Speeding Ticket

[StealthMonkey]

Silly me... I know how much people read these forums, I don't know why I didn't post here sooner. I looked all over the internet, but didn't post here... well anyway, here's the deal:

THE COURT DATE IN TOMORROW! TIME IS SHORT!

I got a speeding ticket back a little over three weeks ago. It's an in-state speeding ticket in Minnesota. I was going 75 in a 60. If anyone that lives(ed) in Minnesota knows anything, please post! For anyone that isn't familiar with Minnesota laws specifically, then what I can I expect?

QUESTION 1:
On my ticket, it says Court Date: June 1, Time: 8:30 AM. Is this actually a trial? Or is this just went I show up, enter my plea, and schedule a court date if necessary?

More information: I have no tickets, record is completely clean, I've never even been pulled over. I can also pull out the dean's list last three semesters card. I'm also planning on wearing my suite so I don't look like a slob. I'm 18 years old.

QUESTION 2:
What is my best bet? Trying to go for something like driving school or community service? Bargain to make it not go on record if I don't get another in [given amount of time]?

What it comes down to is: I will go to driving school, do community service, pay a big fine, etc. I JUST DON'T WANT IT ON MY RECORD! I don't want insurance to go up!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Haplo]

I don't live in Minnesota, but here is the deal from Kansas.

The court date is the date you have to provide your payment by, or show up at that time to either pay, or dispute your case. Suit is a good idea if you plan on disputing.

Here are the rules for disputing:

You have to be able to prove that you were not breaking the law.
The cop that issued you the ticket has to show, otherwise it is thrown out.
You have to have the money that day in case it is not ruled in your favor, and you may have to pay extra for actually having it go to trial.

Now, you probably don't want to do that, so this is what I suggest. Call up the traffic center that your ticket lists, and ask if you are able to double up the pricing on the ticket to expunge it from your record. I know Kansas offers this for City issued citations, but not County or State. Expunging it means that it will not show on your record, but regardless, you still have one issued to you :). If you cannot expunge it, it will remain on your driving record for insurance purposes for 3 years, and rolls off after 7 years for public knowledge (IIRC).

As for question 2, they just make you pay it there in the court if you show up. It's not a misdemeanor nor felony, it's simply a citation. You won't have to do any sort of City/State issued classes or community service until it is your 3rd one in a one year span, then you may have your license revoked for a span of no less than one year (Kansas sucks).

That help some?

[Scurvey Dog]

some states offer a prayer for judgment type ruling. but this would be at the actual trial date if you choose to fight it. if your not going to fight it why havent you payed it yet? j/w. the prayer for judgment thing is given to people who it would be a hardship for them to pay the ticket, ie. in college paying for yourself or, something good that you can come up with. with the prayer for judgment you dont have to pay anything and it doesnt go on your record. however if you get a ticket in the next 3 years this ticket will be put back on your record. so be carefull if you do/can go with this rout. im not sure if minessota even offers that though

[StealthMonkey]

I was talking about using community service or driving school as an alternative to it going on my record. I've been reading a lot online and it seems that some states allow people to do things like community service or driving school in addition to the fine, but it does not go on your record. If I can't make a deal then I will deff go to trial. I don't have anything to lose. I really don't want this on my record.

[zouyan]

Well, in IL your first two tickets, you can go to driving school and the ticket will be taken off your record, and you're insurance company will be non the wiser. but i would go with bullet and call up your local police station or whatever to ask them to clear those things up for you.

[darien]

The cop that issued you the ticket has to show, otherwise it is thrown out.

This is how most people avoid getting anything on their records. The officer rarely shows (they have better things to do than go to court, and probably assume you do also).

[Dissman]

The cop that issued you the ticket has to show, otherwise it is thrown out.

This is how most people avoid getting anything on their records. The officer rarely shows (they have better things to do than go to court, and probably assume you do also).

I agree with Darien, but.. if you *do* fight it and the officer does show... be prepared for *significantly* higher penalties, as the judge can do nearly anything at least in ohio. Depending on his mood he can do any or all of the following: license suspention, incarceration, and huge monitary fines.

I've heard of it happening, someone i knew, was a friend of an attorney a judge had a personal dislike for, had a taillight out, and ended up having to go to court... got the book thrown at him... had to pay nearly $500, lost his license for three months, and did a week in jail... all for a tailight... but these cases are FEW and far between.. more often than not, the judge is merciful and humane... but you will end up paying more on average.

Also note: The officer is trained to take notes of ANYTHING that you said... DO NOT PERJURE YOURSELF. If you do, you could end up with a felony rap instead of a simple traffic ticket.

[StealthMonkey]

Well I went there today... the ****ing ****** dumbshit trooper wrote June 1st on my ticket, gave me the carbon copy, and then changed in it to the 2nd on the main ticket. I come today, they look at my copy and compair it to the original and you can see he wrote 2 over the 1. So needless to say... I have to go back tomorrow morning. But now I at least know what to expect. I go for roll call then talk to the prosecutor. If I can make a deal, I'm gold. If not, we hire a layer and set a trial date.

[Athena]

Well, my experience with tickets, here in Missouri. You can ask if you can take a driving class, if you do and keep your driving record clean for a yr you are golden. Question, did you stick around to see if anyone had something close your yours? That will also help you decide what you want to do.

[Ritz]

That sucks stealth... To bad you didnt have an lawyer... A mistake like that would have gotten it thrown out. And if you did have a lawyer, FIRE HIM!

[[NAKED] sidark]

I got one like 2 month ago, I past a school bus when it was stoped.
I know I didnt and the bus was still moving.

Anyways, thats 9 points here and you have a limit of 15.
I already have 11 at the moment.

So you have 30 days to pay or fight it. Since its going to provincial and not municipal its gonna take 2 years before I geta court date and my record should be clean by then.

[StealthMonkey]

Well.... I don't have a layer. I'm only going to get one if I can't make a deal with the prosecutor.

[StealthMonkey]

Welp, went there today and made a deal where I payed the $130 fine, but it doesn't go on my record as long as a don't get other in the next 12 months. I was hoping for less than that... but I'll take what I can get I suppose. It's better than it going on my record and seeing my insurance go up. It's a weird feeling actually looking at the posted speed limits. :P

[Athena]

;) happens to the best of us. So they didn't have anything better than that, huh?

[Kamie]

You fought the law.......and............

[steaLer]

i have beaten 5 speeding tickets and 1 illegal parking ticket without a lawyer.

and for the record, the Cops show up every time. they love it. nothing beats than to take half day off and sit in court doing nothing for 5 hours and take rest of the day off. i bet they have it marked on two calenders with reminders.

[[gh]Spurty]

and the law won.

It cost you money this time.

You do know why cops bust people for speeding right? The ULTIMATE reason, not becuase they need revenue, but becuase speeding kills :cry:

Why am I saying this? Cause I watched a coversation on IRC ages ago (none of the channels I normally lurk on) and the kid there really didn't get the idea that driving fast might be dangerous.

... now pay your taxes and one day, if you are lucky, you'll live to be a 100 and die peacefully in your bed. :roll:

[ferret]

I still vote for "revenue"

Speeding by itself doesn't kill. Bad or drunk drivers kill. Going fast is fine as long as you pay attention to where you are, the conditions, and the other drivers around you.

Ie, don't be like my dumbass brother and take a turn at 55 in a 35, in the rain, right before a stoplight that you can't see from the other side of the turn (but he knew the light was there). Across the lane he goes, into back of a car stopped at the red light.

[Athena]

I was told by a cop, if you are on the highway and ppl are going over the speed limit in the passing line, it's ok. It's the ppl that get in the passing line and go slow that's the problem. Because they are not keeping the traffic flowing.

[ferret]

I was told by a cop, if you are on the highway and ppl are going over the speed limit in the passing line, it's ok. It's the ppl that get in the passing line and go slow that's the problem. Because they are not keeping the traffic flowing.

Explain that to those in Atlanta ;P For some reason they have issues with people going over 90 ;p ;p ;p The one speeding ticket I ever got was 81 in a 55, on the interstate, far left lane, and there was a car both in front and behind me doing the same speed. But that was a speed trap area and I just wasn't paying good enough attention. Probably nab me cause I was driving the family's big old previa minivan while my car was in the shop.

[[gh]Spurty]

and for the record, the Cops show up every time. they love it. nothing beats than to take half day off and sit in court doing nothing for 5 hours and take rest of the day off. i bet they have it marked on two calenders with reminders.

lol that I believe as well. :P Probably thank you after for a day in court as they get paid to be there, and are off the street. Doing them a favor. Be surprised if they cared at all if you won or lost your plea

[[gh]Spurty]

I was told by a cop, if you are on the highway and ppl are going over the speed limit in the passing line, it's ok. It's the ppl that get in the passing line and go slow that's the problem. Because they are not keeping the traffic flowing.

Ah ha, thats the 'play the game mentality' and I happen to agree with it up to a point. There is a very good reason the person who hit the car in front is at fault for all accidents. Its a bit of a slack reason, but whatever. Both drivers end up with a ton of bills and no car for however long (unless they are a 2.5 car family :roll: )

I highly recommend you all go to Germany and try out the Autobahn to see where this leads ultimately. Trust me, its very scarey if you don't have a $40k sports car. If you DO have a $40k sports car, you will mess your pants (in a nice way).

[steaLer]

whats autobahn? isn't that a racing track? or is it like a city where normal people get to drive fast as hell..?

[stormFury]

Its a (the?) highway in Germany where there are no speed limits.