I got a speeding ticket for driving 17 miles over the speed limit. When the courtesy notice came in the mail, it said that I HAD to come to court and that I HAD to pay the amount stated. When I actually go to court.. what do I plead... not guilty or no contest?... what is the difference?
2007-01-08 15:02:51 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
No contest, it'll go smoother, as all you've got to do is pay the fine and get out. Contesting it will just give you a headache.
2007-01-08 15:07:57 · answer #1 · answered by Rat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pleading no contest is the same as guilty, it's mostly a civil thing in cases where there is an accident involved and you don't admit as much guilt (it's saying I don't agree with the charge, but I am unable to prove my innocence, basically).
The other responders are right about 1 thing for sure, if you drag the blankety blank thing out forever, the officer might not show up. I know I got sort of lackadaisical about subpoenas that were just mailed to my house after I retired. If they were mailed, there was no proof I received it so I wasn't in jeopardy of contempt of court.
If you were a truly memorable person for the officer though and gave them the always enjoyable "I pay your salary, you're just getting your quota, etc," cops usually make a point of showing up for you, retired or not.
Our department gave you "WOP" days or suspended WITHOUT PAY, thus the term WOP, for missing court. So, your chances of the officer missing court aren't super great, but every other sucker out there plays the system anyway.
The absolute worst reason I ever heard of for a case getting dismissed was when one of our guys was killed in a shootout and one of his tickets contested it and it was dismissed because Paul was dead. That sucked, and was just wrong in my book.
2007-01-13 01:40:47 · answer #2 · answered by Lt. Dan reborn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In CA if you must get out of the ticket contest it, go to court and don't sign the agreement to have a nonjudge hear the case. This will cause your file to be sent to another court. When you get to this court with a judge, exercise your right under section 170.6 to dismiss a judge for any reason. It will then be assigned to another court. If the cop is still hanging around after all this time, just walk away as you will never win if the cop shows up.
2007-01-08 18:30:16 · answer #3 · answered by quidproquo888 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are guilty and it can be proved, plead guilty, not no contest.
Basically, guilty means able to be proven wrong. If you plead not guilty all your saying is that you cant be proven wrong. if you plead no contest, you're saying, yea i did it, cant get around it and i accept any penalty you throw at me. Both guilty and no contest give up some form of rights, but if you keep your rights and plead not guilty and are found guilty, you can be penalized to the max allowed by law. Choose what's best 4 u!
2007-01-13 12:36:50 · answer #4 · answered by The One 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The officer did not shrink you a destroy because you've been going way too quick. That the different automobiles were doing a similar would not make what you probably did any a lot less unlawful. you'd be unable to wrestle this fee ticket if the officer has sufficient evidence, alongside with the examining on the radar gun, or his own testimony. merely because you received earlier does not recommend you'll win this time. end rushing. perhaps you receives fortunate and the officer received't seem. in the different case, you're screwed, yet a minimum of you screwed your self.
2016-12-02 00:56:41 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should go to court clerk, ask about traffic school, and do not challenge the ticket. If you challenge (ask for a trial), you can only hope the cop does not show up; I have never heard fo someone beating a cop. If you lose a trial, you cannot go to traffic school, and you get points on your driving record. At least that is how it works in Calfiornia
2007-01-08 15:12:49 · answer #6 · answered by gauchogirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know you were speeding. Plead guilty, pay your court cost, and go to traffic school so you don't lose any points off your license.
2007-01-14 10:14:47 · answer #7 · answered by ya girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had a few speeding tickets over the years and each time I've hired a lawyer and let him handle it. As a result, I've had to pay about $100 fine each time (and a $150 lawyer's fee), but have no points or blemishes on my license. The lawyer pled me down to parking tickets each time. It's expensive, but can be worth it to someone who's a bit of a 'leadfoot' like me.
2007-01-08 15:22:20 · answer #8 · answered by oscpressgirl66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only hope you have is fighting it by first getting as many extensions as you can and then hope that the officer either A does not remember or B does not show. I have had success before doing it. You will have to post the bail amount in order to do that but you will get it all back if you win. If you lose, you lose. It's not a big deal............
2007-01-08 15:11:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cry. In nine years, the only traffic case I lost was when this little college girl started crying. Cry like a little girl, and the judge will kick it out.
2007-01-08 15:11:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋