speeding ticket/traffic court (San Diego: insurance, how much, lawyer) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

treevernal · 05-07-2012, 04:49 PM

Well, it had to happen eventually. I got my first speeding ticket in socal almost 2 months ago. It took forever to get the notice in the mail for it, however.

My court date is this Wed, May 9th. I am unclear, however, whether I should do this online "traffic school" before Wed or wait until after? Will they give me further instruction at court on Wednesday or will I be required to pay the fine right away?

I def want to do traffic school to avoid penalties on my license/increased insurance rates.

Do they also decrease the fine amount if you go to court/complete traffic school? From the paperwork they gave me, it looks like you have to pay for traffic school as well???

Any info would help, thanks!

Dan

earlyretirement · 05-07-2012, 05:19 PM

You might want to just try to fight it. I have a friend that got a few tickets and he swears by just showing up to the court date and fighting it. He claims if the officer doesn't show up you can get it dismissed. I've never personally done this but I'm not sure about it in California but this is a good friend and he says he totally got out of a few tickets this way.

The girl that cuts my hair also says she pays a lawyer something like $100 to go and do the same thing and he has gotten them dismissed and she has avoided them going on her record.

moved · 05-07-2012, 05:19 PM

Do your traffic school in advance if you can, then you can tell the judge that you've taken it, and you're waiting for your certificate. They don't decrease the amount of the fine, you still have to pay the ticket and for traffic school, but you won't have a point on your license, and your insurance won't go up.

Traffic school doesn't cost that much. You can choose which one that you want to take. I think mine was around $19.95.

You can also fight it, and I think there's an attorney that calls himself, "Mr. Ticket."

earlyretirement · 05-07-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moved

You can also fight it, and I think there's an attorney that calls himself, "Mr. Ticket."

Moved,

Yeah, I think that's the guy that the girl that cuts my hair uses. She said she is horrible with speeding tickets and she said this guy has gotten her out of tickets 3 times or so. The fee seemed reasonable.

I also have a lead foot so I imagine my good luck will end sooner or later. When I get a speeding ticket I think i'll just try one of these lawyers.

treevernal · 05-07-2012, 05:35 PM

Thanks for the advice. I would feel stupid fighting it though, considering I did in fact speed (86 in 65), :P

Since the rates aren't decreased anyway, is there any point in showing up to court if you're just going to plead guilty?

moved · 05-07-2012, 05:50 PM

I also have a lead foot, and if I drive a small car, I'll get speeding tickets. I solved that problem by not driving small cars anymore, and I don't like them anyway (too small!). I drive a Chevy Astrovan, but at least I don't get speeding tickets in it. One of my neighbors has a Ford Focus, and I drive it on occasion. One time when he rode with me, he said, "boy, you have a lead foot!"

oddstray · 05-07-2012, 06:18 PM

Several years ago I got a ticket for running a stop sign. I never went to court. I think there's some process you need to follow, do the traffic school (it'll cost you something but not too much). Also pay the ticket fine. And I think there was some processing fee.

There's now a traffic school on the web - you might be able to find that if it interests you. If I had to do it again, though, I'd look for one of the comedy traffic schools. They can be a bit of fun, and the instructor explained that the powers-that-be don't care how much fun you have getting the info from traffic school as long as you get it.

sdhkshdcny09 · 05-07-2012, 06:34 PM

I recommend just going to traffic school.

There is a chance that you would never have to visit the courtroom, nor pay the fine.
If you mail/call and plead "not quilty", it is up to the courts to further pursue your case. Not sure what the chances of that are, but in the event that they do, you will have to go to court. However, you can't be charged if the officer fails to show up. A convicted person has the right to face their accuser. I think that's how it works....otherwise I just watch too much Law & Order.

Anyways, when I received a speeding ticket I just paid it, but my friend (who happened to be pulled over at the same place) contested it and paid nothing.

Good luck and drive safe

earlyretirement · 05-07-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moved

I also have a lead foot, and if I drive a small car, I'll get speeding tickets. I solved that problem by not driving small cars anymore, and I don't like them anyway (too small!). I drive a Chevy Astrovan, but at least I don't get speeding tickets in it. One of my neighbors has a Ford Focus, and I drive it on occasion. One time when he rode with me, he said, "boy, you have a lead foot!"

Ha, ha. I drive a larger SUV and still have the same problem. LOL.

The thing is traffic on the highways just moves very quickly here in San Diego. I don't care which highway I've been on....traffic is all moving very quickly. I-5, I-805, I-56, I-15...you name it.....

I know that is no excuse. I'm the type that doesn't really find too much wrong with going faster than the speed limit as long as you are being responsible.

Like I said..I'm sure my good luck will run out sooner or later. A few times on 56 I was going 85 MPH and just following traffic and the guy ahead of me got pulled over for a ticket.....

moved · 05-07-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlyretirement

Ha, ha. I drive a larger SUV and still have the same problem. LOL.

The thing is traffic on the highways just moves very quickly here in San Diego. I don't care which highway I've been on....traffic is all moving very quickly. I-5, I-805, I-56, I-15...you name it.....

I know that is no excuse. I'm the type that doesn't really find too much wrong with going faster than the speed limit as long as you are being responsible.

Like I said..I'm sure my good luck will run out sooner or later. A few times on 56 I was going 85 MPH and just following traffic and the guy ahead of me got pulled over for a ticket.....

Yes, the traffic does move very quickly here, and I sure hope I don't get caught!