Have to go to traffic court

DeliciousTacos

So, today, I didn't notice that there were (apparently) school zone lights flashing along the road that I was driving on and got pulled over. I was going 36 (normal speed limit is 35 and school zone limit is 20) -- apparently the state has a new law in which anyone driving 36 or over in a school zone has to attend the court date.

I have no idea what to expect out of this. What happens at traffic court? I am I just going to show up and talk to a judge? Should I dress up or would that be weird? How can I get them to not hand me my ass in fines?

1/2 man 1/2 bear 1/2 pig

Every time I've gone to traffic court I've gone in a polo and khakis and I was the best person dressed there who wasn't a lawyer, but despite that I'd say yeah, put a little effort into looking your best. What to expect is based on where you live. I'm in New Jersey and our traffic court is pretty corrupt, you really can't challenge tickets or anything, it's fully expected that you go in talk to the district attorney and they give you a plea deal just so they can collect the cash and you don't have to pay as much.

This is how it has gone for me each time:

1. Walk into court house.
2. Sit down.
3. Clerk says when they call your name you can approach the DA if you want to make a deal.
4. He'll make an offer and I take it, you can't do any better than what they offer here.
5. Judge calls me up I say "Yeah I've made a deal with the DA"
6. Pay.

Invisible

When I went to traffic court a few years ago, I dressed in a longsleeve button up shirt and khakis and was overdressed compared to everyone else there. But I was in the middle of no where, in a rural town that had the courthouse and pretty much nothing else. It certainly didn't hurt me by dressing up.

When I went, I just sat in the spectator area until they called my case. The judge went over it, asked if there was anything I wanted to add an then told me what I owed (which was heavily in my favor). It may have helped that I was barely speeding on the interstate and almost all of the cases before me were DUIs.

It's really a painless procedure, it probably won't take more than an hour or two.

Of course this is all going to vary by where you live. If it's State, County or City, etc.

Robman

Traffic court is just a minor annoyance really. They nailed you, tough titty, pay the fine and move on.

Don't be Sheldon and argue about your rights and stuff, you will get slapped hard by the judge for being a moron.

1/2 man 1/2 bear 1/2 pig

Robman wrote: »

Traffic court is just a minor annoyance really. They nailed you, tough titty, pay the fine and move on.

Don't be Sheldon and argue about your rights and stuff, you will get slapped hard by the judge for being a moron.

I gotta ask, who is Sheldon?

Edit: Ah my roommate just scaled me for not watching the Big Bang Theory...

Scrublet

In traffic court they are extremely used to people showing up sloppy and making really lame excuses for why it was ok for them to break the law they broke.

Don't be that guy and you should be in and out.

Invisible

1/2 man 1/2 bear 1/2 pig wrote: »

Robman wrote: »

Traffic court is just a minor annoyance really. They nailed you, tough titty, pay the fine and move on.

Don't be Sheldon and argue about your rights and stuff, you will get slapped hard by the judge for being a moron.

I gotta ask, who is Sheldon?

Character on the comedy The Big Bang Theory on CBS.

He went to traffic court in Monday's episode and got thrown in jail for contempt of court.

Normally don't watch it, but happened to catch the first 10 minutes on Monday.

Kakodaimonos

I'd check out what exactly the law is. 16 MPH over the limit in a school zone can be a big deal in some states.

Invisible

Kakodaimonos wrote: »

I'd check out what exactly the law is. 16 MPH over the limit in a school zone can be a big deal in some states.

http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/laws.html

That's a good resource for the States.

illig

16 over in a school zone is a significant ticket... you may want to calculate the fine/points/insurance increase that this will cost you, and see if a lawyer is financially wiser

whatever you do, dress nicely (i'd go shirt/tie and slacks) and speak respectfully to the judge.

travathian

First off look at the ticket, then go look up what you were specifically cited for, and what the potential penalties are so you know that portion of it. At the very least do slacks and a polo but preferably a nice dress shirt and tie. If this is your first offense chances are they will lower it down a notch so it won't be that bad.

Shmoepong

Years ago I was pulled over for going 53 in a 35. I showed up in traffic court with slacks, collared shirt and tie. Judge called me up, I recounted the facts and brought my friend as a witness. I swore an oath on everything I said and was let off. This was in Virginia.

So dress appropriately, be courteous, honest and sincere.

If you're found guilty, there are usually driving courses you can take to take points off your license.

L Ron Howard

Fighting it might not be so wise either.

In my case, with the last ticket I got I was supposedly caught in a speed trap. I'm positive they nailed the guy next to me, but I got stuck with the ticket. The guy next to me was driving an Audi or VW with a body kit and fart cannon and a huge wing with a strip down the middle. He started accelerating past me, and almost ran into the cop that eventually pulled me over.
I went to court to fight it, and it went just like a real court. First I go as the defense, then the DA (it's not DA, but I don't remember her position exactly) went for the prosecution, then I cross examined. Basically the cops never saw or heard the guy, and I got stuck with it. Plus, I didn't get access to all of the information until right before I went before the judge. Not having any time to prepare with it, I couldn't do anything with it.
Basically, I got schooled. HARD. But that's what the DA does all day. Defends the public. She prosecuted against other people for driving while high, and the like. But they had lawyers, and either were able to win, or struck deals.
Basically, if you're going to fight, it's worth it to have a lawyer. If not, take the deal because you're most likely not going to be able to out-lawyer the lawyer that does it full time as their career.
The kicker is, the judge found me guilty (no surprise) and gave me the same deal as the DA offered. All I did was end up making a large ass out of myself for the whole world to see and waste time. As a bit of a twist, if you've ever played Phoenix Wright, the prosecutor gave me the most evil look after the judge "found" me guilty. I swear she was just about to bow and talk about foolish foolishness that only fools have while snapping her whip.... >.>

Andrew_Jay

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DeliciousTacos

So, I am have another issue relating to this.

The court date they scheduled is the same day I have final exams, so I've been trying to get it rescheduled.

The woman who answers the phone (the clerk, I guess?) for the number on the ticket has been giving me grief. After not returning my calls for a week, I finally called and got her while she was there and she was really rude for no reason, and a little unhelpful.

Eventually she told me there was no way they could change the court date, and that if I had to come in a different time I should just not show up on the day in question, after which they would charge me a small fine and send me a letter telling me to appear the next week.

Now, that would be fine (if a little inconvenient) but I am a little hesitant to take her word on this, given how much of a problem she's been. If you just don't show up to a court date, can't they hold you in contempt of court / jail you? Should I try to go into the courthouse to talk to someone else and make sure this gets worked out? Or will I be fine if I don't show up?

matt has a problem

If you don't show up for your traffic court date, you're expected to have paid the fine by that date. If you don't do either, they take out a warrant. You can ask for a continuance, to have your court date set later, but you have to actually go to court on the date to do that, or have a lawyer do it for you.

Jebus314

Just thought I'd throw this out there, but if you aren't going to fight it, you might want to see what the local laws are about getting it deferred. I know here in seattle, you often have the choice of deferring speeding tickets. What it means is that you pay a "fee" but not the actual ticket, and no ticket goes on your record. If, however, you end up getting another ticket within a year (or some time frame like that) then you have to pay both tickets, and they both go on your record.

Andrew_Jay

DeliciousTacos wrote: »

If you just don't show up to a court date, can't they hold you in contempt of court / jail you?

I highly doubt that. More likely you'll be deemed to not dispute the ticket and they will simply convict you for the full charge. But things may differ in your jurisdiction, so probably check with someone.

Awk

if you're a no show its an automatic guilty plea and they will send you a letter saying how much $ and when its due.