My speeding ticket: Tale of complete BS!

[MM BOOST]

Sorry to hear that mine. I am 23 (24 in July) and I still don't have a speeding ticket on my record. I have been pulled over for speeding, though. I was pulled over going 70 in a 55 by state po-po on my 21st birthday (cheers right?) and it was the same case. I was in my 3g eclipse and it was heavily modified, so basically I was picked out of a crowd to get pulled over. I was pretty much profiled for the car I have. Freaking sucked!! But anyways, when I went to court, I pleaded guilty and then asked to take a driving course, and he asked if I had previously taken any, I said that I had not and he approved it. Basically paid like $65 for a saturday driving school course for like half the day, and then court costs, and the ticket was thrown out the window and never went on my record! I pay $132 a month for full coverage on my speed through Liberty Mutual.

Good luck bro! I'd check to see if you can take some sort of driving school to throw the ticket out.

 

[Ride92]

I just had court the other day for my bulls*** ticket. Distracted driver (dumb lady in a huge SUV) enters the highway, I'm in the right lane, she doesn't see me, ahead of me is clear and traffic is closing up behind in the left lane. She moves right on over to were I was with out even seeing me and then swerves back to the shoulder after I had dropped to 3rd and punched it to about 70mph and shot to the left lane in front of the other cars, it's posted 55 traffic was moving at about 60-65 like always. I couldn't just go forward as she was a bit ahead of me. This all happened going down a slight hill with a cop watching from an overpass. I got pulled over and given a ticket for 11-20 over. Went to court and the cop says he took 4 "lazer" reading, 70, 72, 70, 69 and I was given a ticket for the 72mph of course. Explained to the judge what had happened and How I believe I avoided an accident with my mad defensive driving skills and he says he understands there were midigating circumstanes but that doesn't make it ok to speed and since I had actually sped up a bit he would only drop the fine by $50. Guess it doesn't matter that I was actually slowing at the end.

My advice, tell the truth, be honest, admit you were going faster then posted but keeping with the flow of traffic to remain safe and what ever you do don't argue the cop was wrong, judges will not hear it and just write you off. I would ask that he consider reducing the points, price, or both since you feel you weren't doing anything reckless to stand out and was just traveling with the flow.

 

[ForceFed]

Man up and quit crying. You were breaking the law and got caught. You have no case.

 

[60181]

This spot is for sale. Make me an offer. (peep)

 

[60181]

it's posted 55 traffic was moving at about 60-65 like always.

not sure if it's like that all over, but as much as we love Oregon and we do own property there, I don't know if I could taking living up in the NW for the mere fact that you people drive way to damn slow. 55mph seemed to dominate the areas we've been. Hell, if it's not 75mph in our area, you're a road block.

 

[bluelion]

if you don't want to deal with appearing at court with the lawyer, why don't you take defensive driving course. OR, request deferred probation....

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

not that im aware of... that was awhile ago to so I no longer have that info available.

Edit: DOH, you meant the lane. Yes it was marked for passing but I was speeding which got me a ticket. That officer was just in a crabby mood that day I think.

You were speeding not counting the increase in speed to make the pass?
If not, I've beaten that same ticket.
The law (in most states) says that you are allowed to briefly exceed the posted limit in order to safely pass slower moving traffic in areas where it is legal to do so. It doesn't say by how much. I argued that the passing zone was short and it was necessary to make the pass and get it over with quickly. I also pointed out that I immediately dropped back down to an appropriate speed once the pass was completed, so I had broken no law. The judge agreed.

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

if you don't want to deal with appearing at court with the lawyer, why don't you take defensive driving course. OR, request deferred probation....

As was pointed out earlier, half the reason for getting a lawyer is so you don't need to go to court to make the appeal for the reduction. Judges and prosecutors like people who handle it that way rather than come in themselves, because the prosecutor and your attorney get together and bing bang boom they agree to settle on a bunch of tickets and the whole process moves along quick and smooth instead of having a bunch of amateur lawyers speaking for themselves slowing the process down.

 

[bradboyd80]

If its available up there.............GET PREPAID LEGAL!!!! I pay $13/mo, and that covers just about anything and everything. For example, if I were to get a ticket, all I do is fax a copy to my lawyer, and he works his magic. Of course its a toss up as to whether or not he can do anything; but a friend of mine (who drives like a friggin idiot), has gotten several tickets thrown out that would otherwise be impossible, if you were to take it to court.

 

[vtakk]

sorry to hear this man. but...
I honestly don't understand driving without radar detector/laser jammer(s); if you don't have one just follow the speed limit. this is like being blind and trying to cross six lane highway - you may or may not be able to do this. this is a game or war if you will. everyday we all go there. I do have huge respect for PD but they are regular ppl too. hence there are idiots there as well. what I hate the most is when cops do nothing about s*** like:
- "soccer-mom" crossing parking lot diagonally in her van
- assfucks going wrong direction on the one way parking driveways
- weird ppl on rusty (there is nothing wrong with the car but usually those cars are driven by moral freaks who give no s*** about other's property and have zero respect for others etc) s*** cars doing crazy moves which are way more dangerous than what you did etc
- idiots in theirs SUVs who have zero to nothing feedback from steering/brakes and running crazy speeds
- taxi drivers giving no s*** about others
- assfucks doing 60 on the left lane when right one is free (I so hate this s***)

this list can go on and on... for a long time I wish I could take a cop on duty for a ride with me around town and just count how many stupid violations take place.

bottom line is - get a weapon to be able to at least know about the attack. it is way more cheaper. my v1 saved my ass hundreds of times. and this is not about crazy speeds - more like what you experienced - 10 miles more is enough even in the traffic with others doing the same. not to say if you go fast enough to get busted hard.

sorry for a long post but all this was kinda boiling inside of me for a while. like others said - try smoothing the outcome as much as you can. s*** happens.. just make sure it is not the rule... /cheers

 

[60181]

Maybe different in your area, but here in OH, it's all laser, so your V1 isn't going to help you much at all. I've shelved mine now for nearly 3 years and have zero tickets with an average of 20k miles per year.

Just speed smart and watch traffic ahead of you. traffic up ahead is a clear indicator of a cop and if they are completely stealth, they likely have someone nailed by the time you go by. It's and odds game, but worse than relying on a detector that can't tell you anything other than you've been bagged by Lidar.

sorry to hear this man. but...
I honestly don't understand driving without radar detector/laser jammer(s)

bottom line is - get a weapon to be able to at least know about the attack. it is way more cheaper. my v1 saved my ass hundreds of times. and this is not about crazy speeds - more like what you experienced - 10 miles more is enough even in the traffic with others doing the same. not to say if you go fast enough to get busted hard.

 

[vtakk]

Maybe different in your area, but here in OH, it's all laser, so your V1 isn't going to help you much at all. I've shelved mine now for nearly 3 years and have zero tickets with an average of 20k miles per year.

Just speed smart and watch traffic ahead of you. traffic up ahead is a clear indicator of a cop and if they are completely stealth, they likely have someone nailed by the time you go by. It's and odds game, but worse than relying on a detector that can't tell you anything other than you've been bagged by Lidar.

I agree. for laser guns only jammer will do the job. there is no turnaround time if you just detect it - you need to jam it. but you're right - observe and think smart.
GL and safe driving everyone (drive)

 

[bluelion]

As was pointed out earlier, half the reason for getting a lawyer is so you don't need to go to court to make the appeal for the reduction. Judges and prosecutors like people who handle it that way rather than come in themselves, because the prosecutor and your attorney get together and bing bang boom they agree to settle on a bunch of tickets and the whole process moves along quick and smooth instead of having a bunch of amateur lawyers speaking for themselves slowing the process down.

well here in Houston, if you get a lawyer (like i have), you still have to appear in court with them after they reset the initial court date....BUT, if you request defensive driving in advance and complete the course and mail it all back in, you don't have to appear in court.

 

[The ManLaw]

dont get a lawyer for a ticket. you'd get a total of one hour with the lawyer before it equals the cost of the ticket. you can argue defensive driving no problem. you were going with the flow of traffic and felt that if you went slower than the traffic, it would pose a risk for an accident. you have your 2 witnesses, use them. oh, absolutely report that the officer proceded to abuse the speed limit and lane uses. that will get some attention from the judge.

 

[Peter B]

My plan was this...
I won't argue that I was speeding. Because I was. I accept that. My intent wasn't to be going 66, it honestly was just to keep with traffic. It was my mistake for not checking the speed limit signs more carefully.

I was going to have my witnesses write letters stating that we were going with the flow, and that we were keeping pace with the officer in front of me, and other cars on the road at that moment.

I was going to plead my case and say that I am a very careful and alert driver and my intent was not to speed. I accept responsibility, and hope the court will spare me, as I am trying to buy my first home, and pay off college loans. I was also going to point out that I was passed while going 66mph before getting pulled over, and quite a few more when i was only doing 55 after getting pulled over.

Weak I know, but its all I got.

The other thing I was thinking of doing is asking the two guys I carpool with to work every week if they would write letters to the judge about my driving habits, to show that im not just BSing the guy, and I really do drive carefully. Hoping the judge will take pity on my soul.

I even though about calling my ex and asking her to write a letter explaining how she was throwing a literal fit and quite literally jumping around and screaming in my passenger seat the last time I was pulled over and received a ticket. (There is a reason she is not allowed in, or anywhere near my car) Not to say she was responsible, but to back up my claim that I was very very distracted when I was pulled over for that incident, and again was not speeding with malicious intent.

I was not going to mention another cop passed me unless I had to. It seemed like that would be considered somewhat hostile and might just cause more trouble.

-Pete

 

[The ManLaw]

well make all facts known up front (about the officer passing you and such). and i would not use the distraction defence. you're not supposed to be distracted while driving lol. but having the 2 letters by the witnesses are your best defence thus far. yeah i'd leave the ex gf's note out. and it is always best to argue that you were speeding but with reasoning. the judge will either a) throw out the ticket and all charges or b) lower the fine and/or points.

 

[Sport6]

I don't know how I didn't get pulled over twice last night, both doing around 70, on the same sections of rt 2 I was talking about.. and a state cop coming up behind me.

I pulled into the slow lane as soon as I noticed the headlights and slowed down but I guess I am playing with my luck.

 

[Sport6]

Hmm seems as though everytime I post today its going to be a double post. sweet.

 

[Shiroi_ms3]

I highly doubt that after one ticket your insurance rates will go up, I got clocked going 83 in 55 (there is actually a funny story to go with it) got a ticket, paid for it, insurance never went up. I'm 26 and live in WI.

So I would just pay the ticket and forget about it, it's not like the insurance companies are checking every day to see if you got a ticket so they can jack your rates.

My two cents.

and btw if you do go to court with it, your idea with the friends writing letters sounds good.

 

[StealthWyvern]

You were speeding not counting the increase in speed to make the pass?
If not, I've beaten that same ticket.
The law (in most states) says that you are allowed to briefly exceed the posted limit in order to safely pass slower moving traffic in areas where it is legal to do so. It doesn't say by how much. I argued that the passing zone was short and it was necessary to make the pass and get it over with quickly. I also pointed out that I immediately dropped back down to an appropriate speed once the pass was completed, so I had broken no law. The judge agreed.

I could of fought that one and won more then likely now that you point it out. However the legal departments here in florida leaves a lot to be desired.

They couldnt even look up my fl dl!!! I'm dead serious it took me several months just to prove that my dl is legit because some ditz at the clerk of the courts couldnt find my dl. Even the judge here in green cove springs said my dl was fake due to his people not being able to look it up. Needless to say I didnt want to have to go through another ordeal like that.

BTW I dont see how my DL was fake when they gave me a speeding ticket not even 2 weeks earlier in the same county. lol

I highly doubt that after one ticket your insurance rates will go up, I got clocked going 83 in 55 (there is actually a funny story to go with it) got a ticket, paid for it, insurance never went up. I'm 26 and live in WI.

So I would just pay the ticket and forget about it, it's not like the insurance companies are checking every day to see if you got a ticket so they can jack your rates.

My two cents.

and btw if you do go to court with it, your idea with the friends writing letters sounds good.

but has your insurance renewed since then? Mine would go up when it renewed when i used to just pay my ticket and be done with it.