Should I challenge a ticket?

I got my first ticket last night that was not speeding related. It was after bar close and I was really drunk and I saw some other guy tearing down fliers on the street. I thought it would be a great idea to go help him. As soon as I started three cops rolled up and I got put in the back seat of the cop car and giving a $298 ticket. It was for "Throwing rubbish into the roadway." Which I only threw them on the sidewalk. I never do anything like this, usually I'm the one that stops my friends from doing things like this. I am a college student and I really don't have $300 to just throw away. Will they reduce the fine?

shel

Sorry but you should have been a little smarter. You're guilty and he he caught you red handed, will be extremely hard to beat.

Salt&Pepper Apricot

Littering is littering.

Consider it a $300 lesson on how stupid getting drunk and littering really is.

It's money well spent if you learn from this mistake.

wg0z

you're lucky you didn't get cited for public intoxication.
you might have a chance at getting the fine converted to community service ?!?!? dunno.

Bobby

There is a possibility they could give you the minimum fine. You said it was the first time. If you have trouble paying, talk to the judge or prosecutor, tell them you're a student, and ask to be put on a payment plan. Just make sure your payments are on time. if not they could put a contempt charge on you and a warrant.

Good luck.

Darkwind Prophecy

Throwing them into the sidewalk is no different from throwing them in the street, you were still littering. Honestly, I doubt going to court to challenge it would do you any good. You might have a chance had you been sober, but the fact that you were drunk in public will weigh heavily on the court's decision.

slvrfox14

Side walk is a public way and part of the roadway. If I were in your shoes, I'd ask for some kind of community service like picking up litter, and actually do the job.They won't reduce the fine just because you are a college student and don't have a lot of money, if you play that card they will think that you feel you are above the law, unlike the poor unemployed buggers who really don't have the money, and not just have to make the sacrifice of not going out to a club and drinking until stupid or not going to Banana Republic.A&F or Aerpoastle for clothes.

Mike

It is entirely possible that they will reduce the fine in a plea bargain. The worst possible outcome would be the fine stands as is.

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