Hey Ben... I'm about to go to court for a speeding ticket in three weeks so I've been doing some research on this... and this is what my plan is.

Scrub up, get to the courthouse early. Talk to the prosecutor and explain what was going on when you got the summons and why it won't happen again. In my case I've already (voluntarily) attended a "driver improvement" class to show that I'm taking the matter seriously. I'll try my best to charm the Prosecutor and ask for a reduction. Its a no-lose situation. If I get a bak then great, if I don't I'm no worse off. But the key here is to make the deal long before going in front of the judge. From what I have read, if you try to go before the judge to explain your situation you will most likely lose. Again, this is just what I've heard.

Good luck on the 17th.

Bottom line:

If you were speeding, there is no 'out'. It'* the law, and as a driver, you have a responsibility to either follow it, or pay the price if you don't. This is called taking responsibility for your actions. You knew, you did anyway, and you pay.

Pleading no contest or guilty will usually result in a reduced fine or suspended sentence.

It boggles my mind that people try to get out of these when they know they're guilty.

Sometimes...and I'll emphasize, SOMETIMES, if there'* any discrepancy on the ticket, such as name spelled wrong, etc...anything wrong on the ticket it'll usually get dismissed. No promises, but I got about 1/2way into a career as a police officer...so (not boasting) I know a LITTLE bit about that stuff.

Nine times out of Ten...the magistrate/judge is nice, so just put on your smile, and admit fault, say you're sorry, and see what happens...it'* worked for me!

I'm not saying the other advice is wrong, just adding to what everyone else has said...

(0 points on his license) *knock on wood*

-Chris

X2... and I don't know about your area, but here in Texas, any ticket issued by a State Trooper cannot be dismissed and you are required to show up in court by law. The reaction is priceless when this is explained to people who always got their tickets "dismissed" when issued from local officers by mailing in or getting a lawyer to get constant continuances.

I don't know if it'* available on State-issued citations, but when I got a speeding ticket (small-town cop who lied about how fast I was going, wasn't even speeding), I got deferred adjudication/disposition, which basically is a 'No Contest' plea, you pay the ticket, and then if you get no more citations in that town/city for 90 days, it is dismissed. However, if you do get another citation in that city/town within your probation period, BOTH tickets are recorded, and depending on the city, usually you face a violation fine. Also, you may not apply for Deferred again for 365 days following the end of your 90-day probation.

Sounds like you have some good advice. So basically, man up, admit you were wrong, (unless you had a situation like SSE14U24ME) and hope for the best. The driving school might be a good option too if it'* available.


(or, tell em you really had to poop) right Leslie