Speeding ticket question

[Shorelunch]

My wife was in the middle of three cars on a rural highway traveling home on Sunday. State trooper pulled all three over, saying they were going 75mph (in a 55). My wife "swears" she wasn't going that fast, but didn't ask to see the gun speed.

She hasn't had a speeding ticket in maybe 10 years or so. Is there any way to lessen the ticket on a situation like this?

[TR21HP]

Shorelunch,

About the only thing you can do is contest the ticket and go to court. Without asking for the data on the speed gun, not only model speed indicated and last calibration it's basically your word against the officer's. A claim of,"I honestly don't think I was going that fast," won't mean anything in front of a judge or magistrate whatever the case may be.

[SkunkedAgain]

In my teens to mid-20s, I got out of no less than 15 speeding tickets by calling the district attorney and scheduling an appointment. I never asked to "see the speed gun" or anything. Just go in and have a conversation with the DA. Often times you tell them a simple, believable story they will cut you a deal. It's not a guarantee but it was the best way to avoid paying a ticket if you weren't able to avoid receiving it!

BTW - I wouldn't claim that I wasn't going x speed, or that everyone else was going that fast. They are tired excuses that everyone uses...even if they are true. Give the DA a plausible explanation for why you were speeding that leads them to believe that it's not a common occurrence. It usually worked for me!

[muskielaw]

If you are worried about it going on her record and insurance you may be able to get it continued for dismissal depending on the city. She will have to show up for the court date on the ticket and speak with the prosecutor or some cities will have a hearing officer (or something like that). In essence they will agree to dismiss the ticket if she does not get another one for a year but you still pay court costs (will be about the same as the ticket fine). So city gets its money your wife doesn't have it on her record. However, if your wife gets another ticket within a year she has to answer to both of the tickets at that time. If nothing within the year nothing on her record. Again it all depends on the city if they will do this deal.

Muskie

[ClownColor]

Plead guilty but ask for a 2 year probationary period to rid yourself of the violation...but if you get one during that time, they hit you for both violaitons then. Having such a clean record, they judge may do it.

[bucketmouth64]

If you are worried about it going on her record and insurance you may be able to get it continued for dismissal depending on the city. She will have to show up for the court date on the ticket and speak with the prosecutor or some cities will have a hearing officer (or something like that). In essence they will agree to dismiss the ticket if she does not get another one for a year but you still pay court costs (will be about the same as the ticket fine). So city gets its money your wife doesn't have it on her record. However, if your wife gets another ticket within a year she has to answer to both of the tickets at that time. If nothing within the year nothing on her record. Again it all depends on the city if they will do this deal.

Muskie

+1 This has worked for me 2-3 times. Depending on the city go to hearing officer and they'll give you a suspended sentence for 1 year. Still had to pay the fine, but if you stay clean for a year it won't go on your record. This process didn't require appointment and was done in less than half hour. I also had a state trooper give me a ticket and he said that it was written up so that it won't affect insurance. Since it was out of the area I lived in I just sent in the payment. My rates haven't been affected.

[SkunkedAgain]

It may not have affected your rates but I bet that a call to your agent would confirm that they can see it as a mark on your record. My wife has a few things over the years like a no-turn-on-red, illegal left turn, etc. I was surprised that my agent listed them all out the other week but said that none of them have affected our rate.

[chad austin]

I recently got a ticket in Big Stone County and was written an administrative ticket and was told "if you pay this within 10 days there will be no record of anything, as if I never even wrote the ticket out. BUT if you don't pay the ticket or go to court the fine jumps to $270.00" I was in the wrong doing 74 in a 55, so I payed the ticket the following day. The administrative ticket was $60.00.

[EBass]

This was years ago, but I went to court and the DA gave me a deal (depends on if she has prior driving violations) basically if my memory serves me well is that I paid double, but it was off my record and I couldn't get another speeding ticket for a year. This was Hennipen Co. I believe I went downtown to dispute it and get a court date then I went to a court in Edina. I took some time off work to deal with it. Sucked!

[lispeej]

I would fight the ticket! No lawyer needed. She can represent herself.

I would personally take the day off of work or go in after court. If the officer who gave your wife the ticket doesn't show up to court that morning/day, the judge and DA usually will dismiss the ticket. This has happened to me a couple of times about 15 yrs ago.

Plain and simple. If the officer shows up, oh well. The judge will probably make a deal with your wife anyways...as what others have mentioned...pay the fine and remain ticket free and it will not go on her record.

Good luck.