BAD TICKET!

[nsmitchell]

Yesterday I got a speeding ticket. Uhhhhhh... 87MPH in a 55MPH zone. Reckless! I know I need to slow down, and believe me this convinced me to slow down from now on. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions on anything to do with court. I am in the process of getting a lawyer. I feel really stupid for going that fast. I was just fininshing a long trip where I had been doing the actual speed limit the whole way, like 400 miles worth, then just as I reached the home stretch, I put the hammer down and got clocked on radar. I feel sick constantly now. Uncertainty looming until mid May.

Any helpful suggestions are appreciated!

[ChinoCharles]

What is your record like otherwise?

[nsmitchell]

Luckily, I haven't had a ticket in about 7 years.

BTW - I don't think I will be getting that ZPI Tubo now... then I would have no car and no license.

[Yaris Revenge]

Holy crap... 30+mph over the posted limit?! I'm surprised you're not already in jail! Your license is gone for sure... or it would be if you were in GA. They snatch your license for 20 over around here. I never run more than 15 over, and even that will earn me a nice ticket should I ever run across an officer w/ a radar. I seriously need to invest in a detector.

~YR

[nsmitchell]

Holy crap... 30+mph over the posted limit?! I'm surprised you're not already in jail! Your license is gone for sure... or it would be if you were in GA. They snatch your license for 20 over around here. I never run more than 15 over, and even that will earn me a nice ticket should I ever run across an officer w/ a radar. I seriously need to invest in a detector.

~YR
Now I feel much better! :cry:

[Yaris Revenge]

Now I feel much better! :cry:

Oops, sorry 'bout that! :rolleyes:

However, if your record is that clean, you may be able to plead temporary insanity! :laugh:

Actually, there IS a state called "highway hypnosis" (you probably know about this) that can occur when you've been driving at high speeds for extended periods. Your sense of speed becomes distorted because your brain has re-tuned itself, and if you're not paying attention to your gauges, you don't realize how fast you're going. This becomes a problem after you exit the interstate into lower speed zones. Your lawyer will probably already be aware of this, but you might wanna' mention it.

Hope that helps! :thumbsup:

~YR

[SailDesign]

Tell 'em you thought it was a Canadian edition, and the speedo was in kilometres.... :smile:
That worked for me ONCE in the early 70's, but hopefully the cops are smarter now.

[brickhardmeat]

lie ,play stupid ,go ahead and get the lawyer, those guys are usually pretty cheap for traffic court, you'll be getting lots of mail offers, sometimes the cops don't even show up, i don't think you'll lose your license but you will prbably pay a hefty fine, 15 over here in town and I pay 350+

[brickhardmeat]

oh yeah, slow the hell down:rolleyes:

[ChinoCharles]

A guy I work with got pulled over in Virginia on the way to Disneyworld with the family and he got hosed. Speeding tickets are expensive there.

You're in a bit of a pickle, no doubt. However, if you haven't had a ticket in 7 years then you might have a prayer. Get your lawyer and tell him you will do anything to circumvent losing your liscence. Classes, community service, anything. Try to plea out. If not, bring a pillow to court, because you're going to be on your knees.

Good luck man, I'm pulling for you.

[Black Yaris]

Now I feel much better! :cry:

jst say you are not used to the center mounted speedo yet, and you though you were "moving along with traffic", and you are really really sorry and you will never do it again and bring a wife or GF wearing a real tight shirt to show a lil boob

[Vervepipes]

jst say you are not used to the center mounted speedo yet, and you though you were "moving along with traffic", and you are really really sorry and you will never do it again and bring a wife or GF wearing a real tight shirt to show a lil boob


Yes, boob hypnosis is almost as bad as highway hypnosis

[BMGYaris]

These are all really great ideas and everything. The only problem is that I really doubt that the highway speed limit was up to 90mph...probably about 70 or even 60 at times. That would mean that he was doing at least 17 mph over the speed limit for 400 miles? and then didnt realize it and kept going that same speed in a 55....im pretty sure thats not going to cut the cheese.
I say just be brutally honest about the situation and about what you have learned from it. No BS about a speedo in the center, I imaigne judges have heard alot of stories, thats only going to piss him off and make him think you will probably do it many times in the future.

[Blenjar]

Do like I did a year ago.

I was doing 82 in a 55.

Plead not guilty, after that go to ur court date, before u go to court u will be asked few questions by a (prosecutor or something) tell him what you told us, ask him to please lower the ticket price. bs him, u didnt have ticket for 7 years, u were few minsa from home, u were tired of driving etc etc, make bs story and he will lower ur price by half.

But if you don't want the ticket at all...were there any car around u while going that fast?
if not ur fuked, if yes than say maybe the cop capted a car that was following u, or u were trying ot pass a car or etc..make some bs stories..
I say just pay the ticket at a very low price but it will go on ur record..

-- Blen

[ChinoCharles]

I talked to my buddy at work about it again today. Funny thing, he got busted doing the exact same speed in the same zone you did. He said his ticket was only $230, but he did get his license suspended in the state of Virginia. He wrote a letter to the courts explaining his situation. He was in a minivan, too, so it isn't like he was street racing. However, he didn't have any luck lowering his fine or sentence and his license is currently suspended in the state of Virginia.

Get a good lawyer and go to court looking dapper and on top of your game... and cross your fingers.

[uncleyaris]

We have xcops, who guarentee the win or you don't pay them. Maybe you got something like that in your parts. I say fight it all the way, and research the kind of radar they use. Maybe someone else has fought a ticket and won and has posted results/findings on it's inacuracy. Remember OJ Reasonable doubt!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck

[MrJester]

you can always send in the payment with like $20 extra bucks then when they send you a refund check trash it and the ticket shouldn't go on your record something screwy with the ticket system has worked for me a few times.

[brickhardmeat]

so how much was the fine?

[Go4th]

did you get one ticket? for speeding or two tickets... one speeding and the other reckless?

[Go4th]

Yesterday I got a speeding ticket. Uhhhhhh... 87MPH in a 55MPH zone. Reckless! I know I need to slow down, and believe me this convinced me to slow down from now on. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions on anything to do with court. I am in the process of getting a lawyer. I feel really stupid for going that fast. I was just fininshing a long trip where I had been doing the actual speed limit the whole way, like 400 miles worth, then just as I reached the home stretch, I put the hammer down and got clocked on radar. I feel sick constantly now. Uncertainty looming until mid May.

Any helpful suggestions are appreciated!

Talking to a lawyer is free.

I was busted 150mph in CantonGa. on the highway in my corvette. Lawyer saved my license got the reckless ticket dropped. I had to plead guilty to the 150 mph. 3k fine and 1yr probation. So I got max everything for the speeding (what the law wanted, the money mostly) and I got want I wanted, my license.
That is what a lawyer can do for you.
If you don’t need a lawyer then,
talk nice to the judge dress sharp tell him the truth they like respect and people that throw them selves at the mercy of the court! They eat it up that they have you by the balls so just be sincere! They believe people more then. You just may walk out of there with a min fine.

Also if you have defensive driving schools around go ahead and do the course b4 you even go and show it to the judge.
He will make you take it anyways and you will be showing your sorry and went ahead and did what you feel you need to do b4 your told to do it. It looks real good for the judge to see that!
Plus that reduces your points on your license and it may save you from loosing your license since you have already taken the class.

In Georgia they have this thing called nolo contendre plea and that means your not saying you are guilty and your not saying you are not. You can use that plea once every few years. So you pay your fine (they get what they want) and you get what you want your license or the min punishment (what you want).
they have that in your state too! see if you can use that for the ticket and if so what that will help you with.
You can call the court and ask what typically happens with a ticket like that and they should be able to tell you.

here are the links for your state. your getting 6 to 12 points if you got two tickets or one. both are 6 points each.
http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/points_6.asp (http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/points_6.asp)

six points are going against your license. (for just the speeding)
· Reckless driving - speeding in excess of 80 mph (11 years)
6 more for reckless if you got on for that too.


here is your state conciquences on your license being suspended or revocked depending on the number of your points you have.
http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/vadm/vadm1-8.asp (http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/vadm/vadm1-8.asp)

If you are age 18 or older and you accumulate eight demerit points in 12 months (or 12 points in 24 months), you will receive an advisory letter that cautions you about the consequences of violating the law.
If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months), you will be required to complete a clinic. You must enroll in and satisfactorily complete the driver improvement clinic within 90 days or your driver’s license will be suspended.
If you accumulate 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months), your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days. Additionally, you must complete a driver improvement clinic before your privilege will be restored. Once your privilege is restored, you will be placed on a six month probation. You will not be granted restricted driving privileges.

[nsmitchell]

jst say you are not used to the center mounted speedo yet, and you though you were "moving along with traffic", and you are really really sorry and you will never do it again and bring a wife or GF wearing a real tight shirt to show a lil boob
Interesting you say this. The copy actually said as he gave me the ticket and was just about to walk away "That is a weird place for your speedometer." I wonder if he was giving me a clue to somehow reduce the fine. I will definately get my lawer to check out my Yaris! I wonder if there are any super hot lawyer chicks that can boob hypnotize the judge?!

Like someone said earlier, I will do anything and pay anything, I just can't lose my license.

[nsmitchell]

did you get one ticket? for speeding or two tickets... one speeding and the other reckless?

I just got one reckless ticket.

I was just coming from a 2 lane hwy that opened up to a 4 lane. I had just passed a bunch of slow cars that had been in front of me for a while and then I saw the cops. It was 5:50 on a Thursday. I had been driving since 3:00 and didn't think about the fact that it was rush hour.

I am grateful for all the helpful info y'all have posted!

Thanks members of Yarisworld!

[rwseattle]

How about deferred prosecution, keeps your record clean.

[stuffy]

it sounds like you guys actually have some punishment for speeding in the states,
everytime i drive in the u.s., i'm amazed at how people seem to obey the speed limit, or at least don't drive much over.
in canada, the posted limit on an expressway is usually 100km/h, but you wouldn't get pulled over for going 120km/h, you might by going 130, , 140 you would get pulled over for sure, but it would be a fine only.

other canadians correct me if i'm wrong, but other than a pricey fine, you have to be a repeat offender here in canada to lose your license unless you are going 200km/h.

[Vervepipes]

If you get enough demerit points you'll lose your liscence just like in the states, and varying speeds above the limit will give differant demerit penalties. It all depends where you are, I noticed in Alberta, people drive the limit, or even below the limit on the highways at times where in Alberta and Quebec the driving habbit is a little faster

[nsmitchell]

Talking to a lawyer is free.

I was busted 150mph in CantonGa. on the highway in my corvette. Lawyer saved my license got the reckless ticket dropped. I had to plead guilty to the 150 mph. 3k fine and 1yr probation. So I got max everything for the speeding (what the law wanted, the money mostly) and I got want I wanted, my license.
That is what a lawyer can do for you.
If you don’t need a lawyer then,
talk nice to the judge dress sharp tell him the truth they like respect and people that throw them selves at the mercy of the court! They eat it up that they have you by the balls so just be sincere! They believe people more then. You just may walk out of there with a min fine.

Also if you have defensive driving schools around go ahead and do the course b4 you even go and show it to the judge.
He will make you take it anyways and you will be showing your sorry and went ahead and did what you feel you need to do b4 your told to do it. It looks real good for the judge to see that!
Plus that reduces your points on your license and it may save you from loosing your license since you have already taken the class.

In Georgia they have this thing called nolo contendre plea and that means your not saying you are guilty and your not saying you are not. You can use that plea once every few years. So you pay your fine (they get what they want) and you get what you want your license or the min punishment (what you want).
they have that in your state too! see if you can use that for the ticket and if so what that will help you with.
You can call the court and ask what typically happens with a ticket like that and they should be able to tell you.

here are the links for your state. your getting 6 to 12 points if you got two tickets or one. both are 6 points each.
http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/points_6.asp (http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/points_6.asp)

six points are going against your license. (for just the speeding)
· Reckless driving - speeding in excess of 80 mph (11 years)
6 more for reckless if you got on for that too.


here is your state conciquences on your license being suspended or revocked depending on the number of your points you have.
http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/vadm/vadm1-8.asp (http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/vadm/vadm1-8.asp)

If you are age 18 or older and you accumulate eight demerit points in 12 months (or 12 points in 24 months), you will receive an advisory letter that cautions you about the consequences of violating the law.
If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months), you will be required to complete a clinic. You must enroll in and satisfactorily complete the driver improvement clinic within 90 days or your driver’s license will be suspended.
If you accumulate 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months), your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days. Additionally, you must complete a driver improvement clinic before your privilege will be restored. Once your privilege is restored, you will be placed on a six month probation. You will not be granted restricted driving privileges.

EXCELLENT LINKS! After reading the links, I feel much better. Kinda puts the punishment in perspective a little better. Thanks!:smile:

[eco]

I got a ticket in Union City GA about a month ago,57 in a 35,thats 22 mph over,my licenced wasnt taken,I got a $371 fine,this is when I was in a Scion TC loaner from Hank Aaron Toyota/Scion.Now I have a radar detector in my Yaris,it has saved me several times already,and lets me know when cops are in the general area in the city or suburbs.

[sambo42xa]

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

:bonk:
Southern, NH

[jdubau55]

Since we are both in VA. Let me tell you this. DO NOT PREPAY THE TICKET! Go to court. Tell the judge that its a new car, you're not used to it yet. Also mention it has been 7 years since you last had a ticket. Ask him to drop it from reckless and take it under advisement if you take the Driver Safety course. Chances are he will say yes. Then it will just be speeding and then he might even drop it if you take the Drivers Safety course. The course is like 70 bux and only takes up like one Saturday. Due to the fact it has been a while since your last ticket the judge will know that it was just carelessness and not recklessness.

[nsmitchell]

Since we are both in VA. Let me tell you this. DO NOT PREPAY THE TICKET! Go to court. Tell the judge that its a new car, you're not used to it yet. Also mention it has been 7 years since you last had a ticket. Ask him to drop it from reckless and take it under advisement if you take the Driver Safety course. Chances are he will say yes. Then it will just be speeding and then he might even drop it if you take the Drivers Safety course. The course is like 70 bux and only takes up like one Saturday. Due to the fact it has been a while since your last ticket the judge will know that it was just carelessness and not recklessness.
Good suggestion about it being a new car. I would love for it to be dropped to simple speeding! I can't prepay because of the reckless though.

BTW - I was just in Blacksburg the morning of the ticket. I had dinner at Macados on University City Blvd the night before.:thumbup:

[sambo42xa]

Just tell the Judge your an Illegal Alien. And make sure no Law officials see you driving off when you leave.

:bonk:
Southern, NH

[jdubau55]

Good suggestion about it being a new car. I would love for it to be dropped to simple speeding! I can't prepay because of the reckless though.

BTW - I was just in Blacksburg the morning of the ticket. I had dinner at Macados on University City Blvd the night before.:thumbup:

Well thats like right across the street from my old place.

[Farminator]

Awwwww sh!%. I was just reading up on the whole ticket deal with you guys and the suggestions and wouldn't you know it...today driving home I got the red and blue flashing behind me pulling me over on the freeway. Here in Los Angeles the CHP aren't too friendly but luckily I got off ok. Was going 90'ish climbing hill coming off slow moving traffic but clocked in at 80 in 65 zone. No record for a while but this car just seems to feel confortable around 80mph. Cant help it or just aren't used to it but officer said prob a $125 fine(according to the chp) and traffic school to clear the points off my record. Have a feeling we are going to hear many more stories about tickets but since im saving on gas with my ride I think it would be wise to invest in a radar detector. Any suggestions on good one?

[churp]

One of the things on my list is a cruise control....backed off of 80+ too many times already!

[Yaris Revenge]

Hey Farm, check this out.... haven't purchased one for myself, but it gets awesome reviews (which it should, considering the price).

http://www.valentine1.com/

I always wanted a sensor array for my car! (Make it so, Number One!)

~YR

[nsmitchell]

Unfortunately, those are illegal in Virginia... If they weren't I would own one in a snap!

The Yaris does feel comfy at 80 for some reason. I did'nt realize how fast I was going because the damn thing is so smooth and quck at speeds above 60. 80 feels like 60 pretty much. Maybe the judge should take the Yaris out for a spin before passing judgment. Maybe there will be a shiny new Yaris parked in the judge's parking spot before long. hehe

[Farminator]

Thanks Yaris Rev for the lookout into gear. Looks like a something I need.

[MrJester]

Yeah they are illegal but you can still have one. I will say though it is a $500 ticket if they catch you.

[OxyG3nE]

if they catch you.. IF ..

[MrJester]

Yeah IF

I have one I have been warned twice now already but that only cause I was driving through the gates at the military base and forgot to take it down.

[Reddington]

Here's the secret weapon for speeding tickets that nobody has mentioned. A lot of states have what is referred to as a "PJC" or Prayer for Judgement Continuance. It basically means you plead guilty and pay the fine, BUT it doesn't count as a conviction so it never shows up on your insurance.

Every household gets 1 of these every 5-7 years. The catch is, If you get another ticket during that time the ticket that you used the PJC on becomes a conviction in addition to the new ticket. So drive like a grandma the next 5 years and you'll be fine.

Some states limit which types of tickets PJCs can be used on so check with your state's DA. I'm sure they'll help you if you call. Traffic tickets are more like herding cattle so they aren't out to get anybody..

[MrJester]

Now I don't know about VA but in TN where I am from it was not the entire state but it was each county you could use PJC (Didn't know that was what it was called but its the same thing) and you could get 1 ticket each year in each county. :) You had to pay court costs and driving school. It was sweet. :)

[foober]

you may look into a radar detector. I've got one for each of my vehicles. Saved many many dollars over the years.

[nsmitchell]

Well my lawyer told me to get a speedometer calibtration test. I actually worked against me. Inside the car was displaying 90MPH, the dyno read 87MPH.:cry:

[drifto]

got caught for doin 92 in a 45 construction zone (no work being doneat the time) here in ny. wanted $650 and 3points. but at court i had a conversation with the cop before the judge called me in and i pleaded down to going 50 in a 45 zone. cop was really cool i only had to pay $250. but the judge was a deek so he gave me 2 points

[nsmitchell]

Well, I went to court yesterday. My lawyer was very good. $350.00 fine and that's it. Other people were getting some jail time over 80MPH. I fell very lucky! :)

[DorytheYaris]

I was clocked going 89 in a 65 and I got a $280 ticket, 3 points, and my insurance went up about $900 a year. That was October 1, 2003 when I was 19. I was young and stupid so I went and paid the ticket online rather than go to court and fight it. In 2006, those points got erased thank god. I thought I could speed cause it was the first of the month. But this stupid cop was a little eager to start meeting his quota early.

FYI- If you ever visit Jersey, never EVER speed on I-295, I-195, The Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway. They give out tickets like candy around here. I saw THREE people.. THREE pulled over within a one mile radius on I-295 last night, (the 14th of the month..). These State Troopers are REDIC. BEWARE!

[ceres]

I got really lucky with my speeding ticket. First, I was clocked going 82 in a 65 and only about five minutes before had caught myself going 90.
My dad is a lawyer so he represented me. Called the policestation to talk to the cop but never was able to get a hold of him. Instead would talk up the other police officers with lawyer jokes. The day of traffic court, we waited for the cop to show. Finally gets there and he offers a deal of a 6 month probation. No tickets and it's thrown out. I get another and it comes back to haunt me. My dad was hoping for it to be lowered to a parking ticket at most so he was estatic at that offer. And yes, haven't had a ticket in 4 years since the first.