn't be to much assistance I believe. However tickets are issued at the discretion of the issuing officer. It's his/her call to write one up, tell you to slow down, or do anything. I think it's good to take the context of a situation into consideration as everything is not black and white- if that's the case we should all turn ourselves in for not stopping fully at a stop sign, going 1 mile over any speed limit at any time, or failing to use a turning signal.
Now we all have the right of due process and have that right have the charge challenged in a court of law. The poster has said that he hasn't had a violation in 5 years and in the turmoil of moving (I know how that is) you forget to do these things- that should be considered as well and will be.
Go to court on any given day right before it opens and watch the DAs come out and tell anyone who wants to plea down their violation in exchange for paying the fine today and leaving and you'll see our legal system in action (love it, hate it, or be indifferent). Given that, everyone has the right to navigate the system with this knowledge.
Traffic court is really nothing more than a source of revenue for a municipality. That's exactly why the ADA's will let you plea out. While the police may not have quotas, I bet there's pressure when there are budgetary holes to fill. Traffic enforcement is a pretty arbitrary system, all things considered.
Actually 87 mph isn't that fast on a good road, in a well maintained car, with little to no traffic.
Many times in the 70s I was a child in the backseat while my parents drove 120+ on the German Autobahn.
We were in Germany last year and I hit 168 mph on a clear stretch between Munich and Dingolfing.
Many were running 135+ mph.
I surely would not do that in the USA though, well, not that extreme.
I really didnt know the Geo Metros went that fast!
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