I got a ticket :(

[3DGE]

Well I was doing like 85 in a 55 at 1:30 am on my way home, ended up pasing a undercovercop, doing 70, i should have known and slowed down when he was keeping up with me, anyway he pulled me over when i got off the highway. I dident get fined any money, but I have to goto court...

So whats the good outcome of this and the bad, what should I have on, how should i act? First time for me...

[bmwracerchick]

ouch that sucks, its very strick here now with speeding, you will most likely get your license suspended if you cant explain yourself logically...which unfortunetly there is not logical explaination for speeding. Definatly dress nice dont go in jeans and a t-shirt lol and dont act like a happy teenager in a bmw going 85 on the highway just to feel the rush. They definatly got you for reckless driving so look up the consequences for that in your area/state. Good luck to you les I hope you get through this without too much to lose.

[arren123]

Aw man. That gas cap I sold you really boosted performance on your car, huh?

Well, I don't know how the courts work in WA, but in NJ its pretty easy.
When you get a speeding ticket, you're not required to go to court, but you can. If you decide to go to court, you can always plea bargain for an amended ticket of a fine with no driver's license points. In other words, you can plea bargain for a non-moving violation (blocking the highway, impeding traffic, etc...). Even though you aren't guilty of those, just take plead guilty to the non-moving violation.

It sounds like WA is a little bit stricter. They might just offer for you to take a driving course and let you go with no points (in which case you should take it). I wouldn't accept anything that has points.

Most likely, you will first speak to a DA. They really aren't your friend though. Just explain that this is your first ticket ever and ask for a no-points ticket. I'm thinking that they will be lenient on you especially since no one was injured or killed and it was 1 A.M in the freakin' morning when no one is really around anyway. (He did put 'light traffic' on your ticket right?)
Also, prepare for your legal defense in case you want a trial.. Best to read a book a the library about speeding ticket defense. You'll learn alot.


Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer. Just talking from experience from a few speeding tickets in the past.
I'll have to re-upload the video to my website. I have a video from last year from the police car that pulled me over for a careless driving ticket. He thought I was taking a turn too fast just because my tires were low on tread and they made some noise. Anyway. I got that reduced to an impeding traffic with no points.

[pdxmotorhead]

If you are under 25, but have a clean record,
Call the court clerk, ask them what the fine
would be if you just pay it. Ask the clerk what your
options are for apearance and inquire about traffic
school.

If you show up with no experience and talk to the judge
you are almost gauranteed not to like the result.
If you decide to apear, go a few days early and
watch a hour or two of traffic court. You'll learn what
to do and not to do....

If you are under 21 Your being required to apear
to determine "IF" you can still drive. They often
put under 21's on probation and you can't drive
after dark for 6 months ....

I've got a couple of washington tickets from my
younger days and I never went to court.
I always negotiated a deal with the clerk over the
phone.
Are you sure he didn't issue you a VBR ticket?
Thats a flat rate fine. I think about 200 bucks
but often does not go on your record.

[tastade]

I would dress nice, you don't need to wear a suit (I would if you have one), but you don't want to look like a rule-breaking teen. The proper way to address a judge is "your honor," and don't interrupt him/her or anyone else while they are speaking. Remember this is a professional environment, and it should be kept that way. Don't make sudden outbursts or anything. If you want to talk to the judge out of turn, say "your honor" and wait for them to respond.

My personal ethics: I would admit what I did and say it was wrong. I realize I shouldn't have been doing that, etc. I would definitely consider plea bargains, but my ethics would prevent me from trying to get off on a technicality.

[Panzer_M]

The only time I got a ticket I had a court date for was for stunts(Tail slips on a Uturn) in Downtown Orlando.

actaully I got a careless for the "drifts" 118$ dollars or so.

I had to go to court for an expired Temp tag. No Fine, Pleased no contest..220$ court fees, Friday Morning so I got in and out pretty quick.

The funny thing was people trying to explain to the judge WHY they were doing illegal things, I just went up, took military bearing, got ready to be ****ed, and answered Yes Sir, No Sir about 4 times. Showed my new legal tag and got to go with a slap on the wrist.

[Severian]

Originally Posted by 3DGE

I dident get fined any money, but I have to goto court...

Expect to pay court fees even if you don't have to pay a fine.

[3DGE]

Are you sure; I have a mandatory court appearance, my aunt says it’s really fast (she didn’t say anything about fees), you enter they bitch at you then you tell your story leading up to your conviction and out you go. I just don’t want to loose my license. My aunt said that since this is my first time they will most likely fine me and/or give me community service. Gaaa I hope I don’t have to pay a bunch of money, that would really suck, and I don’t want my insurance to go up….life lesson here.

[3DGE]

Originally Posted by tastade

I would dress nice, you don't need to wear a suit (I would if you have one), but you don't want to look like a rule-breaking teen. The proper way to address a judge is "your honor," and don't interrupt him/her or anyone else while they are speaking. Remember this is a professional environment, and it should be kept that way. Don't make sudden outbursts or anything. If you want to talk to the judge out of turn, say "your honor" and wait for them to respond.

My personal ethics: I would admit what I did and say it was wrong. I realize I shouldn't have been doing that, etc. I would definitely consider plea bargains, but my ethics would prevent me from trying to get off on a technicality.

I can dress in my preppy cloths, hahaha, na im going to go buy some new black pants and a good shirt, im going to get fined with style

[arren123]

Originally Posted by 3DGE

Are you sure; I have a mandatory court appearance, my aunt says it’s really fast (she didn’t say anything about fees), you enter they bitch at you then you tell your story leading up to your conviction and out you go. I just don’t want to loose my license. My aunt said that since this is my first time they will most likely fine me and/or give me community service. Gaaa I hope I don’t have to pay a bunch of money, that would really suck, and I don’t want my insurance to go up….life lesson here.

If you don't want your insurance to go up, then make sure you beg and plead for a no-points ticket.. it doesn't matter how much you spend. Might cost you $300 but at least your insurance won't go up for 5 years.

Also, best to wear a white shirt and look innocent.

[1996 328ti]

First offense, you are not going to loose your license, your insurance is not going to go up. Just stay clean. Is it a reckless? Reckless tickets may stay on your record longer than just a moving violation.
Most of my tickets the judge generally reduces the speed a little. Be apologetic. Be sincere.Except in VA.

Don't sweat it. Join the club.

[arren123]

So I'm curious.. Whatever happened ? What was your plea bargain deal ?

[pnosker]

Originally Posted by arren123

He thought I was taking a turn too fast just because my tires were low on tread and they made some noise.

Oh man, I hope those aren't the tires on my car now!

[arren123]

Originally Posted by pnosker

Oh man, I hope those aren't the tires on my car now!

lol. Nope. those tires you have had lots of tread on them.
The tires I was talking about were crappy Sumitomo HTR+ tires. They are advertised as ultra high performance all seasons but they feel like regular tires. They also make a ton of noise when the tread wears down.

I have the Falken Ziex ZE-512's on my car now and they are awesome.