Hlep. I failed.

[Shaisters]

I got my first ever speeding ticket this last Sunday on the way home from Shelton. I was totally deserving of it because I let the left lane campers get under my skin and I saw my opportunity to pass on the right and took it. 1/4 mile later got I got the flashers in my rear view. I would like to chalk this up as finally getting caught and paying my dues, learning my lesson etc. I did a little research though and read that it is possible for Washington drivers to get a ticket deferred if they adhere to the guidelines set by the judge and the judge agrees to it in the first place. I'm just curious how to go about this route, since I know what I did was wrong () and would like to move on with my life...just without the skyrocketing insurance rates that would likely go along with pleading all out guilty.

tl;dr How do I go about getting an infraction deferred in Pierce County?

[starscream1201]

I had this done in snohomish county for my first speeding ticket as well. You are allowed one deferral every 7years. If you get another ticket within a year from your deferral, you get slammed with both tickets now. It's really easy to get a deferral (at least I thought it was) get to the court room early, generally a county prosecutor is there wanting to look at every bodies case for them and see what they can get out of. I told him I wanted to have mine deferred, he told the judge. Judge called me up said my deferral was approved since it was a first time violation. Year and a half later, still have a squeaky clean record 😎


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[starscream1201]

Also, that's some very unfortunate luck....I pass in the right lane fairly often and have also passed several cops. None have ever even given me a second look.


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[Shaisters]

So I need to either contest the ticket, or mitigate it to get a court date?

[starscream1201]

Don't contest, that's saying your innocent. But yes you need a court date.


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[raven1231]

I applaud you op for not being like all the idiots on this site. You were speeding and got a ticket, and aren't blaming the cops or any other bull shit. Good luck with your deferral!

[ZionsWrath]

Not sure your states regs but I'd just hire a traffic ticker lawyer. They do this everyday. Plus you shouldnt have to show up to the date so no missed work or anything.

If you don't have $ for the lawyer plead not guilty and go yourself. I've had several tickets reduced just for pleading not guilty and showing up. Didn't even have to ask.

But it all depends on your area. For example I have had tickets in NYC and they don't do deals on tickets in NYC. But I have had tickets in neighboring counties and all of them have done me deals.

I been trying hard to avoid getting a ticket altogether the last few years as it saves the trouble. Though I know sometimes I can't help it

[Brayden_23]

I had a ticket deferred a year and a half ago as well. Looking back, I think it's worth the money for a traffic lawyer. I watched one when I showed up a bit early and he had all of the tickets he was fighting all taken care of on some technicality. Think it would be better to go that route that way you don't have to sweat for a year hoping you don't get another one since you would then be slapped with both fines. I think the cost to defer still added up to a sizable amount though, so the only real benefit is the possibility of keeping it off your record.

[Shaisters]

I think a few of you are missing the point here. I know I screwed the pooch, I'm owning up to it. I just don't want insurance to go up so I'd like to go the deferred route and make myself drive cautiously for the next year. It's probably for the best.

[RobertPaulson]

i suggest getting a traffic lawyer anyway, i ran into a situation years ago where i went in to get my ticket deferred and the judge simply stated he does not give out deferrals. I wish i had just paid the traffic lawyer because in the long run it would have cost me less money than the ticket, plus court fees, plus a hike on insurance plus a day of pay lost.

[slyphen]

is this a speeding ticket? if so, it may be worth it to either fight it yourself or get a local traffic attorney. i'd save the deferral for a bigger mistake.

[starscream1201]

Originally Posted by Shaisters

I think a few of you are missing the point here. I know I screwed the pooch, I'm owning up to it. I just don't want insurance to go up so I'd like to go the deferred route and make myself drive cautiously for the next year. It's probably for the best.

I can't speak for pierce county, because my ticket was in snohomish, but the deferral only cost me $120. Which was less than half my original ticket. So I saved a ton of money, and my insurance did not go up.

Also on a side note, there was a kid probably around 16-17 that received a ticket for doing 90 in a 35 and he was granted a deferral as well.


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[Djratrap]

Look up Fred Hopkins, say a friend recommended you and he will usually give a discount. He usually charges around 250-300. He's pretty well known in the enthusiast community. He saved my ass a few times in my younger years. Don't waste your deferral, unless it's a pretty steep/severe ticket.

[Jajanken86]

I'm in a similar boat. I ran a red light and saw the camera flashes. The fine is about $300. The area had no speed limits too. I just made a bad call whether to brake hard or speed up -__- It happened back in Feb and shortly after I spoke with a clerk at the court. She set me up for a hearing in August. What's the best I can do from here on? Can I defer it even if it's not a speeding ticket?

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