Re: Speeding ticket
Posted by:
ThePackLeader
()
Date: September 21, 2009 02:35AM
MrMephisto Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sam Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I got a speeding ticket (45 mph in 35mph zone).
> > Should I plead guilty, not guilty or no
> contest?
> > I'm 17, have been driving for a year and have a
> > clean driving record.
>
> Plead guilty, pay it, and stop speeding.
>
> I got a couple tickets when I was 17, and it
> really had no impact on my adult life. Plus, it
> sounds like you know you're guilty, and are just
> trying to get out of it. If you walk in there
> asking to see the cop's equipment certifications
> or start asking him what color your car was,
> you're just going to piss them off.
>
> Here's the best advice you'll get in this thread:
> Be humble, wear a suit, look as presentable as
> possible, plead guilty, and throw yourself upon
> the mercy of the court. The couple times I had to
> sit in traffic court around here showed me that,
> if you really are guilty, there's nothing you can
> do but be polite and hope the judge got laid the
> night before. I was in for a speeding ticket
> once, and people who were fighting their tickets
> and calling the cops liars were getting the
> maximum penalty; I pled guilty, said my yes sirs
> and no sirs, and at least walked away with no
> points.
Worst mistake ever: NEVER, and I mean NEVER call a Cop a liar on the stand. The Judge is going to side with the LEO 90% of the time under "He Said/She Said" type scenarios.
I had a ticket once for "Running A Stop Sign", even though I damn well knew that I didn't (I had two other witnesses to confirm such as well). I didn't argue with the Officer though, it's simply not worth it, especially when they're not giving you any attitude. The COURTS are for the arguments, and that is the bottom line. As for my case, I made it about the signage and roadway conditions, as opposed to the Officer. All that you need to do is create enough "Reasonable Doubt", and any decent and impartial judge will dismiss/acquit your case.
However, if you were registered going 10 above the speed limit, and you were not on the highway (Where it is usually acceptable), then the only hope you have of creating enough RD is if you can prove a mechanical issue with your car which would create such a difference, or if you were in with a lot of moving traffic and the conditions could have allowed for there to be reason that another vehicle might have been the culprit.
If you plead "No Contest", then you're simply saying that you are not taking a position upon your own guilt, but that you do acknowledge that proficient evidence exists with which to bring a finding of "Guilty" against you by the court. Some of the other advice on here is correct and good. If you really do not feel up to fighting it, and/or you know that you WERE guilty, pleading No Contest will allow you a chance to plea for an opportunity to correct the offense without Points being deducted against you, and to even possibly have it dismissed after a "probationary" period during which you will have to receive NO MORE TICKETS.