traffic court HELP!
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 1
From: Newport Beach
traffic court HELP!
I got a speeding ticket almost a year ago (86mph in a 35mph zone) from a cop using a radar gun. I pleaded not guilty and even changed the court date which is this coming Monday.
I have already gone to traffic school about 13 months ago, so I don't qualify for it again. Is there anything I can say to the judge to get him to grant me traffic school again? I already have 2 points and can't really afford any more.
HELP ASAP! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />
I have already gone to traffic school about 13 months ago, so I don't qualify for it again. Is there anything I can say to the judge to get him to grant me traffic school again? I already have 2 points and can't really afford any more.
HELP ASAP! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
Paul,
There previously existed an extended traffic school program (12 hours, as opposed to 8) that Judges had the discretion to order even when the defendant did not qualify for standard traffic school. I don't know if this extended traffic school program still exists, nor what the qualification requirements are.
I don't think you will be able to qualify for traffic school simply by delaying your hearing. I'm not certain, but I think the operative date for traffic school qualification purposes is the citation date, not the hearing date. I would check on this before struggling to further delay the hearing.
Finally, the following website has some useful info (although I don't know if it has anything specific to your present circumstances):
<a href="http://www.ticketassassin.com" target="_blank">http://www.ticketassassin.com</a>
Good luck,
Craig
There previously existed an extended traffic school program (12 hours, as opposed to 8) that Judges had the discretion to order even when the defendant did not qualify for standard traffic school. I don't know if this extended traffic school program still exists, nor what the qualification requirements are.
I don't think you will be able to qualify for traffic school simply by delaying your hearing. I'm not certain, but I think the operative date for traffic school qualification purposes is the citation date, not the hearing date. I would check on this before struggling to further delay the hearing.
Finally, the following website has some useful info (although I don't know if it has anything specific to your present circumstances):
<a href="http://www.ticketassassin.com" target="_blank">http://www.ticketassassin.com</a>
Good luck,
Craig
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Florida
At this point, it is probably better to pay a lawyer to get the hearing postponed. If you do this enough of times the officer tends to forget the details or fails to show up altogether. Of course, you can then ask for a dismisal.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,679
Likes: 4
From: Seattle - it's not Hell, but you can see it from here!
of course with this hearing being Mondy and this a long weekend, it maay be too late to reschedule.
up here if you don't reschedule more than 2 weeks ahead, you're stuck.
there's no school here either, but as they say on the Soprano's, you can get a "pass". once every 7 years (yikes!) you can have a ticket deferred. stay out of trouble for six months and it's dismissed. if it's something minor, the judge will warn not to waste it and to save your "pass" for something bigger...
[ clean driving record for once
]
up here if you don't reschedule more than 2 weeks ahead, you're stuck.
there's no school here either, but as they say on the Soprano's, you can get a "pass". once every 7 years (yikes!) you can have a ticket deferred. stay out of trouble for six months and it's dismissed. if it's something minor, the judge will warn not to waste it and to save your "pass" for something bigger...
[ clean driving record for once
]
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: palm city, fl
paul
you need to retain an attorney asap. i think this is beyond anyone's abilities without professional assistance. judges often take people in traffic court more seriously if they have an attorney. attorneys can also file appeals.
good luck and let us know what happens
you need to retain an attorney asap. i think this is beyond anyone's abilities without professional assistance. judges often take people in traffic court more seriously if they have an attorney. attorneys can also file appeals.
good luck and let us know what happens
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Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 1
From: Newport Beach
Ignacio, I contacted an attorney, but she wanted $650. That's a bit much if you ask me. I'll see what I can manage begging and pleading on my own. I promise to let the board know what happens.
Thanks everyone! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />
Thanks everyone! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
The best guy in Minneapolis for this sort of thing gets $750.
Of course, I'm just told he gets $750 and wouldn't have any first hand knowledge of his skills or fees as I have a spotless record. <VBG>
The advice of fighting the first ticket is very sound. The subsequent tickets may be harder to fight or plead down (like an 80 in a 35...).
Good luck!
Of course, I'm just told he gets $750 and wouldn't have any first hand knowledge of his skills or fees as I have a spotless record. <VBG>
The advice of fighting the first ticket is very sound. The subsequent tickets may be harder to fight or plead down (like an 80 in a 35...).
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: palm city, fl
paul
pay the $650! it will be much cheaper than the increase in your insurance rates if the judge gives you a bunch of points! in addition, a lawyer can postpone any such penalties by filing an appeal if necessary. i have been in a similiar position several times <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> i strongly suggest you bite the bullet and pay your silver tongued devil to save your ***!
in any case i wish you luck
there but for the grace of god go most of us! 
be sure you report the results of your court date on monday - i believe your attorney will try for probation before judgement--just a fine but no points <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
pay the $650! it will be much cheaper than the increase in your insurance rates if the judge gives you a bunch of points! in addition, a lawyer can postpone any such penalties by filing an appeal if necessary. i have been in a similiar position several times <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> i strongly suggest you bite the bullet and pay your silver tongued devil to save your ***!
in any case i wish you luck
there but for the grace of god go most of us! be sure you report the results of your court date on monday - i believe your attorney will try for probation before judgement--just a fine but no points <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
I think in California you cannot be going more than 15 mph over to be eligible for traffic school so that will not help you. This is a pretty serious ticket (over double the speed limit), I would get a lawyer...
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 1
From: Newport Beach
The catch is this: I'm in Toronto right now, and I already paid for a flight back to LA this weekend to try and handle this on my own. If I lose, my insurance will go up at renewal, which is next year. By then, hopefully one of my other points will have expired.
The problem with using a lawyer is that if it goes beyond the initial court appearance, I have to keep paying for more any more services. ****, I think I'll out-run the cop next time... <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
The problem with using a lawyer is that if it goes beyond the initial court appearance, I have to keep paying for more any more services. ****, I think I'll out-run the cop next time...
<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: palm city, fl
paul
you'll continue to pay increased insurance for 3 years! could be thousands of dollars! don't be penny wise and pound foolish! call the attorney tomorrow so she'll represent you on monday. you won't regret it. also, don't forget your license could be revoked! walking sucks!! big time
<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />
you'll continue to pay increased insurance for 3 years! could be thousands of dollars! don't be penny wise and pound foolish! call the attorney tomorrow so she'll represent you on monday. you won't regret it. also, don't forget your license could be revoked! walking sucks!! big time
<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 1
From: Newport Beach
If my rates go uo that much, or if my license is revoked, I'll just move back to Canada where my license is clean.
The rates that they charge for such miniscule levels of insurance in California are a joke! It's criminal.
<img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" />
The rates that they charge for such miniscule levels of insurance in California are a joke! It's criminal.
<img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" />