Den

Just got a speeding ticket for 20 over (could have been 31 over - cop was generous!). What do I do now? Fight it? Is there suppose to be a date on the ticket for a summons? Or do I need to call and make a court date? I'm reeeeally new at this.

Any advice?

Mugen C

ticket for 20 over...
I wouldn't bother going to court as it does not cost any points and your fine should be less than 65 bucks...

Just pay it and forget it IMO + consider youself being lucky!

regards,
Mugen C

iam_immigrant

i always thought that every 16km/hr you're over you get 1pt, no?

i got one for 22 over and it came to $107 w/ the victim surcharge bullshit...im waiting for court date still

imported_MMX

Exceeding by 16-29 km/h = 3 demerit points

Exceeding by 30-49 km/h = 4 points

Exceeding by 50+ km/h = 6 points

Den

Yah, he told me it would have been 4 points but now its 3. BUT if I go to court then he will not take any points. Guess I gotta bite the bullet if I don't want to pay higher insurance.

What should I say in court? (Besides swearing at the cop!!!!!)

imported_Cablerat

You most likely will not have to say anything.. the prosecutor will approach you with an offer to drop the charge to 15km over limit where by it'll cost $45 I think and 0 points.. you either accept or reject..

Then when the judge calls you up and asks if u plead guilty to the revised charge of 15km over, just plead guilty.. he will then ask you if 30 days is sufficient for you to pay.. if u need more time, say I'm in school and require 60 days your honor.. and then u got 2 months....

Den

Thank you Cablerat! You are the best! Makes me feel better.

Den

Cablerat...so should I plead not guilty right now and make a court date? I'm very inexperience in these ways......

EL_Sport

Yes, plead not guilty now in order for a trail date to be set.

Den

The guy at the police station said to plead guilty and see a prosecutor Option 2 (instead of going to trial in front of a judge - Option 3) where he may drop the speed and take the points to 0 and to just say I will pay the fine. He said Option 2 is like plea barganing for a lesser sentence since my big concern is the points/insurance.

Would Option 3 be the same as Option 2 except that I am admitting guilt and not really fighting my point? A defence which I don't really have...my only defence is that I was having a really off day and wasn't feeling well (how lame if I said this in court).

What do you guys think of this?????

PULOVR

If you plead not guilty, and he doesn't show up......you get off.

If you plead guilty, (not sure on this part though), the cop doesn't have to be there. You already admited your guilt, and that's it. You will be stuck with no other options. (words from a guy I know that is in the "business").

I was always told to plead not guilty if I ever got a ticket.....because there is always a chance for the cop not showing up......but if he does, just go talk to him, and ask if he can help you out. ie....lower it down to no points. Tell him you are still in school, and you need a car to get to and from work and school. Most of the time the officer will be cool and help you out.

example.....I remember going to court as a witness for a friend, and I saw a guy that had a ticket for like 140km in a 60km zone. The judge asked the guy how he pleaded.....he said guilty. The judge and cop (as well as the rest of the people in the court room) where shocked. The judge looked at the cop and asked him if he wanted to speak to the kid outside. The cop nodded his head. The cop and kid left. About 10 minutes later, they both came back in. The kid pleaded guilty to a lower speed, but I didn't hear what it was. What I do remeber was that it had only 3 points. That means a max of 29km over, or 89KM in a 60km zone. The cop had given the kid a break of at least 51km/hr. I was shocked.

I'm not saying this is going to work in your case, but remember, cops usually don't mark down notes on the good guys they pull over, but they do mark things down about the trouble markers. That way when they go to cort, they will remember the trouble you made.

Konig

100% correct!!!

imported_Cablerat

yeah setup a court date.. you can settle with the cop and/or prosecutor there man..

Like I said before ..

"You most likely will not have to say anything.. the prosecutor will approach you with an offer to drop the charge to 15km over limit where by it'll cost $45 I think and 0 points.. you either accept or reject..

Then when the judge calls you up and asks if u plead guilty to the revised charge of 15km over, just plead guilty.. he will then ask you if 30 days is sufficient for you to pay.. if u need more time, say I'm in school and require 60 days your honor.. and then u got 2 months...."

You walk in and there's a freakin lineup.. prosecutor asks your name and says "we are willing to drop the charge to 15KM over if you plead guilty.. do u accept? "

It's actually quite lame man, don't worry especially if you've never really had any record before.. That's the general basis of how these courts work, they hope you don't know **** and just pay the fine..

imported_Cablerat

IFF for whatever reason you walk in and the prosecutor doesn't wish to settle with you, plead guilty with an explanation.. In the explanation just say that you were wrong and wish you had never done that. say that you're a student barely able to afford driving a car and should have realized that you were going to fast.. Say you are sorry, that you not let it happen again and ask for a lesser penalty because you can't afford it..

GENERALLY, they will lesson the charge.. don't worry bout it.. no need to be so tense man.. it'll work out, just remember what you've read..