Help in Pa

[illusion123a]

I just got oulled over going 52 in a 35, the fine is only 145, but i am more worried about the points. I am thinking about fighting, and may be able to get off as he had my car listed at grey sdn. when i actually have a 2 door hatchback that is silver. If I go to court is there anything else i should bring up?

[cnilkyrclit]

If You Have A Good Driving Record, Then You Can Possibly Get The Points Dropped. However You May Have To Pay The Fine The Same Day. If You Have A Bad Driving Record, Then Chalk It Up And Pay The Fine Without Going To Court. Unless You Think You Have A Good Chance Of Getting Out Of It Since The Officer Wrote The Wrong Description Of The Car.

[illusion123a]

I have one red light violation a little over 1 year ago, do i just show up at cout and ask to have the points dropped

[Igovert500]

First off, you should definantly go to court...you should go to court over any ticket. Many get reduced. 17mph over is a few points, but if your town court is like mine, then plenty of tickets get reduced to 1-5mph over or disobeying a traffic control device. Both have tickets around $100 but no points.

Basically, you have to respond to the ticket within 10 days. Plead 'Not Guilty', put down a deposit on the ticket, then return the day of the trial. You will meet with the cop who pulled you over a little before the trial.

Now if you were polite to the cop when he pulled you over, he may be nice to you now. Admit you were wrong, and simply state that you deserve a ticket, you don't wish to argue that, but you are concerned about the insurance points. Chances are the cop will offer a reduction...you either sign it there or go into court, the cop tells the judge you cut a bargain for a reduced ticket. You thank them for their time and pay your fine.


Now for a few other pieces of related info:
1) obviously this is best case scenario. Often cops will reduce tickets to save time...the county still makes money off the ticket, you don't get any points, everyone goes home relatively happy with the compromise. However, if you are a repeat offender, an asshole to the cop, or he is having a bad day, he may feel like being a prick...
You have to feel him out. Dress nice, shirt, tie etc., be polite, call him officer or sir. If he talks to you honestly and it seems he is willing to compromise, go with it, if he is being a prick, don't admit to anything.

When you walk into the with him to talk prior to the case, don't 'show all your cards' metaphorically. Greet him, be polite, but see if he offers a deal, prior to you admitting guilt. Everytime I've been to court or been with a friend, the cop or assistant DA(NY) has offered the deal up front.

Also, about the cop being wrong regarding the exact color and model of your car...it doesn't matter. In a case like yours, it makes no difference...now if you had been driving a red Ford pickup...then yes, but in this case, it wont help you.

Lastly, as a precaution, go to www.beatmyspeedingticket.com I've heard good things about the book, but on the other hand, I've heard some say it was too difficult for them. It really depends on how comfortable you feel challenging the court and the officer...so whether you buy and use their book is up to you...however they have plenty of good advice on the website, which I would suggest reading.

[illusion123a]

I was very nice to the cop and he was very nice to me, he even joked that I could get away with speeding on the interstate, but that he didnt tell me that. I am hoping that if he shows up he will reduce my ticket. This is my forst speedin ticket since I was 16, (that was 8 years ago) I did get on red light violation in oct '03. I also iasked the cop is he knew my dad and brother, who are correctional officers..he said no, but it was worth a try. Right now the worst case seniro is i have to pay the full fine and get points, this WILL happen if i plead guilty, but MAY happen if i take it to court, so i firgure that buy fighting it i have nothing to loose, espically as the court costs are already included in the ticket. THANKS for the HELP

[Igovert500]

Well then, plead not guilty, go, meet with him right before the hearing...he will probably offer a reduction. Don't say yes or no...say something to the extent of, "well I realize I deserve a ticket, and I appreciate your willingness to help...my only concern is my insurance going up...blah blah blah...tell him the truth.

Last time I went to court, I got pulled over doing 57 in a 35...did the same thing. The cop was cool, I was polite, etc. We went into the sideroom, he offered reducing it to a 1-5mph over the speed limit. I told him I appreciated it, that I realized I was guilty and deserved a ticket and would be happy to pay the fine, but that my main concern was the insurance I was paying. (I own a vr4) I exaggerated the insurance a bit, and he felt bad for me, and he simply said something to the effect of "well I appreciate your honesty, every other person I pulled over at that speed trap lied their asses off to me...It seems like you learned your lesson, and I don't see any reason why we couldn't just drop it entirely.
I thanked him profusely, shook his hand, thanked him again. We went into court. The cop said he would liek the case dismissed...judge agreed, I thanked them both and was out scott-free in under 30 seconds.
Obviously every situation will differ, and luck happened to be on my side that day. But generally, they will always offer a reduced ticket to speed up the process as I said before...so pair that with a nice cop, and you being polite, and your odds are as good as they get.

[illusion123a]

Well i go to court on Wed and last minuete tips?

[Igovert500]

Practice what you're going to say...it's ok to take notes in...try not to be nervous
And dress nice.

[illusion123a]

the dressing nice part will be no prob, as i have to be at work right after the hearing i am hoping that I can talk the cop into changeing the fine before i even go to the judge. If for some reason the cop wouldn't agree to, can the judge still change it? I am not even counting on the cop not showing up

[illusion123a]

I won the case, the nice officer totally dropped the ticket, he was really cool we didnt even go into court, it all happened in the waiting area. He asked the judge if he made a mistake, the judge said i am sure we can find something, I added that my car was listed as grey and it is silver the judge said thats good enough for him !!!!!