I was driving in a remote area between las vegas and los angeles when I was pulled over.
The highway patrol was coming toward me on the opposite side of the road.
I was in a 55 mph passing zone and was clocked by at 88 mph.
He used a radar on the front of his car. (or so he said)
I received the ticket in the mail and almost fainted when I read the amount of the ticket is $1041.00!
Can you believe it?!
One thousand and forty one dollars!
Anyway, I absolutely do not have the money to pay for this...I feel sick just thinking about it....
Anyone have any advice??
I haven't gone to court yet...
what do i do??
please help
2006-10-01 22:07:30 · 15 answers · asked by Sillira 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I was wondering how long jail time would be...or how many community hours....I cant pay more than 35-50 bucks a month...
2006-10-01 22:13:41 · update #1
by the way...how are you supposed to pass anybody if everybody is going the same speed?
2006-10-01 22:27:23 · update #2
88 MPH?? You're lucky the flux capacitor didn't kick in an send you back in time.
I think one of the other posters covered it. With how fast you were going over the speed limit, your fine was increased. Another poster suggested that you might have been in a construction zone. That is a good possibility. Remember, just because you don't see any construction equipment doesn't mean you aren't still in a construction zone. Ever drive past a construction zone, only to see an "end construction" sign about a mile further down?
As for traffic school, you are in-eligible. Once you go 20 MPH over the speed limit, you can no longer take driving school.
The other question I would ask you is what other tickets have you received in the recent past?
I would go to court and explain that you don't have the financial means to pay the ticket. At least ask for an explanation of the fine amount. You might get a small reduction.
2006-10-02 05:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by gunsandammoatwork 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Spanishflin_tx has answered this question correctly. I would just like to point out a few mistake another answer made.
Radars are a great tool for law enforcement. And there have been many improvements over the years. We now have moving radar. No longer does the Officer have to sit along the side of the road stationary.
Radars can be set in two working modes. Stationary and Moving. while in stationary mode, the radar will detect the speed of vehicles coming at it and going away with a 1% error. That means if you are driving 55 the radar may show you at 54 or 56.
In Moving mode, the officer has several options. There is a front and rear antenna for the front and rear of the police car. They can set the radar to the front antenna and catch speeders coming at them and vehicles moving the same direction as the officer. They can do the same thing with the rear antenna. Moving radar has a 2% chance of error meaning if you are driving 55 the radar may show 53 or 57.
As for seeing the radar used. That could very from department to department. Depending on what their general orders state. However when receiving Radar training through Nationa Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this is what they teach. By Law if someone wants to see the radar used then we have to show them. We have to show them the radar. Not the speed that was locked in. We are taught not to lock in the speed for several factors. If I lock the speed in at 55 and you were still speeding up, then I am not going to have you at the highest speed you were traveling. If there were two vehicles traveling the the radar will bounce back and forth showing both speed. If I go to lock in yuor speed at 88 right as the radar was bouncing back to the slower speed of 55 then I lost you. So we are not reuired to show you the speed you were locked in at.
My advice to you is as spanishflin_tx advised. Contact the court to see about making a payment arrangement or taking deffensive driving.
2006-10-02 05:43:00 · answer #2 · answered by thanson73 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That sounds to be about right.......most county/city's or Hwy patrol use a scale when it comes to issuing a speeding ticket, consider that this would vary from state to state.........But the avg is $10-$25 for EVERY MILE over the POSTED speed limit. so in this case you were 33 miles OVER the posted speed limit.........I invite you to do the math that's ON TOP of what the regular citation ammount.. You have the right to contest the citation, but I would not suggested.
Make arrangements to pay the citation or take defensive driving which most states do offer and it wont be so hard on your pocket.
BTW, If every one is going at the same posted speed limit you are not supposed to pass!!!!!!!!, Unless the vehicle(s) is impeeding the regular flow of traffic. Then you can pass without going over the posted speed limit.
Example: If a vehicle is going 35-40 MPH you can pass that vehicle if you do not exceed 55MPH
Next time Look at the posted speed.......is there for a reason
2006-10-01 22:20:17 · answer #3 · answered by spanishflyin_tx 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sillira:
You did not indicate if it was the California or Nevada Highway Patrol, but based on the fine you reported I will assume it was the CHP. That stretch of Interstate 15 is heavily patrolled because it is heavily traveled, especially on weekends, and it has a lot of very bad traffic accidents. You were also probably in a construction zone where the fines are DOUBLE. That is why the fines are so high.
To clear a traffic citation in California you have three choices 1. Pay the ticket / Go to court and plead "Guilty" (same result) 2. Go to Court, plead "Not Guilty" and have a trial (You will probably lose) 3. Request to be allowed to attend "Traffic School"
In your situation my best suggestion is to appear in court on the date indicated on your citation, ask to appear in Court, plead "Guilty" and explain to the magistrate that a $1041.00 would create a severe financial hardship on you. He may reduce the fine substantially, and he may allow you to set up a payment schedule based on your ability to pay. The Court House will probably be in the Barstow area. Driving way out there will be a pain, but I feel that this would be your best shot.
ps; If they set up a payment schedule, DO NOT miss a payment, they will issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
2006-10-01 22:50:57 · answer #4 · answered by Peedlepup 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hi sillira,
In most states I think you can talk with a hearing officer (at least where I live) you can. Does your ticket say you need to go to court? Or just pay the fine? Either way I'd call the court system & explain you can't pay it they can probably put you on a payment plan. But I'd call and see if you can talk with a hearing officer sometimes they reduce the fines. Good luck and have a good day!
2006-10-01 23:25:51 · answer #5 · answered by dousmokedoobies69 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you will not escape paying a penalty for speeding. it would be your word against the officers abilty to operate the camera competently insist on seeing the information contained within the camera one of the other posters was correct in saying that if the officer was driving when operating the camera this reading cannot be relied upon (apart from being dangerous as the officer cannot have been in full control of his vehicle) so challenge it. but the amount of the fine is way way too high get on the phone girl!!!. i think you will find it more to be $104. clerical errors can and do happen. if it is this amount then explain your situation and offer to pay what you can-you won't go to prison if you do the right things don't worry.
2006-10-01 22:48:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
that radar also stores information.did u asked him for the snap-shot?in the bottom left u will see the speed measured.if u are totally shure that that is what it happened go to court.if u are not absolutelly shure batter pay u will lose more money going to court.abuses are commondon't worry u are not the first and the last.
by the way if u go to court make sure that u also ask for the head of that policeman.
2006-10-01 22:11:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's ridiculous... and i thought my 100.00 ticket was too much ... only thing you can do is bite your tongue when you go pay it because if you don't want them hasslin' you about it you'll have to pay it....... they don't care .... they just want money ...you would think they would offer classes on how we can improve our driving & the importance of the driving rules... but instead they just hand you a stupid ticket and sit back and collect.....
2006-10-01 22:18:20 · answer #8 · answered by No 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is so damn outrageous it is ridiculous. Get an attorney and bring the press if our press has the guts for it. I am so disappointed in the press lately that it is sick.are we a free country any more, I don't think so. The government has got ton so big and up our butts that we are afraid of our own government, things have to change people now..or freedom is a thing of the past. our grandchildren will read about it in history books if they let them read.
2006-10-01 22:17:29 · answer #9 · answered by sosueme534 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Call the police dept. say you and friends are debating, and ask how tickets are calculated. Like how much for each mile above limit.
2006-10-01 22:41:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋