Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
jaeun91
()
Date: November 18, 2015 03:00PM
So I apparently made an illegal u turn. I was looking for a store, and realized I missed it, so I made the turn. I don't think there were any no u turn signs (gonna double check tmrw) and there were no yellow lines, so if it's illegal, I'm not sure how I would've known that...
I think my fee is around $90 and 4 points...(it says three online, but the representative from dmv says it's four?)
My parents said I should go to court and waive off points and pay more fine, but I'm pretty scared to find out how much I have to pay to waive off four points...
Are there any other ways to waive off the points by paying a little less?
Thanks in advance
I think my fee is around $90 and 4 points...(it says three online, but the representative from dmv says it's four?)
My parents said I should go to court and waive off points and pay more fine, but I'm pretty scared to find out how much I have to pay to waive off four points...
Are there any other ways to waive off the points by paying a little less?
Thanks in advance
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
HFWHM
()
Date: November 18, 2015 03:02PM
heh I remember my first ticket - parking in the wrong direction at my High School. It was in the first year of my driving. I was pissed.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
jaeun91
()
Date: November 18, 2015 03:03PM
also, I'm thinking about taking driving class to hack off the points... is that a good idea?
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Bill.N.
()
Date: November 18, 2015 03:26PM
Points are determined by DMV. I don't believe the judge has the authority to waive them. The judge can change the charge though to one that does not result in points.
If you are a young male driver points are not likely to be your biggest concern. A bigger problem will be what happens to your insurance rates when they learn you were convicted of a traffic offense.
If you are a young male driver points are not likely to be your biggest concern. A bigger problem will be what happens to your insurance rates when they learn you were convicted of a traffic offense.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
insurance man
()
Date: November 18, 2015 03:42PM
Likely no rate increase for illegal u-turn. Depends on your ins company.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Been there before
()
Date: November 18, 2015 03:54PM
Go get yourself a friend who is an attorney to walk in to court, talk to the district attorney and have it changed to something else like failure to obey a sign or something that is categorized as a non moving violation.
By the way, never pay a speeding ticket. ALWAYS plea it down on court day to something like "defective equipment". Much cheaper and no insurance issues.
By the way, never pay a speeding ticket. ALWAYS plea it down on court day to something like "defective equipment". Much cheaper and no insurance issues.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
jaeun91
()
Date: November 18, 2015 04:04PM
it was actually a fail to obey highway sign... and in parenthesis she put (no u turn)
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
9xNDb
()
Date: November 18, 2015 04:15PM
Bill.N. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Points are determined by DMV. I don't believe the
> judge has the authority to waive them. The judge
> can change the charge though to one that does not
> result in points.
Years ago I got a ticket for not coming to complete stop are an intersection. I went to court. I told him that I didn't feel I did anything wrong and felt I did make a complete stop. The judge gave me a lecture. He waived the points and gave me the fine.
So yes, a judge can waive the points.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Points are determined by DMV. I don't believe the
> judge has the authority to waive them. The judge
> can change the charge though to one that does not
> result in points.
Years ago I got a ticket for not coming to complete stop are an intersection. I went to court. I told him that I didn't feel I did anything wrong and felt I did make a complete stop. The judge gave me a lecture. He waived the points and gave me the fine.
So yes, a judge can waive the points.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
9xNDb
()
Date: November 18, 2015 04:17PM
I might also add that since I went to court I had to pay an additional fee of something like $50 for court fees.
So the total fine was something like fine + processing fee + court costs.
So the total fine was something like fine + processing fee + court costs.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Bill.N.
()
Date: November 18, 2015 05:36PM
9xNDb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Years ago I got a ticket for not coming to
> complete stop are an intersection. I went to
> court. I told him that I didn't feel I did
> anything wrong and felt I did make a complete
> stop. The judge gave me a lecture. He waived the
> points and gave me the fine.
>
> So yes, a judge can waive the points.
I am just repeating what several judges have said in court. It is possible that he changed the charge to one that did not carry points.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Years ago I got a ticket for not coming to
> complete stop are an intersection. I went to
> court. I told him that I didn't feel I did
> anything wrong and felt I did make a complete
> stop. The judge gave me a lecture. He waived the
> points and gave me the fine.
>
> So yes, a judge can waive the points.
I am just repeating what several judges have said in court. It is possible that he changed the charge to one that did not carry points.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Lord.703
()
Date: November 18, 2015 06:29PM
I encourage you to search this forum extensively for threads on this topic. Someone posted a step by step procedure for petitioning the court for repeated extensions of the adjudication of your case. VA law requires the officer of record to be present for each and every case. If the officer is not present, your case will be dismissed.
Now, with today's technology it's a lot easier for the courts to coordinate court date changes with the law enforcement officers to ensure they are in attendance. (Each officer has specific dates that they are in court to have their cases reviewed.)
However, the fact remains the officer is required by law to be there for your case. You can typically get 3 extensions from the FC court system before you get a written notice that no further extension requests will be honored and if you aren't in court on the final date, the case will be adjudicated in your absence and you will be responsibility for any penalties and or fines and court costs if you are found guilty.
3 extensions, as stated by the poster, can typically drag a case out 18, 24 maybe even 30 months. That's a lot of time. A lot of time that an officer could be reassigned to another station and is now farther away from the court house. The officer could become incapacitated or deceased. The officer could retire. The officer could be put on suspension or be dismissed. The officer could make a mistake on his calendar and get his date wrong. The officer's transportation could run out of gas or experience a mechanical failure. After several years of extensions, you may end up being the officer's only case that day and he may just decide not to show because it's not worth his time. If you were involved in an incident with a lot of information and evidence to be reviewed by the judge, the longer time between the ticket being written and the court date might allow the officer to forget some important details of your case. (This is why you should do nothing when pulled over that draws attention to yourself in the officer's mind that would give him a mnemonic for remembering every nuance of ticketing you. Officers treat routine traffic stops like a business meeting...you should, too.)
In short, there are a lot of things that could keep him from appearing in that court room. You owe it to yourself to use every advantage available to you that the system allows in order to have the charges dismissed or otherwise found in your favor.
I've been a licensed driver in FC for over 30 years. I've been to court 12 times on a number of moving violations in that time...I like fast cars, get out of my way. I've sat through 30 some cases every time I have appeared in court while waiting my turn. I have never once seen a case adjudicated in the defendant's favor. If the FCPD or the VASP have taken the time to pull you over, write you a ticket and bring you before the judge...you will be found guilty. Oh...the judge may give you some leniency and reduce the charges and or reduce your penalty or fines, particularly for a first time offender on a small charge that didn't involve a collision, injury, death or DWI/DUI.
The fact is, revenue from traffic court is a multi-million dollar industry and the laws are written in the county and state's favor.
Now, with today's technology it's a lot easier for the courts to coordinate court date changes with the law enforcement officers to ensure they are in attendance. (Each officer has specific dates that they are in court to have their cases reviewed.)
However, the fact remains the officer is required by law to be there for your case. You can typically get 3 extensions from the FC court system before you get a written notice that no further extension requests will be honored and if you aren't in court on the final date, the case will be adjudicated in your absence and you will be responsibility for any penalties and or fines and court costs if you are found guilty.
3 extensions, as stated by the poster, can typically drag a case out 18, 24 maybe even 30 months. That's a lot of time. A lot of time that an officer could be reassigned to another station and is now farther away from the court house. The officer could become incapacitated or deceased. The officer could retire. The officer could be put on suspension or be dismissed. The officer could make a mistake on his calendar and get his date wrong. The officer's transportation could run out of gas or experience a mechanical failure. After several years of extensions, you may end up being the officer's only case that day and he may just decide not to show because it's not worth his time. If you were involved in an incident with a lot of information and evidence to be reviewed by the judge, the longer time between the ticket being written and the court date might allow the officer to forget some important details of your case. (This is why you should do nothing when pulled over that draws attention to yourself in the officer's mind that would give him a mnemonic for remembering every nuance of ticketing you. Officers treat routine traffic stops like a business meeting...you should, too.)
In short, there are a lot of things that could keep him from appearing in that court room. You owe it to yourself to use every advantage available to you that the system allows in order to have the charges dismissed or otherwise found in your favor.
I've been a licensed driver in FC for over 30 years. I've been to court 12 times on a number of moving violations in that time...I like fast cars, get out of my way. I've sat through 30 some cases every time I have appeared in court while waiting my turn. I have never once seen a case adjudicated in the defendant's favor. If the FCPD or the VASP have taken the time to pull you over, write you a ticket and bring you before the judge...you will be found guilty. Oh...the judge may give you some leniency and reduce the charges and or reduce your penalty or fines, particularly for a first time offender on a small charge that didn't involve a collision, injury, death or DWI/DUI.
The fact is, revenue from traffic court is a multi-million dollar industry and the laws are written in the county and state's favor.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Tysons Troll
()
Date: November 18, 2015 08:47PM
Sweet! More tax-free revenue. Maybe we can close the FCPS budget gap if enough of you keep driving like jerks.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Arnie H.
()
Date: November 18, 2015 09:26PM
Get a good lawyer but remember:
You can't get brain surgery for a dollar and a quarter.
Means - you get a cheap lawyer you get a cheap defense.
You can't get brain surgery for a dollar and a quarter.
Means - you get a cheap lawyer you get a cheap defense.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Rtf
()
Date: November 18, 2015 09:53PM
The only ticket I have not gone to court on is an HOV voilation. I was getting off rt66 at 4:05 and HOV started at 4pm. I thought that was bullshit and told the officer there should of been at least a 10 minute grace time before writing tickets. He no, it's starts at 4pm.
I went to court. While waiting I saw a cute blonde that was the court clerk. I walked over and joked then asked how many people get reduced or dimissed HOV charges. She laughed and said NONE. I just paid right then and there. At that time there no points for HOV violations just a $200 fine.
I went to court. While waiting I saw a cute blonde that was the court clerk. I walked over and joked then asked how many people get reduced or dimissed HOV charges. She laughed and said NONE. I just paid right then and there. At that time there no points for HOV violations just a $200 fine.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
t7De6
()
Date: November 19, 2015 01:28PM
> no yellow lines
"no turn across double yellow" had been a rule for highways in areas and isn't in todays books
in today's books the lines indictate traffic direction and passing, just those
you can turn across a double yellow if there is a turn and you are not stopping high speed traffic*. "normally" YES do cross yellow lines when turning unless it presents a danger of sudden stops of high speed traffic (and usually there should be a indication like "do not stop traffic" or "no turns")
(when you could have avoided so, or when the traffic has not enough visibility to deal with coming upon a stopped car: which infact is any highway with hills or turns. because they know this, either there should be an indicator dissallowing or an indicator cautioning drivers to slow down in the area. obviously "entryways" onto highway is SUB-OPTIMAL)
the "gov" does NOT break yellow lines religiously for all entryways to tell you it's ok to turn, no
it's also not true that a "turn lane" is required in order for a turn to be made
although a good defensive driver will go to a light or safe area and come back the other way to avoid messy traffic. idiots race across the street and cause people behind and in oncoming traffic to hit brakes: and will get a ticket if seen by cop and he has nothign better to do
"no turn across double yellow" had been a rule for highways in areas and isn't in todays books
you can turn across a yellow line
in today's books the lines indictate traffic direction and passing, just those
you can turn across a double yellow if there is a turn and you are not stopping high speed traffic*. "normally" YES do cross yellow lines when turning unless it presents a danger of sudden stops of high speed traffic (and usually there should be a indication like "do not stop traffic" or "no turns")
(when you could have avoided so, or when the traffic has not enough visibility to deal with coming upon a stopped car: which infact is any highway with hills or turns. because they know this, either there should be an indicator dissallowing or an indicator cautioning drivers to slow down in the area. obviously "entryways" onto highway is SUB-OPTIMAL)
the "gov" does NOT break yellow lines religiously for all entryways to tell you it's ok to turn, no
it's also not true that a "turn lane" is required in order for a turn to be made
although a good defensive driver will go to a light or safe area and come back the other way to avoid messy traffic. idiots race across the street and cause people behind and in oncoming traffic to hit brakes: and will get a ticket if seen by cop and he has nothign better to do
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
uLW94
()
Date: November 19, 2015 01:33PM
> My parents said I should go to court and waive off points and pay more fine
no. only go to court if you have something substantial to add, else pre-pay
(sub-stancial: uturn sign missing. never got a warning issued and did not get a warning got fine)
it does matter if you posed a traffic hazard (if other cars had to slow down due to your uturn) - but do not argue that to a traffic judge they do not have time for it
-----------------
the judge wont waive anything unless there is a legitimate reason
for instance i got points reduced/waived once because i could not see due to a birth condition and a poorly constructed area due to a road under construction (improper markings or markings i could not see - a few)
or, if i was failed to have a license then showed i had one (showing judge) that i simply left it at home, that'd be a reduction
no. only go to court if you have something substantial to add, else pre-pay
(sub-stancial: uturn sign missing. never got a warning issued and did not get a warning got fine)
it does matter if you posed a traffic hazard (if other cars had to slow down due to your uturn) - but do not argue that to a traffic judge they do not have time for it
-----------------
the judge wont waive anything unless there is a legitimate reason
for instance i got points reduced/waived once because i could not see due to a birth condition and a poorly constructed area due to a road under construction (improper markings or markings i could not see - a few)
or, if i was failed to have a license then showed i had one (showing judge) that i simply left it at home, that'd be a reduction
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
PtXMn
()
Date: November 19, 2015 01:34PM
before you pay the fine online ...
call the cop and ask why a warning wasn't issued for a young driver / first offense
i personally would like to hear the answer MYSELF
call the cop and ask why a warning wasn't issued for a young driver / first offense
i personally would like to hear the answer MYSELF
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
VYtnD
()
Date: November 19, 2015 01:35PM
i dont tolerate mean or greedy cops, personally
i make them wish they'd been a fireman if need be
i make them wish they'd been a fireman if need be
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
yC6h7
()
Date: November 19, 2015 01:43PM
uturns and defensive driving: sudden urges to turn quickly are DANGEROUS
in driving if your on a highway and suddenly realize your missing your exit GO STRAIT AHEAD, take the next one
your reaction to "sudden" should be to procede simply the way your going and to calmly make the next available path to get back where you should be
resist all sudden urges they cause accidents
and keep an eye on cars around you continually as well as far ahead
in driving if your on a highway and suddenly realize your missing your exit GO STRAIT AHEAD, take the next one
your reaction to "sudden" should be to procede simply the way your going and to calmly make the next available path to get back where you should be
resist all sudden urges they cause accidents
and keep an eye on cars around you continually as well as far ahead
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Vwkhk
()
Date: November 19, 2015 01:44PM
just as they warned you: there is absolutely no time except to be paying attention
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
I driver slower now
()
Date: November 19, 2015 01:48PM
Arnie H. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Get a good lawyer but remember:
>
> You can't get brain surgery for a dollar and a
> quarter.
>
> Means - you get a cheap lawyer you get a cheap
> defense.
I was just in Arlington court for a ticket and watched several lawyers negotiate with the district attorney before my turn came up. The lawyers say the same thing you would say - I watched one lawyer explain a speeding charge that the driver was up early and was drinking coffee and didn't know how fast he was going. If you need someone else to make up that kind of bullshit for you, hire an attorney.
IF you have a relatively clean driving record (order it from DMV before you go) and IF you were polite and cooperative with the officer, you'll get a reduced charge. They are doing you a favor by reducing a charge - a conviction in traffic court is a no-brainer.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Get a good lawyer but remember:
>
> You can't get brain surgery for a dollar and a
> quarter.
>
> Means - you get a cheap lawyer you get a cheap
> defense.
I was just in Arlington court for a ticket and watched several lawyers negotiate with the district attorney before my turn came up. The lawyers say the same thing you would say - I watched one lawyer explain a speeding charge that the driver was up early and was drinking coffee and didn't know how fast he was going. If you need someone else to make up that kind of bullshit for you, hire an attorney.
IF you have a relatively clean driving record (order it from DMV before you go) and IF you were polite and cooperative with the officer, you'll get a reduced charge. They are doing you a favor by reducing a charge - a conviction in traffic court is a no-brainer.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
NVbbc
()
Date: November 19, 2015 02:39PM
uLW94 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > My parents said I should go to court and waive
> off points and pay more fine
whaaat? It's not a buffet where you can pay more fine and get less points. The court decides the charge you are convicted on, the DMV decides how many points it accrues. You can reasonable expect to get a 4 point charge knocked down to a 3 point charge, but you are not going be able to just pay more to get a moving violation reduced.
-------------------------------------------------------
> > My parents said I should go to court and waive
> off points and pay more fine
whaaat? It's not a buffet where you can pay more fine and get less points. The court decides the charge you are convicted on, the DMV decides how many points it accrues. You can reasonable expect to get a 4 point charge knocked down to a 3 point charge, but you are not going be able to just pay more to get a moving violation reduced.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
()
Date: December 03, 2015 09:58PM
My moving violation was dismissed today. No court costs, no fines, and no points. Dismissed. It can happen. Not impossible. I originally pleaded no contest but stated that I wanted to explain what happened. The judge then changed my plea to not guilty and I went to trial. The judge had mercy on me, agreed the intersection could be confusing and dismissed my case. He basically sided with me against the officer.
Mine was the only one dismissed. Everybody else was found guilty. I should have bought a lottery ticket today since I was that lucky.
Mine was the only one dismissed. Everybody else was found guilty. I should have bought a lottery ticket today since I was that lucky.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
Good news
()
Date: December 03, 2015 10:28PM
Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My moving violation was dismissed today. No court
> costs, no fines, and no points. Dismissed. It
> can happen. Not impossible. I originally pleaded
> no contest but stated that I wanted to explain
> what happened. The judge then changed my plea to
> not guilty and I went to trial. The judge had
> mercy on me, agreed the intersection could be
> confusing and dismissed my case. He basically
> sided with me against the officer.
>
> Mine was the only one dismissed. Everybody else
> was found guilty. I should have bought a lottery
> ticket today since I was that lucky.
Because you were the only person with a good driving record that wasn't trying to bullshit the judge.
Judge hear bullshit all day. A judge can tell if someone is sincere.
Glad to hear you went to court and got it dismissed.
-------------------------------------------------------
> My moving violation was dismissed today. No court
> costs, no fines, and no points. Dismissed. It
> can happen. Not impossible. I originally pleaded
> no contest but stated that I wanted to explain
> what happened. The judge then changed my plea to
> not guilty and I went to trial. The judge had
> mercy on me, agreed the intersection could be
> confusing and dismissed my case. He basically
> sided with me against the officer.
>
> Mine was the only one dismissed. Everybody else
> was found guilty. I should have bought a lottery
> ticket today since I was that lucky.
Because you were the only person with a good driving record that wasn't trying to bullshit the judge.
Judge hear bullshit all day. A judge can tell if someone is sincere.
Glad to hear you went to court and got it dismissed.
Re: received my first traffic ticket today.. any chance of getting it waived?
Posted by:
fact checker at FFXU
()
Date: December 04, 2015 03:27PM
Been there before Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Go get yourself a friend who is an attorney to
> walk in to court, talk to the district attorney
> and have it changed to something else like failure
> to obey a sign or something that is categorized as
> a non moving violation.
>
> By the way, never pay a speeding ticket. ALWAYS
> plea it down on court day to something like
> "defective equipment". Much cheaper and no
> insurance issues.
Love the mis-leading information (lies) supplied by the not so knowledgeable doofuses at FairfaxUnderground! Failure to obey a highway sign is a moving violation and three points in VA.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Go get yourself a friend who is an attorney to
> walk in to court, talk to the district attorney
> and have it changed to something else like failure
> to obey a sign or something that is categorized as
> a non moving violation.
>
> By the way, never pay a speeding ticket. ALWAYS
> plea it down on court day to something like
> "defective equipment". Much cheaper and no
> insurance issues.
Love the mis-leading information (lies) supplied by the not so knowledgeable doofuses at FairfaxUnderground! Failure to obey a highway sign is a moving violation and three points in VA.