Letter to the Judge

[imported_Fatbuddha]

I received a speeding ticket in South Carolina almost a week ago and wish to write the judge a letter in response to the ticket and the fact that I don't have time to drive 13hrs each way to attend a court date.

I would ultimately like this letter to get me out of the ticket.

Let me know what you think of it and what can be revised. Thanks in advance.


Dear Honorable Judge,

My name is Michael . I have been a safe responsible driver with a clean driving record for a little over five years now. On March 17th, 2007 I received a traffic ticket (Violation Section # xx-xx-xxx) for speeding in a 35 mph zone.

I wish to explain why I was moving at the speed I was clocked at. I had been driving at a steady 55 mph for a couple of hours and decreased my speed several times while passing through towns. But for a reasonable amount of time I was lost, driving in the complete wrong directions. Even when I was pulled over the office told me I was once again going the wrong way. I?d had stopped for directions several times but I could still not navigate the area. I proceeded to view my own maps and figure out my own directions but while looking down at my map I completely and honestly missed the speed limit posted and proceed to accelerate to the 55 mph speed I had been at previously. As I did, the officer pulled me over for speeding.

I understand it would be best to attend the court hearing but I am a little over thirteen hours away and am a full-time college student. I understand I made a serious mistake and apologize for carelessness which I assure you will never happen again. So from here on, Your Honor, I don?t know how to proceed with this ticket.

I look forward to your response
Thank you for your time,



(Signature)
Michael

 

[FoBoT]

as long as you attach the check to pay the fine , i think you are good to go

 

[Al Neri]

your grammar is not ... how you say, good

 

[wheresmybacon]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
as long as you attach the check to pay the fine , i think you are good to go

qft

 

[sixone]

Gee, your Honor, at 55 mph, I was looking at my map instead of the road. So this speeding ticket is completely unfair, and I hope you'll tell me not to pay it.

:roll:

 

[mugs]

You think the judge is going to let you off because your excuse is that you were looking at a map while driving.

 

[Rapidskies]

Here is what the judge's secretary is going to read:

Dear Honorable Judge,

My name is Michael .

I was moving at the speed I was clocked at.

I look forward to your response
Thank you for your time,
Michael

 

[FoBoT]

maybe he'll change it from speeding to reckless driving (not watching the road, you were looking at a map) and issue a warrant for you


good luck OP

 

[ppdes]

Sounds like you are blaming it on the situation instead of yourself. Excuses don't go over well. I'd replace the middle section with:

"I was dangerously consulting a map while driving and missed seeing the posted limit. I now realize that I should pull over to a safe area when needed."

Not that I think you have a chance anyway.

Edit: bleh, people beat me to it.

 

[spidey07]

My response as a judge.

YOU WERE LOOKING AT A MAP WHILE DRIVING! I'm gonna add a reckless driving charge to your speeding ticket. See you at your appointed court date.

 

[swimscubasteve]

I would apologize rather than coming up with excuses. Offer to do DD.

 

[swimscubasteve]

Actually, your letter just sucks. Pay the fine.

 

[NuroMancer]

So, what your saying is, Your honor, I was driving without due care and attention, so if you will kindly charge me with that and dismiss my speeding ticket, I would appriciate it.

 

[slsmnaz]

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Pay up

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: sixone
Gee, your Honor, at 55 mph, I was looking at my map instead of the road. So this speeding ticket is completely unfair, and I hope you'll tell me not to pay it.

:roll:

yeah, 'hey your honor, i wasn't only speeding, i was reckless driving'

 

[Old Hippie]

When he quits laughing, he'll issue a bench warrant.

 

[waggy]

ignore everyone. they have no fvcking clue.

that letter is fine. send it. it can only help you.

 

[George P Burdell]

OP, don't piss off the judge.

 

[imported_Fatbuddha]

Hmm I feel the warmth from this thread...

I did a lot of research about writing the letter and it seems to help in many situations. It may do nothing but I don't feel it will worsen the situation. Thought I would get less bashing and more criticism on how to write a well constructed letter to get out of a ticket.

I know I was in the wrong but my insurance will go up and the $180 fine won't help the cause. I'd like some help because I can't attend the court date because its 13hrs away.

Has anyone received a ticket and tried to get out of it any other way? I'd like a response from them please or someone to help me with a letter, close to or more convincing than mine.

I know I made the mistake and I'm looking for some help. Any takers?

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: waggy
ignore everyone. they have no fvcking clue.

that letter is fine. send it. it can only help you.

:laugh:

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
as long as you attach the check to pay the fine , i think you are good to go

/thread

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: Fatbuddha
Hmm I feel the warmth from this thread...

I did a lot of research about writing the letter and it seems to help in many situations. It may do nothing but I don't feel it will worsen the situation. Thought I would get less bashing and more criticism on how to write a well constructed letter to get out of a ticket.

I know I was in the wrong but my insurance will go up and the $180 fine won't help the cause. I'd like some help because I can't attend the court date because its 13hrs away.

Has anyone received a ticket and tried to get out of it any other way? I'd like a response from them please or someone to help me with a letter, close to or more convincing than mine.

I know I made the mistake and I'm looking for some help. Any takers?

Judges have heard every excuse in the book, as well as the extended director's cuts versions.

Seriously, they will just read the first few lines, crumple the letter, and you will get a letter from the court saying you owe $$$$ by <date>.

What you should have done is asked the officer what your options are. He would be able to tell you if you could take a def. driving course to erase the ticket off your record.

Since you didn't do that, you probably should just try CALLING the court and asking what your options are.

But save yourself some embarassment, and DO NOT send that letter.

 

[mugs]

Wait, where's the person who says "you guys are all hypocrites, like you don't read War and Peace while driving like the rest of us :roll:"

 

[imported_Fatbuddha]

sure, judges have heard every excuse in the book. DUH! but the whole point of going to a court hearing and pleading your case is to try to lessen the ticket or get it thrown out. Otherwise, people would just pay the fine. but as i am 13 HOURS away from the court, i can't go there for one day to plead my case. So one option that has seemed to work for many people is writing a letter to the judge instead of actually going to the court.

So if anyone has any ACTUAL advice on this, besides you're screwed, pay the fine, then please let me know.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Fatbuddha
sure, judges have heard every excuse in the book. DUH! but the whole point of going to a court hearing and pleading your case is to try to lessen the ticket or get it thrown out. Otherwise, people would just pay the fine. but as i am 13 HOURS away from the court, i can't go there for one day to plead my case. So one option that has seemed to work for many people is writing a letter to the judge instead of actually going to the court.

So if anyone has any ACTUAL advice on this, besides you're screwed, pay the fine, then please let me know.

ignore everyone. they get woodies for people speeding. they think they should rot in hell.

send the letter. its fine. as you said you did research. writting that letter will help.