Speeding Ticket Question

[Rayden]

I am looking for a bit of information and I was hoping you guys could help.

I received a speeding ticket a few days ago for going 54 in a 35. I'm trying to figure out what my options are. In my perusing of the internet I've come across various sources with differing information. Some states allows you to avoid it going on your record, etc.

Lots of sites say fight it no matter what, nothing to lose and having a ticket on your record is killer on your insurance. I have no intention of fighting it as I was going that speed. Having had no experience with this I really have no idea what sort of options I have, just looking for some advice.

Location: Henrietta, New York

Other perhaps unimportant information: 22 year old with a California license and this is the first ticket I've had.

PS in case anyone feels like chewing me out (or just curious) for driving too fast, it was 1am through an industrial zone. The two cops at the speed trap were the only ones on the road.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

If it's your first ticket, and only 54 in a 35, I would think the judge might give you traffic school if you ask for it. Sometimes that will keep a ticket off your record, but you can only do this once every 18 months. THis likely varies by state however. In any case... look into traffic school.

 

[jagec]

Traffic school, or deferred finding, or pleading guilty to a non-moving violation...figure out what your state offers, and talk to the judge.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Call the court that's listed on the ticket. Ask them what your options are.

I've gotten a few speeding tickets before and they always list what my options are as well as #'s that I can call for questions. Don't be scared to call and just call.

 

[Rayden]

When you say talk to the judge, at the court case or before that? It seems like a bad idea to wait until the day of the case.
If you mean before, how would I go about that? I'm guessing judges aren't available to just discuss this.

 

[Rayden]

Ah, Shfifty Five, that sounds like a good idea.

My ticket just lets me mail something in pleading guilty and allowing the court to decide a fine. Or I can show up for the court date. No information about options.

 

[Rayden]

On a slightly related note, what should one say after being pulled over by a cop?
"Do you know why I pulled you over?" "Do you know what the speed limit back there was?" "Do you know how fast you were going?"

I replied to all with something along the lines of "no" as I didn't see any reason to incriminate myself, but what should one do in that situation?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Rayden
On a slightly related note, what should one say after being pulled over by a cop?
"Do you know why I pulled you over?" "Do you know what the speed limit back there was?" "Do you know how fast you were going?"

I replied to all with something along the lines of "no" as I didn't see any reason to incriminate myself, but what should one do in that situation?

IMO you might stand a better chance with being honest. Cops hear the "no" answer all the time perhaps a "yes I know I was speeding" might be refreshing to hear.

However, It probably doesn't matter. 55 in a 35 is pretty significant.

 

[BoomerD]

Why are you in New York with a Kahleeforneeya driver's license? If you're a student, then that's PROBABLY ok, but unless you're there for school or vacation, they're probably gonna demand you get a NY driver's license as well.

I don't know what NY offers for driving school options to keep tickets off your license. Kahleeforneeya has them and it's almost an automatic option. In fact, MOST judges offer it before you can ask for it...
Call the DMV or county clerk/court clerk's offices and ask WELL IN ADVANCE of your court date.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Rayden
On a slightly related note, what should one say after being pulled over by a cop?
"Do you know why I pulled you over?" "Do you know what the speed limit back there was?" "Do you know how fast you were going?"

I replied to all with something along the lines of "no" as I didn't see any reason to incriminate myself, but what should one do in that situation?

No, SIR.
I believe so, SIR.
No, SIR. I don't know my way around here OFFICER and was trying to be safe by keeping my eyes on the road. SIR.
Officer, SIR.

"well, son...just keep it down and pay more attention."
thank you SIR. Won't happen again, SIR.

 

[Rayden]

I am getting my master's at RIT in Rochester, NY.

My friend from home said you can do the training through online courses, but I read that's not an option in New York.

 

[spidey07]

So you're not going to call the court or clerk then and get the real deal? you'll go off of what a friend and what your read on the intarweb says?

just pick up the phone and call.

 

[Rayden]

No I'm planning on calling them tomorrow morning. Just saying that one option in California doesn't appear to be an option here.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Rayden
No I'm planning on calling them tomorrow morning. Just saying that one option in California doesn't appear to be an option here.

Ya think???!!!!

We have these things called states. They form a union. These are the United States of America.

 

[Rayden]

And the key thing about states is they can make their own rules. So the rules may differ from one state to the next. This doesn't mean that all the laws are different and many are the same. Your point?

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: Rayden
...I was going that speed.

you are guilty, pay the fine

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: Rayden
...I was going that speed.

you are guilty, pay the fine

while i agree that if you do the crime pay the fine EVERYONE should take it to court.

if they did it would force the cop to be honest. right now i don't trust them at all (well for ticketS)

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Rayden
And the key thing about states is they can make their own rules. So the rules may differ from one state to the next. This doesn't mean that all the laws are different and many are the same. Your point?

My point is after all your googling you're surprised and confused.

hell, I barely know my own states laws and rules as they change all the time, let alone another state.

And technically all laws regarding speeding, punishment, whatever are different from state to state. They are STATE laws, covered by the state's court system.

 

[Rayden]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: Rayden
...I was going that speed.

you are guilty, pay the fine

while i agree that if you do the crime pay the fine EVERYONE should take it to court.

if they did it would force the cop to be honest. right now i don't trust them at all (well for ticketS)

So what, take it to court and when they ask how I plea just say guilty? What purpose does that serve?

 

[Rayden]

So I called the court and the lady told me that it was a "court of reduction." If I plead guilty then they send me a fine (confused about how this would affect my status in California) but if I pleaded not guilty then I'd get a court date and they "usually reduce it."

What's up with that? I'd be very uncomfortable pleading not guilty, seeing as how I was doing exactly what was written on the ticket, but it almost sounds like the thing to do is: go to court, plead not guilty, get ticket reduced, profit?

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

I don't know what NY offers for driving school options to keep tickets off your license. .

they dont offer it AFAIK at least around where i am, basicially its just send it in and say guilty and pay the fine or go to court possibily have it reduced pay fine

 

[Xavier434]

You fix this problem by making one 10 min phone call, about $100, and a fax by contacting these guys:

TicketClinic

They will go to court for you, have the ticket dismissed, no points, no traffic school, and most likely no court fees. Even if you do get some court fees, the total cost of going through them will be less than your ticket.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
Call the court that's listed on the ticket. Ask them what your options are.

I've gotten a few speeding tickets before and they always list what my options are as well as #'s that I can call for questions. Don't be scared to call and just call.

agreed. Since you are out of state, returning to New York just to fight the ticket is not a smart investment of your time or money. But it would be good if there was at least an option for online traffic school or something.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Rayden

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: Rayden
...I was going that speed.

you are guilty, pay the fine

while i agree that if you do the crime pay the fine EVERYONE should take it to court.

if they did it would force the cop to be honest. right now i don't trust them at all (well for ticketS)

So what, take it to court and when they ask how I plea just say guilty? What purpose does that serve?

first off you don't hae ot plea guilty. not always a good idea just do that. 2nd the cop may or may nto showup. they will not always reschedule for a later date.

also it does not hurt (well not always) to force the cop to prove the ticket. As i said if everyone did that then there wouldnt be so many bullshit tickets.

 

[Rayden]

I'm going to school in New York, so there is no travel to the court involved.

It looks like I can do the driving school to remove 4 points (what I got) so it doesn't show up on my record (for insurance).

How would I plead if I don't plead guilty?

Me: "I plead not guilty."
Officer: "I caught him on radar doing 54mph."
Me: "That sounds about right."

lol

The only thing I can see is showing up just in case the cop doesn't, and maybe I have to show up to get it reduced... still unsure about that.