First time getting a ticket

WestCo Scott

Boss just got a ticket and the cop told him it could be up to $500, though he was going 83 in a 65 as the radar tells it. Yours should be much smaller and you may want to try fighting it, no harm done in trying right?

-Scott

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ky0u

Showing up to an arraignment (where you plead guilty, not guilty, or traffic school) will almost always reduce the fine.
(This isn't taking the ticket to court. That happens if you plead not guilty).

The initial fine you get when you receive your ticket is the maximum applicable fine for whatever violation you commit. Some people decide to just pay and not show up to plea at all and that is the fee they end up paying. But if you do take the time to show up to make a plea, your fee will almost certainly be reduced no matter what action you decide to take.

If you do decide to take it to court (not guilty plea), sometimes, the police officer won't show up to court and in those cases, you win by default.
Bear in mind that if you do decide to take it to court, it'd be best to hire a lawyer. While possible to represent yourself, when it's your word against a cop's, the judge will always favor the officer's. Of course, hiring a lawyer means paying legal fees whether or not you get the ticket thrown out.


Btw, how did you get caught? radar? lidar? pace?

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Pushing_Tin

I got a ticket today too! 65 in a 55 "work zone" which was 8 miles long and they were working in a 1/4 mile stretch that I wasn't close to being in. Doubled my fine to $180, what a crock of sh*t. I haven't had a ticket since 1995! Not sure that I can take driving school since I was in a work zone. I have to call the court tomorrow.

The funny thing was the cop was going the other way with traffic slammed on his brakes, busted a U since there were no places to turn around and sped up to catch me in the brazen act of 10mph over the limit. Stupid azz clown.

daimon1313

I'd be interested in hearing how he clocked you going 65 while he was busy driving the other way.

Cops have quotas, whether it's official or not (it's not legal to, however) and sometimes they are focused in just filling the numbers.

I was pulled over and given a ticket for reckless driving and "driving at an unsafe speed" a few years back when I had to avoid a car that pulled out in front me, swerving into the other lane and then having to swerve back to avoid another car. I was polite, explained what happened, he still wrote the ticket.

I pled not guilty. I showed up to court in a suit and tie, with a briefcase and the works...judge instantly dismissed it.

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Pushing_Tin

Just found this gem on the website.

Pushing_Tin

They do it all the time, even across divided highways, which this was not. The whole work zone thing is a complete scam.

daimon1313

I don't what the laws are like in OR, but I'd think about fighting it. Make him prove you were actually going that speed and you could possibly get it reduced.

When you get a ticket for going a certain speed, the cop has to be able to prove you were going that speed, not just a subjective judgment.

I think.

Edit: Nevermind. Saw the disclaimer you posted. That sucks.

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Saving up now for a NISMO 40th Anniversary. Hopefully. Maybe. We'll see. Definitely a Z though.

Pushing_Tin

Yeah and I'd have to take time off of work and spend half of my day down there, not really worth the $180. We don't get points on our licenses here, and I doubt one ticket will up my insurance rates.