First Speeding Ticket(Questions)

[Sniper82]

Got a my first speeding ticket. I told the cop I had recently changed the TCM in my van and didn't have it flashed to the new vans tire/wheel size. The TCM was a junk yard pull and did have different size tires/wheels. He told me to show up at court with proof I had it flashed and that he stated in the ticket I had mentioned the transmission needed calibrated.

Was probably speeding some but that could have played a part on what I was clocked at. Question is should I plead guilty or not guilty? I'll have proof of the flash.

 

[DrDoug]

Don't mess with the judge (waste his time) and he'll usually treat you better (law allowing). If you were speeding, plead guilty. Usually you are allowed to state your case even if pleading guilt. For example, here in Oregon when you plead guilty to most minor traffic infractions you can do so via mail. For example I once got a ticket cut in half with a good excuse, though since I did it via mail I had to check the box on the ticket (guilty), include the fine (conveniently included by the officer when the ticket is written) and send in a short note explaining your side. A month later they sent me a check refunding 1/2 of the ticket fine so I was happy with that. Another time they completely dropped the ticket when I brought proof of insurance down to the local cop shop (forgot to put new card in car!).

Plead guilty, be honest (don't lie to or waste the judge's time), explain the calibration issue, if there was no other traffic around for reference (as to prevailing speed) then mention that and hope for the best! Good luck!!!

 

[Sniper82]

I'll do that. Yeah certainly have no interest in wasting his time. I was speeding to some degree. I was just curious which might have a better chance of getting it dismissed. The way the cop was explaining it I just got the feeling from him there was a decent chance of it possibly getting dismissed since he mentioned he gave me plenty of time to get it flashed so I can show the judge.

 

[XavierMace]

If it's your first ticket, you've probably got the option to just take a defensive driving course online.

 

[Hecubus28]

Here you can usually speak with the prosecuting attorney's office if you don't have any other tickets on your record. I had to still pay the fine but they put the ticket under 6 month advisement meaning if I didn't get any other tickets within 6 months it would not show up on my record. After that I just mailed them the ticket and check and did not have to show up for court.

 

[Bardock]

I've had a million tickets. Sometimes I can get them to knock it down from reckless driving to regular speeding but always have to pay something. Get ready for insurance premium bump. Get a radar detector unless you live in VA communistwealth like me. Definitely have the proof of flash in court. Good luck, let us know how it works out. My prediction is guilty, no fine, pay court costs on your way out have a nice day. It may help to call the cop and talk to him, remind him of the incident and how it's your first ticket and see if he can talk to the court for you, and work something out before the court date. That has worked for friends of mine in similar boat (no priors).

 

[Torn Mind]

Bigger tires means lower speedometer reading than real speed. Or in other words, you are going faster than you would think.
Smaller tires mean the opposite.

In addition, how much bigger the tire is and what speed you were traveling at also plays a factor. A 30 mph reading on the speedometer might mean 35 mph with significantly bigger tires. But on those same times at 60 mph, you are actually traveling at 70 mp. (Sizes I used are 205 55R 16 and 205 65R 18 using Tiresize's calibration tool)

Depending on the area and type of highway, you normally have 5-9 mph of leeway and since you managed to get pulled over in a non-ticket magnet(i.e Mustang, luxury marques, etc), you need to have been running MUCH larger tires to cast off the doubt that you're just conveniently making an excuse.

 

[cbrunny]

how fast were you going? what was posted?

 

[jlee]

Bigger tires means lower speedometer reading than real speed. Or in other words, you are going faster than you would think.
Smaller tires mean the opposite.

In addition, how much bigger the tire is and what speed you were traveling at also plays a factor. A 30 mph reading on the speedometer might mean 35 mph with significantly bigger tires. But on those same times at 60 mph, you are actually traveling at 70 mp. (Sizes I used are 205 55R 16 and 205 65R 18 using Tiresize's calibration tool)

Depending on the area and type of highway, you normally have 5-9 mph of leeway and since you managed to get pulled over in a non-ticket magnet(i.e Mustang, luxury marques, etc), you need to have been running MUCH larger tires to cast off the doubt that you're just conveniently making an excuse.

Spend some time in NJ and you'll find almost everything that's pulled over is some form of van or box truck. I almost never see cars pulled over, so depending where the OP lives that may not be an accurate assumption.

 

[Zor Prime]

Last ticket I had was in a construction zone. No workers. Lots of BS. Was actually going under the normal speed through there because I was trying to be safe 'just in case,' still got nailed Anyway

Short version: Plead not guilty. Made a case out of it. Showed up for court (cop showed, go figure). Prosecutor approached me and asked why I was pleading not guilty. I explained why I didn't figure I was guilty. I made an agreement with the prosecutor to move my not guilty to no contest, fine cut in half, and I took a defensive driver's course so no points showed on my record.

The regular judge was not 'judging' that day, one of her assistants was ... 'judging,' and I didn't feel very good about prospects of getting the case dismissed so I went with the agreement with the prosecutor to ensure a sure bet.

 

[Stopsignhank]

Did you get one violation or two? It sounds like you could have gotten a speeding ticket AND a fixit ticket.

 

[Sniper82]

Just one for speeding. I am thinking about paying it online and going to traffic school. If I do this I don't have to go to court right with a prepayable ticket? Chances are I'm going to have to pay the court cost regardless what the judge decides so I think I'll just pay it and not mess with having to go.

 

[XavierMace]

If your state is like AZ, you should have gotten a pamphlet with your ticket telling you what your options are including the traffic school option. No court, can take the class online, again at least here in AZ.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Just man up and pay the ticket!! None of this mamsy pamsy well I didn`t have my transmission flashed....lolol....you were still speeding! Man up!