BIG Speeding Ticket...

05-10-2001, 6:58 PM

OK... please no flames... I was young, had a 5.0, was stupid, and had a prick cop...

Nearly a year ago I was pulled over on 85 south after 17. I was going 90 when I saw the cop on the side of the road, but to cut a long story short he wrote me up for the following:

1-speed in excess of 100mph (2 points)
2-failure to stop at a red light (1 point)
3-unsafe lane change (1 point)

Since I have strict parents and I was 21, I basically got pretty damn depressed and said what the f-ck have I done. Damn stang! (joke) Anyway, the cop said "see you in court, asshole" when he handed me the ticket. That was after he made me step out of the vehicle, gave me a sobriety test, and yelled at me for days. The yelling I deserved, but I didnt deserve the added bullshit on the ticket or the I'm a pig so **** you response at the end.

So anyway, after shitting bricks for the next few days (never felt worse in my life up to that point) I started calling lawyers. I went to see a lawyer in San Jose and he said he was surprised that they didnt arrest me and take me in.

So then I'm like, Mr, what is your defense gonna be? He said, damn, this is really bad and one of his worse that hes seen. To my surprise and shock, he said he was going to talk to a judge he knew and see if they could hook him up. He said one judge wouldnt do it cuz she was new, anothe wouldnt do it cuz he was uptight about this kinda stuff, and he knew a couple others where it might work. To cut a long story a bit short, I gave him 350 bucks, went to traffic school and that is totally off my record. Cleared. The 4 points should have gotten my license/insurance suspended. Whew.

Anyway, nobody said I could get out of it (almost a hundred people at Corral.net, a mustang place, and a few lawyers), but this guy did it. He's the man. I did screw up big time... but thank god its off my record.

So if you guys get a fat ticket, know that there is a way to get out of it. And if you're in the Bay Area... holler at me and it will be GONE.

Just thought I'd share this long, boring story with y'all... it might help someone. PEACE.

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edgalang · 05-10-2001, 7:28 PM

Good thing you're in the bay area.

05-10-2001, 8:22 PM

You got off through a political solution, not really through a legal solution, but it is a solution, still.

05-10-2001, 11:21 PM

Yep, exactly. Traffic court really is not like any other court in America. It doesnt follow any normal rules; its a very different beast. Definitely political rather than legal... thats what surprised me.

Quote:

Originally posted by PortofCall:
You got off through a political solution, not really through a legal solution, but it is a solution, still.

kensteele · 05-13-2001, 10:51 AM

In 1986, I went to traffic school on my first 110mph in a 55mph zone speeding ticket in Texas, $50 at Sears Driving School, no lawyer, no lawyer money. Called the judge, requested permission to attend, yada yada yada.

On the way from Houston to San Antonio, I was in front with a spotter in back about 1/4 mile. That a**hole let the sheriff sneak up behind us and get between us, pulling us both over. He admitted first, I had no choice because I was in front. Big ticket was $235, no arrest, no search, no nothing. I was young and lucky.

Times have certainly changed.

------------------
* 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor *
* Since 3/31/2000 *
Road Warrior

Gomez · 05-13-2001, 1:05 PM

What are "points" and how do they determine your liscense getting suspended? I used to get tickets all the time, and have never known anyone to be suspended except for repeated no insurance or DWI.

Must be a West Coast thing, hmm?

------------------
'01 White Diamond Pearl 3.2TL
-Wing, tint, wood and Whistler

kensteele · 05-13-2001, 1:28 PM

I grew up in Texas and had never heard of points either. Until I went to live in Minnesota where they have/had something like three in a twelve-month period...suspension.

------------------
* 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor *
* Since 3/31/2000 *
Road Warrior

8ball · 05-13-2001, 4:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gomez:
What are "points" and how do they determine your liscense getting suspended? I used to get tickets all the time, and have never known anyone to be suspended except for repeated no insurance or DWI.

Must be a West Coast thing, hmm?

Missouri uses a "points" system. Basically, different violations are assigned varying point values (1, 2, 3 ...). The more serious the violation, the higher the point value. Amass a certain number of points in a given amount of time, and it's "buh-bye license."

Usually, for routine moving violations (i.e., nothing egregious) you can get them reduced to a "no point" non-moving violation - defective equipment, for instance - if you're willing to pay a higher fine. Last time I checked around here I believe it was about $125 to $175.

Xorg · 05-13-2001, 7:03 PM

CT has some of the toughest speeding laws in the country, and it was only a few years ago that they finally raised the speed limit to a more reasonable 65mph.

In this state if you get caught doing over 75mph, you're in hot water and will pay between $175-400. Get caught over 85mph, and its almost always reckless driving, we're taking some very serious fines and possible revokation of your license for 30 days.

If you get a ticket for doing under 85mph, its usually worth your while to take it to court, which is one of the most boring, frustrating, and annoying experiences you'll ever deal with. If you pay the fine, you get two points for speeding, 1 point for "traveling unreasonably fast", but cops will almost never issue the lighter ticket.

This is where you they screw you:

Under our new laws, if you get a speeding ticket, most of the time if you contest it you can get the prosecutor to drop the charges to the lesser infraction, pay less and walk away with one point. All of the prosecutors are very nasty people who hate their jobs, don't play games.

If you get two points, you go to traffic court. It's a four hour class, you pay $80 for it, and at the end of class, you get your points wiped clean. Mind you, this is $80 on top of your fine and court costs.

HOWEVER, if you get another ticket within two years of taking the class, you go to class again.

This time its an 8 HOUR class, and they whack you for $160. Points wiped clean again. But get another ticket within two years, and you're taking serious fines and possible revokation of your license for 30-60-90 days.

Pretty bad eh? Read on!

The court system keeps track of points, and the Motor Vehicle system also keeps track of points - seperately.

So guess what - even if you take class and get your points wiped clean, your insurance company doesn't care - they work with the points the Motor Vehicle system keeps on you, and those aren't wiped clean after you take class - the courts don't tell you this.

So get a ticket, and watch your insurance DOUBLE when it comes time for renewal.

[This message has been edited by Xorg on May 13, 2001 @ ]

[This message has been edited by Xorg on May 13, 2001 @ ]

[This message has been edited by Xorg on May 13, 2001 @ ]

05-13-2001, 7:03 PM	#9
Xorg Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2001 Age: 46 Posts: 503	CT has some of the toughest speeding laws in the country, and it was only a few years ago that they finally raised the speed limit to a more reasonable 65mph. In this state if you get caught doing over 75mph, you're in hot water and will pay between $175-400. Get caught over 85mph, and its almost always reckless driving, we're taking some very serious fines and possible revokation of your license for 30 days. If you get a ticket for doing under 85mph, its usually worth your while to take it to court, which is one of the most boring, frustrating, and annoying experiences you'll ever deal with. If you pay the fine, you get two points for speeding, 1 point for "traveling unreasonably fast", but cops will almost never issue the lighter ticket. This is where you they screw you: Under our new laws, if you get a speeding ticket, most of the time if you contest it you can get the prosecutor to drop the charges to the lesser infraction, pay less and walk away with one point. All of the prosecutors are very nasty people who hate their jobs, don't play games. If you get two points, you go to traffic court. It's a four hour class, you pay $80 for it, and at the end of class, you get your points wiped clean. Mind you, this is $80 on top of your fine and court costs. HOWEVER, if you get another ticket within two years of taking the class, you go to class again. This time its an 8 HOUR class, and they whack you for $160. Points wiped clean again. But get another ticket within two years, and you're taking serious fines and possible revokation of your license for 30-60-90 days. Pretty bad eh? Read on! The court system keeps track of points, and the Motor Vehicle system also keeps track of points - seperately. So guess what - even if you take class and get your points wiped clean, your insurance company doesn't care - they work with the points the Motor Vehicle system keeps on you, and those aren't wiped clean after you take class - the courts don't tell you this. So get a ticket, and watch your insurance DOUBLE when it comes time for renewal. <FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by Xorg on May 13, 2001 @ ]</font> <FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by Xorg on May 13, 2001 @ ]</font> <FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by Xorg on May 13, 2001 @ ]</font>

05-10-2001, 7:28 PM	#2
edgalang Purchased: April 28, 2001 Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2001 Location: Berkeley, CA Posts: 3,043	Good thing you're in the bay area.

05-10-2001, 8:22 PM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	You got off through a political solution, not really through a legal solution, but it is a solution, still.

05-13-2001, 10:51 AM	#5
kensteele Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 10,269	In 1986, I went to traffic school on my first 110mph in a 55mph zone speeding ticket in Texas, $50 at Sears Driving School, no lawyer, no lawyer money. Called the judge, requested permission to attend, yada yada yada. On the way from Houston to San Antonio, I was in front with a spotter in back about 1/4 mile. That ahole let the sheriff sneak up behind us and get between us, pulling us both over. He admitted first, I had no choice because I was in front. Big ticket was $235, no arrest, no search, no nothing. I was young and lucky*. Times have certainly changed. ------------------ 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor * * Since 3/31/2000 * Road Warrior

05-13-2001, 1:05 PM	#6
Gomez Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 820	What are "points" and how do they determine your liscense getting suspended? I used to get tickets all the time, and have never known anyone to be suspended except for repeated no insurance or DWI. Must be a West Coast thing, hmm? ------------------ '01 White Diamond Pearl 3.2TL -Wing, tint, wood and Whistler

05-13-2001, 1:28 PM	#7
kensteele Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 10,269	I grew up in Texas and had never heard of points either. Until I went to live in Minnesota where they have/had something like three in a twelve-month period...suspension. ------------------ * 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor * * Since 3/31/2000 * Road Warrior