I got a speeding ticket, do i have to go to court, or do i just pay the fine and that's it?

Question

I was going 78 in a 60
When I pay the fine(by mailing a money order in) will they SEND ME ANYTHING BACK TO MY ADDRESS (i.e. confirmation letter that they got my money or a court date IF I HAVE ONE?????do i?
does it make my insurance go up?
I am 17 years old
in missouri

Answer 1

write to the D.A. to get it reduced

Answer 2

Can't answer for Missouri but can tell you that in Milwaukee, WI you always go to court for the first appearance because usually the DA or other court official will offer a deal to lower the ticket and/or the fine. If it is a major ticket such as reckless driving or more then 15 or 20 over the speed limit you should always go to court to try to make a deal. Personally I do not agree with our system as far as traffic tickets go, but the officer will always be believed over the citizen, plain and simple fact.

In Milwaukee County court deputy's run the "intake court" and always offer either a lower ticket or fine or both. Pleading not guilty is also a choice but the system can seldom be beat. After all, as is everything, it's about the money.

Answer 3

The citation, either on the front or reverse side, will contain the rules for what you need to do. Usually, you can just send in the money and plead no contest. Most states however have different rules for those who materially violate the laws, so make sure you read your ticket.

Since you are only 17, your insurance will very likely go up. If it's happened before, it will definitely go up.

Consider challenging the ticket in court. In most states there are rules for the use of radar devices; e.g., they have to be certified daily by an expert, who in turn can be subpoened to appear in court to document the certification. Another scam is photo-id, those cameras really don't take very good pictures.

Answer 4

Some states require 17 and under to appear in court, but I'm not sure about Missouri. If you don't have to, you just pay the fine, and it will go on your record and will make your insurance go up. The court will probably not send anything to your house, but your address is on file and you will likely get letters soliciting legal advice. I would take defensive driving and prevent the insurance premium hikes. Hope this helps

Answer 5

Your parents are not going to be happy about this. Their insurance rates (you are too young to have your own policy) will go up, so if you don't want that to happen you can try to take it t court. I am guessing though that you don't have a legal leg to stand on. If you are going to fight it in court, you will probably need a lawyer. This will cost a lot more than the ticket. Once your parents find out that you got the ticket and hid it from them, you are most likely going to be grounded.
The best plan would probably be to take the "mature" approach and admit your mistake to your parents, assure them that this will never happen again, as long as you are on their policy, pledge to pay them back for the ticket and cost of insurance increases and surcharges. Unless they are rolling in money, and let you get away with anything, they are not going to let you get away with this without a punishment - which you deserve!

Answer 6

I am a former traffic officer with a little experience in speeding tickets and juveniles. Usually you can pay the fine. In Virginia you are not in the reckless driving range. But, your insurance company will find out. Tell your parents and have them go to court with you. You probably don't need a lawyer. The judge might lower the speed just because you appeared in court. Good luck.

Answer 7

In my state, if you didn't pay your ticket on the spot, they take your license as collateral. Once you pay, they send your license back to you. I'm in Illinois, and that's how it works here. Yes, unfortunately, your insurance will go up... mine went up $156 every six months (the insurance company had to wait six months before they hiked it, though). And because of your age, your insurance will go up even more. See if you can do court supervision in addition to paying your fine; if you can drive six months without a ticket under court supervision, the ticket will not show up on your record and therefore your insurance will not go up. Again, this is all for Illinois, but I think Missouri is similar. Good luck.

Answer 8

Yep, your insurance will go up. Be sure to inform the insurance company of the ticket; if you have an accident without notifying them, they may not pay out.
If you aren't contesting the ticket, you have to pay the fine, either mail it in, or pay at the court clerk. The ticket should have instructions on how to proceed. Look at your state/local laws to see if you have to make an appearance at court.
And be thankful you don't live in NH; you would have lost your license.

Answer 9

Here in NC we have what's called "prayer for justice". Instead of mailing in the fees and having your insurance go up, you go to court and ask for a prayer for justice. If you have a good record, sometimes they will drop it and sometimes they will send you to a day of safe driving class and the ticket will go into a kind of limbo for three years. At the end of three years, it will be gone away for good from your record but if you get another ticket, you end up with both of them on your record. Check and see if there is anything like that in your state. At 17, your insurance is already high as the sky. Good luck!

Answer 10

In my state if the ticket was for 15+ over the speed limit, going to court is mandatory.

Take my advice because of the huge increase in your insurance, get an attorney and have that speed lowered. It might cost you a couple hundred bucks but it is A LOT cheaper in the long run.

Answer 11

Read the ticket and do what it says. Save your cashed check as a reciept. If you still don`t know what to do ask the Court Clerk.
I was fined and paid it. 4 1/2 years later the State suddenly said I didn`t pay, even though up till then my record showed I had. I had to pay them again because I couldn`t prove that I had paid.
B#$@%^!
Don`t worry about your insurance.