ticket question..... i want to contest it?

Question

ok... tonight i got pulled over for the first time ever(im 19) in lodi, "for running a stop sign"...... i know i stopped at(i know i know like no one has said taht before right? lol) anyway i want to contest it....i read the back of the ticket and it said appear on the date and time in court to contest, and to write some kind of written statement.... one problem he wrote a date on there but no time? so how do i find out my time i need to be at the court house.... because i did taht i stopped at that stop sign......btw... does anyone know how much a average stopsign ticket runs?
perferably someone who works in law or who knows a lot about law plz..... thank you have a great day!!!

for the record it was not a rolling stop my car bounced back from the stop..... i will admit i didnt sit the three seconds your technically suppose too.... and i dont even know where the cop was? if that matters.....

btw im in California

Answer 1

Good luck because that won't go over too well in court. The cops are always right. I suggest you get a lawyer that is the only way they will take you serious, because like you said they hear it so much. But in getting a lawyer you may as well pay the ticket. Hope it goes over well.

Answer 2

Just call the municipal court for the time to show up for court, but usually you have to call the court a week in advance (minimum) to let them know you're going to contest the ticket. Your best bet is to get with the DA at the court the day of the violation hearing and plead down to a lesser offense. You'll never win a "he said, she said" type situation. If the cop said he saw you, that's it, no matter what you say in a statement. In NJ, a failure to stop at a stop sign is 2 points on your license and a fine (and court costs). If you ask the DA, they almost always plead it down to a lesser point violation. BTW, if the officer can't make it, they don't just dismiss you contrary to some advice you've received. They'll re-schedule the court date for a day he CAN make it, even if you're already in court the day of the scheduled hearing. Which then inconveniences you by having to go again. Also, don't know if they treat drivers under 21 differently in your state, probably not for a stop sign violation, but many states do.

Answer 3

Chances are since there is no time on the ticket that court requires that everyone show's up at a certain time. Call the court they will tell you.

Don't waste money on an attorney the fine is generally about 80-90 dollars. And if held accountable for it, you should be able to pay an additional 30.00 to take 'defered adjudication' and it won't show up on your driving record unless you get another of the same tickets within 6 months.

having a well organized statement, Very detailed, covering how you slowed down, how you approached the stop, how you completely stopped moving, looked and went. The more detailed the more believable. Make a comment that the officer may have looked over when you started to go, and may have mistaken that for your stop. DO NOT call the officer a liar!

Sneaky trick - if the officer doesn't show up the court generally waves the ticket. He's got specific court dates - which is why he gave you that date. You can go to the court early (days before) and advise them that you're unable to make that date - school conflict ( best excuse). And they will reset it, chances are that officer wont be the one scheduled in court on the new day, and will probably not get the update in time to arrange to come on that day - just for your ticket...

Presto no officer to dispute your recollection, the court isn't going to waste more time/resources to reset you again and get the cop there - they will dismiss it.

Answer 4

call the courthouse and ask for the time you would be heard on your ticket. The cost of running a stop sign varies from state to state and at times from town to town within a state. It will be very difficult to prove that you did not run the stop sign.
A rolling stop is not a stop! Saying that you came to a stop and your car is idling fast and pulled your car over the line doesn't work. I tried it. Total failure. Your chances of beating this ticket is 99% against you unless you have a witness outside of the car. Lots of luck. Pay the fine and stay out of court.

Answer 5

Well, depending on the court, you'll probably have to pay something like a $90 court fine, whether you contest or not. And since it's a moving violation, it'll definitely push your insurance higher, so I'd contest it. And call the court to ask what time to be there. Good luck. Don't procrastinate - they don't like that.

Answer 6

File a protest or complaint in court to contest the validity of the ticket by citing the allegations and support it with a notarized affidavit.