ticket question and advise please
05-23-07, 05:06 PM
#16
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Well, I was in a similar...but worse situtation a few weeks back. It was 4:45 in the morning and I was on my way home from work on I-95. I got pulled over by a officer (dept. doesn't need to be disclosed). He said I was doing 120 in a 55...which was complete bull. I have an Escort 8500 mind you, but he said he paced me, even wrote paced on the ticket. There is no way on this earth I was doing 120; I'll admit I was speeding (between 95-100), but def not 120. Anyways, the ticket was $307, but like I do with every other ticket, I just gave it to an attorney. So my advice would be to give it to an attorney; they seem to do the trick. Good luck!
05-23-07, 05:10 PM
#17
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
ticket question and advise please
Hey all,
I was stopped today doing 90 at 65 in my car and the fine is $208.50 (is this the right amount in FL?). This is my first ticket and the FHP said he did not want to cut me a break since a radar detector was in use. Could I please get some opinion on what I should do (fight it, lawyer to reduce the fee, pay it). The thing is, I know I was going a little too fast off I95 but he said I was going 90 and he didn't show me his radar gun. He was traveling the other direction, was he just guessing how fast I was going or could he have just clocked my speed?
BTW what does this mean?
On the ticket it says "Note: if your lisense, registration, tag, insurance was valid at the time of the citation was issued. You may present it within (30) days to clerk of court and the Charge will be dismissed. A fee may be assessed."
I know that there are alot of officers on this site, could you kindly please assist me in my best decision
Thanks for all your help!!!
I was stopped today doing 90 at 65 in my car and the fine is $208.50 (is this the right amount in FL?). This is my first ticket and the FHP said he did not want to cut me a break since a radar detector was in use. Could I please get some opinion on what I should do (fight it, lawyer to reduce the fee, pay it). The thing is, I know I was going a little too fast off I95 but he said I was going 90 and he didn't show me his radar gun. He was traveling the other direction, was he just guessing how fast I was going or could he have just clocked my speed?
BTW what does this mean?
On the ticket it says "Note: if your lisense, registration, tag, insurance was valid at the time of the citation was issued. You may present it within (30) days to clerk of court and the Charge will be dismissed. A fee may be assessed."
I know that there are alot of officers on this site, could you kindly please assist me in my best decision
Thanks for all your help!!!
05-23-07, 05:14 PM
#18
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
ticket question and advise please
Hey all,
I was stopped today doing 90 at 65 in my car and the fine is $208.50 (is this the right amount in FL?). This is my first ticket and the FHP said he did not want to cut me a break since a radar detector was in use. Could I please get some opinion on what I should do (fight it, lawyer to reduce the fee, pay it). The thing is, I know I was going a little too fast off I95 but he said I was going 90 and he didn't show me his radar gun. He was traveling the other direction, was he just guessing how fast I was going or could he have just clocked my speed?
I know that there are alot of officers on this site, could you kindly please assist me in my best decision
Thanks for all your help!!!
I was stopped today doing 90 at 65 in my car and the fine is $208.50 (is this the right amount in FL?). This is my first ticket and the FHP said he did not want to cut me a break since a radar detector was in use. Could I please get some opinion on what I should do (fight it, lawyer to reduce the fee, pay it). The thing is, I know I was going a little too fast off I95 but he said I was going 90 and he didn't show me his radar gun. He was traveling the other direction, was he just guessing how fast I was going or could he have just clocked my speed?
I know that there are alot of officers on this site, could you kindly please assist me in my best decision
Thanks for all your help!!!
05-23-07, 05:21 PM
#19
Lead Lap
Join Date: May 2007
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I've had several instances where the office gave out multiple tickets, and did show up, but the court was too busy to hear my case. I was free to go.
On another instance, when I was new to Houston, I wrecked my 1997 Nissan Maxima driving around in downtown through a poorly lit area. I hit a curb and caused $2500 worth of damage to my car. The officer showed up and classified it as an accident (no other cars involved). I went to court with pics of the area, and a video showing how poorly lit the road was, and the fact that the curb wasn't painted. The officer never showed up, so my charges were dropped and I was free to go.
Take your chances and live on the edge. Go to court and hope Johnny Law doesn't show (no offense directed to officers in this forum).
05-23-07, 05:30 PM
#21
Lexus Champion
Going the traffic court route is fine IF YOU HAVE THE TIME. I don't know what kind of jobs/schedule you guys have, but my time is worth far more than wasting a half day in traffic court just to save a couple of hundred bucks. Maybe if I was a poor student I'd fight it, but it isn't worth it in most instances for a salaried individual.
I don't know how it is in other states, but in TX you can take traffic school to avoid the points IF the speed was less than 25mph over the limit AND you haven't taken the school in the last year. But the total cost for all of this is almost the same as the cost of the original ticket.
I don't know how it is in other states, but in TX you can take traffic school to avoid the points IF the speed was less than 25mph over the limit AND you haven't taken the school in the last year. But the total cost for all of this is almost the same as the cost of the original ticket.
Last edited by Evitzee; 05-23-07 at 05:34 PM.
05-23-07, 05:31 PM
#22
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Worst case scenario if the officer does show and I lost, Will I be paying more because i went to court?
Attorney cost may be higher than your ticket. I would just show up for court. If the officer doesn't show up, you don't owe any money, and your driving record is clean.
I've had several instances where the office gave out multiple tickets, and did show up, but the court was too busy to hear my case. I was free to go.
On another instance, when I was new to Houston, I wrecked my 1997 Nissan Maxima driving around in downtown through a poorly lit area. I hit a curb and caused $2500 worth of damage to my car. The officer showed up and classified it as an accident (no other cars involved). I went to court with pics of the area, and a video showing how poorly lit the road was, and the fact that the curb wasn't painted. The officer never showed up, so my charges were dropped and I was free to go.
Take your chances and live on the edge. Go to court and hope Johnny Law doesn't show (no offense directed to officers in this forum).
I've had several instances where the office gave out multiple tickets, and did show up, but the court was too busy to hear my case. I was free to go.
On another instance, when I was new to Houston, I wrecked my 1997 Nissan Maxima driving around in downtown through a poorly lit area. I hit a curb and caused $2500 worth of damage to my car. The officer showed up and classified it as an accident (no other cars involved). I went to court with pics of the area, and a video showing how poorly lit the road was, and the fact that the curb wasn't painted. The officer never showed up, so my charges were dropped and I was free to go.
Take your chances and live on the edge. Go to court and hope Johnny Law doesn't show (no offense directed to officers in this forum).
05-23-07, 05:32 PM
#23
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Going the traffic court route is fine IF YOU HAVE THE TIME. I don't know what kind of jobs/schedule you guys have, but my time is worth far more than wasting a half day in traffic court just to save a couple of hundred bucks. Maybe if I was poor student I'd fight it, but it isn't worth it in most instances for a salaried individual.
05-23-07, 05:39 PM
#24
Lexus Test Driver
If you know you were speeding, pay the ticket and move on with your life. You don't need a lawyer, and you don't need to waste the court's time. The "poor college kid" argument isn't going to work with a cop or a court when you're pulled over while driving an IS.
If you show up to court and lose, expect to pay additional fines plus court costs.
If you show up to court and lose, expect to pay additional fines plus court costs.
05-23-07, 05:39 PM
#25
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Going the traffic court route is fine IF YOU HAVE THE TIME. I don't know what kind of jobs/schedule you guys have, but my time is worth far more than wasting a half day in traffic court just to save a couple of hundred bucks. Maybe if I was a poor student I'd fight it, but it isn't worth it in most instances for a salaried individual.
I don't know how it is in other states, but in TX you can take traffic school to avoid the points IF the speed was less than 25mph over the limit AND you haven't taken the school in the last year. But the total cost for all of this is almost the same as the cost of the original ticket.
I don't know how it is in other states, but in TX you can take traffic school to avoid the points IF the speed was less than 25mph over the limit AND you haven't taken the school in the last year. But the total cost for all of this is almost the same as the cost of the original ticket.
However, my job is flexible enough where I can take time away from the office to take care of things like this, and not lose money fighting it (the real benefit of being salaried).
Why would I pay money for a ticket, and have my insurance possibly go up if driving school or other options cannot keep the ticket off my record? Each ticket actually winds up costing you way more than the price of the ticket if it goes on your record, and you pay more for insurance. I have 3 cars, and already pay enough for car insurance with a clean record.
Regarding your busy schedule, do you feel the same way about going to the doctor?
05-23-07, 05:40 PM
#26
Pole Position
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In California, they may have taken you to jail, and the fine would be at least 4x that. I doubt you will be able to fight it. Maybe someone local to you will chime in.
05-23-07, 05:54 PM
#27
Lexus Champion
You can't equate a speeding ticket with personal health. If my wife, or I, has a doctor's appointment, or other personal situation, that comes first, naturally.My job is flexible enough to allow me to take care of traffic court, too, but I'd want to make up that time. Expecting personal time off to fight a traffic ticket is stretching the personal time off policy. That's just abusing the system, imo.
05-23-07, 05:55 PM
#28
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Don't listen to those who tell you to "just pay it" and learn your lesson. You as a driver have many options when it comes to a traffic violation, understand the laws but you still need to obey the laws. I dont like people who speed but I will help you out regardless since you say this is your first ticket.
Options:
1. Pay fine - pay fine and lose points on your driving record and increase your insurance rate.
2. Pay fine + driving school - fines decrease but points to your driving record still may apply, insurance rate will be affected as well
3. Contest it - This options has many different options
A... Before you even get a chance to reschedule a for a court date you will be given a chance to plea "no contest" you are not admiting of guilt but will just take the penalty. This is a bargain option which the judge will reduce fines and may even eliminate docking points base on past 3 years driving record if clean.
B... Contest it outright and try to prove your case to the judge. The officer will be present to give his side of the story first. Now this is the best option for you since the unique thing about contesting a violation is that the police officer has to be present. If he does not show you automatically get a "dismiss" no question ask. In general most cases the officer will not show up probably 1/3 to 1/4 of the time, so the odds are in your favor. But don't count on this. If he does show you still have the option of "the no contest" plea which fines will be reduce and points may be eliminated. So this is a win win situation.
But bad thing about contesting it is that you will have to go to the court house about 2-3 times and it will take probably 4-6 months before your trial. But paying the fine outright is probably the dumbest thing you can do. lose money, dock points to driving record, and increase insurance. PM me if you have any more questions.
Options:
1. Pay fine - pay fine and lose points on your driving record and increase your insurance rate.
2. Pay fine + driving school - fines decrease but points to your driving record still may apply, insurance rate will be affected as well
3. Contest it - This options has many different options
A... Before you even get a chance to reschedule a for a court date you will be given a chance to plea "no contest" you are not admiting of guilt but will just take the penalty. This is a bargain option which the judge will reduce fines and may even eliminate docking points base on past 3 years driving record if clean.
B... Contest it outright and try to prove your case to the judge. The officer will be present to give his side of the story first. Now this is the best option for you since the unique thing about contesting a violation is that the police officer has to be present. If he does not show you automatically get a "dismiss" no question ask. In general most cases the officer will not show up probably 1/3 to 1/4 of the time, so the odds are in your favor. But don't count on this. If he does show you still have the option of "the no contest" plea which fines will be reduce and points may be eliminated. So this is a win win situation.
But bad thing about contesting it is that you will have to go to the court house about 2-3 times and it will take probably 4-6 months before your trial. But paying the fine outright is probably the dumbest thing you can do. lose money, dock points to driving record, and increase insurance. PM me if you have any more questions.
05-23-07, 05:55 PM
#29
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well attorney's fees range in the area of traffic tickets...you can go to the ticket clinic or whatever and expect to pay about 80 bucks, or you can go for a real attorney whose fees vary. i was lucky enough to retain an attorney that is a family friend, so my cost is nothing ...but for other tickets i have received in other areas other than south florida, i have always retained an actual civil/traffic attorney...not any of that ticket clinic stuff (i just don't trust it)...but for a decent attorney, you're probably looking at $150 to ??. good luck.
...but for other tickets i have received in other areas other than south florida, i have always retained an actual civil/traffic attorney...not any of that ticket clinic stuff (i just don't trust it)...but for a decent attorney, you're probably looking at $150 to ??. good luck.
05-23-07, 06:00 PM
#30
Lexus Champion
You were driving right? So you know if you were going 90mph right? If the officer comes to you and say "son, you were going 90mph" seems to me he would KNOW and not be GUESSing. As was said, radar is capable of clocking cars going in both directions...while moving. And officer does not have to show you the radar gun. good luck.