Advice on speeding ticket needed

[dragonmojo]

Also, stuffing the front brake HARD when I see the roof mounted blue lites doesn't make the headlite dive...

Hmm, that's a good point.

[Buckster]

I guess I have always just paid the ticket and moved on. I have never had my insurance rates raised for a speeding ticket. If you were in danger of losing a liscence due to points I would understand going to the class. Otherwise I am not sure why having a completely squeeky clean driving record is totally that important.

[cadhopper]

In Virginia we have a "Driver Improvement Class". I too got my first speeding ticket in over 20 years about 3 years ago. The judge that I went before told me if I took the class that he would dismiss the ticket.

I did and he did.

Look into it----hopefully your state has the same.

Wayne

Don't get a ticket in King and Queen county in Virginia. The judge rarely lets anyone take the class. One guy I talked to said his lawyer refused to come to court because he knew the judge and it was a total waste of time. When I went before the judge his comment was I had enough safe driving points to cover the ticket so he saw no reason to let me take the class. The officer tried to help by telling the judge I was very cooperative I and that had not received a ticket in 16 years but the judge could have cared less. BTW he told me I was more than welcome to take the class but he would not reduce my fine or remove the points from my record.

[Dominor]

This is related to R1150R how? I guess there should be a forum for speeding ticket issues. OR BAYBE THE "OFF-TOPIC" FORUM!!

[Paul Mihalka]

In Maryland and many other States, if it is your first ticket in a long time and go to court, you may get "probation before judgment". It means that if for a certain time, mostly one year, you do not get another ticket, this one is forgiven. If you get another one, you pay and get points for both.

[Ves]

If you want a "guarantee" for no points, get a lawyer.

As much as I detest lawyers, that statement is very good advice.

[pneuby]

I've been a municipal police officer, and have testified in traffic court numerous times. I've also received a few tickets in the last 13yrs since I've left policing. I just completed school for a photo red-light offense.

The attorney won't do you much good in the vast majority of circumstances. First off, the cop is likely to show up. In most cases, he/she is going to make at least 2 or 3hrs. of overtime pay just for doing so.

Second, most cops will have their ducks in a row for testimony in simple traffic citations {despite what your opinion may be of their ability in-general}. The attorney will not be able to impeach either the officer's credibility, or testimony. In the end, you'll have spent a good sum on the lawyer, PLUS the fine/s and/or points you'll be nailed with.

Driving school. Take it if it is/was offered to you at the time of the citation. In most states, you get away with NO points, and your insurance company is none the wiser. Plus, the cost will likely be less than the fine, and certainly less than the fine and the raise in your insurance rates.

[reidmct]

The attorney won't do you much good in the vast majority of circumstances. First off, the cop is likely to show up. In most cases, he/she is going to make at least 2 or 3hrs. of overtime pay just for doing so.

Interesting. In the Texas jurisdiction of which I have knowledge, the cops get paid nothing for court time. This makes a certain sense to me.

Otherwise, imagine the cross-examination:

Officer Smith, isn't it true that you are being paid to be here today to testify against my client?

Isn't it in fact true that you are being paid overtime to testify today?

Isn't it true that the more people you cite, and the more time you spend in court, the more money you make? And that you make more money sitting in court than you do protecting and serving the citizens of this community?

So, do you deny that you have a financial motivation to target my client so as to increase the time you spend in court earning overtime pay?

[TicTac50]

All the police officers have financial motivation in the ticket situation. Not to mention the quotas they have to meet. Watch the News. How many people lately have been arrested for DUI with the blood alcohol level 0.00
But Police Officer will gladly put in the report: "Failed Sobriety Test" just to score "brownie".
They hate Socialism but love their Social job, and the perks from the Insurance companies are always welcome.
If I break the Law, I am willing to pay the fine, but when the Law Enforcement is together with the Insurance Companies, that is where I have a problem.

[TonyT607]

[Jimbobvfr]

hmm, Why is this on the R forum? um, maybe people occasionally exceed the limit on their bikes. In my case, I dropped off my car in Germany, and picked it up 30 days later near LA. Anxious to get out of town before the morning grind, I was up at off by 4:30. Cruisin along in my G35 coupe at about 90 or so, mostly keeping up with the semis going down the hill, my rear-view exploded in an assault of bright white and blue lights. Immediately pulling over to the let the landing Jet Plane pass, I was surprised to see it still behind me. Keep in mind this is my first day driving below 90 in over 9 yrs. The officer was curt and I had my ticket and back on the road within 8 minutes. The car still had the shipping stickers on it, and I had my European license. I spent $25 for ticketassassin.com, posted the $186 bond, submitted for a written declaration, and challenged the ticket because the officer had not listed his veh #. 6 weeks later I got a note saying ticket was dismissed and 2 months later got my bond back from LA superior court. Because of my additional driver training, and European exposure, speed isn't a factor for me. Following the posted rules, signalling to turn, and focusing on driving are my watchwords. AFter driving in Cali for just over a year, I still follow those rules, and haven't gotten another ticket(knock on wood). I tend to drive faster in the curves than on the straighaways, don't get pumped up by the boyz, and understand that there are higher emphasis places - like Mt Hamilton road, Alices, Hwy 1 during Laguna, etc. that I just won't ride fast.