2007-11-15 02:39:41 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
It will be your word against the officer's word.
The officer's word is more credible, and unless you have evidence that the officer did something incorrect, you will not win the case. Plus, the court costs will probably outweigh the price of the ticket.
Just pay the ticket. It will be less hassle in the long run.
Good luck.
2007-11-15 03:36:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can only tell you what I know about contesting a citiation in a California traffic court.
First, I agree that it is not, usually, worth the time and effort to do this. These are NOT moving violations, will not cost you any points, will not show up on your record and will not effect you insurance premiums.
But if you insist on contesting this, the procedure begins by contacting the number that appears on the ticket. It usually instructs you to go to your county clerk, or traffic court clerk to make a court appointment. Making this appointment will, automatically, cancel any due date or penalty date. If necessary, the court will give you a new one.
On the court date, be sure to show up on time. Depending on your area, several cases will be heard within the same three or four hour period. Perhaps, even longer. You never know which cases will be heard first, or, in which order. If you are late, you may get an additional citation for "failure to appear."
When your case comes up, you will be asked to plead. Your only choices are, "guilty," or "not guilty." Here is the tricky part. If you plead "not guilty," the judge will not listen to any arguments or reasons for what happened. A "not guilty" plea will result in ANOTHER appointment for you to have your trial. All you will be allowed to do is to make that appointment and you are done, for that day.
However, if you plead, "guilty," the judge will, then, listen to anything you have to say about what happened. In other words, you admit that you DID do what the citation said you die, but you had a "reason." Perhaps you didn't see the sign, because it was hidden by a tree. Maybe the sign was gone, or the paint on the curb was faded. (photographs of the spot will help you, here.) You might even be able to say that you were in a hurry and forgot to LOOK for signs. Or, that you just dashed in and right out. You can say anything, as long as you admit that you were guilty. Some people just say that they admit it and are very sorry to have done it.
After this, it is up to the judge's discretion what becomes of your case. If he accepts your explanation, and you have a clean driving record, he may, completely, dismiss the charges and you walk away, as if it did not happen. He may reduce the fine. Or, he may not find your reasoning compelling and order you to pay the fine, in full. It's all up to the judge.
What you cannot do, at this point, is to change your plea. You'll have to make a new court appointment to do that.
2007-11-15 10:30:10 · answer #2 · answered by Vince M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It just not worth it. You lose a days pay you may lose the ticket then it's the day's plus plus the ticket. What's the cost 25 or 30 bucks. Unless you got the biggie parking in a handicap zone!
2007-11-15 02:51:11 · answer #3 · answered by Flat_out_Bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the ticket isn't too much....I'd just pay it. MOST OF THE TIME courts favor the police who issued it, unless there is a difinant reason for arguing it. If you lose, not only do you have the ticket, but the court costs as well.
2007-11-17 13:11:38 · answer #4 · answered by muzacmaster44 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its always better to show to court. They will generally flea bargin with you and you get a reduced fine. If you feel strongly about it then hire a lawyer. OTherwise for most of us the trip to court, loss of work time, and the scary people that are there keep us from going. Be brave and see how the other half lives.
2007-11-15 02:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by Iwasthere 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I tried and instead of £60 and 3 points I ended up with £240 and 6 points,
pay the 60 unless they genuinely got it wrong
Only other option, get yer mum to pay it for xmas
2007-11-15 03:52:20 · answer #6 · answered by jonathan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just pay it cause tickets do have lots of loopholes but if you arent a lawer then gettin one would cost more than the ticket
2007-11-15 03:03:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not worth the bother ,,pay it... a speed ticket that goes on licence and screws ur insurance IS worth fighting.
2007-11-15 02:51:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they were just in giving you the ticket then just pay it.
2007-11-15 02:48:36 · answer #9 · answered by maryann p 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋