Should I just pay the fine or fight a speeding ticket?

Question

I received a citation for speeding tonight on my way home from work. I work late and as a female driving at night I am always cognizant of tailgaters, someone was riding my bumper and so I sped up in order to pull away from them as I am very aware of criminal opportunities against women like smash and grabs and scams where a driver rear ends you and tries to get you to pull over, I guess I watch too much court tv. Anyway, the next thing I know there is a police car behind the tailgater, pulling me over. I have never gotten a speeding ticket before and have an excellent driving record. I guess when the officer asked me if I knew why he pulled me over and I responded "was it for speeding?" that I pretty much incriminated myself, I suppose I could have expressed why I was speeding but I have a feeling it would have fallen on deaf ears. because of my clean record he states he cited me for going 10 over instead of the actual radar of 14, some favor...right. Should i fight this in court

Answer 1

You will not win in court. I been there done that. I actually was was not speeding because I had my pregnant wife and 2 other kids in the car when the cop was standing on the side walk of a 4 lane 2 way traffic shooting a laser gun at on coming traffic. I told him I was not speeding and just following the car ahead of me which he said was going 40 mph and I was going 52 mph. I told him if that was so why didn't my car end up in bumper because that's 12 mph difference it did not make sense. when I went to court I told the judge my case and still lost. I know I did not speed because I am a devoted Christian. I know the the in my heart I was not wrong and God knows that. Even Jesus was not treated with Justice. So don't get to down on the ticket you got and take the Safety Course so you don't have it on your record.

Answer 2

You certainly could have tried your excuse out on the cop, he might have believed you or not, who knows, we hear so many excuses. You would be surprised at how many officers will cut someone a break. It would all be a matter of if he thought it was the truth or not. You certainly can also try it out on the judge, its not real likely that it will do you much good, but if you have the time to go to court and argue the case it wont hurt anything either.

As for him doing you a "favor" you shouldn't be so ungrateful, I often cut someone a break becuase our fine amounts have increased so much lately, if I knew that they did not appreciate it I would never give them another one. Here the difference in the 10 over ticket from the 14 over would be about $65, if someone gave me $65 it would consider it a favor.

Answer 3

Not sure what State you live in, but, if it's a reduced fine that you want; go to your first court date and wait your turn before the judge. Plead not guilty. Things will stop right there and you will get a new date assigned to appear.

When you get the second court date, show up, but this time, plead "guilty with explanation".... then tell him what you just told all of us here. After the judge probably finds you guilty and assesses a fine, quickly ask for some time to pay it, saying that you need some time to come up with that much money... Like a month.

It is possible that the judge will drop the fine and ask if you can pay just the court costs right now-today. Say yes, and go pay your reduced fine.

This worked for me twice b/4 I finally learned not to have such a lead foot.

Good luck!

Answer 4

i would totally fight it. you may not win but you could make a deal with the DA that might be a fine but no points which would be right. if you don't take the deal you could fight it and question his radar and see if it was accurate. (i.e has it been tested in the last 30-60 days? most don't test it) and also ask to see his radar citation. if the officer doesn't show up that's grounds for dismissal. file for a discovery to see what the officer is going to say in court. there are many websites out there that will help you fight your ticket if you choose to do so but remember that even if you are in the wrong you can still fight your ticket and get it reduced. if they find you guilty you can appeal. DON'T SIGN ANY PAPERS THAT WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO A FAIR AND SPEEDY TRIAL. i think its worth it. but do some research first

Answer 5

You admitted to speeding (the reason will fall "on deaf ears" to the judge as well) and the officer was kind enough to reduce it at the roadside. Around here, it is the perogative of the officer and/or prosecutor to ammend reduced tickets to the full reading in court if they are fought.

Around here a reduced ticket means a significantly reduced fine and no points lost (does not affect driving record).

Answer 6

Depending on the State you live in the 4mph favor he did you is somewhere between $40 and $80.

Just what are you going to fight in court? The trained, experienced police officer with a traffic radar device is going to say you were speeding. And you are going to say. . .??

If you state offers some kind of traffic school in lieu of a fine, grab the chance. If not, well, pay the fine.

Answer 7

Go to court and ask to be sent to driving school instead of getting a ticket. Since the officer only ticketed you for 10 over the limit, I am sure that when he testifies he will include a statement that you were respectful to him.

If you are sentenced to traffic school, you will have to pay court costs, but not fines. Your charge will be dismissed upon the successful completion of the class.

Answer 8

I don't know what state you're from, but I know in Rhode Island there is a law or statute or something of some sort that allows drivers who have a clean driving record (no citations) in the three years prior to your citation to have their case dismissed.

If I were you, I would go to my Registry of Motor Vehicles and obtain a copy of my driving record (in Massachusetts it costs $15) and show up to the date given to you on your ticket.

In court, plead on behalf of your clean driving record and be able to furnish proof of it (thus getting the copy from your RMV).

If you were speeding excessively they may not be as lenient with you, but if you were going 10, 15, 25 mph (depending on what the speed limit was) they might be willing to dismiss your case. If trying could save you $85 (or whatever your ticket was for), it's worth fighting.

Answer 9

Whenever I get tailgated I actually slow down... make them go around me. Never the brakes, just let up on the gas a bit. And keep my cell phone at the ready in case of an accident. Doubt you'd win, I'd pay the fine... but you *can* go to court, when they ask you how you plead say guilty... sort of. The judge will ask you to explain the situation. that is when you can say your piece.

Answer 10

if u havent had any major tickets and have had a clean drivin record for a couple of years then u can call the ticketclinic. been stopped for speeding about 2 times..first time i just paid them 75 bucks but second time i had to pay them and also pay court fees which was about 100 bucks..i never had to show up in court though; the attorney they get you will do it. theres some cases when u do have to go to court too... but anyway my last ticket was 200+ i actually saved money and the hassle of going to watch one of those boring videos to clear my points.