Have you ever gotten a ticket of any kind?

[Cataholic]

Johanna, if I go will there be additional court costs for taking up the court's time? I am really weighing the pros and cons of going because this occurred 50 miles from home and I hate the thoughts of driving there (have to be there at 5:00 PM) and getting tied up for several hours and making the drive home late at night. *sigh*

Pam,
This is how it works where I prosecute. If the person had NOT talked to the officer and gotten an agreement to a lesser charge- no deal. And, at least the officers I know are decent, and hardworking. They are just doing their job. It isn't personal (well, most of the time). In the courts that I am familiar with- there isn't any additonal fine imposed for having a trial, so, explain away. I am not sure what the explanation is on a speeding ticket....unless it is a broken speedometer, being chased by the mob, or a medical emergency. I would imagine the officer will testify that he is qualified to operater the laser, that it was in working condition, and that he was certain he had your car in view. So, IMO, tough to 'beat' a speeding charge. And, usually, you would only be arraigned that night (must be a mayor's court you are appearing in, since it is at night, and from my experience, they are much easier to deal than a county court), and your case would be continued for trial- when the officer could be there.

So, MY advice? Pay it and move on. One ticket isn't going to set you back that far. And, I wouldn't tell the insurance company voluntarily, but, they might ask it as part of a yearly renewal. Then, of course, you would have to tell them.

Any more Qs, just pm me, okay?
Johanna

[Pam]

Thanks Johanna. My thoughts are right now to just pay it. I was getting so many suggestions from my co-workers on how to avoid the points (tell the judge that I have been driving for decades and this is my first ticket and also that I was on an unfamiliar road and did not see the speed limit sign.....). All of these things are true, but I really don't have it in me to fight. I was doing wrong and that is that.

[zoey]

Yes. I got a speeding ticket awhile ago. There's a highway that the speed limit goes from 50 to 30 mph. in a distance of about 1/4 of a mile.
The area where it turns to 30 mph is at least a mile & 1/2 before the red light. And, in my opinion, no reason for it to be so slow there - no schools or much of anything but highway. But I wasn't watching my signs. So I opted for a 6 months expongement, my county offers. Since i didn't receive any citations or infractions for 6 months after the speeding ticket, the ticket is stricken from my record.