Depending on the state, your options vary. Usually, it's not the best idea to simply pay the ticket. I got one back when I was in my 20's and not knowing better, just paid it. Next insurance bill I got was very surprising... My rates had tripled and stayed there for the next 3 years costing my close to $3000 by the time it was all said and done.

Check your local laws but you may have these options:

1. Pay an attorney to take care of it. It's around $200 last time I checked and you get no points and no insurance penalty.

2. Your state may have "prayer for judgement continuance" or something similar which states that you promise to keep clean for a certain period (like 2 years) and the ticket and points will magically dissappear. If you do screw up however, the penalty and points will be re-instated. If you have prayer for judgement, you can enter this as your plea when you appear in court. (NC laws, again, your experience may vary...)

Just for the education of it, try going to traffic court one day and sit there for a couple hours. You'll learn how the system works and be ready when it's your turn. You'll probably find that it's pretty much of an assembly line and if you have your act together, it'll be much smoother.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

I won't waste time with more suggestions - they've all been given. However, this cell phone BS while driving is totally irresponsible. How many people have to die in traffic accidents before you morons wise up. (It's been proven that when driving drunk, you guys have more control than when you are sober and BSing on your cell phones). So quit your *****ing, pay your fine, and consider yourself lucky.

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Don't Chrome them; polish them

People think that defensive driving erases a ticket from your record. It does not. It just shows up as an "offset" to the ticket. If you pull your driving record, you will see both entries on there. Plus, how many people take DD for something other than a ticket? Insurance companies are not dumb.

Go for deferred judication, if you don't get another ticket within some amount of time, it goes away.

And stay off the cell!

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MB-less

Yep that's what I did and it went away. Can't even locate my ticket now if I paid money.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Fight it, never accept any ticket.

I ran a stop sign and got out of it, and I deserved it.

The only time I say don't fight it is if they cop did you a big favor. Like when my buddy was nailed for doing 105 in a 65 and he bumped it down to 84.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200