First Speeding Ticket

Mai-Kero

So, I'm 19, and I just got my first ticket of any type.

I was going maybe 62, if that, in a 55 zone (even though the last sign that I passed a minute beforehand said 60) and I was told that the officer clocked me at 67.

After handing over my license and registration, and waiting fifteen minutes, he gave me a ticket, and said I could call a number on the back and have the court appearance waived after paying the fine.

The problem is, the fine is $109, and I really can't afford to pay it now.

So, what are my options? Can I contest the ticket since it's my first offense and I wasn't speeding that much (plus it was a clear day with light traffic)? Can I call up the clerk's office and have the fine delayed so I can save up from my next paycheck? I'm in school right now, working retail, so money is tight.

MurphysParadox

Well, I would suggest going to the courthouse to make a deal (perhaps getting it dropped down to failure to obey a traffic sign might be a lower charge) but you really don't have much further in charges down to go. If you're lucky, the cop won't show and you'll get out with just court costs. From my one experience with a ticket, the "you must pay us" date was a a week or three down the calender from the actual infraction, but I guess this would vary with the charge and area.

Deadfall

This is all going on my anecdotal evidence, so take it how you will.

I don't think you can actually contest a ticket like this. The fact that it was a sunny, clear day with little traffic is actually a plus for the cop.

What you can do is go to the court, dressed nicely, and respectfully talk to the judge. How it was your first offense and you were only doing 12 over. He might lower the fine and points, especially if it's a busy courtroom and he doesn't want to waste his time with you.

Or, the better option is he might let you pay it off over time. Talk to the judge or the clerk, and explain your money situation. They're usually pretty reasonable about letting you pay it off in increments.

CooterTKE

if money is tight wait till it hits your insurance. See if you can get it defered which is basically if you dont get another ticket in so many years they drop it.

DesertBox

What state are you in? Every state I've lived in has traffic school that you could go to instead of paying the ticket, given that you haven't had another infraction in a set amount of time. It's usually cheaper than the ticket. And you don't get any marks on your driving record, which will save you from any insurance hike.

MurphysParadox

Some insurances actually kinda like that you went to traffic school (well... that may just be defensive driving school, but whatever, it is worth a quick look-see)

Gdiguy

Mai-Kero wrote: »

So, I'm 19, and I just got my first ticket of any type.

I was going maybe 62, if that, in a 55 zone (even though the last sign that I passed a minute beforehand said 60) and I was told that the officer clocked me at 67.

If you can video that area or something and show that by signage it actually was a 60 zone (or was improperly labeled as such), then it might be worth contesting if only because 12 mph over is usually a more expensive ticket than 7 over would be (and 7 over might just get tossed out if you're actually in court)

So, what are my options? Can I contest the ticket since it's my first offense and I wasn't speeding that much (plus it was a clear day with light traffic)? Can I call up the clerk's office and have the fine delayed so I can save up from my next paycheck? I'm in school right now, working retail, so money is tight.

The first two aren't valid reasons for contesting - if you got a ticket for going 56 maybe.

As for delaying the fine - I got a 'going into a bike lane' ticket a few months back, and the ticket the officer actually wrote wasn't something to act on - my county sent a letter like 3-4 weeks later with instructions on how to pay the fine / how to contest / how to do traffic school instead. Just to give you an idea, I believe I got the ticket in November, and didn't actually have to pay the fine / complete traffic school until mid-March. When you call, just ask them for when the payment would be due by, it's likely to be on a month-type scale anyway

Deadfall

DesertBox wrote: »

What state are you in? Every state I've lived in has traffic school that you could go to instead of paying the ticket, given that you haven't had another infraction in a set amount of time. It's usually cheaper than the ticket. And you don't get any marks on your driving record, which will save you from any insurance hike.

In Arizona, (Lake Havasu, at least) the school is more expensive than the ticket. I took it, though, because it essentially erased my ticket from my driving record.

Definately worth checking out, though. If you don't mind sitting through four hours of traffic school.

VThornheart

I'm 100% sure that they will let you pay it off over time in the worst case scenario. You have but to ask. I had an old roommate that got a thousand dollar fine (not stopping for a stop sign, then not having insurance when she got pulled over). She's still paying for it now, but she got them to give it to her in 30 dollar installments.

Gdiguy

Deadfall wrote: »

DesertBox wrote: »

What state are you in? Every state I've lived in has traffic school that you could go to instead of paying the ticket, given that you haven't had another infraction in a set amount of time. It's usually cheaper than the ticket. And you don't get any marks on your driving record, which will save you from any insurance hike.

In Arizona, (Lake Havasu, at least) the school is more expensive than the ticket. I took it, though, because it essentially erased my ticket from my driving record.

Definately worth checking out, though. If you don't mind sitting through four hours of traffic school.

In my county it was totally online now; it still is like 4 boring hours of powerpoint slides & quizzes, but at least you can have the tv on while doing it

DesertBox

Deadfall wrote: »

DesertBox wrote: »

What state are you in? Every state I've lived in has traffic school that you could go to instead of paying the ticket, given that you haven't had another infraction in a set amount of time. It's usually cheaper than the ticket. And you don't get any marks on your driving record, which will save you from any insurance hike.

In Arizona, (Lake Havasu, at least) the school is more expensive than the ticket. I took it, though, because it essentially erased my ticket from my driving record.

Definately worth checking out, though. If you don't mind sitting through four hours of traffic school.

In Tucson, it was pretty much a wash for 17 over. But not having insurance find out definitely makes it worth it. Even though I had to spend a Sunday afternoon watching 20 year old videos with some rather sketchy people

CoJoeTheLawyer

Deadfall wrote: »

This is all going on my anecdotal evidence, so take it how you will.

I don't think you can actually contest a ticket like this. The fact that it was a sunny, clear day with little traffic is actually a plus for the cop.

What you can do is go to the court, dressed nicely, and respectfully talk to the judge. How it was your first offense and you were only doing 12 over. He might lower the fine and points, especially if it's a busy courtroom and he doesn't want to waste his time with you.

Or, the better option is he might let you pay it off over time. Talk to the judge or the clerk, and explain your money situation. They're usually pretty reasonable about letting you pay it off in increments.

The limed is your best option in terms of getting a reduced fine/points and the option of paying it off over time. Never underestimate the power of simply appearing before a judge/magistrate humbly and asking for mercy.

With all the minor traffic offense questions coming up recently, someone should start a sticky thread with regards to how to handle these situations. Not every legal issue requires complicated legal maneuvering worthy of Denny Crane.