Anyone get a speeding ticket in FL?

[WeRblam]

Just curious, since I did! Coming back from attending an Open House for college and back to the world. Now I will get 2 points against my driving record - not good since I have teen driver and we live in taxachusetts which already is outrageous! THis is my first ticket ever...

Funny thing, I keep getting all literature from attorneys in Florida who state they can fight the ticket. Anyone ever heard of this?

 

[jodifla]

Just curious, since I did! Coming back from attending an Open House for college and back to the world. Now I will get 2 points against my driving record - not good since I have teen driver and we live in taxachusetts which already is outrageous! THis is my first ticket ever...

Funny thing, I keep getting all literature from attorneys in Florida who state they can fight the ticket. Anyone ever heard of this?

Yeah. I got a speeding ticket once. Got a lawyer, and it went away.

 

[EeyoreJMH]

When DH was on College Program, he received one for going 40 mph in a 35 mph zone in Lakeland-- a first offense, too. We're also from MA, so I know what you mean about the insurance increase. He went to the police station, talked with the senior person on duty (can't remember what rank) and they changed it to just a warning, so no effect on the insurance.

Could you try speaking with someone from the town?

 

[bevtoy]

Yeah. I got a speeding ticket once. Got a lawyer, and it went away.

Me too....about 20 years ago.

 

[fun4disney]

no, but last year we got pulled over for taking a right on red. I guess you can't do that in FL?

 

[tinytink]

no, but last year we got pulled over for taking a right on red. I guess you can't do that in FL?

be glad you are not from VA where they added this fine of like $1500 to your ticket. To help with road maintenace or something like that, it really stinks and that's in addition to the points and fee of the ticket itself.

sorry got a little OT.

Sorry to hear you got a ticket, maybe a lawyer can help. I got a lawyer when I got a ticket in NC on the way to visit my now DH then DB at Camp Lejuene.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I lived in FL for a long time and got quite a few speeding tickets. There are companies that specialize in handling traffic tickets, they will send mail to everyone who gets a ticket. I think they are a ripoff, all they do is go to court for you and plead no contest, there is no guarantee that they will get the points taken off or any positive outcome, and you may end up having to pay the ticket, court costs, and the company. Do they not have those places where you live? I live in KS now and got one ticket for running a red light (I say it was orange) and got a ton of mail from those places.

All my FL tickets were at least 10 years ago though, so I'm sure they've changed the system since then.

Actually in your case since you live out of state, you might call a few of those attorneys and see what they can do for you. Make sure you get information from at least three so you can compare their rates and what they may or may not guarantee.

If it were me, I'd just pay the ticket and slow down.

 

[reginaastralis]

no, but last year we got pulled over for taking a right on red. I guess you can't do that in FL?

You can do it, unless there is a sign above the intersection "No rights on red." However, since there are so many different places in Florida, who knows what the laws are. Apprently we just passed a law where you have to use a turn signal ....

To the op, maybe the points thing they lawyers are talking about depend on if you take a course or not. I have never gotten a speeding ticket *knock on wood, though I really don't speed*, but I know a lot of people who have. I don't know what it means since you are out of state, but my friends have gone online and taken a "course" about the way you are really supposed to drive, and their points go away. Again, I don't know for sure since you're out of state, but it wouldn't hurt to call and ask.

 

[gottalluvmickey]

My friend got a ticket last year, 80 in a 65! He took an online class and the ticket was never reported to the state he lived in. I believe he still had to pay for the ticket, but at least his insurance company never found out! The police officer gave him the literature when he got his ticket. He says it was well worth it!

 

[Mickey527]

take my advice, pay the ticket, don't fight it.
I got one last year. Cop said I was going 92 in a 75 zone. I was probably doing 80, he clocked me going down hill passing a truck that was harassing me. I tried to tell him about the truck driver but he wouldn't listen.
I fought the ticket but couldnt' get back down to FL. I sent them a letter explaining what happened. My sister was in the car also and since she lives in FL she brought in a letter but they wouldn't let her talk in court because I was the only one who could state my case. I was found not guilty by judication (the judge heard the case).
My original ticket was $201. The court fees and judge etc fees brought the amount I had to pay for a not guilty charge was $485. I didn't send the money in until I got my disability check two weeks later. They had already notified CT and my license was suspended for not paying court fees. I had to get a letter from FL stating they got the money and then bring it to CT DMV in order to get my license back. Luckily I didn't have to pay anything in CT other than my time.

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm from Florida and after every ticket I've gotten the mailbox gets littered with these letters and flyers.I haven't dealt with any as I choose to just pay the ticket and avoid any points by going to a traffic school that gives me a VHS tape with a driving lesson and a test to take home and bring it back and then take the traffic school paper to the court to show them I did the school and no points are accessed!!

 

[IDoDis]

I got a speeding ticket (first one ever) from a state highway policeman (in my state). He said I was going 95 in a 75 zone. That was a total lie! I had the cc set at 80, but was going downhill so it might have raced up a little bit more. The cop was behind my friend who was following me in a SUV, so I couldn't see the cop! Finally he went around her and caught up to me, so HE was probably going 95 to catch up to me. He did not have radar, so how does he know? I was going to fight it, but since it was 90 miles from where I live, I didn't want to hassle driving back there for a court date. I was sooo mad! The ticket was $110. It will probably make my insurance go up a bundle! I will get my next bill in October, so I'm bracing myself.

I know I was speeding a little, but his lie not only made my ticket way higher, it also will make me pay up the nose for insurance for the next three years.

 

[sunni0913]

My friend got a ticket last year, 80 in a 65! He took an online class and the ticket was never reported to the state he lived in. I believe he still had to pay for the ticket, but at least his insurance company never found out! The police officer gave him the literature when he got his ticket. He says it was well worth it!

My stepdad did the online course also a few months ago. I believe it cost but it was worth it.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

no, but last year we got pulled over for taking a right on red. I guess you can't do that in FL?

you can make a right on red except where the signs state you can't..
just have to be sure you look for the signs before doing it. Also, be sure you actually stop then go.. do not roll, they will get you in a heart beat for a roll.. they do it all the time in my city..

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Take the option for the online driving course. It will run you about $30-40 and then you still have to pay the ticket but it is worth it. The ticket never gets reported to your insurance company.. trust me on this one. I have a son with a lead foot.. he finally got the car in his own name and ended up totaling it anyway and now HIS insurance company knows about HIM not mine Thank God he was ok though!! Car wasn't so lucky..

 

[WeRblam]

Take the option for the online driving course. It will run you about $30-40 and then you still have to pay the ticket but it is worth it. The ticket never gets reported to your insurance company.. trust me on this one. I have a son with a lead foot.. he finally got the car in his own name and ended up totaling it anyway and now HIS insurance company knows about HIM not mine Thank God he was ok though!! Car wasn't so lucky..

I called my state safety and insurance offices and they told me that MA does not have the traffic school option nor if you take it Out of State (like online) you still will get points against your driving record. I think I will phone a few of those atty's I rec'd from those mailers and see what I can find out. BTW, it was 80 in a 65 mph zone and yes I was passing someone who kept braking (gee - he must of had a radar and knew!)

 

[Minnie116]

When I got my ticket (in FL) a few years ago, on the back of the ticket where it gave you the options of what you can do, there was an option for traffic school, and I believe that if you choose traffic school, the cost of your ticket is discounted, plus you have to pay for school. $40???

 

[Jaklackus]

I got my first speeding ticket ever about 5 months ago...well the first time I wasn't able to bat my eyelashes and smile sweetly to get myself out of it....worse than getting the ticket was the confirmation that I was older, fatter and not as charming as I once was....that's right I didn't get mad about the money....I got mad because I'm no longer 22.

Some areas in FL are full of speed traps. I was on a road that was 55 and dropped to 40....but the first sign was way off to the side and something you had to be looking for especially since it was starting to get covered with overgrowth(eye sight no longer that sharp).. by time I saw the second MPH sign and started decreasing my speed on the cruise control(on my smokin' hot mini van with booster seats in the back...way cool), an officer driving on the other side of the road(yes those radar detectors can somehow figure out your speed while moving on the opposite direction as you...who knew!) caught me at 54. BTW it is lovely when they whip around in 4 lanes of traffic only to follow you for 5 minutes before the lights go on...just enough to time to hope that they changed their mind because you got your speed to where it was supposed to be.

He wrote me up for a moving violation(he probably felt sorry for me because I making a fool out of myself acting like a 22 y/o) which was still a $114 ticket and he spent a lot of time 'selling' me the driving school course..gave me a brochure and everything...I took it on-line..it cost $25 or so and I didn't get any points which I guess are like the steps in MA.

 

[swilshire]

you can make a right on red except where the signs state you can't..
just have to be sure you look for the signs before doing it. Also, be sure you actually stop then go.. do not roll, they will get you in a heart beat for a roll.. they do it all the time in my city..

Same in Tennessee. Here they get you with the traffic cameras for not stopping before turning on red.

Sheila