Fighting Speeding Tickets

[GottaGo]

I know this isn't exactly a question to do with mechanics, but I figured it does have something to do with cars so I figured I'd ask it here...A few weeks ago I got my first speeding ticket in my 10 yrs of driving. He clocked me going 46 in a 30 (in an area that could easily be a 45 mph zone b/c there are no businesses or residential areas around it, but i regress..) Anyways he wrote the ticket for 45 in a 30. I recently found out anything over 10mph over the limit goes on your insurance. I am seriously considering fighting this just to try to get it lowered so it doesn't go on my insurance. I have gotten a few verbal warnings for speeding since I got my license, but never a written one so I think my driving record is clean (i don't think verbal warnings go on your record, correct me if I'm wrong...) Is it worth fighting this? I figure I have nothing to lose. Is there anything I should be aware of going to court over a ticket (ie extra fees, what to expect)? Thanks for any comments

[BlueLundFishrman]

I would just pay the ticket. Obviously you're guilty. Accept the consequences. One speeding ticket won't break ya. Doesn't matter that it "could easily be a 45mph zone", the posted was 30 and you were doing 46. It might cost more to fight the potential increase in your insurance rates. You're insurance may not penalize for just one speeding ticket, check with them first.

[bak2MN]

Your insurance company may not catch it right away.

[tori's dad]

Hey GottGo, the ten mile over the limit rule only applies in a 55 zone- go to court and talk to the county or city attorney- tell them you will plead guilty if they can keep it off your record- I work of a County Sheriffs office and most States attorneys will work with you to get the guilty plea- but not all but it is worth a chance- talk to them on your court date.

[ripstick]

There is a good chance that the insurance co wont catch it.

[waterbound]

I know a few guys that got speeding tickets and they went to court to plead guilty and "No Same or Similar" or something like that. They had to pay the fine for the ticket and an extra $50 or something but as long as they don't get a same/similar ticket within a year the insurance company will never know about the ticket. This is probably the best solution for you as your insurance won't go up and you won't have to deal with the hassle of contesting a speeding ticket.

[GottaGo]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I know I'm guilty and I don't mind paying the ticket, it's just money is tight enough as it is and I really don't want to have to pay for one stupid ticket over a prolonged time thru insurance... Those suggesting talking to the city/county attorney how do I do this? Do I call ahead, or are they someone you have to meet with right before the court time? Also, I woould rather not call and ask my insurance as I don't want to point this out to them if they dont need to know...

[Jeremy airjer W]

Unfortunately you find a whole lot of sympathy here. The easy answer would have been not to break the speed limit. No worries if there is nothing to worry about is a lot easier than dealing with your situation.

I always find it interesting that we are so open to revealing issues like this and looking for ways out. Funny how you never see anybody post things like how do I get out getting caught with a gross over limit or getting caught taking an animal out of season. In all three cases you know your doing the wrong thing before the alleged crime is done yet we seem to think that it's just a dumb speeding ticket.

If money is tight than slow down. There are many benefits than just saving yourself a speeding ticket!

[shizzy]

I know a few guys that got speeding tickets and they went to court to plead guilty and "No Same or Similar" or something like that. They had to pay the fine for the ticket and an extra $50 or something but as long as they don't get a same/similar ticket within a year the insurance company will never know about the ticket. This is probably the best solution for you as your insurance won't go up and you won't have to deal with the hassle of contesting a speeding ticket.

thats probably your only way about this one. if this is truly your first offense in 10 years then it might work.

but as already stated, slow her down a tad!! lol

[broken_line]

just a thought, on our buick lucurne we get best mpg at 50 to 55. at 30 we get 16 at 55 we get 32 ish depending on how straight you drive =). but you did the crime mise as well take it and learn from it. after all isnt that the point of tickets to give a rude reminder that there are LAWs??

[Fazerfish]

I got a speeding ticket a few years ago, and my brother told me he has gone to court a few times when he gets them, and if the cop that wrote you the ticket doesn't show up, you get off the hook. He would try to schedule the court date around a holiday, upping the odds. I tried this, (not the part about getting a court date around a holiday). The first thing someone asked me is would I be willing to pay half right now, and not go thru the rest of the court proceedings, wasting the courts time. This was before I ever got into the court room. Then they gave me the option of paying the full ticket and a little extra, the same as someone posted above, and the ticket will go off your record in a year if you don't another ticket. I thought that they were trying to get me to make a deal because the cop didn't show, so I said no to both offers, and went in front of the judge, pleaded my case, he listened, sided with the cop, and I payed the ticket. I chalk it up to a good learning experience...I was lucky though because I was called right away when waiting in court, and the court room was full, so if you happen to be towards the end of the line, I bet it would take hours to get to you....

[jwhjr]

I went the no same or similar route about 10 yrs ago and haven't gotten another since.

[crothmeier]

one ticket might not hurt your insurance, but i attended a class, paid $75 for the class, and then the ticket was ripped up. it was a 2 hour driving class. . . maybe ask if its an option. the county put it on.

[bucketmouth64]

Pay the fine and ask for a suspended sentence. This way the ticket does not go on your record if you stay clean for one year. You don't have to go to court to have this done. Believe me I've had it done a few times in Ramsey county. And it is true if ticket is 10 mph or under then it won't affect your insurance. Had a trooper tell me this when he gave me a ticket.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Had a trooper tell me this when he gave me a ticket.

Which leads us to believe you where on a highway/freeway. 10 over on a city street may not apply!

[DTro]

I think it would be worth trying to at least plea it off your record. I think if you work with them and be honest they will oblige.

1 ticket might not cost you, but these thing go in streaks, so if you say “oh well” and you just happen to get caught again…..guess what.

It’s very simple to sit on the sidelines and say , “slow down”, but we all know there are times when you get distracted or whatnot and go over. It’s not just the chronic speeders that get caught.

I’ll probably jinx myself, but I haven’t been pulled over in almost 20yrs. I speed all the time but keep it at less than 9 over. Some of those 30mph zones though are ridiculous and I can see where 10 over happens from time to time.

[GottaGo]

I'm glad i'm not the only one who's got a speeding ticket like I was starting to think by the first few replies... Anyway's my court date is next week and I decided I'm gonna do what most of you recommended and try to get the suspended sentence so I can just pay my ticket and hopefully have no more issues for the next year. Thanks for the advice!

[Whoaru99]

... I decided I'm gonna do what most of you recommended and try to get the suspended sentence so I can just pay my ticket and hopefully have no more issues for the next year.

As long as you keep that in mind...get another in your "grace period", if granted, and they just might throw the book at you next time.

[walleyeRyummy]

i got a ticket in april down by the cities......anyways i wrote a letter asking for leniency (sp?) because i didnt want my ins to go up (just like anyone else) ...they offered me what they called a diversion (sounds like this "no same or similar") anyways, i paid extra and if i dont get a ticket in a year it stays off my record....the patrolman who pulled me over told me about this possibility and told me to call the phone number that was on my ticket.....good luck

[speedbump]

First of all if all you are worried about is your insurance going up. Call your insurance company and see what their policies are regarding one speeding ticket. Secondly, most City Attornies set a standard of when they can give a continuence for dissmissal (no same or similar). It usually goes by your previous driving record and how far you were above the posted limit. I think the idea of scheduling a court date to see if the officer shows up or not is a real shot in the dark and rarely works. Realize that if you try this and the officer shows up you are costing all of the tax payers a substantial amount of money to have the officer show up when you know you are guilty and should just take care of the ticket and chalk it up to a learning lesson.

The continuence will cost you more money than the ticket upfront, but is a very good option if your insurance company tells you that your rates would go up with one ticket.

[delcecchi]

I asked my buddy who is a dakota county deputy sheriff and he said the cops love it. That trip to court is OverTime. And they get paid for OverTime. maybe even time and a half. :-)

[GottaGo]

I ended up having my court date today, I met with the county prosecuter right before it and he agreed to let me just pay the ticket and it will stay off my records as long as I don't get another speeding ticket in the next year. Then a quick trip into the courtroom to confirm with the judge I was happy with this plan and I was on my way. It ended up costing me the exact same amount of the ticket and only took up an hour of my afternoon, so overall everything worked out as good as I could have hoped for. Thanks for all the advice.