I got a ticket for using my cell phone while driving, which is against the law in Chicago. I didn't even know that at the time. My court date is in May. What should I say to be found not guilty?
2007-03-30 11:49:39 · 23 answers · asked by KPalm 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I can't just pay the fine. It would be my third ticket in a year, which means my license will get suspended--and I don't want that.
2007-03-30 11:53:03 · update #1
I won't waste your time with with a lot of silly answers, so please pay attention, and don't think I'm picking on you. Technically you're guilty, and ignorance of the law is no excuse, BUT, don't go to court with an attitude, and don't be afraid of the Police, or the Judge, they're really nice people. I don't know what your other citations were for, and hopefully they weren't for the same thing. Explain to the Judge that you live in an area where this is not a violation of the law, and if you had known, you wouldn't have done this, and haven't done it since. This is a fairly new law, and people are not totally accustomed to it. The judge understands this. I'm sure, everything will work out fine.
2007-03-30 19:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not familiar with the law in Chicago but in many states there are so called primary offenses which allow an officer to stop a motorist. If talking on your phone while driving is not a primary offense the police can not stop you for it unless it is combined with another offense for which they are allowed to stop you. You might want to research the law in Chicago and see how it works there. If that was the only reason you were stopped and it is not a primary offense then that might be an angle. Good luck and buy a hands free device. They are probably cheaper than the ticket and some of them are half way decent.
2007-03-30 11:57:58 · answer #2 · answered by C B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason why I say to pay it is because the system is designed to rape your a$$!
If you try to play hard ball with the court over this petty ticket,they will likely make you live to regret it.
Once, I was ticketed for something which I Sincerely felt I was not guilty of.However,I was living and working in Queens while my ticket occured in Albany (11/2 hr,north).I showed up to court twice!Both times I waited an hour just for the judge to postpone it further despite my verbal protests!I finally threw up my hands and paid it because It was costing me more money in travel and loss of work(not to mention frustration).
PS, If your ever charged with a serious crime Id say Fight for your right ,but in this instance you might as well pay it...and get blue tooth (hands free) cell phone!
2007-03-30 11:52:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pay it. If you haven't payed it yet, write a letter explaining to them that you know what you did was wrong and that you are guilty. Tell them the truth. I once sent them a letter explaining why I got the ticket and my understanding of it being wrong blah, blah, blah and I sent them the money. A month letter they sent half my money back with a letter thanking me saying that it wouldn't be put on my record. How weird was that? My history teacher was the one who told me to do that, and it worked. I don't know if it would work for you. Anyways, just pay it, you shouldn't have been on your phone while driving anyways even if you didn't know it was against the law, it's still dangerous.
2007-03-30 11:58:29 · answer #4 · answered by Chaun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignorance of the law is not a defense. Still, show up and asked for probation before judgement. Is your previouse tickets for driving while talking on a cell phone? If so, shame on you. If not you may get lucky with an agreeable judge.
Good Luck.
2007-03-30 11:56:07 · answer #5 · answered by AlwaysOverPack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law. That being said, go to court and see what happens. I've gotten wrist slapped several times. There was also a few times the cop didnt even show.
I live in Chicago.
2007-03-30 11:53:39 · answer #6 · answered by sean1201 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to get it down graded so that you do not get any points, talk to the public defender or a lawyer. WOW! your third ticket in a year, you will definetly need to get a lawyer, so please start looking and while your at it stop breaking the law. Eventually they will take your license for good if you keep this up. GOOD LUCK! Obey the LAW!
2007-03-30 11:53:12 · answer #7 · answered by mdboomskwad.mc4u 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
claim your phone call was an urgent one. there has to be a valid excuse (not making reservations for dinner) like your kids were sick at school or car trouble you were calling the mechanic and trying to get their before it stalled. you know a valid reason why you would be driving and talking on the phone. another hint. using you're cell phone while driving is illegal in every state , falls under impeded operation. so what ever you do dont say you didnt know it was illegal. ignorance to the laws is always a guilty.
2007-03-30 11:57:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
From what i know cell phone tickets don't give you any points. It is going to be difficult for you to fight this. It's really going to come down to your word vs the word of the officer. And my guess would be they aren't going to believe you. Unless you can prove you were not using a cell phone....which it sounds like you were.
2007-03-30 13:46:00 · answer #9 · answered by Mr.Robot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not guilty? You just admitted that you did it! Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law.... it is your responsibility to keep up with what the laws are in your area. Just pay the fine, and consider it a lesson learned.
2007-03-30 11:55:22 · answer #10 · answered by Dennis 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋