Got a ticket. Need advice. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

benhogan · #1 08-13-2012, 08:35 AM

I got a speeding ticket in Virginia going 75 in a 60. My court date is sometime next month.

I have never gotten a ticket before. I live in NC.

What are my options and how will it affect my insurance?

The ticket itself is only $150. I am more concerned about the potential change in insurance premiums.

TX76513 · #2 08-13-2012, 08:41 AM

That is going to depend on your insurance company (underwriting rules). Some do - some don't. In NC you can take an online traffic school and have the ticket removed (not the fine).

aklim · #3 08-13-2012, 09:11 AM

I'd fight it in court if it were me. The judge might toss some leniency your way since you haven't had too many issues.

cullennewsom · #4 08-13-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

I got a speeding ticket in Virginia going 75 in a 60. My court date is sometime next month.

I have never gotten a ticket before. I live in NC.

What are my options and how will it affect my insurance?

The ticket itself is only $150. I am more concerned about the potential change in insurance premiums.

I don't know how the municipal courts work in Va. State law dictates the effect on your insurance. Laws vary by state. In Tx, we have attorneys that only do traffic court cases. The cost is usually on par with the cost of the fine. The attorneys are almost always successful. Millions in defense before one ounce of tribute!

cullennewsom · #5 08-13-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I'd fight it in court if it were me. The judge might toss some leniency your way since you haven't had too many issues.

My observations recently are that at the state, county, and city level, they are writing tickets for anything and everything, to anyone who looks like they have a job; and magistrates aren't giving any freebies. They are scrambling to keep the lights on; what with the drop in [other] tax revenues of the last few years.

Jim B. · #6 08-13-2012, 09:21 AM

That entire state is a speed trap, it's said. As bad as Ohio.

See if you qualify for online traffic school.

Don't ask your Insurance company yet, but find out from someone else if the Underwriters will raise your rates.

If they won't, then pay the fine no matter whether you can take traffic school or not.

(On your ticket, The back of your "Notice to Appear" will have the instructions, and time limit to deal with it and the address of the Court and the time by which you need to come in. Maybe a specific date).
.

Ignoring it is the worst thing you can do. tehy will issue a bench warrant; THAT is an entirely DIFFERENT matter, failure to show up or deal with it constitutes an offense against a Court of law and if you get stopped again for ANY reason at all, in the future they may run you for warrants; and if you come up dirty, then you WILL be taken to jail. Count on that.

And TRUST me, it is a place you DON'T ever want to go --- even if you only get booked and released. A Sheriff's deputy in SF who was a friend, told me that once, over a dozen years ago, and I totally believe him.

benhogan · #7 08-13-2012, 09:22 AM

I suspect that I will soon be bombarded by traffic lawyer mailings.

I just don't want to drive back to Dinwiddie county again.

How does that work? Mail the guy a check and be done with it?

t walgamuth · #8 08-13-2012, 09:24 AM

Most jurisdictions have what is called "diversions" which allow you to pay the fine and go on probation for a period of time either 6 mo or a year. If you have no tickets in that period you do not get the points on your record. I have used this the last fifteen times or so I got tickets to avoid jeapordizing my insurance rates.

call the prosecutors office in the jurisdiction where you got the ticket to find out about it.

mespe · #9 08-13-2012, 09:24 AM

After succesfully beating down a few traffic tickets myself and avoiding steeper insurance bills, the best route you can take (if it's a small town) is to find the lawyer's office that is closest to the courthouse.

Dress appropriately to respect the court (IF you respect the court).

aklim · #10 08-13-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cullennewsom

My observations recently are that at the state, county, and city level, they are writing tickets for anything and everything, to anyone who looks like they have a job; and magistrates aren't giving any freebies. They are scrambling to keep the lights on; what with the drop in [other] tax revenues of the last few years.

But you have little to lose from going there and asking for a break.

Yes, they might not lower the fines but WGAS? It is only $150. He is after the points. If they can drop it from a 4 point to a 2 point, you just scored.

aklim · #11 08-13-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespe

Dress appropriately to respect the court (IF you respect the court).

No "if" about that. Best dress appropriately regardless of your respect for the court. The ball is in their hand not yours.

JB3 · #12 08-13-2012, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

I suspect that I will soon be bombarded by traffic lawyer mailings.

I just don't want to drive back to Dinwiddie county again.

How does that work? Mail the guy a check and be done with it?

find out if your state has a point system, and if points from other states have an effect on your insurance.

I discovered to my pleasure that out of state speeding tickets for me do not affect my states insurance since my state does not have a point system. No increase in local points, no increase in insurance.

If there is no affect, Id say just pay it and be done with it, there should be a box to check on the ticket itself to request a receipt.

You can either do that, and/or get a delivery receipt ticket from the post office, fill it out, and attach it to the letter with your check. This is a good option since all the work is done already, and all the local courthouse has to do is tear it off your incoming letter, and drop it in their outgoing mail.

Make sure you clearly write the ticket number on the check, ect. Basically you want several ways you can demonstrate you paid the ticket for your records, as the bureaucracies might take forever to record the fact.

cullennewsom · #13 08-13-2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

But you have little to lose from going there and asking for a break.

Yes, they might not lower the fines but WGAS? It is only $150. He is after the points. If they can drop it from a 4 point to a 2 point, you just scored.

I agree, that's why I suggested to hire an attorney. I would not recommend he show up and beg for leniency by himself. It is a racket. Hire an advocate who knows the ins and outs of the local system.

Jim B. · #14 08-13-2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespe

After succesfully beating down a few traffic tickets myself and avoiding steeper insurance bills, the best route you can take (if it's a small town) is to find the lawyer's office that is closest to the courthouse.

Dress appropriately to respect the court (IF you respect the court).

No, no, no.

Dress appropriately regardless of whether you respect the Court or not.

T shirts, shorts and flip flops are NOT appropriate apparel. Not even in small town rural courtrooms.

Despite that, defendants do that every day.

Worst case of it I can recall was a guy charged with Felony drug sales, and he came into Court with his lawyer, and the guy actually was wearing a white t shirt with a HUGE picture of a marijuana leaf on the front of it. (San Francisco)

I went over to his lawyer and implored him to have his client change the shirt before the Judge came into the Courtroom. Lucky for the guy, the lawyer found a t shirt someplace and the guy changed into it in time.

The guy who was the defendant sure was clueless though.

cullennewsom · #15 08-13-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

I suspect that I will soon be bombarded by traffic lawyer mailings.

I think that's illegal (ambulance chasing?)

Quote:

I just don't want to drive back to Dinwiddie county again.

That's what they're hoping for.

Quote:

How does that work? Mail the guy a check and be done with it?

Sorry, no, another feature of the system that gives them a great advantage. You'll almost certainly have to show up to an arraignment, and maybe even a court date, if you're unlucky.