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Joined: Aug 2003
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Hey everyone. I need a little advice from those who are experienced in this type of thing. First off, I have no criminal record, have never been in trouble, and have never had any traffic violations before. I am a 19 year old college student in Chicago, and live in North Carolina during the summer. I was pulled over in TN on I-75S on the way back to NC from Chicago when I was visiting my mom during my spring break. It was a very steep downhill windy road, and people were really on my @ss, so I decided to speed up a little. I was actually driving very safely despite speeding. So...being as I have no radar detector (which is probably good now that I was caught anyways, they make you look bad in court), I happened to be in the right lane at the wrong time and passed two cops sitting in a little cove with radar guns. Out of all the cars they picked me, and caught me doing 83 in a 75  This is what I plan on doing. Tell me if it's a good idea or if I'm an idiot and don't understand how court works (I kinda don't). "Your Honor, I was driving south on I-75 to see my mom for spring break since it had been a while since I seen her. The road was really steep and windy, and people were driving fast all around me and riding the back of my car. I decided to speed up a bit to avoid any accidents, and started to focus on the road more than my speedometer. I have always been a person to obey even the simple laws like stopping fully for a stop sign, I don't try to get out of obeying the law with a radar detector, and really can't believe this happened. I work hard to put myself through college, and know raised insurance for speeding isn't worth it. I have no criminal record or prior traffic violations. If there is some way to make it to where I get triple points or something if pulled over again within a year, I think that would benefit me more than getting a ticket this first time. I drive to TN almost every weekend during the summer seeing how I live 15 minutes from the state line." maybe something else too... So, what do you have to say about this idea. I know I wouldn't speed anymore. I hardly ever speed and think this would be a good deal for me. ~Paul
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,064
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2002
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Originally posted by dredwingz03:
This is what I plan on doing. Tell me if it's a good idea or if I'm an idiot and don't understand how court works (I kinda don't). "Your Honor, I was driving south on I-75 to see my mom for spring break since it had been a while since I seen her. The road was really steep and windy, and people were driving fast all around me and riding the back of my car. I decided to speed up a bit to avoid any accidents, and started to focus on the road more than my speedometer. I have always been a person to obey even the simple laws like stopping fully for a stop sign, I don't try to get out of obeying the law with a radar detector, and really can't believe this happened. I work hard to put myself through college, and know raised insurance for speeding isn't worth it. I have no criminal record or prior traffic violations. If there is some way to make it to where I get triple points or something if pulled over again within a year, I think that would benefit me more than getting a ticket this first time. I drive to TN almost every weekend during the summer seeing how I live 15 minutes from the state line." maybe something else too...
All the judges I have seen would rather hear that you made a mistake, not some long story. Remember, there are a ton of people that make stories up, and who knows if the person in front of you will pi$$ the judge off. I have had over 10 speeding tickets, and I have gone to court without a lawyer on all but 3 times. I even got nailed in an unregistered car on a suspended license, and got off with a fine.
2003 Toyota Matrix
1972 Pontiac Ventura II "Sprint"
1998 SVT !SOLD! 
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,045
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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when i was your age i was constantly speaking with traffic cops concerning my preffered rate of travel. from that i learned a few things such as:
-a good outragous story might get you off the hook provided the officer is sufficiently entertained by it and has a sense of humor.
-try to justify your actions and you will be rewarded with the disrespct and irritation of the officer.
-whenever you must appear before the judge as a result of your driving admit guilt, demonstrate a normally good set of driving habits and do not piss him of by saying anything stupid.
00 black/tan svt, #2052 of 2150, born 2/1/00
formerly known as my csvt
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,899
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: May 2000
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Originally posted by dredwingz03:
So...being as I have no radar detector (which is probably good now that I was caught anyways, they make you look bad in court),
Not always. When I went to court, the judge didn't even notice it was written on the ticket.
Quote:
Out of all the cars they picked me, and caught me doing 83 in a 75
More like 83 in a 70. 
Quote:
This is what I plan on doing. Tell me if it's a good idea or if I'm an idiot and don't understand how court works (I kinda don't). "Your Honor, I was driving south on I-75 to see my mom for spring break since it had been a while since I seen her. The road was really steep and windy, and people were driving fast all around me and riding the back of my car. I decided to speed up a bit to avoid any accidents, and started to focus on the road more than my speedometer. I have always been a person to obey even the simple laws like stopping fully for a stop sign, I don't try to get out of obeying the law with a radar detector, and really can't believe this happened. I work hard to put myself through college, and know raised insurance for speeding isn't worth it. I have no criminal record or prior traffic violations. If there is some way to make it to where I get triple points or something if pulled over again within a year, I think that would benefit me more than getting a ticket this first time. I drive to TN almost every weekend during the summer seeing how I live 15 minutes from the state line." maybe something else too...
Good luck.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,045
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oh yeah......you were picked likely because you were leading the pack. leaders and stragglers usually get picked off first. the safest place to be is the center of the pack.
00 black/tan svt, #2052 of 2150, born 2/1/00
formerly known as my csvt
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,132
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Joined: Oct 2002
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I got a speeding ticket 2 years ago. I looked around the court room and I did not see the officer that wrote my ticket so I pleaded not guilty. With no witness the judge dismissed the speeding ticket. Almost everyone gets speeding tickets. I've had 3 that I can remember.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 201
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 201 |
Yeah I mis-tpyed that...it was 83 in 70. Since I have a bad memory and it's been two months since then, I can't remember what the officer looked like, so I won't try pleading not guilty. I wasn't plan on doing so anyways. So, by the sound of everything, telling a long story to a judge that hears them all day long from morons isn't a good idea. Would this be better? ... "Your Honor, I am guilty of speeding. It's never happened before and won't again, and I'm sorry for it happening. I was driving from college in Chicago to NC and had been driving a while."
Someone pretend you're in my shoes and give me an example of what to say. I can't afford raised insurance.
~Paul
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 660
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 660 |
Originally posted by dredwingz03:
"I was driving from college in Chicago to NC and had been driving a while."
Leave that part out... just an excuse that the judge has likely heard plenty of times. They'll tell you that if you had been driving so long that you didn't know how fast you were going you should have pulled over to rest.
Just explain that you were speeding and you ask a reduction of points if possible based on your record of no previous violations. If not, it's seriously not the end of the world. Many insurance companies won't raise your rates because of a 10 over speeding ticket if it's your first one. I got dinged for 10 over 3 months after I got my license and mine didn't go up. And that was with AAA so if those greedy f**king buzzards didn't raise them then you're probably OK.
2000 SVT Contour -- SOLD! New car coming soon...
1980 Triumph TR7 -- Needs a new home...
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 139
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: May 2002
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I dunno how it works there but here in NY around the city you go to court they offer you a plea for something dumb like a broken headlight you pay $150 bucks no points you leave.
I got out of a 77 in a 55 paid 90 bucks no points
Running a stop sign 150 bucks no points
Have frined staht have liek 5 vioaltions speeding redlights stop signs in a year or so no points clean license
Then again i live nassau county and there $$ strapped and the courts are back logged 2 years so unelss you have convictions u get out of it all.....
hopefully ya state works the same u pay and leave no points
99 Silver frost Contour LX ztec..(RIP March 24th 2004 at 92,376 miles ) timing belt snaped goin 45
New whip
2003 Silver Mustang
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Joined: Aug 2003
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CEG\'er
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If they just fine me, if I don't have the money on me, do they change their minds? I don't have much cash right now.
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