Poor Speeding DD17!

[kdibattista]

I would think you could get the answer by calling the magistrate's office. It should be on the ticket.

 

[DVCLiz]

I would think you could get the answer by calling the magistrate's office. It should be on the ticket.

Yes, I think we'll have pretty clear instructions from the ticket. I just haven't seen it yet, since DD is still at school taking her exam, so I was wondering in the meantime what others knew about it. Thanks!!!!

 

[tar heel]

Liz -- I'm going to help you instead of lecture.

First of all, traffic classes in lieu of the ticket are not common in North Carolina -- there may not be any period. Insurance points stay on your record for three years and are cumulative.

How fast was she going and was it 10 mph over the speed limit or less? If it wasn't real fast and it was less than 10 mph over, it will be one insurance point. One point does not affect your insurance rates in North Carolina; two points, on the other hand, raises rates approximately 50% which is a lot if you have a teen on your policy. Given that she hasn't had another ticket, the charge would likely be reduced to "prayer for judgement continued" if she goes to court or even to a nonmoving violation such as improper equipment. If it was a 2 point charge, she should be able to get it reduced to under 10 mph if she goes to court.

My dh had the misfortune of getting a ticket last fall. It was in another county, and he just got a lawyer to handle it. The lawyer said that, while he could probably have gotten the prayer for judgement, he recommends that families with a teen driver save it for the teen. Apparently, you can only do one per policy per three years.

I got an expired inspection sticker ticket a few years ago and went to court where it was dismissed b/c I showed proof the car was immediately inspected. I had to wait about two hours, though, and I decided on the spot that if I ever got a speeding ticket I would go to court. I was amazed at how virtually all were reduced on the spot.

 

[tar heel]

Actually, the ticket is not going to explain the points to you. It will just tell you how much $ and where to mail it. I wouldn't do it, personally -- I would try court b/c it's almost automatic it will be reduced or prayer for judgement. If you get the latter and she gets another ticket, she gets both essentially.

 

[tar heel]

Do you folks with the lectures have teen drivers? If our family got two insurance points (going 46 in a 35, for example), the insurance increase would be approximately $1,500. That's a lot of money, and at my house we would try to avoid it and I would encourage Liz to do the same. Of course, my kid would be responsible for the ticket and the lawyer fee, if that were necessary. He also would be responsible for the $1,500 if it came to that, but I would try to see that it didn't if he got one ticket and had otherwise been a good driver.

 

[2infinity&B-ond]

My DH is a Police Officer...and he sometimes gives written warnings. They do not require you to pay anything, and it does not effect your insurance, unless you get 3 written warnings within one year. Not sure if this helps you.

 

[DVCLiz]

My DH is a Police Officer...and he sometimes gives written warnings. They do not require you to pay anything, and it does not effect your insurance, unless you get 3 written warnings within one year. Not sure if this helps you.

I don't know if that's the case where we are, but I sure wish your DH had been the one to stop her this morning!!!

Thanks a million, tar heel, I really appreciate it.

 

[chesirechik]

I got a speeding ticket when I was 20, going way way over the posted speed limit. It was a $175 ticket and 4 points on my license. This was in PA.

It would have affected my parents insurance the points stay on your license for four years.

I fought the ticket, went to court, admitted I was speeding, said that I had a clean record and that this had certainly scared me and I was a much more careful driver, etc. etc. and the judged wiped the ticket.

I would definitely try to fight the ticket if you can.

 

[golfgal]

Do you folks with the lectures have teen drivers? If our family got two insurance points (going 46 in a 35, for example), the insurance increase would be approximately $1,500. That's a lot of money, and at my house we would try to avoid it and I would encourage Liz to do the same. Of course, my kid would be responsible for the ticket and the lawyer fee, if that were necessary. He also would be responsible for the $1,500 if it came to that, but I would try to see that it didn't if he got one ticket and had otherwise been a good driver.

I guess this would be me although I wasn't lecturing, I was answering her question. I don't have a teen driver yet. My oldest will start drivers ed next summer but we have already discussed some of these issues and he will be responsible for paying any tickets, fines, etc. He will also be responsible to pay for any increased insurance costs IF he is not on the "B" honor roll or better or if he gets a ticket and our rates increase. I had our agent print out what the cost to us would be if he was on the "B" honor roll, about $100/year more or if he wasn't on the "B" honor roll, about $1500/year. Minnesota doesn't have a point system so we don't have to worry about those kinds of issues.

Hannathy--if you are driving fast enough, yes, you can be ordered to pay on the spot or be arrested, I know people to which that has happened. It is WELL known that you DON'T speed in Wisconsin. They have the most active state patrol anywhere.

 

[DVCLiz]

I see there can be a distinction here, between just agreeing to do what the original fine says and essentially negotiating down to a less severe charge. I don't want to have DD blow this off as unimportant, but I'd think twice before I paid another $1500 in insurance premiums, if there were another option. Especially since DD has been driving for 18 months without a single blemish on her record.

Thanks, everyone!!!

 

[Hannathy]

Golfgal not trying to hijack this thread but I live in Wisconsin and have never heard of this,second I just went all over the WI Dept of transportaion site and it was not mentioned,It explains what part of the ticket to send in or how to go to court. It is not in the Dept of transportaion handbook, I will ask my neighbor a State policeman when he gets home but I would appreciate being told where I could see this cause I can't find it. Think about this it is not feasible, you always have the right to contest a ticket and what dept in their right mind is going to want a patrol officer to handle and give reciepts for large amounts of cash because tickets start at about $150.00 for under 10 miles/hr.

 

[golfgal]

Golfgal not trying to hijack this thread but I live in Wisconsin and have never heard of this,second I just went all over the WI Dept of transportaion site and it was not mentioned,It explains what part of the ticket to send in or how to go to court. It is not in the Dept of transportaion handbook, I will ask my neighbor a State policeman when he gets home but I would appreciate being told where I could see this cause I can't find it. Think about this it is not feasible, you always have the right to contest a ticket and what dept in their right mind is going to want a patrol officer to handle and give reciepts for large amounts of cash because tickets start at about $150.00 for under 10 miles/hr.

From what these people have told me, 3 separate people, is that since they were going so fast it became a misdemeanor vs a traffic violation or something along those lines. I know one girl was going 80 in a 55 but I don't know what the other two were going, but knowing them, probably at least that. This would have been probably 10 years ago, so it probably isn't current, but who knows. There may have been other issues, too, but I don't know they never said. I remember when I first started driving and we were told that you could be pulled over in Wisconsin just for having a radar detector in your car. I don't know if that is true, but I do know that there are more state patrol, sheriff cars and police cars on the interstates in WI then anywhere else I have ever driven. You DON'T speed in Wisconsin. Wisconsin also has the most respectful drivers, most don't park themselves in the left lane, etc. on the interstates and this is probably why.

 

[jcsbama]

From what these people have told me, 3 separate people, is that since they were going so fast it became a misdemeanor vs a traffic violation or something along those lines. I know one girl was going 80 in a 55 but I don't know what the other two were going, but knowing them, probably at least that. This would have been probably 10 years ago, so it probably isn't current, but who knows. There may have been other issues, too, but I don't know they never said. I remember when I first started driving and we were told that you could be pulled over in Wisconsin just for having a radar detector in your car. I don't know if that is true, but I do know that there are more state patrol, sheriff cars and police cars on the interstates in WI then anywhere else I have ever driven. You DON'T speed in Wisconsin. Wisconsin also has the most respectful drivers, most don't park themselves in the left lane, etc. on the interstates and this is probably why.

Are you kidding me? You defend your posts and act like it's the gospel then when someone points out the research they've done, you backtrack and say it was 10 years ago and you don't even know all the facts. I'm pretty sure the OP was looking for current speeding laws.

 

[sajetto]

Lord Have Mercy

 

[Caradana]

Liz, I'd definitely go to court and fight it, even if I thought the ticket was deserved. Ethics are between me and God, not between me and the insurance company. If it came down to a four-figure insurance surcharge or a morning at the town court - give me town court anytime!!!

 

[Daxx]

In Wisconsin you pay your ticket to the police officer and if you don't have the cash on you they can arrest you.

What? If you're pulled over for speeding, you have to pay for the ticket right then and there? And if you don't have the cash on hand, you're arrested!? What kind of nut-job system is that!? Who carries large amounts of cash on them to pay speeding tickets?! Jeez - I'm lucky if I have $20 in my wallet on a regular basis!!! Do they take credit cards!?

 

[Mandy_in_NC]

I live in NC and when I got a speeding ticket several years ago I was given the option of going to traffic school. However I worked in a diffrent county than I lived and I worked 2 nd shift so I could not go to traffic school so I chose to pay the ticket instead. I was doing 70 in a 55mph and it cost me 3 points on my driver's lic and my insurance went up. Usually the local community college will offer a driving class just call them and ask. Or call your local State Highway Patrol office and they should be able to tell you. I hope this helps you.

 

[TSR6]

Well I guess I misinterpreted where you asked if she should pay the ticket or go to court then. Sorry.

It is different in every state. In Wisconsin you pay your ticket to the police officer and if you don't have the cash on you they can arrest you.

Depends.

Out of state, or an exessive violation can result in a "pay on the spot." I am from IL, and got pulled over in Wi. The officer could have made me pay on the spot, but because I was the owner of a vehicle registered to Wi - that was enough just to have a mail-in ticket.

Also, It's not just cash. You have the option of cash on the spot, or Credit/Debit at the closest station. I beleive Wi State Troopers have card machines in their cars now even. If you don't have cash or card though, You get to make a phone call from a cell.

Hannathy--if you are driving fast enough, yes, you can be ordered to pay on the spot or be arrested, I know people to which that has happened. It is WELL known that you DON'T speed in Wisconsin. They have the most active state patrol anywhere.

Have you ever driven in Southern IL? The IL State Police is A LOT more active than I have ever seen the Wi State Patrol.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

and have the responsibility to pass on the legacy to our budding Speed Demons, bless their burdened hearts. I'd like to tell your daughter that after she's learned all the lessons everyone else has for her, she should learn THE most important one -- watch out for cops! Learn where they like to sit. Scan for them. And, if at all possible, marry one. If you can't get lucky enough to wed a cop, get a job that cops like so much they don't write you tickets!

And don't speed where little kids might come running out into the street.

Following a few simple rules, you can enjoy the rest of your life as a Speed Demon with few, if any, dings on your insurance.

Liz, I hope this wasn't too OT. I think it is helpful insurance-wise, or else would not have gone OT in your thread!

 

[stopgo]

I wouldn't go to court and "fight" a ticket I thought was valid. I'm not that kind of person. I do know, though, that lots of people get a lawyer and go to court about speeding tickets. I was simply wondering what the deal was about that. If there are options that work out better for us then I want to know what they are. I did say "go to court" and not "contest the ticket in court" in my OP.

My advice may get me flamed but here goes...

It's at least worth contacting a lawyer to discuss your options (any lawyer worth his salt will offer a free phone consultation). I'm guessing no one in here practices traffic law in NC so it's doubtful any of us can speak with any authority. Having said that, what *may* be recommended by an attorney is to either contest the ticket outright or plead guilty to a lesser charge.

The first option is dubious and if you're morally opposed then it's a complete non-starter. It's unlikely the issuing officer won't show up to court or have the proper documentation (e.g. radar calibration records, certification to use the radar equipment, etc.) on hand or any of a dozen other things people claim will get the case dismissed.

The second option is a good bet. Unless your daughter was commiting felony reckless driving or hurling abuse at the officer, and assuming she has an otherwise clean record, it's very likely that the judge can and will accomodate a reasonable request to plead down. By this I mean the moving violation (speeding) gets knocked down to a non-moving violation (operating a vehicle with faulty equipment). This has two big benefits: 1. It doesn't get reported to your insurer so your premiums don't go up, and 2. the court still gets money out of you which, IMHO, is the reason for 90% of traffic stops. Everyone's happy: your daughter feels the pinch upfront but her record remains clean and the municipality has collected its de-facto road tax.

A lawyer will probably charge between $125-250 to do this for you and will likely be able to do it without your daughter having to actually go to court. This fee is in addition to court costs, any fines issued and whatever other fees the court tacks on. It's expensive but if you contact your insurer to get an idea of how much your premiums would go up if the ticket ends up on her record it might turn out to be much, much cheaper in the long run to let a lawyer handle it.