I got a speeding ticket, do i have to go to court, or do i just pay the fine and that's it?

bobmarley_isgod

write to the D.A. to get it reduced

ore2nc

Here in NC we have what's called "prayer for justice". Instead of mailing in the fees and having your insurance go up, you go to court and ask for a prayer for justice. If you have a good record, sometimes they will drop it and sometimes they will send you to a day of safe driving class and the ticket will go into a kind of limbo for three years. At the end of three years, it will be gone away for good from your record but if you get another ticket, you end up with both of them on your record. Check and see if there is anything like that in your state. At 17, your insurance is already high as the sky. Good luck!

Jon

I am a former traffic officer with a little experience in speeding tickets and juveniles. Usually you can pay the fine. In Virginia you are not in the reckless driving range. But, your insurance company will find out. Tell your parents and have them go to court with you. You probably don't need a lawyer. The judge might lower the speed just because you appeared in court. Good luck.

You may have to go to court. Depending on what the state laws are about speeding.

jmm5570

Some states require 17 and under to appear in court, but I'm not sure about Missouri. If you don't have to, you just pay the fine, and it will go on your record and will make your insurance go up. The court will probably not send anything to your house, but your address is on file and you will likely get letters soliciting legal advice. I would take defensive driving and prevent the insurance premium hikes. Hope this helps

Andy S

The ticket itself should state whether your appearence in court is necessary and your options. Read the fine print!

islander

You will soon get mailings to your home from the attorneys pick one and pay the $50.-$75. they can usually get adjudication withheld which means no points or conviction.

Douglas R

I don't think you can pay the ticket out of court because you are 17 years old. And yes it will make your insurance go up and if your mother and father are on the same insurance they will get fu-ked all so just because of a lead foot dumb ***,slow down save your life or some one else don't be a dumb ***.

Albannach

The best option would be to call the court and ask about those details. It's usually best to go in person and pay the fine, that way you've got the receipt in hand.

Mike S

In my state, if you didn't pay your ticket on the spot, they take your license as collateral. Once you pay, they send your license back to you. I'm in Illinois, and that's how it works here. Yes, unfortunately, your insurance will go up... mine went up $156 every six months (the insurance company had to wait six months before they hiked it, though). And because of your age, your insurance will go up even more. See if you can do court supervision in addition to paying your fine; if you can drive six months without a ticket under court supervision, the ticket will not show up on your record and therefore your insurance will not go up. Again, this is all for Illinois, but I think Missouri is similar. Good luck.

cmp1212

First, I would go to court and ask for supporting documentation(officer will send it to you). If you do not get the supporting documentation the ticket should be dismissed. If not talk to the ADA or DA about having the ticket reduced. If not you will have points added to your license and your insurance will definitely will go up.

fr_chuck

you can pay it, no they don't normally send you anything back.

You should already have a court date, it should be listed on the ticket.

Yes it will make your insurance go up.

You may wish to go to court, if the officer does not show up, the judge may dismiss the case.

zen

Look at the ticket.

All the ones I have ever received (in Ohio) have a box the cop checks to say if it is "waiverable" or not.

If it can be waived, you can mail payment. If not, you have to appear in court.

Appearing in court also involves court costs. More expensive.

Call the court, and ask.

Tsk, tsk, you scofflaw! Be careful out there! :-))

John4no17

I think you get three points against your liscense and it depends on your insurance company, some have 1st time foregiveness. No you don't go to court unless you don't agree with the fine.

BeachBum

In my state if the ticket was for 15+ over the speed limit, going to court is mandatory.

Take my advice because of the huge increase in your insurance, get an attorney and have that speed lowered. It might cost you a couple hundred bucks but it is A LOT cheaper in the long run.

Scott K

The citation, either on the front or reverse side, will contain the rules for what you need to do. Usually, you can just send in the money and plead no contest. Most states however have different rules for those who materially violate the laws, so make sure you read your ticket.

Since you are only 17, your insurance will very likely go up. If it's happened before, it will definitely go up.

Consider challenging the ticket in court. In most states there are rules for the use of radar devices; e.g., they have to be certified daily by an expert, who in turn can be subpoened to appear in court to document the certification. Another scam is photo-id, those cameras really don't take very good pictures.

Chilly Willy

Use a check,that's you receipt.Probably not,unless your considered a bad driver,with a lot of points.

Zelda Hunter

Your parents are not going to be happy about this. Their insurance rates (you are too young to have your own policy) will go up, so if you don't want that to happen you can try to take it t court. I am guessing though that you don't have a legal leg to stand on. If you are going to fight it in court, you will probably need a lawyer. This will cost a lot more than the ticket. Once your parents find out that you got the ticket and hid it from them, you are most likely going to be grounded.
The best plan would probably be to take the "mature" approach and admit your mistake to your parents, assure them that this will never happen again, as long as you are on their policy, pledge to pay them back for the ticket and cost of insurance increases and surcharges. Unless they are rolling in money, and let you get away with anything, they are not going to let you get away with this without a punishment - which you deserve!

mahgri

Yep, your insurance will go up. Be sure to inform the insurance company of the ticket; if you have an accident without notifying them, they may not pay out.
If you aren't contesting the ticket, you have to pay the fine, either mail it in, or pay at the court clerk. The ticket should have instructions on how to proceed. Look at your state/local laws to see if you have to make an appearance at court.
And be thankful you don't live in NH; you would have lost your license.

Eddie

What do you want to do?

Pay the ticket if you did it. If you didn't then take it to court. But your chances aren't good by fighting it.

Pay it in person to the Clerk of the Court. Get a receipt. Then you'll know you've paid it.

Steve b, a Human Bean

Can't answer for Missouri but can tell you that in Milwaukee, WI you always go to court for the first appearance because usually the DA or other court official will offer a deal to lower the ticket and/or the fine. If it is a major ticket such as reckless driving or more then 15 or 20 over the speed limit you should always go to court to try to make a deal. Personally I do not agree with our system as far as traffic tickets go, but the officer will always be believed over the citizen, plain and simple fact.

In Milwaukee County court deputy's run the "intake court" and always offer either a lower ticket or fine or both. Pleading not guilty is also a choice but the system can seldom be beat. After all, as is everything, it's about the money.

rlms_girl

You can request a court hearing if you want to contest it.
If you want to admit guilt, then go down to the courthouse, and give them the money. I'm not sure about mailing in... You may want to call the courthouse directly and ask them about their policy on mailing in fines. It won't make your ins. go up right away, but when you go to renew it, it will be a little higher. good luck

ART

Read the ticket and do what it says. Save your cashed check as a reciept. If you still don`t know what to do ask the Court Clerk.
I was fined and paid it. 4 1/2 years later the State suddenly said I didn`t pay, even though up till then my record showed I had. I had to pay them again because I couldn`t prove that I had paid.
B#$@%^!
Don`t worry about your insurance.

Mary

get a lawyer

govtagent_2001

Not it won't -It should good down.

Neil B

The arresting officer should have explained everything to you. Is there an explanation on the back of your ticket? I'm sure there is someone you can talk to at the court house that could explain what you need to do.

Clydesdale

pay or go to court & try to fight it.yes youre insurance will go up.if you send through the mail you better have proof that you pay it....

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