I got a $173 ticket last night...

173 dollars I could care less about, but the amount that I will have to pay to my insurance, no thanks.

Does anyone have any previous experance from fighting a ticket in court? Any tricks?

What I have heard from a few people is that you can have the charges "defered" in a way that if you dont commit any more violations in the next year they don't report it to insurance. What other ways could I go about it?

Anyone been to court, what exactly happens when you are there? Do I have any other options besides handing over my money?

 

http://www.fordtrucks.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=312513

Theres a thread I started a while back when I got my 55 in a 35, a lot of helpful advise there. I went in earlier this month for it and got off paying court costs. What I asked for was a PJC, or prayer for judgement. What that is is the ticket stays off your record, if you keep from getting another in the next few years, so not a bad deal. mine was a crap ticket in a speed trap. another thing you can see about is getting it reduced so that it won't affect insurance. good luck with that man.

 

Here it works on demerits, one ticket is 3 demerits and not enough to make a change on your insureance.

Being successful fighting the ticket depends on a few things. What the cop asked you and how you answered; YOu can request the calibration data of the gun to be brought to court and sometimes they don't bring it or sometimes the cop doesn't even show up and the case is then thrown out.

70% of tickets can be successfully fought and thrown out or at least reduced.

 

Basically, you've got two choices- pay an attorney about $500 to fight the ticket, or see if you can work out a deal with the officer/prosecutor. I just went along with my son a few weeks ago- we settled for traffic school and a dismissal. Remember- negotiation is the history of Western Civilization.

 

Make note, it states to wear proper attire(suit and tie). Do so, it got me out of a ticket, just because as the judge put it "Finally, someone who respects my court" asked me what I was there for, speeding first time. "you can go, the ticket is thrown out just obey the traffic signs"

 

Some states allow you to take the Nation Defensive Driving course...then upon completion the ticket is dismissed and if no more within two years it disappears. If you are over 55 the class will lower your insurance by 20 percent.
Check you state...it could be worth it!~!
I have taken the course, it is good.

 

All of the above info is true and correct.The problem is that if you have a CDL license then per federal law that recently went into effect,it has to be reported to the DMV and ultimately your insurance company will sink its teeth into the mix. While 500 bucks is not exactly biscuit money for most of us,it's still cheaper than the insurance hit for three years. Also it is a gamble as to whether the D.A. will want to deal with you.Most will because as any professional driver knows,90%of the time its about the money not the safety. Good luck and remember ALWAYS FIGHT A TICKET

 

I have heard, if you post bond for the $173.00 ticket but send them a check for $175.00 they have to send you a check back for an overpayment of $2.00. The trick is to never cash the $2.00 check. I have heard by doing this, they can't close the case until the check is cashed, therefore, the points can't be levied against your record nor can your insurance be notified. I personally don't know if it works, but for $2.00 I would try it!

 

If you get a ticket here and it's the only one, you can usually pay a little more and get it on supervision. Usually lasts 90 days. It doesn't go on your records this way as long as you behave for 90 days and don't get anymore tickets.

Another way to approach it is to see your states attorney before you court date. I had three tickets. Since it was the first time I ever got any tickets she got them down to one ticket, and then got it on a year of supervision. I have a CDL so I was out ot get to taken care of. She really helped me out. Actually, my year should be up this week.

Or, if they won't do supervision, you can go to traffic school for a few hours and they will more than likely keep it off your record.

This all depends on your state though. And sometimes it may cost a little more than just the ticket, but it's worth it in the long run as far as insurance rates go.

 

You needed to settle it when you get pulled over. "I have bad diarrhea & I was speeding to get to a toilet" has always has worked for me. Cops have always let me go quickly, never even rote a warning. Put on a good show. One time a cop said "there is a McDonalds at the next exit & said get out of here" "thanks officer"

 

That overpayment theory is urban 'lore. It still circulates throughout the trucking community like a wildfire but is simply not true. Ask any attorney.

 

LMAO; Many years ago I renewed my Drivers license, the clerk told me how much it was, I even asked if they were sure. Next day I rechecked the paper work. Over paid by fifteen dollars, they wouldn't refund my money, not even a thank-you. PS If I underpaid by fifteen dollars even at their advice, I'm sure you all know what would happen.

 

Your ticket should say on the back, if you wish to dispute this ticket you have 30 days to reply, then it will give you the address and all the particulars needed to start the process. fill it out mail it in. Next you will get a letter saying when your court date is, you don't need a lawyer. When it's time to go to court, Wear some decent clothes, Don't come in with a attitude, be respectful, when it's time for your case you will be asked how you plead, You say NOT GUILTY and that's all you say, nothing else, no B.S. Stories, nadda, zilch. Hopefully the officer that gave you that ticket won't be there to dispute your plea, The Judge has no choice but to drop the case. This works 80% of the time because a lot of cops don't make it to court for one reason or another, and if the cop shows up, do all the above and hope for the best....

 

Read everything on this site. It tells you step by step what to do, it even gives you the questions to ask the cop.

 

This is untrue where I went for my ticket. The judge stated at the start of the trials that not all officers were present so that they could keep things rolling faster. It is apparently something put into the courts in randolph county, north carolina. There were only two officers in there, neither one I recognized. They pulled 5 people at a time, in the order of when we arrived and checked in. They asked that if we wanted a continuation that we must ask before we got up front, and they would give a new court date. definately dress appropriatly. I was the only one in there with a tie, suit isn't always necessary, I wore a button down shirt with a tie and some slacks and nice shoes. everyone else came in everyday clothes. The judge asked my plea, I said, I request a prayer for judgement, he asked the charge, 55 in a 35, he asked where at, the DA told him in the little town of ramseur, and she said that she believed it was where it dropped fast, and he said pjc granted, court costs are $100, do you have the money with you, yes, here is your, whatever they give you, can't remember, take it to the clerks office to pay it, and have a nice day. easy as that, I was there for no more tahn 45 minutes from the time i pulled in, until the time i left. woulda been shorter, but i couldn't find the place. but good luck.

edit: check and see if it is admin court, what B C said is true if it is an actual trial, but admin court, they bring all the cases in and you talk to the DA, she tells the judge, and thats that