Speeding ticket question. best answer please help?

phillykelloggguy

Definitely try to plead this down, especially if it's a first offense. You have nothing to lose by going to court, and everything to gain. Tell the judge that you are sorry, that you take responsibility but ask for leniency and ask if there's any way to reduce the fine/points. You can also try to approach the cop or DA before the case to see if they're willing to deal. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, you can find a local attorney for a couple hundred $ who would help you out. I realize that is expensive, but it could save you $ down the road on your auto insurance as well.

NONAME

I'll say this as a former Police Officer myself. Blindly pleading guilty and paying the fine is not the best option.

The burden of prove is on the prosecution. Laws differ in most states. In Georgia, citizens have stronger rights on speed traps. They are illegal here under certain conditions.

Most states know that Radar Guns are not reliable. I've clocked trees at 40 MPH myself. Cops here are required (if asked) to show the speed you were caught at on the radar gun. They must show it was calibrated at the start of their shift. This does not apply to Laser Speed guns. The FCC requires that the department be licensed to use Radar (Some smaller police departments may not have the FCC Radar License). Most departments require the officer to be certified to use radar or laser.

Now, on that, many cops make mistakes when writing the ticket. They may write down the wrong highway, mile maker, color of the car, etc. This makes a good defense many times.

I would recommend you take a local traffic attorney with you. Public defender is fine if needed. If you cannot afford an attorney, then under the Miranda Act you are entitled to one free of charge.

Based on the speed you were going, assuming the cop is right (Which the judge sure will), your best bet is to take a lawyer with you to court. In Georgia, they could also charge you with wreckless driving, excessive speed, and other expensive speed related issues. 20 mph or more over the speed limit here is an automatic 6 months suspension of GA Driver's licenses. Other states have similar laws or traffic codes.

If it looks like you can't fight the ticket and pleading guilty is the only option. Ask the judge for mercy and admit you made a judgment error due to stress, family death, divorce, etc. other than just speeding for the !@#$ of it. Tell him your finances are poor and you may not be able to pay the fine. Ask him if he would consider allowing you to perform community service in lieu of the fine. (My own sister did this recently on a speeding ticket, and the judge agreed).

Keep this in mind. Many traffic courts have a "Court Fee" added to the fine. This applies even if you plead guilty when going to court on the ticket. Most want cash or MO for the total amount, some courts will except credit or debit cards for payments. The Clerk of Court office in your county or city can advise you. If you just pay the fine, it is an admission of guilt, and may add points to your license. The DDS is used in many states (Not here), and you may not be able to get out of it if convicted or a guilty plea in court or by paying the fine.

Good luck, and put a block under your gas pedal until you lose weight in that right Lead Foot.

Louis G

They will generally do a payment plan with you if you can't pay the whole fine up front.

Terence F

Traffic courts all do payment plans if you show up at the court, plead guilty and request to have the fine structured based on your monthly income.

Also, even though the statute may not allow for defensive driving, ask the judge about it anyway. In my state (don't know about all 50) the judge has leeway to reduce the fine in consideration for taking defensive driving. But it still shows up on your driving record as an offense.

The real penalty rolls around when you have to pay double or triple for car insurance because of the record. Start saving your nickels now.

My cousin didn't really pay attention to that, he got nailed for doing 60 in a 30 mph residential area. He paid the ticket and kept his license, but couldn't afford the auto insurance, so he let it slide. Then he got another speeding ticket, and a citation for no insurance. He showed up at the courthouse to pay the fine, and I never heard the whole story, but the judge put him in jail for sixty days because of the insurance thing! So some places take that stuff real seriously ...

loving him

yes, they do payment plans. Ask about them. They will look at your income and bills to decide the monthly payment. Good luck

George A

Usually when the amount of a fine is substantial, the courts will allow you to set up a payment plan and you are usually given between 6 months to a year to pay it off.

Ricky T

they can do community service also if that will be a choice, it will take off about 30 percent of the fine. any other questions let me know! Thanks!

gnpondo

I agree with sherwooa and ucantsee go to court, they usually Knock it down some, Dressing nice and being polite shows you have some respect.

Vince M

If the law states that a Defensive Driving class is not an option, then the judge can't do anything about that. Howeve, pleading your case in court MAY help in reducing the fine, if you get a sympathetic judge.

Like you said, own up and take responsibility for your actions and you'll get a chance to explain your financial situation. You MIGHT get a reduced fine and be able to set up a payment plan for the fine you DO receive.

Take a deep breath, relax, and think, for a moment, about how it was that you found yourself driving almost 30 mph over the limit. Work on the attitude changes that will prevent that from ever happening again. If you are one of those bright people that can learn a life's lesson from this, you will end up a BETTER driver for this. The citation will, eventually fade away from your record. Let's make sure the lesson sticks longer.

Russ B

Its always a good idea to go see the judge other than just pleading guilty and paying the fine on the ticket. All my friends who had traffic tickets and went to court had the fine and points reduced by the judge. And if you can't pay the whole amount at once, they can work out a payment plan for you.

Ed P

First offence means first time caught Do the crime do the time

UCANTCME

1. Dress nice.

2. Plead guilty.

3. Yes to payment plan.

4. Try and ask for the class.

5 You still might loose your license.......depends on the judge.

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