Stupid traffic ticket

**hex1848** · 02-14-2005, 10:31 AM

I'm on my way to work this morning and I end up behind a guy who breaks and goes, breaks and goes. I look in my review mirror and I see a car just speed right up to me, the car gets closer and I see the classic front bumper of our gracious local police department’s cars.

I guess I was following the guy in front of me a bit too closely for the nice lady who pulled me over. Grrrrr $117.50, 3 point "Following too closely" ticket.

Stupid traffic ticket

Should I take the class? Should I get a lawyer (I've always heard it is best to fight most tickets)? Or should I just suck it up and pay the fucker?

**labmonkey** · 02-14-2005, 11:44 AM

That sucks man.

I think the cheapest route is taking the class.

Easiest is paying out and biting the bullet.

If it's just the principal of the thing, then fight it, but that is the most time consuming of the three.

That's just my two cents.

I just took the class, but I'm a cheap bastard.

**cockyhoskins** · 02-14-2005, 04:27 PM

I don't specifically know the laws of your state hex, but I would suggest two things: First, write a letter requesting a jury trial. Most counties have their dockets set up so that each arresting officer has all his cases on the same day. That way the officer only goes to court once per month. If you request a jury trial, it automatically throws him in court a second day, effectively doubling his work load.

Secondly, after writing the letter, call the cop. Say that you are concerned about the points and ask if she can reduce it to negligent driver or the equivalent, which usually carries a fine but no points. The key is to avoid points.

Even if the cop won't deal, you can always pay the fine prior to actually going to court. If your state has a class system, then I would recommend taking the class. SC does not, so I am not very familiar with them.

**hex1848** · 02-14-2005, 05:01 PM

Yeah, I’ve been leaning towards the class the second half of the day. I made some phone calls and apparently none of the attorney's in town deal with traffic tickets anymore. I have to go with a ticket agency that’s from out of town, costs $200 and makes no guarantee’s.

It's a $117.50 ticket, no big deal I guess.. blah

**Roham** · 03-08-2005, 03:48 AM

I never ever just pay a ticket. You don't even need to hire a lawyer!! I'm telling you, just take the time to go into court on the date that is marked on your ticket and tell the judge or justice of the peace that you will pay the ticket if they remove the demerit points. The only thing a lawyer will do is save you time! If you can't make it down on the day marked on your ticket, get a lawyer. But in all honesty, you just have to make an appearance. Don't just pay the ticket... Not worth it. What if you have a bad luck month and next thing you know the demerit points are racked up and either you are in jepeordy of losing your license or your insurance goes up.... I racked up about 14 or 15 tickets in a year... All speeding and stuff, all supposed to have demerit points. My lawyer fought them all. In the end, I had 2 demerit points... That was from a 5 demerit ticket being reduced to 2:) (long story on how I got a 5 demerit)
(in canada you lose your license after 15 demerits and insurance goes up after 5!)

Basicly, as long as you either pay a lawyer, or fight them yourself, and end up with no demerits, you can speed all you want. Just pay the fines and your off. I hate how this world revolves around money. Basicly, if your rich, you can afford to speed, all you want.....
(not that i am rich, I fought most myself and my lawyer helped with a few, and I haven't had a ticket in about 3 or 4 years hehehe it was just a bad year....)

**hex1848** · 03-08-2005, 06:57 AM

I actually ended up going the lawyer route with this one. I have a good friend who is an attorney in town, I happened to be in his office doing some maintenance on his network for him and I asked him the best way of handling it, he asked me if I had the ticket, grabbed it from me and said he would take care of it.

**ggiese** · 04-21-2005, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by cockyhoskins

I don't specifically know the laws of your state hex, but I would suggest two things: First, write a letter requesting a jury trial. Most counties have their dockets set up so that each arresting officer has all his cases on the same day. That way the officer only goes to court once per month. If you request a jury trial, it automatically throws him in court a second day, effectively doubling his work load.

Secondly, after writing the letter, call the cop. Say that you are concerned about the points and ask if she can reduce it to negligent driver or the equivalent, which usually carries a fine but no points. The key is to avoid points.

Even if the cop won't deal, you can always pay the fine prior to actually going to court. If your state has a class system, then I would recommend taking the class. SC does not, so I am not very familiar with them.

I don't know about this tactic. Seems to me if you request a jury trial, whether you have one or not, they're going to charge you for it. Plus, you've also gotta spend the day in court along with the officer. Also, the officer is generally on company time, or more likely on overtime - so you're actually doing him a favor by bringing him into court a second time "all day". I don't know of any officers I've seen that were particularly bothered by this...

Secondly, calling the officer is not going to work - he/she will talk to you, but they really have no interest in the outcome of the ticket, so they're not going to step up and ask the court to reduce anything. I've never seen that being done, and I can't see it happening.

Thirdly, at some point it all catches up. It is important for you to keep any "points", "demerits", or whatever off of your license. Insurance companies base their rates on how much of a risk you are. The more points you have, the higher the insurance premium. However, if you are constantly speeding and picking up tickets, there will be a point in time where the court will not grant "supervision", "probation" or whatever to keep the ticket off of you license. Once that starts to happen, it's a slippery slope unless one stops getting tickets. In Illinois, where I live, the court system keeps track of such matters. They only allow a few tickets in a year or two before they make it a conviction - or send the person to driving school.

Best advice here is to avoid getting the traffic tickets to begin with. Contrary to popular belief, the general idea of receiving a ticket is not to generate income, but to correct poor driving behaviors. This is crucial for reducing the number and severity of crashes.

If you get a ticket, go in front of the judge and ask for supervision, whatever, yourself. Generally, as long as you have a "decent" record and the offense wasn't real bad (like reckelss driving, suspended drivers license, speeding more than $30 miles over the limit, etc.) the judge will work to keep it off your license. With the run of the mill ticket, hiring a lawyer will generally add about $100-200 to the cost of the ticket to end up with the same result you would have had if you had just stepped up yourself...

**bardock** · 04-22-2005, 09:52 PM

trial by declaration is a good way to go, you request a paper trial, that way the cop doesnt get his overtime, and he has to turn in evidence against you within a certain time limit...if he is too lazy to submit the evidence, then the case is dismissed. well...this is about a month too late, but, its good for future reference.

**ggiese** · 04-22-2005, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by bardock

trial by declaration is a good way to go, you request a paper trial, that way the cop doesnt get his overtime, and he has to turn in evidence against you within a certain time limit...if he is too lazy to submit the evidence, then the case is dismissed. well...this is about a month too late, but, its good for future reference.

What is a "trial by declaration"? I've never heard of that...

**opie** · 08-03-2005, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by ggiese

I

Best advice here is to avoid getting the traffic tickets to begin with. Contrary to popular belief, the general idea of receiving a ticket is not to generate income, but to correct poor driving behaviors. This is crucial for reducing the number and severity of crashes.

...

My state trooper friend told me that he has become a "profit center" for the state. Another friend got a ticket from jim and when she went to court the judge came out and said "if anyone is here with a ticket from anyone other than officer blank, they are in the wrong courtroom.
Jim tells me that he is required to go into a traffic flow and pick out a car to ticket, even though all the cars are running the same speed. He gets his butt put on the carpet if he doesn't keep his ticket level up.

In many states you can ask a judge to "plead guilty with a prayer for mercy". Most judges will grant this if you haven't had a lot of tickets. With this plea the case is deferred for a year, if you don't get another ticket it is dismissed after a year. You still pay the fine but get no points.

**cigarsarge** · 08-03-2005, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by opie

My state trooper friend told me that he has become a "profit center" for the state. Another friend got a ticket from jim and when she went to court the judge came out and said "if anyone is here with a ticket from anyone other than officer blank, they are in the wrong courtroom.
Jim tells me that he is required to go into a traffic flow and pick out a car to ticket, even though all the cars are running the same speed. He gets his butt put on the carpet if he doesn't keep his ticket level up.

In many states you can ask a judge to "plead guilty with a prayer for mercy". Most judges will grant this if you haven't had a lot of tickets. With this plea the case is deferred for a year, if you don't get another ticket it is dismissed after a year. You still pay the fine but get no points.

Troopers in Tennessee set all their tickets for the same day each month. This keeps overtime down and Troppers on the street. Not unusual to see one Trooper have most of a Court Docket.

Going into a flow and picking out a car is not unusual. If the car is speeding what is the problem with stopping it. If the other drivers in the flow take notice and slow down so they don't get into a high speed crash the cop has done his job. Traffic enforcement is ment to be visable...So folks see what is going on and slow down. Quotas are good for cops dowin traffic enforcement. It keeps them working and insures public visiability.

You tell me what is wrong with a plea for mercy. It gets you to be aware of your speeding and hopefully slow down. Might even save your life or some one elses.

Either your "Trooper Friend" is non-existant or he totally missed out on his training at the academy. I choose to think he is non existant and you are a Troll. Either way you look like an idiot.

**Frustrated_driver** · 06-04-2005, 11:29 PM

Barney Fife strikes again. Small town, cop sits and generates revenue to pay his salary. I'm tried of just sending in the money and am ready to fight. Have read previous posts and have question. Can a small town court put points on my license if I plead guilty or plead innocent and lose? A lawyer would cost me more than the $75 ticket, but this is extortion. Anyone familiar with this?

**ggiese** · 06-05-2005, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by Frustrated_driver

Barney Fife strikes again. Small town, cop sits and generates revenue to pay his salary. I'm tried of just sending in the money and am ready to fight. Have read previous posts and have question. Can a small town court put points on my license if I plead guilty or plead innocent and lose? A lawyer would cost me more than the $75 ticket, but this is extortion. Anyone familiar with this?

Where at in Illinois? It depends on what town/county this ticket was issued... Give me a few more details...

**CoventryCat86** · 06-05-2005, 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by ggiese

Where at in Illinois? It depends on what town/county this ticket was issued... Give me a few more details...

LMAO, George is only asking that question to make sure "Frustrater_Driver" ain't talking about officer Giese

**ggiese** · 06-05-2005, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by CoventryCat86

LMAO, George is only asking that question to make sure "Frustrater_Driver" ain't talking about officer Giese

CC - if anyone EVER gets a ticket from me, they have REALLY screwed up!!! I haven't written a ticket in about - well - three weeks or so - but it was years before that....

Actually, three weeks ago I was asked to go out and supplement patrol because they were VERY busy (gridlocked rush-hour traffic, accidents, alarm calls, etc.). I was sitting in the gridlock and you'd be amazed at what some goofs do!!! No speeding ticket for me - improper merge (Cavalier cutting off a semi after trying to race ahead of it), passing a long line of cars flying down the median (2X), and a blatant blowing of a red light and damn hear taking out cars trying to clear the intersection, to name a few... All within about a 1/2 hour time span... You know, all those things you see and say, "where's the cops when you need him!!!"

But, conversely, there are jurisdictions in the Illinois area where the ONLY source of revenue is writing speeding tickets. I hate those bastids!!! We've got one nearby that FINALLY was taken down by a new village board - THANKFULLY... It was a pain in the A$$ every time you drive through the town, getting stopped... So I sympathize with Frustrated Motorist - believe me!!!

Don't get me wrong - if there's a speed limit sign - you should be doing the posted speed limit. They are generally there for good reason!!!

Otherwise, I get paid well to investigate the crashes that are a result of ignoring speed laws!!!

CC - I can see you would have trouble with that - Speed Limits are contrary to Jaguar ownership!!!

**CoventryCat86** · 06-05-2005, 04:08 AM

LMAO!! Actually the Jags (well at least the sedans I drive) aren't really that fast, nor are they quick off the line. The little econoboxes can out do me when we both take off side by side from a green light

They ride pretty nice at highway crusing speeds but it's NOT like you find yourself all of a sudden doing 80 mph without knowing it. The speedo if way off in the '92 so I have no idea how fast I'm going. It says 90 when I'm barely keeping up with traffic which means when it says 90, I'm really doing 65 to 70. I gotta REALLY push the '86 to go over 75 so I hardly ever do. The old BMW cruises nicely on the highway and even though it's one of those big old 7-series, it's faster off the line than the Jags. Now my ole Buick Park Ave, well that thing like to fly

It's got one of those digital speedometers that only goes up to 85 then starts flashing

Good thing I don't cross paths with you when I'm in that situation

**Dmitri** · 07-26-2005, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by ggiese

But, conversely, there are jurisdictions in the Illinois area where the ONLY source of revenue is writing speeding tickets. I hate those bastids!!! We've got one nearby that FINALLY was taken down by a new village board - THANKFULLY... It was a pain in the A$$ every time you drive through the town, getting stopped... So I sympathize with Frustrated Motorist - believe me!!!

Any ideas where some of these areas are. Giese? Down in the southeast corner around me I know a few cops that anytime I see them on duty they are always setting there clocking other drivers with the radar gun. Of course, I guess I would be more likely to notice them when they are stationary as opposed to driving around.

**cigarsarge** · 06-05-2005, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Frustrated_driver

Barney Fife strikes again. Small town, cop sits and generates revenue to pay his salary. I'm tried of just sending in the money and am ready to fight. Have read previous posts and have question. Can a small town court put points on my license if I plead guilty or plead innocent and lose? A lawyer would cost me more than the $75 ticket, but this is extortion. Anyone familiar with this?

Hey Fustrated_driver... I have an answer to your problem!!!

SLOW DOWN ASSHOLE