Alright, this morning I was pulled over for speeding on my way to my college for my 10:00 class. It was 9:15 and I had plenty of time to get there, but for some reason I ended being at 64 MPH on a 45 road. This sounds lame, but really, I had no idea I was going THAT fast. At most I thought I was going 55, no more. But anyways, I was going downhill and my foot wasn't even on the accelerator. I wasn't paying attention, and all of a sudden I saw a police car coming right towards me. I pulled over and gave him my info...
Now, he gave me a ticket for the speeding. That's not my question. I know what I did was wrong so please don't lecture me on speeding. I have been driving for about 4 yrs now and this is my first speeding ticket.
What I want to know more about is how to possibly reduce it. I know there's no way to get rid of it all together. Since this is my first ticket, how much will this cost me the day I go to court? Roughly. And how much will this affect my insurance?
2007-08-24 11:32:34 · 9 answers · asked by KC_Meag42 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Once again, let me state that I know the police officer was just doing his job, and that if I were in his position, I would have pulled me over, too. I can't explain why I was going so fast...I honestly don't know. I just want to know if there is anything I can do to get my ticket reduced. I've heard someone say that if it is your first offense, you can plea something. Or you can get a "faulty equipment test"? What is that?
I live in North Carolina.
2007-08-24 11:33:07 · update #1
One way to POSSIBLY reduce it is if the court will allow you to attend a drivers safety course. Normally courts realize that when you take the time to appear in court instead of just paying the fine....you're sincere and concerned about your "mistake."
Though not an officer in North Carolina, I'd imagine the ticket is ROUGHLY about the same as my own state or around $150-200.00.
My understanding through my own insurance company is one ticket will not necessarily raise your insurance...you may want to ask them about that for a good answer!
Best wishes.
2007-08-24 11:41:45 · answer #1 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
How much was the ticket for?
If it was excessive (over $150 or so), then you can try asking for a plea bargain, where you agree to either plead guilty or go to traffic school or something like that in return for a reduction. Many states will reduce your first ticket if you take traffic school.
A faulty equipment test is done if you think the officer's radar wasn't working correctly. You can request that it be tested, and if it is shown that it wasn't working correctly, the ticket will be dismissed. If, however, it was working correctly, you may be stuck with the bill for the test.
Many insurance companies will forgive one ticket every few years. It all depends on the company.
2007-08-24 18:40:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, most municipalities have a slding scale system. For example, you pay $110 for 6-10mph over the limit, $140 for 11-15mph over the limit, and so on. 64mph in a 45mph zone is 19mph over, therefore that will likely dictate what the fine would be.
It seems you were lucky, most states dictate that anything 20mph or more over the limit is speeding as well as reckless driving. That carries a much stiffer fine.
If you go to court, they may lower the fine, but court costs will also be added to that. Best bet, pay the fine, or take some form of defensive driving. If you take DD, usually the infraction isn't on your record, and you can usually get a discount on insurance for the class.
2007-08-24 18:41:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to court and talk to the judge. You can "fight" the ticket if you want, but it sounds like you know you WERE speeding. Court judges will often reduce the charge to a lesser speed or dismiss it. Go to court and enter a plea (guilty or "no contest"). The judge may ask if you have anything to say. Save any "excuses", they've heard them all before.
Be honest, admit you screwed up and ask if there's anything you can do to keep it off your traffic record. You might be surprised...
Mals
2007-08-24 18:40:09 · answer #4 · answered by malstorme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is an option to do traffic school, do it. You will have to pay the ticket and pay a fee for the traffic school (you can usually do traffic school online in a few hours), but if you do traffic school, the ticket won't be reported to your insurance company (which will probably jack up your rates) and you won't get any points on your license. Worth the extra fee, in my opinion.
2007-08-24 18:41:42 · answer #5 · answered by knowitall 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call the courthouse in the next couple of days (should be listed on the ticket) and find out when they hold traffic court...go to the courthouse on that day and ask to speak with the Judge...plead guilty/no contest and ask for traffic school...you will have to pay court fees but it won't go on your driving record, saving your insurance from going through the roof..!! good luck
2007-08-24 18:45:26 · answer #6 · answered by J.I.M.M.Y 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the court, the number should be on the ticket, and ask if there are any programs like Defensive Driving that will allow you to adjudicate the ticket. It will still cost but if there is such a program then it's possible that it won't be reported on your insurance.
2007-08-24 18:40:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The easiest thing to do would be to go before your court date and offer to PAY it. They'll charge you about $25-50 for the ticket (you get about 75% docked off just for taking responsibility and paying without wasting the officer/judges time)
I recieved 2 tickets and I didn't pay much after my mom told me to just go the day after to pay it. It makes you and your record look good.
If you got any points go to a defensive driving course and you'll get points off.
2007-08-24 18:44:00 · answer #8 · answered by thepenpal 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hey, atleast u didn't kill anyone
2007-08-24 18:40:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋