So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

[maddlingo]

He caught me doing 77mph in a 60mph zone. The ticket is only $80, but I think I'll contest it anyways to get the points off my record.

What a shit way to start the week.

[Kamal]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

if you dont win, you'll be charged extra for court fees

[maddlingo]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

if you dont win, you'll be charged extra for court fees

Do you know how much the court fees run?

[Kamal]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

no clue..... someone I know got one in WV and was charged $80 over the ticket in court fees

[LV-8]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

Most of the time the prosecuter will take off points but balance it out with a lareger fine. Bro, TAKE the lager finer. You do not want points on your license b/c Insurance companies will eat you alive due to points.

[Kamal]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

that is another thing.... how do they check for points ? because not all states share DMV databases, so getting a ticket in one state (and you living in another) might not show up on your record at all.

not to mention, I recently called Geico to get a quote, she asked me on the phone how many tickets.... if she is basing the ticket based on my response, then can't anyone give incorrect information and get a lower monthly payment ?

[peloquin]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

lame... sorry to hear that.

i guess i've been lucky... had my license 9 years - been pulled over only 3 times and never had a ticket (one of the times would have been a definate ticket for 25 miles per hour over the limit, but it was my eighteenth birthday and he let me off )

[geoffgulley]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

your chances of winning in court are somewhere between nil and none... you'll say you weren't going that fast, cop will say you were (if he/she shows up)... case closed thanks for stopping by. i've never heard of a prosecuter taking a larger fine in exchange for points as traffic court is different from municiple (crimes) court and is handled by a judge not a prosecuter. if it's your first ticket go to traffic school, if it's not pay the fine, go on and don't get another for at least two years.

[threehills]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

I would go to court. I used to be a cop. The judge will commonly make you an offer that is better than not going to court. For example, where I was from speeding was two points on you license. But in court, if you agree to the bargain at the start and avoid a "trial" the judge will often knock it down to a non moving violation which only carries 1 point. If you don't agree and have the "trial" don't expect any break if you lose.

The cop is the one who will commonly suggest the offer to the judge. Find him before your court time, out in the lobby or something and ask politely if there is anything to be done or any lesser fine/charge he can suggest.

[toasty]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

i've never heard of a prosecuter taking a larger fine in exchange for points as traffic court is different from municiple (crimes) court and is handled by a judge not a prosecuter. if it's your first ticket go to traffic school, if it's not pay the fine, go on and don't get another for at least two years.

Respectfully, this is just not correct. Prosecutors routinely accept larger fines in exchange for a plea to a non-moving (read: non-point) violation, such as improper parking or excessive vehicle noise. Some prosecutors will work directly with you, but most won't -- most will only deal with an attorney. This is because, if you have an attorney, the prosecutor knows that he or she is on a level playing field with you, can't push you around, and may actually have to do some work to get a conviction. Most prosecutors would spare the aggravation for guaranteed revenue for the city, unless you're doing something really outrageous.

Also, I've handled tickets all over the place for folks, and I've never dealt directly with the judge. On your court date, if you're the defendant and you're not putting up a full blown defense, you might only see the judge because municipal courts tend to have fairly loose procedural rules, but there's always a prosecutor involved.

Please, for the love of God, don't just pay the fine. That's the worst advice I've ever heard, and I hear it all the time. PM me if you live in Missouri or Illinois and I've handle the ticket for you gratis on general principle.

[rewing3]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

My suggestion to you is just pay the ticket. You will have to pay court fees either way. Which I think can be anywhere to 50 or 60 bucks extra. Plus you might have to take a day off of work and lose pay for that. Really I don't think it is worth it. At least in my opinion.

[toasty]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

Looking at your post now, I see you're in MD, so there's not much I can personally do. I'd recommend going to the court on your court date and seeing if you can agree to plea to an amended charge that carries no points. If they won't deal with you directly, ask for a continuance and get a lawyer -- shouldn't cost you more than $100 to get the ticket fixed, but you'll save much more than that in insurance...

[maddlingo]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

Thanks for all the advice. I don't mind paying the fine and court costs as long as they reduce or drop the points all together. A co-worker said that the court costs are around 30 dollars here in Maryland for a traffic violation and that she has gone to court for several speeding tickets and has received a reduced fine/points for a couple of them or the cop didn't show for a couple of them also. This is my first speeding ticket in 6 years so hopefully there will be some leniency. I don't want my insurance rates to go up.

[geoffgulley]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

Respectfully, this is just not correct. Prosecutors routinely accept larger fines in exchange for a plea to a non-moving (read: non-point) violation, such as improper parking or excessive vehicle noise. Some prosecutors will work directly with you, but most won't -- most will only deal with an attorney. This is because, if you have an attorney, the prosecutor knows that he or she is on a level playing field with you, can't push you around, and may actually have to do some work to get a conviction. Most prosecutors would spare the aggravation for guaranteed revenue for the city, unless you're doing something really outrageous.

Also, I've handled tickets all over the place for folks, and I've never dealt directly with the judge. On your court date, if you're the defendant and you're not putting up a full blown defense, you might only see the judge because municipal courts tend to have fairly loose procedural rules, but there's always a prosecutor involved.

Please, for the love of God, don't just pay the fine. That's the worst advice I've ever heard, and I hear it all the time. PM me if you live in Missouri or Illinois and I've handle the ticket for you gratis on general principle.

Thanks for the info.... I personally haven't had a speeding ticket in over 15 years.... (did i just jinx myself?) so what the hell do I know eh? That and pops is a patent attorney so I missed all the fun stuff growing up. Just for my info how much would the insurance typically go up? Would it actually be more than the fine and the lawyer fees combined? Is there more to this story? (multiple moving violations etc recently?) I have absolutely no point of reference so I'm just attempting to educate myself here.

[Kobe]

Re: So, I got a speeding ticket yesterday.....

Around here it is pretty much automatic that if you show up at court they will knock it down at step, i.e 4pts --> 2, 2pts --> 0, etc.

77 in a 60, that sucks, here in NJ you will be holding up traffic if you were going that slow those are usually the PA drivers