A police officer stopped me for running a stop sign in texas; I don't remember if I ran it or not since it was on a service road where instead of yeild signs they have a stop sign. It was dark and I am not familiar with the city. If im not sure if i ran it, how should I plea? and If i need to pay can i do community service instead?
2007-02-05 12:48:16 · 11 answers · asked by iliranita 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
would pleading No Contest be better?
2007-02-05 13:07:46 · update #1
Based on what you said i'd say throw yourself on the mercy of the court; plead guilty with an explanation; it's only a traffic ticket... it was dark, you're not familiar with the city; they'll still make you pay a fine; ask the judge if you can get community service instead, he or she may let you but maybe not; you can make payments if they dont let you do the community service.
Also it's kind of insulting to the officer the way you describe what happened. do you think he would give you a ticket for running a stop sign if you didnt run a stop sign? do you think he or she is familiar with the city? consider it a lesson. the hassle of going to traffic court etc. you dont want to do that again so; be a good driver and obey the rules of the road etc. good luck.
2007-02-05 13:01:44 · answer #1 · answered by xx x 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several options (one honest and the other 'not'):
1) Call the number on the ticket/ citation and pay the fine or ask about community service in lew of paying (recommended)
or (a buddy of mine did this)
2) Wait till the date appears for the court date and call and ask for an extension (you can get one sometimes up to 6 months- like he did). When he went to traffic court...He lied his butt off. Since about 9 months had passed since the altercation...the officer could not positively ID him as the guilty party. Dismissed.
Good Luck!
2007-02-05 13:00:00 · answer #2 · answered by CajunAsian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to pay it, it will cost a lot less to do this than hire a attorney. I doubt the community service thing for the ticket. If you get pulled over and you have a unpaid ticket and did not show up in court, they will arrest you on the spot and put you in jail. Pay it and forget it.
2007-02-05 13:05:30 · answer #3 · answered by m c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does not matter if you were not familiar with the area. You are familiar with a stop sign. After all, they all look the same where ever you go. If I were you, I would try for traffic school. If not, think of this as a lesson in life. And think of all the other times that you didn't get caught.
2007-02-05 12:57:48 · answer #4 · answered by johN p. aka-Hey you. 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If he ticked you - you ran it - sorry. Talk to the court and see what you can do to limit your cost and not get any points taken off your license. If the ticket has a fine stated on it just pay it and there is no need to go to traffic court. Good Luck!
2007-02-05 13:13:07 · answer #5 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not guilty and take it traffic court. Also never say anything that even remotely sounds like an admission of guilt to an officer. This will destroy your case in seconds.
2007-02-06 03:01:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Money, honey, that's all they want. It's not about making you a better person. You can't plead anything but guilty. Otherwise you have to have a trial and then you will be found guilty!
2007-02-05 12:53:52 · answer #7 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just plead guilty to get it over with pay the fine and go on its not like you killed someone.
2007-02-05 12:57:52 · answer #8 · answered by *Ruffian* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never plead guilty send in a reduction form they may reduce it to something lesser....i am from NY so maybe things are different in Texas but i would never plead guilty to something i wasn't sure i did.....you shoud be able to do community service but i am not positive
2007-02-05 12:52:25 · answer #9 · answered by chylie p 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just admit, to the judge, what you did and most times judges will lower the fine a bit.
2007-02-05 14:26:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋