7Dec/0916
Is it worth hiring a lawyer to go to court over a speeding ticket or would it be better if I just showed up?
The ticket was for going 82 in a 65. I have gone before and had good results and this one would be a drive for a court date I just wasnt sure how it would turn out with a lawyer.
I was going 82 in a 65. I have a clean driving record and I was just zoned out due to I was going to a Hospital out of state due to a friend being in a motorcycle accident.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
Go to court first, and see what your options are. You can always request a continuance to obtain an attorney if you feel it’s necessary.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
The cost of a lawyer is probably more than the fine. I’d just pay the fine and keep it movin!
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
You’d better go to traffic school before you pay fine.
to keep the points offf of your lics. Your insurance rates
are going to go up, and it does not sound like you intend
to slow down anytime soon.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
Sorry to answer like a lawyer but it depends. If it’s your tenth speeding ticket in two months, by all means get an attorney.
If it’s your first one ever, it’s your call.
When all else fails, plead temporary insanity and throw yourself at the mercy of the court.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
depends. do you have a valid license… registration… insurance at the time of arrest. is speeding your only charge. if the answer is yes..carry on . if not ..get an attorney.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
Why dont you just stop speeding instead of trying to beat the system all the time? Its called personal responsibility………….Nuf Said
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
I had a pretty bad one about 16 years ago…I went myself, told the truth that I was an idiot and that I was an idiot because of a situation…explained the situation (a girl, of course) and told the court I was willing to accept the concequences for my stupidity.
The whole court room was silent…the Judge looked at the ADA who just shrugged…the Judge lowered the charges to the absolute minimums that were allowable under law and commended me for my honesty and candor.
Best Regards.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
On a speeding ticket, a lawyer is a waste of money. They will charge you anywhere from $150 – 300 bucks. And when you lose, cause lose you will as there is little defense to a speeding ticket, you will get the fine AND court cost. So the lawyer will just show up for you so you do not have to go. For a speeding ticket, as long as the officer shows, and his laser logs are up to date… you are going to be found guilty.
All a lawyer will do is ask the judge to with hold the points, which are always granted so long as your record is relatively clean.
Here is what you do…..
Go to court, if the officer shows, plea No Contest…. and request no points and driving school in lieu of fine. You will most likely get that and then have to pay a court cost.
Believe me, lawyers are getting rich off these ticket cases and doing nothing that you can not do yourself.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
My first question is why you haven’t learned your lesson and stay within the speed limit? That shows a great deal of immaturity on your part.
You can get a lawyer if you have the extra money to put out and since this is a repeat offense, guess you might want to get one because the judge may well frown upon your lack of respect for the law and the safety of others. Don’t think anyone can predict what the future holds for you no matter which way you decide to handle this other than you should dress nicely and be very polite and apologetic AND sincere while you are there.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
I’d pay the fine, do what you did last time.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
I was gonna say I agree with ej, and I do, but you don’t want to take a chance pleading guilty if you get a judge that is in a bad mood or something. Plead not guilty, when you go for your second court date, have everything taken care of, school, paid tickets, whatever you gotta do. then plead your case to the Judge. He should see that you have done what you need to do, he will see your driving record and you should be fine. Good luck!
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
You never know. I have always hired an attorney, so my insurance wouldn’t go up and points on my license. The only time I didn’t, I was going 140 on an interstate. I didn’t know they take you to jail for anything over 100. The trooper, dropped it to 99, also I couldn’t find my insurance. I also was going back to a hospital, where my dad was dying. I went to court, out of my area, and when the judge called my name, I explained the situation, and he ask someone to go get something. It was a refrigerator magnet, saying "don’t have a officer come knocking at your door, telling your loved ones you are not coming home. He gave this to me and dismissed all the charges. Wow! Never in a million years would I think I would have gotten off going so fast. I didn’t have to pay a dime. Good luck to you!!!!!
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
The good thing is that is that you wanted to visit a friend in the hospital.
The VERY BAD thing is that you were speeding which even though you didn’t say, I suspect is the reason your friend was in the motorcycle accident.
The BLESSING is that while you were speeding you didn’t become involved in an accident and injure yourself or others.
I’m not a lawyer and I don’t know how a lawyer would represent you in your case.
Make your court appearance. You’ll probably just get a fine.
Whatever the punishment, learn this from this experience:
When you drive…
OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
Why waste the money for a lawyer on such a minor offense?
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
You will spend more on the attorney than the ticket will cost.
If it has been more than 18 months since your last ticket, ask for traffic school, and the ticket will be dismissed upon completion.
December 7th, 2009 - 12:14
Don’t get a lawyer. You will be wasting your money. Go by youself. Show respect to the judge and ask if you can attened traffic school. This will keep the ticket from going on you insurance and will save you money. Since your record is clean the judge should go easy on you. Don’t sweat it!