ugh first ticket

[Zer0xray]

got a ticket last friday night. i turned onto a one way street and was on it for like 3 feet then 2 cops came outta no where and sandwhiched me. they initially thought i was drunk, but no...it was just an honest mistake cause i dont live in that area. so now i got a ticket ($85) and 2 pts. theres no way i can fight it right? also, will my car insurance go up? im still under my parents name.

[mjb2124]

Re: ugh first ticket

You can certainly fight it. Just be honest with the judge and tell him/her that it was an honest mistake. If you have a clean record there's a very good chance either the cop won't showup or that the judge will reduce the charges (maybe to 0 points and a slightly lesser fine).

I've had many speeding tickets in the past reduced by taking them to court. 1 time the cop didn't showup and every other time the charge was reduced.

If this is your first ticket, your car insurance most likely won't go up. Depends on who you have for insurance.

[stalsy2310]

Re: ugh first ticket

speaking of tickets i just got a ticket a few days ago because my time in the parking meter expired lol. Mine was only 10$ though.

[Scottdau]

Re: ugh first ticket

You can certainly fight it. Just be honest with the judge and tell him/her that it was an honest mistake. If you have a clean record there's a very good chance either the cop won't showup or that the judge will reduce the charges (maybe to 0 points and a slightly lesser fine).

I've had many speeding tickets in the past reduced by taking them to court. 1 time the cop didn't showup and every other time the charge was reduced.

If this is your first ticket, your car insurance most likely won't go up. Depends on who you have for insurance.

Also if the cops don't show up I think it gets canceled!!

[Zer0xray]

Re: ugh first ticket

whats the possiblity of the cop not even showing up? i definitely have a clean record, i've only been driving for about 2-3 years now. whats the whole process of going to court?
85 dollars is definitely really steep for such a little offense in my opinion.

[HungryBologna]

Re: ugh first ticket

There should be a court date on the ticket. Show up and plead not guilty. Most likely they will pull you to the side and lessen the points and fine. Happened with me and a ticket involving obstructing a crosswalk.

[SPTO]

Re: ugh first ticket

whats the possiblity of the cop not even showing up?

90% of the time they don't show up but as joeboo said if you're honest to the judge then i'm sure they'll be lenient.

I wouldn't worry TOO much about it.

[Zer0xray]

Re: ugh first ticket

There should be a court date on the ticket. Show up and plead not guilty. Most likely they will pull you to the side and lessen the points and fine. Happened with me and a ticket involving obstructing a crosswalk.

so it just one on one with the judge or like a full court? kinda indimidating, i might choke. lol. im leaning towards to fight it.

[RubenDouglas]

Re: ugh first ticket

if you had clear intentions of breaking the law, they should wonder why you only went 3 feet and then figured it out.. the cops couldve easily realized this.. i hate cops who want to show everyone a lesson no matter what.. there messing with criminals all day they forget how to interact with real people

[HungryBologna]

Re: ugh first ticket

so it just one on one with the judge or like a full court? kinda indimidating, i might choke. lol. im leaning towards to fight it.

It will be a full court and of course no jury. There will also be other people with tickets and what not in there. I would fight it no doubt. He/she might ask you what happened and just explain, be polite and don't get all defensive, then he/she will ask you for a plea and just say not guilty.

[mjb2124]

Re: ugh first ticket

so it just one on one with the judge or like a full court? kinda indimidating, i might choke. lol. im leaning towards to fight it.

It was a small court in all my instances. Just a Judge and the officer in a small court room (other people waited outside). Judge was up on his loft in the Judge outfit. Terrible explanation, but you get the idea.

I've had 4 tickets and I've challenged all of them. 3 speeding tickets were reduced to 0 points and the money was reduced. The 4th which I got for rolling through a Stop sign, the cop never showed up for so it was dropped.

IMO, your ticket wasn't a big money item so I doubt the cop will show up. The reason cops don't always show up is that the court dates are scheduled on their days off. Unless it's serious, sometimes they don't want to come in. At least that's what I was told.

Few tips - Always address the judge properly and wear something nice (ie: shirt and tie with khaki's works and is what I've always worn). Use "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir" everytime responding to the judge. Don't be combative with the police officer or judge, but state your case with confidence and be humble.

[ehh]

Re: ugh first ticket

Eight years w. my license and still no tickets, not even a warning.

[Jayhawk]

Re: ugh first ticket

Eight years w. my license and still no tickets, not even a warning.

They're gonna get you tommorrow for bragging. (But I've gone one year...ticket free so far)

[dieselboy]

Re: ugh first ticket

Always fight every ticket.

Get a lawyer and they will get it off. Trust me.

[WFU2521]

Re: ugh first ticket

i got my first ticket earlier this year. a cheap one too.

i was driving back from playing ball at the Y when a cop pulled me over for "wearing my seatbelt" incorrectly. $100 ticket, but no points