Speeding Ticket

[chadskee]

So last night I received my first speeding ticket. I'm 17 and have had my license for more than a year now.

I was on my way home from a club with a few friends and I was following my friend in his car home since he knew the way. He drives so fast and I didn't want to lose my way home so I reluctantly sped up to match him. Anyways I got pulled over going 85 in a 55 (Freeway) and received a ticket for $277. No curfew tickets or anything which was good.

Anywho it's my first offense in anything so I think I may be able to get it reduced or something in court.

Do you guys have any ideas? What can I do to get it reduced?

[trobinson97]

Re: Speeding Ticket

Accept your punishment and stop speeding.

[Village Idiot]

Re: Speeding Ticket

85 in a 55 is borderline reckless driving. Be glad you didn't go to jail, son.

[chadskee]

Re: Speeding Ticket

The thing that was so bad about it was I never speed. I'm always at the speed limit never over it, and because I was dumb and decided to try and tail him I got nabbed.

Obviously it was a completely stupid mistake on my part to even attempt to keep up but I never make mistakes like that.

[youvalss]

Re: Speeding Ticket

You should thank the police for giving you that speeding ticket. Otherwise, you might make it a habit, because you're still a young driver and probably still creating your driving habits. At least that's what I think.

[Splitter77]

Re: Speeding Ticket

was it an estimated speed from the cop?
I'd go to the court just for the fact the cop might not show up.
Even if he does show up, say you didnt think you were going that fast, and were going with the flow of traffic.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Speeding Ticket

Your under 18? You're going to lose your license. That is wreckless op, you are lucky you weren't charged with it.

[callmetaternuts]

Re: Speeding Ticket

Check with soem courts or some driving schools (online or classroom) usually gets it reduced.

And slow down, no need to be in a hurry!

[absoluticris]

Re: Speeding Ticket

consider yourself extremely lucky my friend. since you were going 30 over, under the statute for speeding in minny the fine doubles if...

a. you go 20+ than the posted limit
b. occurs in a work or school zone
c. passing an emergency vehicle with flashing lights

the cop couldve also pegged you for reckless driving by telling you that you were "racing" the car you were following based on the situation and theyre strict on that when it comes to underage drivers here. so the odds dont sound in your favor in getting it knocked down. i dunno what county you were charged in, cause the fines vary by county, but they would have to knock it down to 25 for a difference in the fine which is about $60 cheaper so it depends on how leniet the judge is in order for that to happen.

heres a pdf breakdown about speeding in minny

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/speed/graphicsnew/SpeedFlyer2002.pdf

good luck!

[mjb2124]

Re: Speeding Ticket

Normally I'd say take it to court and hope they reduce it, but I'm not sure because you were way over the limit and it sounds like the cop could have nailed you for more.

Maybe someone knows this answer. If he takes it to court, can the judge add onto the ticket if he/she deems it necessary? If the answer is no, take it to court. What do you have to lose aside from an hour of your life? Worst case scenario - the judge tells you he/she is not reducing the ticket and you have to pay it.

[slickdtc]

Re: Speeding Ticket

I bet you get it reduced. My friend was going 76 MPH in a 45 MPH zone (I think he was actually going faster and the cop bumped it down) and got pulled over. He was nervous as hell going to court but they just gave him a fine. And he's still 17 too.

[bgeno]

Re: Speeding Ticket

Only 30 over? Pffft... that's for whussies. Let me know when you hit 37 over like me...

jk

I really did hit 37 over and got a nice big ticket, a court hearing, a 15-day license suspension and a written test with it. No fun. I haven't driven much since then, but I've definitely slowed down.


As far as taking it to court...

I've always been under the impression that you should take it to court when you can. Sometimes the law enforcement official will not show up or sometimes the judge will knock a little off because you showed that you cared enough about the ticket to take it to court.

I just pled guilty and sent the money in on both of my tickets, so I'm not entirely sure.

[p_rushing]

Re: Speeding Ticket

First check and see if you have to go to court or not. For 30 over, you may have to appear in court even if you are going to pay and not fight. Check and see if you can do anything to keep it off of your record. Even if you have to pay the fine, plus a lawyer, you will save a lot of money on your insurance if it doesn't go on your record. Your under 25 and if you get a ticket for 30 over, your rates are going to sky rocket and stay there until you are 25.

I think I used this to get some info about what my options were. You don't have to hire the lawyer, but the guy I ended up getting gave me a lot of info and what my options were.

http://www.tixnix.com/index.cfm

[Benz87]

Re: Speeding Ticket

30 is a lot over. Dont know where you're from but im in Wisconsin and I got pulled over for going 25 over and thats an automatic 6 month suspension.

[chadskee]

Re: Speeding Ticket

No my ticket I can just pay the fine like normal. I wasn't pegged for endangering life or wreck less driving. Only going over the limit. This was probably because she tagged me right in between where it went from a 55 mph zone to a 70 mph zone on a freeway in the dead of night.

So I was told to go to court and get the free attorney and plead guilty and tell them it's my first offense. A few of my friends have done so and gotten it written off their driving record but payed the fine in full.

Actually I'm more worried about the driving record than anything, I don't want my insurance going up. It's a pretty manageable price right now.