got first speeding ticket. should i go to court?

[sallgoodman123]

Originally Posted by WGMGR

Did you get the points taken away though? I don't care about paying, it's just the points I don't want.

No points, nothing. No record. Cop didn't show up so the judge told me I was free to go.

However, I wouldn't risk it again because it seemed like everyone who showed up to fight it got ****ed over by the cop. What was curious to me though was that the handful of people I knew (like 3) who also had their ticket thrown out due to lack of cop had tickets that were after midnight. Was it because those were night shift cops who wanted to end their shift and sleep? I don't know...pure speculation here. I am no way an expert here, just something odd I noticed.

If this happens again, I think I would just do the traffic school online, no point on record. Judge is going to side with the cop anyway.

[extrashaky]

You need to talk with a traffic attorney in the jurisdiction where you got the ticket. That's your only real hope.

[Atropine]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Welp, that depends upon your insurance company and the judge in court that day.

Generally, I would agree with the advice of the previous posters.

UNLESS ...... it was about 40 years ago near Los Banos, CA.

It was a bright, sunny day and I was heading across the valley on Route 152 (a very flat and straight road).

When I "thought" I had cleared Los Banos ...... I hammered down on my 1972 Ford Gran Torino (YES, it was ..... green).

The Sheriff thought that 100 MPH was just a little too fast.

So, I went before “the judge” in Los Banos …… BAD move on my part!

It was ugly …..

Shortly after that, I-5 opened up and I NEVER went through Los Banos again.

humfrz

I love reading Humfrz stories on here and on the Miata site lol.

[billwot]

Every state is different. Find out what your local law says

You need to talk with a traffic attorney in the jurisdiction where you got the ticket.

Free legal advice from a message board (like most free advice from a message board), is worth exactly what you pay for it!

[tyrantcf]

If you go to court and are polite, well dressed, honest/apologetic, I'd be shocked if your charge/fine wasn't reduced.

I'd go, if you have the time, and then try to take the class afterwards also. You could end up with a clean record and be out minimal cash for the ticket itself.

[F3RGY68]

Mine was dropped 9mph for showing up for court and taking the class. However, I plan if I get another ticket (hope not), on debating that I was speeding. This obviously would go smoother if the cop doesn't show. You're innocent until proven guilty, my defense would be there is no way you can prove 100% without a doubt that you were speeding.

Equipment fails, and radar guns in particular need calibration and adjustment. One type uses radio waves, another light. Both of which can be affected by external sources (weather, other devices, light reflections, etc.) Unless calibration records are provided, and they are as recent as the day you were clocked, then I'd say it's worth a shot. Otherwise, take the class and it doesn't go on license record. I know I paid for the ticket on insurance though for 3 years.

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by Atticus808

1 speeding ticket won't effect your insurance. It shouldn't at least.

You don't understand American Insurance companies lol, most states increase your premium for a ticket involving points. Whenever the Ins. Co. can make $$$$ they will do whatever it takes.

[torqdork]

My last ticket many years ago was in a Prius, sheesh. Ironically, I'd met the moto cop at a Northwest Moto Rodeo the previous weekend at Hillsboro fairgrounds but he was merciless and wrote me up for actual damages, 47 in a 35.

Knowing that my insurance renewal was due in a couple of months and that it would affect rates since I was guilty, I requested and was given two delays. In my state, the first is granted automatically, the second was after some excuse just to get me over the renewal date and keep better rates for another year.

Before the now twice delayed hearing date, I went to the courthouse and paid the cashier who cut the fine about in half like they do for everyone who doesn't attempt to plead not guilty.

The ticket a few years before that one I beat (78 in a 65) because the deputy charged me with violating a county statute when I was a few hundred yards within a city boundary where the county statute technically didn't apply. I did my own research but had my attorney present the case. The deputy wasn't happy and came running up to hector my attorney after the case was dismissed. I've seen the deputy a couple of times since then at the county gun range but don't think he recognizes me and I'm not about to remind him of that day.

[lonborghini]

I recommend always pleading not guilty and defending yourself in traffic court. The National Motorists Association has a lot of information on mounting a defense. And if you're a member they'll pay the fine as long as you plead not guilty and go to court. Make the state prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. You are not required to testify per the fifth amendment. The state has to testify and you can cross examine with hundreds of questions.
I don't always win but i always make them work for their conviction. Just do it.

[Teseo]

Dont go and become the most wanted start robbing dvds, traffic heroine to usa border line
maybe you can become friend of a corrupt fbi agent and he can try to help you out in the court.
If not we will take you out when transfering you to max security prison then we can go to Brazil and steal all the money of the corrupt governor and move on to spain wheres no extradition.
It will be good life, are you ready?

[Ashikabi]

I've heard of people having good luck fighting tickets. If you lose don't you pay the same fine anyways? At least you have a slim chance of winning I guess

[stevesnj]

Just call the prosecutor and policeman and ask for it to be reduced to a lesser point violation.

[Tcoat]

At serious risk of sounding like a crotchety old bastard:
What ever happened to taking responsibility for your actions? You break the law, you take your lumps and move on.
Yes, without a doubt, fight for your rights if innocent but to argue tickets you know you are guilty of is just a drain on the system and cost you (and everybody else) indirectly in tax dollars anyway.
If you do things that can get you a ticket than you need to be able to deal with the fall out.

[WGMGR]

Do you guys think getting a lawyer would be a good idea? To hopefully not get it on my record and I can't imagine they would cost more than like 500 dollars.