I got a ticket today...

[elderlycoffee]

So I left Houston at 8AM today towards Oklahoma City which is part way to my grandfather's house in Kansas.

A little before lunch this cop pulls onto the interstate from the feeder and gets behind me, he doesn't put his lights on for about 10 seconds.

I pull over and he tells me I was driving 91 in a 70...
And I was really going about 74.

Now, I have two options.

A. Protest the ticket, Because he wasn't on the interstate and most likely got me confused with another car and figured it was me because I was loud and cool looking. Plus I have moderate proof that I wasn't going 91. My GPS system records max speed and it says my max for the trip was 78MPH...
Now I wish I would have thought of it then to show the officer but I didn't.

B. I'm elligible for defensive driving because he said I was 21 over the limit, If it were 24 I wouldn't be.


What should I do?

PS: Do I have to go back to the courthouse that is listed on the citation or can it be handled remotely? The courhouse is about 3 hours from my house in another city. And can it be handeled before the deadline or does it have to be on the given date as I'm supposed to be in Ohio on the date the office gave me.

[jomoyo069]

it's prolly an expensive ticket so i would take it to court.. if you take the defensive driving class you have to pay for the class and pay for the ticket.

[evilmonkeyMSP]

you will have to go to court in the county/state you received the ticket in...

[Wuz Ranger]

See if you can get some GPS readings (not sure if possibe) and take them with you to court. If you can get the readings, make sure they say the specific time and date. Not sure how your going to prove that it was your car and not somebody else's though.

Good Luck

[elderlycoffee]

I'll have to go to the actual courthouse of that town?

I don't mind paying the ticket with defensive driving as long as it wont kill my insurance.

Any tips?

[Speed3Max]

Just pay it. GPS is not a reliable peice of evidence to show that you were going just "4" over the speed limit. On the ticket it should say the procedure that he used to clock you. Either radar or pacing. If it says radar you won't win. Simple as that.

[Akaveli]

Seriously, If you know for a fact you wasn't doing 91mph and he got you confused with another car speeding....I'd fight it. No way I would take that BS if I know I wasn't going that fast in the first place.

[elderlycoffee]

it says radar, and he convienently state traffic as light. but there WERE other people on the road next to me.

I plan on paying it. And taking defensive driving so it doesn't kill my insurance.
With defensive driving, What kind of a bomb do you think I'll expect from my insurance?

If I want to pay it, Do I have to show up at the courhouse or can I mail it?

[Speed3Max]

If you want to pay it, you can mail it or call with a credit card number.

It doesn't matter if there is other cars, its the fact you got picked out of all of them. The court will not care if you think it wasn't you. it is a cops word over yours. I have much experience in the ticket feild. lol sadly.

[Young Roids]

YEa you probly won't win. Remember that all you have to be doing is 1mph over and you are guilty so you WERE guilty.

[jomoyo069]

in florida if u take the driving class it's not supposed to impact ur insurance at all

[BOOSTR]

Going to a defensive driving school and completing the course does not prevent the insurance company from surcharging your premium. What it does is eliminate the points on your license. This is really an issue if you are habitual traffic offender and facing suspension of your license due to accumulated points. If you do go to class, your MVR will show no points for the speeding violation. Some companies appreciate the fact that you went to class and will avoid impacting your premium. It really depends on the posted speed limit involved and how fast you were nailed at.

15 mph and over is definitely going to get you surcharged for up to 3 years from the date of the ticket. Under 15 and you may catch a break if you've been clean otherwise and have an acceptable claims history.

If you have a crystal clear record and no speeding violations over the past 5 years, then fighting it may be wise. The judge/magistrate will pull up your record and review while hearing your case. So if you have issues, don't waste your time fighting it. Pay it and take it like a man.

[elderlycoffee]

I've only had a license for about a year and a half. but my record is most definitely clean.

[BOOSTR]

So I assume based on that your between 16-25, which means your are already being surcharged for that age bracket. If that is the case, you may get cancelled or non-renewed by your insurance company or at the least switched in to a different tier that charges more money.

You can give the GPS thing a shot and base your case on your clean record. You might get lucky. Either way if you decide to fight it, call the courthouse and request a different date for your hearing due to a schedule conflict. They will work with you within reason.

[Rotary_Powered]

Fight it! I hate when people bend over for tickets (no offense to anyone), especially if the tickets are wrong/exaggerated.

[Falconx84]

try to fight it -- NC is cracking down big time on speeders since its like the #2 state ranked in fatilities due to speeding (something along those lines)

A friend of mine HAD to go to court b/c it was like 15 over. The court was so busy that day that the DA (or whoever handles it) met her in the hallway and said "let me hear your story" then dropped the ticket and all she has to pay was like $125 in court fees. Oh, and her story was that she wasn't paying attention to her speed, lol.

I was shocked that they let her off, and so was my friend who also happens to be a police officer specializing in traffic violations (it's good to know people, lol)

[numbnuts22715]

Going to a defensive driving school and completing the course does not prevent the insurance company from surcharging your premium. What it does is eliminate the points on your license. This is really an issue if you are habitual traffic offender and facing suspension of your license due to accumulated points. If you do go to class, your MVR will show no points for the speeding violation. Some companies appreciate the fact that you went to class and will avoid impacting your premium. It really depends on the posted speed limit involved and how fast you were nailed at.

15 mph and over is definitely going to get you surcharged for up to 3 years from the date of the ticket. Under 15 and you may catch a break if you've been clean otherwise and have an acceptable claims history.

If you have a crystal clear record and no speeding violations over the past 5 years, then fighting it may be wise. The judge/magistrate will pull up your record and review while hearing your case. So if you have issues, don't waste your time fighting it. Pay it and take it like a man.


I got a ticket for going 43 over, 88 in a 45(i was being stupid, I know)but the cop marked it as 70 in a 45, and my insurance didnt go up or anything. I took defensive driving and that prevented everything from going on my record. I don't even think my insurance company was notified. I was like 19 at the time.

[elderlycoffee]

can you get in trouble for not notifying your insurance company voluntarily?

[MS3ICA]

dude if you where out of town just say screwit they dont serve warrents if its far away unless you did something reeeeally bad. you got nothing to worry about if it was out of town.

[AJ08]

no i went 2 yrs with out my insurance knowing i had 4points..lol now there all gone since its been 3yrs.. but there on your record for 5yrs.. well thats how it is in MD

[BOOSTR]

Some companies order Motor Vehicle Reports every year and some order them as infrequently as every 3 years. Especially if there has been no reason to, such as you had a clean record to begin with and no claim activity. So it is possible to get lucky so to speak.

Even if you go to defensive driving school, the infraction and the fact that you were cited will still show up on your MVR if ordered. Only it will show no points. Trust me as I have reviewed many reports over the years.

But you are under no obligation to report a driving issue to the company. Its up to them to underwrite you. Only have to report claims or material changes in your policy information.

[BOOSTR]

dude if you where out of town just say screwit they dont serve warrents if its far away unless you did something reeeeally bad. you got nothing to worry about if it was out of town.

This advice will get your license suspended and you arrested if pulled over or stopped and your name is entered in to the computer.

[elderlycoffee]

This advice will get your license suspended and you arrested if pulled over or stopped and your name is entered in to the computer.



rawr, of course.
I'm not an idiot :-D

(eyeballs)

[MS3ICA]

thats bull shit, my buddy works for the goverment hes way up there above lutenet has the best credit in the world he got a ticket some where and blew it off... at his job you cant even fart if theres an issue with credit or anything that was 5to 7 years back

[MS3ICA]

This advice will get your license suspended and you arrested if pulled over or stopped and your name is entered in to the computer.

thats bs theres not some "magical computer" that goes oh you got a ticket in anothrer state wrere taking your licence...you need to develop commen sense dude....

[I vtec, do you?]

This same thing happened to be a few months ago.. ok not really, I was really guilty of doing 82 in a 55.. but in my defense, it was out on a country road with no one on it except a cop who got me almost a mile away.

The ticket was $240 and the points on my license was going to make my insurance INSANE. Don't fight the ticket because the cop will kick your ass left and right. An 18 year old in that car will never win, sorry. What I did was plead guilty, but then I talked to a prosecutor and was like "I'm really sorry this happened, but I'm 18 and this is the first time I've ever run into any problem with the law. This ticket is almost a week's worth of work, which I need for college, and I'm not sure I'll be able to afford my insurance after this ticket." For nothing in return, she knocked off all the points on my license and dropped the ticket to $120. I'm not sure if you'll get this lucky, but offer to do an online course and they'll most likely drop the ticket / severely reduce the fine. Good luck

[BluMicaR]

I have 12pts on my lic from 2 tix; first one was b/s and cop had clocked a navigator that was FLYING and the Navvy turned off after this hill-bridge, cop missed him. Comes flying up on me miles later and pulls me over. I fought it in court and cop had a notebook and acts all professional, not like when he pulled me over wearing a 'Fear This' black skull cap and Oakley's sunglasses (which he didn't take off during the entire citation, nor his jet-black robbers hat - dick). Judge said she was, "Inclined to take the officer's word over," mine. I told him in court he was a lying asshole, and she asked me if I'd like to be cited for contempt. I said, "No your honor; I trust you at your word. I'll never drive next to a speeder again." I paid $235 for that one.

Second time our circular access highway, 465 around Indianapolis, is cop heaven. I was crunched between a Z04 and an Explorer or something on that road, it's 6 lanes wide in places, and yes I was in the left lane and we were all 3 speeding. About 87, of course this road has a '55' posted which is bullshit, nobody ever goes 55 on it. So we pass a 'construction zone' sign with the blinkers on - I think nothing of it, there is NO construction going on, hasn't been, won't be (this was in December, so I know there wasn't any construction because I still drive this way home). Half mile around a curve there's cocksucker under an overpass. He clocks us, probably all of us, who knows. He pulls out and picks me from the middle, seriously, wtf. I try to pull over on the left shoulder, figure we're both safer because he'll be walking against a divider, no traffic chance of hitting him. He waves his arms and dangerously guns around me onto the shoulder and movie-style forces me away from that shoulder. Like he was going to fricking hit me! And forces me across 6 lanes of traffic on the 5pm expressway. Proceeds to give me a ticket for construction zone speeding, 'reckless driving' he says and checks on it, and gives me one for changing lanes without signalling. I swear to y'all. SO the WHOLE rest of that night I went on the google and my g/f was freaking out.

I was trying to look his name up based on the crappy sig, which I never deciphered, because I was going to figure out where he lived and slash his whole fu**ing family's tires and key their g/d cars. I over-the-top joked his whole family need to die in a mass rape/murder, too. I still kind of feel that way, but I'm not goin' there.

I hates cops. There is no call for either of those tickets. I've done my share of speeding, but I've never been pulled over and treated fairly. Especially the first one, there is NO justice at all.

:mad:

[BOOSTR]

thats bs theres not some "magical computer" that goes oh you got a ticket in anothrer state wrere taking your licence...you need to develop commen sense dude....

Dude what you need is beyond this forum.

[evilmonkeyMSP]

that is the stupidest shit i have ever hear.... if he ever got pulled over again they would run his license and find out that he has a warrant in a completely different state....Have you never watched the show COPS? Or do you have no common sense either?

jesus....
dude if you where out of town just say screwit they dont serve warrents if its far away unless you did something reeeeally bad. you got nothing to worry about if it was out of town.

[clos561]

fight it for sure...fighting it will ALWAYS reduce or eliminate the ticket price...and you can TRY to prove that the gps recordings are your car... fight it and youll save a bunch of money

[boosted3]

if he ever got pulled over again they would run his license and find out that he has a warrant in a completely different state....Have you never watched the show COPS?

They would discover a felony warrant. A traffic citation is not a felony in most cases. Regardless, pay the fine or fight it.. do not ignore it.

[CX-7owner]

When they pull people over, they do not check for warrants in other states, it takes too long, if they have you arrested and booked and in a cell they might, all depends on what that was for, and they won't suspend your license if you have warrants in other states, sorry!

[CX-7owner]

I would know, someone I know ran from a DUI in PA, and they have been pulled over several times and the DUI has been a non-issue.

[CX-7owner]

Is a citation and a felony two completely different things?

[Sacrilicious]

Is a citation and a felony two completely different things?

Yes, they are two completely different things. A citation is a summons telling you to appear in court for whatever reason. This can cover anything from minor traffic offenses to something a lot more major. A felony is a serious crime such as murder, rape, manslaughter, etc.

[-pixy-]

One of my friends skipped out on a speeding ticket in PA and when he got pulled over in NJ for speeding he ended up getting his car impounded because of an unpaid ticket. If the cop feels like bing an ass and hitting you with everything he can find, he will take his time and look it up.

He ended up with a ticket for speeding, a ticket for wreckless driving, a ticket for failure to maintain vehicle (chip in windshield). After his date in court his license was suspended for 30 days and he paid over 1,000 in fines and impound fees.

[Sacrilicious]

NJ and PA have one of those agreements where they share their records...it's really annoying, because you get points for getting pulled over for speeding in PA even though you're from NJ. Basically, treat PA tickets like NJ tickets if you're from NJ...=/

[I vtec, do you?]

Second time our circular access highway, 465 around Indianapolis, is cop heaven. I was crunched between a Z04 and an Explorer or something on that road, it's 6 lanes wide in places, and yes I was in the left lane and we were all 3 speeding. About 87, of course this road has a '55' posted which is bullshit, nobody ever goes 55 on it. So we pass a 'construction zone' sign with the blinkers on - I think nothing of it, there is NO construction going on, hasn't been, won't be (this was in December, so I know there wasn't any construction because I still drive this way home). Half mile around a curve there's cocksucker under an overpass. He clocks us, probably all of us, who knows. He pulls out and picks me from the middle, seriously, wtf. I try to pull over on the left shoulder, figure we're both safer because he'll be walking against a divider, no traffic chance of hitting him. He waves his arms and dangerously guns around me onto the shoulder and movie-style forces me away from that shoulder. Like he was going to fricking hit me! And forces me across 6 lanes of traffic on the 5pm expressway. Proceeds to give me a ticket for construction zone speeding, 'reckless driving' he says and checks on it, and gives me one for changing lanes without signalling. I swear to y'all. SO the WHOLE rest of that night I went on the google and my g/f was freaking out.

Dude you're a joke if you think the cop is an asshole when you were doing 87 in a 55, and then in a construction zone. I think YOU are the one who needs to die in a rape/murder if you're honestly that oblivious to the law. You were all speeding, and you got picked. Big deal, life isn't fair. He had to nab one of you, kinda hard to get all 3.

[sanblaster]

Second time our circular access highway, 465 around Indianapolis, is cop heaven. I was crunched between a Z04 and an Explorer or something on that road, it's 6 lanes wide in places, and yes I was in the left lane and we were all 3 speeding. About 87, of course this road has a '55' posted which is bullshit, nobody ever goes 55 on it. So we pass a 'construction zone' sign with the blinkers on - I think nothing of it, there is NO construction going on, hasn't been, won't be (this was in December, so I know there wasn't any construction because I still drive this way home). Half mile around a curve there's cocksucker under an overpass. He clocks us, probably all of us, who knows. He pulls out and picks me from the middle, seriously, wtf. I try to pull over on the left shoulder, figure we're both safer because he'll be walking against a divider, no traffic chance of hitting him. He waves his arms and dangerously guns around me onto the shoulder and movie-style forces me away from that shoulder. Like he was going to fricking hit me! And forces me across 6 lanes of traffic on the 5pm expressway. Proceeds to give me a ticket for construction zone speeding, 'reckless driving' he says and checks on it, and gives me one for changing lanes without signalling.



Don't need to have workers working in a construction zone for you to NOT do the new speed limit during a zone, 87 on a 55?, you are lucky they didn't give you more. I would have. I mean just when you think you have heard it all, you log onto msforums. Almost sig worthy..

[-pixy-]

you are an idiot. i'd like to kick you in the nuts hard enough you can never reproduce.
I have 12pts on my lic from 2 tix; first one was b/s and cop had clocked a navigator that was FLYING and the Navvy turned off after this hill-bridge, cop missed him. Comes flying up on me miles later and pulls me over. I fought it in court and cop had a notebook and acts all professional, not like when he pulled me over wearing a 'Fear This' black skull cap and Oakley's sunglasses (which he didn't take off during the entire citation, nor his jet-black robbers hat - dick). Judge said she was, "Inclined to take the officer's word over," mine. I told him in court he was a lying asshole, and she asked me if I'd like to be cited for contempt. I said, "No your honor; I trust you at your word. I'll never drive next to a speeder again." I paid $235 for that one.

Second time our circular access highway, 465 around Indianapolis, is cop heaven. I was crunched between a Z04 and an Explorer or something on that road, it's 6 lanes wide in places, and yes I was in the left lane and we were all 3 speeding. About 87, of course this road has a '55' posted which is bullshit, nobody ever goes 55 on it. So we pass a 'construction zone' sign with the blinkers on - I think nothing of it, there is NO construction going on, hasn't been, won't be (this was in December, so I know there wasn't any construction because I still drive this way home). Half mile around a curve there's cocksucker under an overpass. He clocks us, probably all of us, who knows. He pulls out and picks me from the middle, seriously, wtf. I try to pull over on the left shoulder, figure we're both safer because he'll be walking against a divider, no traffic chance of hitting him. He waves his arms and dangerously guns around me onto the shoulder and movie-style forces me away from that shoulder. Like he was going to fricking hit me! And forces me across 6 lanes of traffic on the 5pm expressway. Proceeds to give me a ticket for construction zone speeding, 'reckless driving' he says and checks on it, and gives me one for changing lanes without signalling. I swear to y'all. SO the WHOLE rest of that night I went on the google and my g/f was freaking out.

I was trying to look his name up based on the crappy sig, which I never deciphered, because I was going to figure out where he lived and slash his whole fu**ing family's tires and key their g/d cars. I over-the-top joked his whole family need to die in a mass rape/murder, too. I still kind of feel that way, but I'm not goin' there.

I hates cops. There is no call for either of those tickets. I've done my share of speeding, but I've never been pulled over and treated fairly. Especially the first one, there is NO justice at all.

:mad:

[sanblaster]

Lmao

[companyman]

I know someone who has skipped court on very minor things like traffic tickets, etc and it WILL come back to haunt you. Maybe not today, or next month but it will come back. And they WILL issue a warrant for your arrest. And like I said, you don't want that crap coming back to haunt you 5 years from now.

Best thing to do is, if you get no points on your license, then just pay the fine. If you are being charged points, go to court and plead guilty if you have a decent record. Apologize to the court and don't make up lame excuses. Just tell the truth. 3 times I've been to court for over 10mph(which in MD gets you points on your license) and every time I've walked out with PBJ and a fine. I'll pay the fine any day rather than have points on my license which increases your insurance.

People who suggest cussing out the judge, getting smart or running from a court date have extremely poor judgment.

Most of life is not what happens to you but how you react to those things that do happen to you. Mind blowing..I know. (omg)

[CX-7owner]

Dude you're a joke if you think the cop is an asshole when you were doing 87 in a 55, and then in a construction zone. I think YOU are the one who needs to die in a rape/murder if you're honestly that oblivious to the law. You were all speeding, and you got picked. Big deal, life isn't fair. He had to nab one of you, kinda hard to get all 3.

Not true! I've seen the CHP out in Ventura county where EVERYONE is going 80mph, pull over two, three people at a time, They're expanding that freeway too.

[CX-7owner]

I know someone who has skipped court on very minor things like traffic tickets, etc and it WILL come back to haunt you. Maybe not today, or next month but it will come back. And they WILL issue a warrant for your arrest. And like I said, you don't want that crap coming back to haunt you 5 years from now.

Best thing to do is, if you get no points on your license, then just pay the fine. If you are being charged points, go to court and plead guilty if you have a decent record. Apologize to the court and don't make up lame excuses. Just tell the truth. 3 times I've been to court for over 10mph(which in MD gets you points on your license) and every time I've walked out with PBJ and a fine. I'll pay the fine any day rather than have points on my license which increases your insurance.

People who suggest cussing out the judge, getting smart or running from a court date have extremely poor judgment.

Most of life is not what happens to you but how you react to those things that do happen to you. Mind blowing..I know. (omg)

The DUI happened in 2000, so its SOL, I think.(confused)

[Akaveli]

I would know, someone I know ran from a DUI in PA, and they have been pulled over several times and the DUI has been a non-issue.


When they pull people over, they do not check for warrants in other states, it takes too long, if they have you arrested and booked and in a cell they might, all depends on what that was for, and they won't suspend your license if you have warrants in other states, sorry!

This is true. I know someone who was in a similar situation and manage to change there license to a different state and was still able to drive around with a valid license.

[I vtec, do you?]

Not true! I've seen the CHP out in Ventura county where EVERYONE is going 80mph, pull over two, three people at a time, They're expanding that freeway too.

What isn't true? I think it's a lot harder to pull over 3 speeders instead of one. I didn't say it was impossible, just hard :)

[exalted_one]

I skipped court when i got a tikcet for entering a one way street to turn around... bad idea my $13x ticket became $5xx over tripled. As far as the computer thing a hit and run driver bumped my gf's car and my dad got her georgia license plate (im in LA) and the cop said the car did not exist. Later that night we found the car right around the corner. When the cop came back she said "Our (louisiana) computer systems dont communicate with other states we have this problem all the time...

[Ryz]

A couple things. Those that think cops are jerks for giving you tickets when you were evidently doing something wrong are freakin morons that hopefully never reproduce. Second, with Homeland Security moving on, information is going to be shared state to state so no more hiding for the assholes.

[Jon45189]

A couple things. Those that think cops are jerks for giving you tickets when you were evidently doing something wrong are freakin morons that hopefully never reproduce. Second, with Homeland Security moving on, information is going to be shared state to state so no more hiding for the assholes.

If a cop can pull you over for going 66mph in a 65mph, and they do, wouldn't you think he's a jerk?

[BluMicaR]

If a cop can pull you over for going 66mph in a 65mph, and they do, wouldn't you think he's a jerk?

Yes. He's a raging hard-on who needs to be bottomed in the showers. And yes, obviously, you ARE breaking the law... But come ON.

[CX-7owner]

Yeah the cop would have to be a REAL asshole to pull someone over for going 66 in a 65.

[Ryz]

The majority of cops give you 5-10 mph as long as you're not driving like a moron and in the right lanes.

[Sierra117]

Wheres about were you? In the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, I've just paid off and gone on probation or done DD for all my tickets, and they've never gone onto my insurance or even into the records. The only tickets I have on record are the ones I've picked up in Mizery.