Last time I got a ticket was about 10 years ago. Similar to your situation, not really doing anything unsafe but speeding none-the-less. It felt like straight up tax collection. I was annoyed and chose to fight it. I had the option of writing an explanatory letter and did so. They reduced my fine. I can't remember how that affected insurance, but it still did. If I had needed to go to court, I'm pretty sure the time off work would have made it not worth it.
Speeding ticket: go to court or just pay it?
- Thread starter gasiorv
- Start date
Last time I got a ticket was about 10 years ago. Similar to your situation, not really doing anything unsafe but speeding none-the-less. It felt like straight up tax collection. I was annoyed and chose to fight it. I had the option of writing an explanatory letter and did so. They reduced my fine. I can't remember how that affected insurance, but it still did. If I had needed to go to court, I'm pretty sure the time off work would have made it not worth it.
I'm not sure about other states, but our geographic areas differ greatly, too. If you get a ticket in or around a larger urban area, it's easier to get out of with a fee and slap on the hand. Getting a ticket in a small town or rural area is harsh.
As others mentioned, traffic school is the way to go. I have never NOT had it offered here in TN, though Memphis may be different than the rest of West TN.
Memphis is different that the rest of TN…
WV Native
TJ Enthusiast
I’ve sat through traffic court for my job many times over a 20+ year career.
I’ve seen the most luck when people show up for a hearing and admit their mistake. Of course I always suggest wearing something very professional and respectful of the court. Shirt and tie is the appropriate attire for any legal proceeding.
The smart ones will typically thank the Officer for being respectful and professional.
Then they usually just straight up ask the judge for a reduced fine because they can’t currently afford it but admit their guilt.
You’d be shocked at the outcome. I’ve actually seen the judge dismiss tickets just from the amount of respect shown to the Officer and the court.
Please keep in mind that I worked in a small Appalachian town and we are definitely not your typical big city.
I’ve seen the most luck when people show up for a hearing and admit their mistake. Of course I always suggest wearing something very professional and respectful of the court. Shirt and tie is the appropriate attire for any legal proceeding.
The smart ones will typically thank the Officer for being respectful and professional.
Then they usually just straight up ask the judge for a reduced fine because they can’t currently afford it but admit their guilt.
You’d be shocked at the outcome. I’ve actually seen the judge dismiss tickets just from the amount of respect shown to the Officer and the court.
Please keep in mind that I worked in a small Appalachian town and we are definitely not your typical big city.
Best thing you can do (if your state allows it) is one of those diversion programs where you go spend a day sitting in a 8 hour traffic safety. You have to pay for it but you get the points wiped from your record. A lot of states have these programs but you're only allowed to do it once every two years.
It keeps the points (and the ticket) off your record which is the important thing.
It keeps the points (and the ticket) off your record which is the important thing.
I'll play devil's advocate and say man-up and pay the ticket. Your opening two lines say it all. I'd feel differently if you weren't actually speeding, but you were. The cop knows it, and so do you. The way I look at shit like this is it's a small price to pay when you consider all the times you may have been speeding or f'n around and never got caught. Accountability is more than just a buzzword for politicians.
gasiorv
I'm a new world samurai, and a redneck nonetheless
Original poster
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
Memphis is different that the rest of TN…
I got the ticket in Henderson County (East of Jackson, TN). Courthouse is in Lexington, TN.
If I would have been in Memphis, I would have gotten the ticket for being the only one on the hwy who was:
- driving under 100mph,
- had an actual license plate,
- wasn't running at least one donut tire,
- and not vaping some sort of THC.
I'll play devil's advocate and say man-up and pay the ticket. Your opening two lines say it all. I'd feel differently if you weren't actually speeding, but you were. The cop knows it, and so do you. The way I look at shit like this is it's a small price to pay when you consider all the times you may have been speeding or f'n around and never got caught. Accountability is more than just a buzzword for politicians.
Doesn’t sound like the paying of the actual speeding ticket is the problem.
This is one reason I’ve run a radar detector for many years. I’m admittedly a heavy footed driver but the additional benefit is a warning/reminder to behave.
I have to agree with this. Happened to me about 20 years ago. I figured I would go and at least see if I could get it reduced, no points. I remember waiting and hearing the judge yelling at the person in the court room prior to my turn going in about people always lying. When my turn came, I was honest and admitted it my fault. I was running late for work and probably should have been more aware of my speed. I apologized and asked for the courts leniency. Judge knocked the points off and reduced the fine.
Hard to argue with, though I still want to...I'll play devil's advocate and say man-up and pay the ticket. Your opening two lines say it all. I'd feel differently if you weren't actually speeding, but you were. The cop knows it, and so do you. The way I look at shit like this is it's a small price to pay when you consider all the times you may have been speeding or f'n around and never got caught. Accountability is more than just a buzzword for politicians.
I think I'd rather pay the fine than to wear a Goddamned necktie.
Lexington County Courthouse
Bailiff: All Rise!
Judge: Mr. Gasior, how do you plea?
Vic: Not Guilty! Your Honor.
Judge: Mr. Gasior, why are you all covered in dirt?
Vic: I wheel, Your Honor. A lot.
Bailiff: All Rise!
Judge: Mr. Gasior, how do you plea?
Vic: Not Guilty! Your Honor.
Judge: Mr. Gasior, why are you all covered in dirt?
Vic: I wheel, Your Honor. A lot.
You can wear your best blouse
Too bad he wasn't in the TJ. He could use the "The must be some mistake. No way my Jeep could go 90, your Honor" line.
My first and only speeding ticket was at 17 in Chicago and I had the option to pay or fight it. My parents said life lesson and I had to make that decision. Pay the fine and the increased difference in my insurance premiums, or take my chance and fight it with an attorney, but I’d have to cover the costs and if I lost, still pay the increased premiums + navigate getting an excused absence from school.
My best friend's dad was a popular ambulance chaser, and I was always into computers and helping him out when I was at their house. He said he’d send someone from the firm and in classic Chicago style “take care of it”. I showed up in a suit, my lawyer clearly knew the prosecutor, and the judge. I apologized for being young and dumb, got 6mo probation and paid a court fine.
Not sure if my parents were pissed I got off scott free or more impressed I got a real life lesson on how the system works.
My best friend's dad was a popular ambulance chaser, and I was always into computers and helping him out when I was at their house. He said he’d send someone from the firm and in classic Chicago style “take care of it”. I showed up in a suit, my lawyer clearly knew the prosecutor, and the judge. I apologized for being young and dumb, got 6mo probation and paid a court fine.
Not sure if my parents were pissed I got off scott free or more impressed I got a real life lesson on how the system works.
Victor, go to court and be respectful. Tell the judge the truth and explain why you did what you did.
Hopefully the officer will not show up for court. That way you're story is all the judge will here, if the officer doesn't show up chances are you might get it reduced or thrown out and only pay court costs.
Worked for me in Chattanooga, I rear ended a guy going up the ridge cut ( @NashvilleTJ might no where that is) i plead not guilty and explained that the driver in front of me came to a complete stop in 55mph traffic and i had no where to go.
The officer wasn't in court so nobody to dispute my word and the judge threw out the charges and I paid court cost.
Its worth a shot.
Hopefully the officer will not show up for court. That way you're story is all the judge will here, if the officer doesn't show up chances are you might get it reduced or thrown out and only pay court costs.
Worked for me in Chattanooga, I rear ended a guy going up the ridge cut ( @NashvilleTJ might no where that is) i plead not guilty and explained that the driver in front of me came to a complete stop in 55mph traffic and i had no where to go.
The officer wasn't in court so nobody to dispute my word and the judge threw out the charges and I paid court cost.
Its worth a shot.
CJ with a TJ
TJ Enthusiast
Up here in MA, your first hearing is in a small office with a magistrate and the PD's representative. 99% of the time, they'll lower the fine, and then you have the option of paying the lower fine, or having an actual court hearing. I always chose the hearing.
At the hearing, it's an actual court room with a judge, and the officer who wrote the ticket. I only once had an officer show up to court. My best guess is that it was around 5-8 times, total. I drove like an @$$ in my 20's.
You're either going to pay with money or your time. One time, it was both for me.
At the hearing, it's an actual court room with a judge, and the officer who wrote the ticket. I only once had an officer show up to court. My best guess is that it was around 5-8 times, total. I drove like an @$$ in my 20's.
You're either going to pay with money or your time. One time, it was both for me.
Similar threads
