Stop Sign

[aol12123]

Hi

I recieved a ticket for not stopping completely while taking a right turn.I am from VA and I think I have to pay $80 for as the
fee. 1) My question is will I be getting violation points for this ticket if I pay the fee?If yes then how many points?
2) is it worth contacting an attorney

Thanks in advance

[aol12123]

Please someone respond.
Thanks in Advance

[Igovert500]

Most of us have jobs and may not be able to answer your question 2 hours after you post it...be patient.

To answer your question, yes you will get points. How much? Depends on your state, as I don't live in VA, I dunno, but it should say on the ticket, or you could call the DMV or police non-emergency number, courthouse, etc and they can tell you. You could probably even look it up online.

Now the question about lawyers. I personally wouldn't get one. But I would contest the ticket. If you simply plead guilty/pay it, it will cost you money now and continually in the future via your car insurance...ESPECIALLY if you are a relatively new driver.

Generally, when you plead not-guilty to a ticket, you either meet with an assistant district attorney, or the cop (whomever is the prosecution) and they will try and bargain with you. Most times, they will offer you a lesser infraction which you can agree to and avoid court entirely.
The point of this is they want to save the judge's time, and still get some money out of you. My preference is trying to get them down to whatever ticket is 0 points. In PA, I know 'disobeying a traffic control device' is typically offered if you contest a speeding ticket. This lesser charge costs $105 dollars...but it doesn't affect your insurance.

A lawyer probably wont be able to help much here, at least, they probably wont be able to do anything other than what you can do yourself.

If you cannot get the ticket reduced without going to court, it still maybe worth going, and asking the judge to consider that this is your first offense and asking for some mercy (this is your first offense right?)

Generally, just dress up, be very polite, and don't make up bs excuses, the judge has heard them ALL before and doesn't want to hear them again.

[aol12123]

Sorry guys for pushing...
I was very tensed as it was my first ticket and not sure how to approach to it...
Thanks a lot for the advice I was thinking on the same line yesterday....

I did spoke to some lawyers yesterday and my conclusion after speaking to them is that they can't gaurantee to avoid paying the fees or getting points...so no point in going to lawyer
where end up paying $500 to $800 to lawyers apart from the fees and getting points..

So I have decided to appear for the court and ask for the consideration as its my first mistake. I can't really chanllenge the cop as I already kind of admitted my mistake when he stopped me. Also I am planning to take the defensive driver exam soon .
I was just wondering how much will the insurance hike if I am paying $350 for 6 months.

Thanks a lot for your advise..

[Igovert500]

Well it really depends on your insurance company, how they categorize you...and how they factor in points. Every company does it differently. On top of that, it is impossible for us to tell you how much they would raise it, as every policy and quote is different.

I can tell you that defensive driving classes are a good choice, as mine (in NY) dropped my rates 10%.

Also if you are only paying $700 a year for insurance...consider yourself pretty lucky. That's cheaper than anybody I know.