Help! speeding ticket

[janette]

I believe that if you take a defensive driving course that will eliminate the ticket (I think). Of course it will also be helpful for your insurance for the next 2 years since some car insurances will give you a reduced rate if you can show proof of defensive driving rather with a ticket or not.

You need to find out about the defensive driving option. In TX you can take the class and it will wipe out the ticket. You'll get a discount on your insurance - it will not go up the ticket will go away. Read the fine print on the ticket and ask about this option. There will be a reduced fine and the defensive driving fees but it will save you some on the fine and the increase in insurance rates.

I got a ticket once that had a option that if you didn't get a ticket again in that city it would go away after a year. Worked for me because I didn't use that road often.

Thankfully TX has many options that will help.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'm so mad at myself I could SPIT!! I was doing 69 in a 55. Got pulled over, received a ticket, yada, yada, yada. I checked online to see what the fine would be ---- $177.00!!! Holy CRAP!!! We are in quite the financial bind right now. This truly couldn't have come at a worse time.

I haven't had a speeding ticket in nearly 20 years (I was 19 or 20 at the time, and I just paid it.) I know the best thing is not to simply pay the fine. Should I hire a lawyer to get it dismissed? Is it better to do defensive driving? If so, do I have to pay the fine AND the defensive driving fee, or just pay for the course.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks!

I got my first ticket a year or so ago. I don't remember the fine, exactly, but I know that since I went to traffic school, it was greatly reduced and it kept the points off my license. Is that an option for you?

 

[janette]

Forgot to mention, you can do defensive driving online. Really great option

 

[RachelEllen]

I wanted to add that I arranged a defensive driving course for my bf online (speeding ticket in FL). As I remember, it was only $15. Well worth it. It doesn't reduce the ticket, but it does negate the points. If you are in a financial bind, I stongly, strongly, recommend this. Plus, the online course is really easy and you can complete it at your leasure while getting other stuff done at the house.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I think that drivers' ed/defensive driving class is something different where you all live. Here, it prepares you for your drivers test. There are classroom and in-car portions. I don't see how this could be done online and it certainly costs more than $15. I think we are talking about two different things.

 

[RachelEllen]

The online course people are mentioning is something like this:

http://www.traffic101.com/indexG.html

(Not that specific, but just as an example. There are tons) Most seem to be $25, not $15 like I remembered. But, as cheesy as it looks, if it is legal in your state, it works. $25, 4 hours of your time, and no points on your insurance. In FL, we got the official information from the DMV site. I'm sure that info is available in other states as well.

 

[mjkacmom]

Here in NJ, you show up at court, plead not guilty, and then meet with the prosecutor, who almost always lowers your fine/points.

 

[manning]

Sorry, I must be the only person that ever speeds.

Actually, I was just moving along with the other traffic. In fact, there was someone in front of me who was obviously going as fast as I was. Didn't realize my exact speed until I saw the cop, then looked at the spedometer.

Why fight it? Because I don't want the fine, and I don't want my insurance to go up.

Not even sure what you mean about the seatbelt comment. I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt, thank you very much.

You may not want to pay, but is it right??

Like my dad use to say, "you are personally responsible for what you do which means if you did wrong you owe up to it"

 

[mjkacmom]

You may not want to pay, but is it right??

Like my dad use to say, "you are personally responsible for what you do which means if you did wrong you owe up to it"

It depends what the penalty is. I remember DH got caught speeding, and got points, and we didn't know about pleading to the prosecutor. It ended up costing him $3,500 extra over 3 years in insurance costs and fines. I think that is a little over the top for making a mistake (and he rarely speeds - usually drives too slow - it was one of those situations of being in an unfamiliar area, where the speed limit was unusually low).

 

[ElizK]

So showing up for a court date and pleading guilty, and then doing deferred adjudification or defensive driving is better than doing one of those through the mail? I don't want to get stuck with my original penalty plus court costs. At that point could I choose which way I want to go as far as the deferal or defensive driving?

I'm not going to address the comments re just paying the fine. I just want to know the best way to handle this with the fewest repercussions for the future.

Thanks, ya'll!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I'm not going to address the comments re just paying the fine. I just want to know the best way to handle this with the fewest repercussions for the future.

I think the best way to avoid trouble in the future is to stop speeding.

Sorry...too easy.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think the best way to avoid trouble in the future is to stop speeding.

Sorry...too easy.

Future is the operative word. Pleading not guilty and going to court is the best way to deal with the present.

 

[ElizK]

I think the best way to avoid trouble in the future is to stop speeding.

Sorry...too easy.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Future is the operative word. Pleading not guilty and going to court is the best way to deal with the present.

The OP asked about avoiding trouble in the future.

I've already expressed a number of honest options for the present.

 

[manning]

The OP asked about avoiding trouble in the future.

That's called rationalizing.

 

[ElizK]

That's called rationalizing.

Good grief, people!!! I am rationalizing NOTHING. I said from post number one that I WAS SPEEDING, so I obviously realize that I deserved the ticket. I simply asked for advice on the BEST way to handle the ticket. I also said that I have not received a speeding ticket in nearly TWENTY years!!! I don't know what to do because I have not made a HABIT of this!! Also, there is the most straight forward way to handle a ticket (ie, paying the fine), and there is a BETTER way to handle a ticket (like hiring an attorney, deferred adjudification, or defensive driving). I just want the fewest repercussions FROM THIS TICKET for the future.

To those who have offered constructive advice, my thanks. To those who just want to condemn me, back off.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Don't contact the police and don't worry about getting a lawyer, but do appear in court. You will be given a chance to state a plea and even tell your story if you have one.

Here in MD you get points along with moving violations--that's what makes the insurance go up. Usually when the judge looks at your record he might reduce it or even dismiss it. Don't be too worried I'm sure you'll be 1 of about 30+ in traffic court that day.

Good luck.

 

[ElizK]

Don't contact the police and don't worry about getting a lawyer, but do appear in court. You will be given a chance to state a plea and even tell your story if you have one.

Here in MD you get points along with moving violations--that's what makes the insurance go up. Usually when the judge looks at your record he might reduce it or even dismiss it. Don't be too worried I'm sure you'll be 1 of about 30+ in traffic court that day.

Good luck.

Will the judge have my driving record available to him? Couldn't he add more to my fine, too, including court costs?

 

[DawnCt1]

Will the judge have my driving record available to him? Couldn't he add more to my fine, too, including court costs?

That would be unlikely. It is more likely that the fine will be reduced or even dismissed.

 

[CharityLynn]

We were able to make paymet arrangements for my tickets, almost 3 years ago. It was probably around the same amount as yours. You could always try that.