I got a speeding ticket... I dont mind paying the ticket... but this is such crap!?

Question

I was going like 7 mph over, and the only reason I was even speeding was because I had to get my dog's medication to him before the training school/kennel that he is at closes. If he doesn't get his medication he could get very sick, possibly even die. (I didn't bother telling him this, because I know it doesn't matter. I admit that I was speeding, and I am not trying to make excuses.) The cop was very rude and unprofessional, and I was already having a pretty HORRIBLE day. Last week one of my closest friends died. On top of that, I was fined 70 dollars, and I am pretty much broke. I spent all of my money sending my dog to the training camp that he is at!!! How long do you normally have to pay your traffic ticket? I need to put in some extra hours at work to pay for this, so it will take a while. This sucks. : (

Answer 1

You should plead NOT GUILTY, even if you know you were guilty. There are 2 advantages: most importantly, when you have your hearing the officer might not show up, and then they will probably dismiss the ticket. (If he is there, then just make a lame excuse simply denying that you were speeding, his radar was malfunctioning, whatever). A less beneficial effect of pleading not guilty is that at least it will delay the entire process for a few months (and delay the increase in your car insurance rate).

Answer 2

They wont extradite you because it's so small. But seeing that you live in Ontario I would guess that you go to the states every once and while. Since Michigan is so close and you'll probably go through there again in the future, then I would pay it. Because if they find you going through Michigan you will be arrested and most likely get a fine that exceeds $1600 US, possibly some time but that's not as common. Also some states have agreements with each other, (I'm not sure how tickets work) but for other violations you could get arrested in another state as well. EX: If New York or Minnesota has an agreement with Michigan then you could get arrested in that state. JUST THINK OF IT THIS WAY: If you pay it: You're safe, guaranteed no problem. If you don't pay it: Your violation will turn into a misdemeanor criminal offense and you will therefor be an official criminal and risk getting fined a larger amount or getting arrested when you travel through the states.

Answer 3

I would appeal it in court. Request full discovery so you can get the affidavit as well as the filing information. Some states require timely filing and there is a good chance it was filed late as most minor infractions are (they are prioritized according to severity by the CP). Also subpoena the officer, if he/she no-shows, the ticket is dismissed. Worst case, you have to pay the fine, but most judges will drop the amount just because you took the time to come in.

The reason tickets are written for speeding from 1mph-10mph over isn't a safety issue; its an issue of revenue for the county/city/state depending. If you at least go to court, you cost the municipality the money it takes to pay a judge, bailiff, court workers, building fees etc--way more than $70. If enough people contest small tickets, the counties will stop encouraging officers to write them as it results in a loss of revenue. Then officers will be able focus on more serious crimes which is what we would all prefer them to do.

Answer 4

You should have told the cop why you were in a hurry, said you were sorry, and asked if he could give you a warning. It was worth a try it worked for me once and my excuse was not as good as yours, as for him being rude they are pretty much all that way i think the one who gave me the warning pretty much insulted me before giving it to me. Maybe you would have gotten lucky if he had dogs and was an animal lover he probably would have let you off with a warning. The moral of the story is don't speed because I don't like giving them my hard earned money so I drive with the flow of traffic stay at the speed limit when possible but only go over if their are so many cars speeding they can't pick you out. Also remember where you see them sitting on the side of the road and stay at or under the speed limit in those places.

Answer 5

No matter how you slice it....speeding is speeding. We've become of society of some drivers who refuse to consider others safety on the roadways we share.

It does seem that you unfortunately had a bad day! The officer, however, was only doing what the public demands of him. To enforce the laws without prejudice.

Many people believe law enforcement is required to "give" a margin of error on behalf of the violator. This simply is not true. Discretion is certainly within the officers ability, however, I was not present and do not know ALL the circumstances that occurred that prompted him to issue the summons instead of a warning.

Your best bet is to appear in court and address the court with the circumstances. The court may very easily decide to be a bit more lenient and reduce the amount of your fine or even dismiss the case with an option to attend driver safety.

If you wish to pay the fine but need more time, contact the clerk of the courts office and request an extension of which I'm sure they would be more than happy to help!

Best wishes!

Answer 6

You have right up until the court date to pay the ticket, typically 10-30 days. If you go to court and admit guilt and explain that you need more time to pay because of a financial situation, the judge may a) give you an extra 30 or more days to pay (this will most likely require a return to court after the extension period) b) suspend the fine allowing that you don't commit any more offenses in so many days (90,180, etc) c) allow you to serve a few hours community service in lieu of the fine (this may also result in a return to court to prove the time service is done), or d) the officer may not show up and the ticket will be dismissed (although the judge may reschedule the hearing). I've actually done a couple of these and seen all of them used.

Answer 7

life sucks and then you die could be rewritten as Life's a waste of time and then you pay the fine. Big deal - you paid a ticket - I look at this way - I speed all the time - so sooner or latter I'll get caught and pay a fine. It's worth it to drive at realistic speed limits - Interstate highways are built to handle 80mph - so I drive 80mph. If they made to roads better I would drive over 100 mph as long as the car and tires could handle those speeds --

Remember you are only speeding if a cop catches you -- Did you ever see tens of thousands of drivers lined up to pay fines for speeding when they never were issued a ticket - heck even cops speed when they are not in pursuit.

Answer 8

My boyfriend got a speeding ticket and it was about 100$ but if he was going 3mph more it would have been wreckless endangerment. He took it to court and got off the stop sign that he didn't stop at and didn't have to pay 100$ but he had to pay the court fines. All in all it shouldn't be that much for 7 mph over, you definatly won't need another job unless you deam it nesecary for your dog to be trained because thats quite expensive.

Answer 9

Cops are not for safety anymore, it is just a job now. Whenever your court date is, thats how long you have to pay it, if you dont show up in court they will put a warrant out for your arrest (which is not as bad as they make it seem in the movies) also since its just a moving violation its not that serious, everyone gets plenty of them. Plead not guilty then just pay it. Or you might get lucky and the cop wont be there then you dont have to do anything.

Answer 10

They give u ten days on the ticket. My b/f just got one 2 months ago, and He puts $20 down every 2 wks. So, as long as u pay something you'll be ok... just make it look like you're trying atleast every wk. or two. Don't think you have to pay it all at once, most ppl have other bills to pay first, they should understand that. It's just a civil infraction, no biggie!