Should i show up?
Should i show up?
ok so here is the story i was on the way home from the dragon and i was coming down 26 on a section about 2 miles long doing 80 in a 65 in a caravan with people i did not know. I was in the middle and of course the cop pulls only me any ways i pull over and he gives me a ticket for 80 in a 65 and following to close for a grand total 223 dollars I told him i was on the way home to take care of my grandfather because he was in the hospital which he is. He told me to bring papers to the court house on my court date and they might help me out. The court house is 2 hours away from where i live so im trying to decide if it is worth it or not? does anyone have any experience with this?
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central South Carolina
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Re: Should i show up?
Three times in the last 7 (or so) years I got speeding tickets (2 in the XF) in various jurisdictions. In all cases I went to the location directed on the date and time so requested and admitted I screwed up and asked for a break. In every case I was lowered to the least (court cost) and that was a huge savings of $. I suggest you bring your paperwork showing dad in the hospital, you might get it torn up or drastically reduced based on your honesty and the good will of the court. Just my honest opinion and past three tickets experience (The biggest one was 82 in a 60 written as 69 in a 60. The 82 in a 60 would have cost almost 300!) then at the courthouse, I asked the trooper if there was any way I could save any of the 89 (round number) bucks and she knocked it down to 30 court costs. The ticket still got on my record but it cost only 30 bucks and the insurance agency report (as usual). In all three cases, I got quite a break just by being honest, and asking afterwards if it could be less expensive. Good luck!
Re: Should i show up?
I wouldn't lead in with "Everyone else was speeding and I got the ticket"... Maybe concerned about grand father and was going with the flow of traffic you were in and didn't realize they were going that fast..
The old "if they jumped off a bridge" thing could be in the Judges mind.. LOL
The old "if they jumped off a bridge" thing could be in the Judges mind.. LOL
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Re: Should i show up?
I got the double pull over once... was chasing a girl in a Scion and the cop waved me over and pulled her over.. I asked him to give her my number but I'm pretty sure he didn't... but on the bright side, I went to court and got it reduced down to the minimum and ended up hitting it off pretty well with a different girl there
Re: Should i show up?
I'd take my chances with paying attention to traffic and not the speedometer..
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Re: Should i show up?
And a subtle way of telling the judge "your the one" that got pulled over out of several cars doing the same speed.. Here in Oklahoma they know how to pull 3-4 over in one whack...
Saves fuel and increases revenue!
Saves fuel and increases revenue!
Re: Should i show up?
I;m not sure how it may be in NC , But if you go to see the Big Boy in court , it you did or you did not , kind ? if did not ,then it another trip back to see the BIG BOY in court ,to tell your story , Been there done that just decided to pay the Ticket and do some school work , Hope it all work out for you
Re: Should i show up?
I got the double pull over once... was chasing a girl in a Scion and the cop waved me over and pulled her over.. I asked him to give her my number but I'm pretty sure he didn't... but on the bright side, I went to court and got it reduced down to the minimum and ended up hitting it off pretty well with a different girl there
Re: Should i show up?
Always appear. State your side of it whatever it is. 50/50 it will get reduced when you appear. 0 when you don't. You are running in a pack. He picks you out of the middle. You had to have done something to attract his attn. it's like taking the rear car and not the lead car. Speeding is speeding. I will get the lead car the next time. Not fair? Speeding is speeding can't stop them all. Plead your case. Be professional, be polite. Maybe the officer will be there maybe they won't. Judge will make the call based on your demeanor and your evidence presented. Good luck.
Re: Should i show up?
Always appear. State your side of it whatever it is. 50/50 it will get reduced when you appear. 0 when you don't. You are running in a pack. He picks you out of the middle. You had to have done something to attract his attn. it's like taking the rear car and not the lead car. Speeding is speeding. I will get the lead car the next time. Not fair? Speeding is speeding can't stop them all. Plead your case. Be professional, be polite. Maybe the officer will be there maybe they won't. Judge will make the call based on your demeanor and your evidence presented. Good luck.
And this man just gave you the best shot with advice you could get..
Re: Should i show up?
Always appear. State your side of it whatever it is. 50/50 it will get reduced when you appear. 0 when you don't. You are running in a pack. He picks you out of the middle. You had to have done something to attract his attn. it's like taking the rear car and not the lead car. Speeding is speeding. I will get the lead car the next time. Not fair? Speeding is speeding can't stop them all. Plead your case. Be professional, be polite. Maybe the officer will be there maybe they won't. Judge will make the call based on your demeanor and your evidence presented. Good luck.
Re: Should i show up?
Always appear. State your side of it whatever it is. 50/50 it will get reduced when you appear. 0 when you don't. You are running in a pack. He picks you out of the middle. You had to have done something to attract his attn. it's like taking the rear car and not the lead car. Speeding is speeding. I will get the lead car the next time. Not fair? Speeding is speeding can't stop them all. Plead your case. Be professional, be polite. Maybe the officer will be there maybe they won't. Judge will make the call based on your demeanor and your evidence presented. Good luck.
Re: Should i show up?
I fully agree with Doc.
I was pulled in Virginia for 80 in a 55. I appeared before the judge, apologized for my lapse in judgement since I was staying in the flow and not watching my speedometer. Judge asked for officers statement and the officer was not there. Very nice Judge threw it out since the ticketing officer was not present. As I thanked the Judge he laughed and told me that my Father raced on the track not the highway and I should follow his lead not the other drivers...My jaw dropped....he had grown up with my Father.
Good luck and remember honesty and humility are always the best approach.
I was pulled in Virginia for 80 in a 55. I appeared before the judge, apologized for my lapse in judgement since I was staying in the flow and not watching my speedometer. Judge asked for officers statement and the officer was not there. Very nice Judge threw it out since the ticketing officer was not present. As I thanked the Judge he laughed and told me that my Father raced on the track not the highway and I should follow his lead not the other drivers...My jaw dropped....he had grown up with my Father.
Good luck and remember honesty and humility are always the best approach.
Re: Should i show up?
Three times in the last 7 (or so) years I got speeding tickets (2 in the XF) in various jurisdictions. In all cases I went to the location directed on the date and time so requested and admitted I screwed up and asked for a break. In every case I was lowered to the least (court cost) and that was a huge savings of $. I suggest you bring your paperwork showing dad in the hospital, you might get it torn up or drastically reduced based on your honesty and the good will of the court. Just my honest opinion and past three tickets experience (The biggest one was 82 in a 60 written as 69 in a 60. The 82 in a 60 would have cost almost 300!) then at the courthouse, I asked the trooper if there was any way I could save any of the 89 (round number) bucks and she knocked it down to 30 court costs. The ticket still got on my record but it cost only 30 bucks and the insurance agency report (as usual). In all three cases, I got quite a break just by being honest, and asking afterwards if it could be less expensive. Good luck!
i misread this at first i thought you said you were gonna wear a dress DONT DO THAT!!!
Last edited by xfireon20z; 04-11-2013 at 09:27 AM.