buying down a speeding ticket? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Motleigh · 08-08-2011, 07:30 PM

My husband got his very first speeding ticket this weekend. A friend of his told him that he could buy it down to a non moving violation so his insurance won't increase and he wont get points on his driving record.
Has anyone done this? what is involved? and what kind of cost should we expect?
I am assuming we'll have to hire a lawyer.
The LEO that pulled us over was pretty cool and said he'd put in a good word with TPTB.

mike25 · 08-08-2011, 07:33 PM

never heard of buying a ticket down...but if the leo was cool about it, you should be able to get him to drastically lower/ reduce/ throw out the ticket.

FastEddie · 08-08-2011, 07:34 PM

I think he means plea guilty to a lesser charge and/or in agreement to settle the matter immediately. Adjudication is with held or absent in some way and voila! Its a quick guaranteed source of revenue and deterrent. A win win in the States eyes usually. A conviction AND the money. You leave with NO points. NO MONEY in your pocket. Not really "buying" perse but yeah

lsuguy · 08-08-2011, 07:34 PM

Not sure how it is where you are from but here you just make a call to the sheriffs office, its usually on the ticket. Just tell them you would like to make the ticket a non-moving violation and they will give you the cost right there on the phone.

My wife got one recently and it actually reduced the price because its much less paperwork and time on their end if you just pay it.

bthomp01 · 08-08-2011, 07:34 PM

It's different from state to state. In Texas you can take a defensive driving course and not get the points, and I think not even pay the fine. I had to pay the fine because I had an out of state license.

However, in Michigan, I never was able to do that.

mike25 · 08-08-2011, 07:35 PM

ps if you fight the ticket, sometimes the leo wont show up, and they have to throw the ticket out..something to keep in mind. But in my three or 4 tickets..ive never been this lucky.

thebighar · 08-08-2011, 07:49 PM

I don't understand how people always say their insurance goes up when they get a ticket. I have had probably 6 or 7 tickets in the last 20 years and never had my insurance go up ever.

WICG2772 · 08-08-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebighar

I don't understand how people always say their insurance goes up when they get a ticket. I have had probably 6 or 7 tickets in the last 20 years and never had my insurance go up ever.

I've had 3 tickets and 3 accidents and my insurance went up maybe $30 after all was said and done.

cosmos366 · 08-08-2011, 08:04 PM

Rules are different everywhere. I got an improper lane movement ticket in a commercial vehicle in Illinois. The fine was $75. The officer said to call the county clerk to get it changed to an equipment violation to avoid the points. CDL holders cannot divert or pay down tickets.

The monetary penalty to keep the points off of my license was $750!!

I paid the $75 and took the points.

Caspers2SSRS · 08-08-2011, 08:07 PM

Have your lawyer ready, he'll get in touch with the district attorney's office in the county where you got the ticket............the negotiations begin and end there.

thebighar · 08-08-2011, 08:17 PM

Its cheaper to go to court like what fasteddie said. They will usually wave points and you still pay the fine but again your insurance shouldn't be an issue regardless. You don't need a lawyer. Do you know what a lawyer is going to cost, a lot more than the ticket will. Way overkill for a ticket.

Evil35th · 08-08-2011, 08:23 PM

here in NC you can go to the court, plea responsible and request prayer for judgement. Since its his first you may be able to try this

Mr. Notorious · 08-08-2011, 08:24 PM

Go to court, plead not guilty, and plea bargain with them. At the very, very least you can plea a non moving violation that you didn't see the speed limit sign, I believe that's failure to obey traffic device

Depending on your state it could be easier but at the very least it'll work. Traffic court is usually the only days I need to take off from work LOL

Motleigh · 08-08-2011, 08:26 PM

even if its a BIG speeding ticket? it was over 26 MPH over posted speed. In my state that is a mandatory court appearance and "possible" jail time. Will they "fix" a high ticket like that without a lawyer?

He wasn't racing, he had some a-hole on his tail and couldn't shake him. The guy kept tailgating no matter what my husband did. He slowed down, changed lanes and this guy kept right on him like he was tied to our back bumper. Finally, Hubby got fed up, got to a straight stretch with no traffic and goosed it. of course THAT'S when the LEO showed up.

08-08-2011, 07:30 PM	#1
Motleigh Drives: 2011 Camaro RS Silver Ice Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: midwest Posts: 90	buying down a speeding ticket? My husband got his very first speeding ticket this weekend. A friend of his told him that he could buy it down to a non moving violation so his insurance won't increase and he wont get points on his driving record. Has anyone done this? what is involved? and what kind of cost should we expect? I am assuming we'll have to hire a lawyer. The LEO that pulled us over was pretty cool and said he'd put in a good word with TPTB. __________________ All women know how to fly...if you take our angel wings away, we'll find a broomstick

08-08-2011, 07:33 PM	#2
mike25 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubba V Posts: 2,869	never heard of buying a ticket down...but if the leo was cool about it, you should be able to get him to drastically lower/ reduce/ throw out the ticket. __________________ 2LT/RS M6 CGM VIN#53104 SOLD 2012 Black 2SS/RS w/ Hurst- Mods: Corsa catback, SSE, Vararam

08-08-2011, 07:34 PM	#5
bthomp01 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS IBM M6 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 359 View My Garage	It's different from state to state. In Texas you can take a defensive driving course and not get the points, and I think not even pay the fine. I had to pay the fine because I had an out of state license. However, in Michigan, I never was able to do that. __________________ 2010 IBM 2SS/RS - T BRUTAL Matte Black Bumblebee Stripes - Unpainted Heritage Grille - Blacked Out Bowties - Stainless Works S-Tube Catback - CAI, Inc. Cold Air Intake Whiteline Rear Cradle, Rear Differential, Front Radius Rod Bushings - BC Racing BR Coilovers - Installed by Whiteside Customs

08-08-2011, 07:35 PM	#6
mike25 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubba V Posts: 2,869	ps if you fight the ticket, sometimes the leo wont show up, and they have to throw the ticket out..something to keep in mind. But in my three or 4 tickets..ive never been this lucky. __________________ 2LT/RS M6 CGM VIN#53104 SOLD 2012 Black 2SS/RS w/ Hurst- Mods: Corsa catback, SSE, Vararam

08-08-2011, 08:04 PM	#9
cosmos366 Drives: 2004 GTO Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mooresville, IN Posts: 84	Rules are different everywhere. I got an improper lane movement ticket in a commercial vehicle in Illinois. The fine was $75. The officer said to call the county clerk to get it changed to an equipment violation to avoid the points. CDL holders cannot divert or pay down tickets. The monetary penalty to keep the points off of my license was $750!! I paid the $75 and took the points. __________________ 1SS/RS IOM 6-M

08-08-2011, 07:34 PM	#3
FastEddie Account Suspended Drives: 2010 IOM LS3 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 672	I think he means plea guilty to a lesser charge and/or in agreement to settle the matter immediately. Adjudication is with held or absent in some way and voila! Its a quick guaranteed source of revenue and deterrent. A win win in the States eyes usually. A conviction AND the money. You leave with NO points. NO MONEY in your pocket. Not really "buying" perse but yeah

08-08-2011, 07:34 PM	#4
lsuguy Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 362 View My Garage	Not sure how it is where you are from but here you just make a call to the sheriffs office, its usually on the ticket. Just tell them you would like to make the ticket a non-moving violation and they will give you the cost right there on the phone. My wife got one recently and it actually reduced the price because its much less paperwork and time on their end if you just pay it.

08-08-2011, 07:49 PM	#7
thebighar Drives: 2018 1LT RS V6 Nightfall Grey Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Willow Grove PA Posts: 570	I don't understand how people always say their insurance goes up when they get a ticket. I have had probably 6 or 7 tickets in the last 20 years and never had my insurance go up ever.

08-08-2011, 08:07 PM	#10
Caspers2SSRS Caspers2SSRS Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere north of a midlife crisis. Posts: 2,865	Have your lawyer ready, he'll get in touch with the district attorney's office in the county where you got the ticket............the negotiations begin and end there.

08-08-2011, 08:17 PM	#11
thebighar Drives: 2018 1LT RS V6 Nightfall Grey Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Willow Grove PA Posts: 570	Its cheaper to go to court like what fasteddie said. They will usually wave points and you still pay the fine but again your insurance shouldn't be an issue regardless. You don't need a lawyer. Do you know what a lawyer is going to cost, a lot more than the ticket will. Way overkill for a ticket.

08-08-2011, 08:23 PM	#12
Evil35th Drives: 02 35th Aniversary SS/'11 RJT 2SS Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Richlands NC/Quantico Va Posts: 240	here in NC you can go to the court, plea responsible and request prayer for judgement. Since its his first you may be able to try this __________________ 02 35TH LE#3089 and 2011 2SS/RS

08-08-2011, 08:24 PM	#13
Mr. Notorious Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Summit White :) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York Posts: 60	Go to court, plead not guilty, and plea bargain with them. At the very, very least you can plea a non moving violation that you didn't see the speed limit sign, I believe that's failure to obey traffic device Depending on your state it could be easier but at the very least it'll work. Traffic court is usually the only days I need to take off from work LOL

08-08-2011, 08:26 PM	#14
Motleigh Drives: 2011 Camaro RS Silver Ice Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: midwest Posts: 90	even if its a BIG speeding ticket? it was over 26 MPH over posted speed. In my state that is a mandatory court appearance and "possible" jail time. Will they "fix" a high ticket like that without a lawyer? He wasn't racing, he had some a-hole on his tail and couldn't shake him. The guy kept tailgating no matter what my husband did. He slowed down, changed lanes and this guy kept right on him like he was tied to our back bumper. Finally, Hubby got fed up, got to a straight stretch with no traffic and goosed it. of course THAT'S when the LEO showed up. __________________ All women know how to fly...if you take our angel wings away, we'll find a broomstick

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