Got a ticket. Should I fight it?

[Dare]

Fight it. I can't speak for everywhere, but I know here in Philly it's all about the money. I've never gotten a lawyer for a traffic case because I'd think you would pay more for that then the actual tickets. What I've always done was just go to court on the date of the ticket, and say my side of the story (or at least what makes it sound best). I've just had to pay the fine, or a lighter amount. Never got any points, never has my insurance been increased. Definitely show up and fight it. Tickets are never the big deal for me, the points on the license are. They definitely hurt the most. They increase insurance and if you rack up enough of them your license is suspended. My opinion, do what you can to avoid the points and take the ticket amount on the chin.

[Matrix]

Originally Posted by jkelly

I disagree, you don't always have the opportunity to move over if there are other cars on the road. I say fight it.

I agree with you TOTALLY!! But alas, I feel the judge will sway towards the written word of the law.

Like I said the law is an ass sometimes.

Is it worth fighting over $133 cos your gonna miss work etc etc. Its just not worth the hassle in my books.

[Blakout]

If you don't want a$$hole cops just using you for quota, pulling you over for dumb crap like this, you'll at least go to court with it. Good chance the officer won't even show up. Automatic case dismissal. What have you got to lose? From my math, $133. Either way you're paying that if you don't fight it. Might as well give it what you've got.

I feel this way because when I was 17, just received my license (upgrading from learners permit) I had a fender bender accident. One of those accidents where you're making a right on red and someone is doing the same in front of you. You're watching traffic, and out of the corner of your eye, you see the car ahead of you start to pull out, so you ease forward a little bit and before you know it --smack-- the driver stopped short for NO reason and you've made contact. Traffic was clear, no oncoming cars, she stopped for no reason. No damage to her Ford Escape with a trailer hitch on the back (it left a hole in my bumper, still there to this day) and she milked it for all it was worth when I only hit her at under 10mph. She had a baby in the back seat safely secure in the car seat. She told the trooper this, and he ticketed me for reckless driving.

I was profiled here, for being a "kid" driver. For God's sake, my mother was in the passenger seat and she agreed it was an honest mistake, NOT reckless driving. The cop was a real dick too. Should've seen the way he looked at me when handing me the ticket. I wish I had the knowledge back then to fight it. Any tickets I get from now on WILL BE FOUGHT IN COURT.

[SlingShot]

Your supposed to slow down and move one lane to the left. It sounds like you failed to do either, pay it and move on and consider it lesson learned ...

[robertgss3]

I don't agree that all police are "asses" out to fill a quota or to make your day miserable; that said, only hearing one side of the story, "yours", it does sound like this particular officer had a bad day and decided to take it out on you. If you are positive that your side is accurate and not just as you would like to remember it, take your opportunity in court and if you are sure the video will help you request it, however, if the video does not support you and you do request it, you can be absolutely sure the officer will be there and not just skip it. If an officer misses court he needs to explain the reason to the court so it is not a good bet to think you will win by them not showing up. Good luck.

Thanks,

[tony1]

As an ex-cop years ago ..I'd say fight iit.. nothing to lose .. I'd probably guess that 35% will get off.. and there are times when the officer does not show and all his tickets will get dismissed... in the future I'd get this Escort Passport 9500ix .. I can probably get let go .. I have a very heavy foot and have no tickets .. stopped many times though.. One day I'd probably get a cop who dosen't care I used to be a cop and ticket me..I just don't wnat to have to beg anyone anymore I just ordered this from Amazon last friday after very much research.. it won't give a lot of false alarms.. even red light camara's.. It's not cheap though almost $500
Another thing is never admit guilt when getting a ticket as this will be brought up in court.. we used to record all traffic stops and got many admiting it and asking "please let this go Iam sorry..It wont happen again" another word of advice is if you'll have any chance of him not writing a ticket NEVER argue that you weren;t speeding .. this will be a ticket for sure .. be very nice and polite if you want to stand a chance.

[Madcat0911]

Always show up for tickets, unless you know the cop was doing you a favor.

The only way I don't show up in court for a ticket are those times when the cop pulls me over for something and instead of slamming me with a big ticket just gets me a smaller ticket that's a small ($35) fine and no points.

I got out of a wreckless driving ticket once just for showing up. The cop was there, I didn't deny doing 82 in a 70 (yay virginia's nazi speeding laws). The judge was nice and knocked it down to a 79 instead so it didn't hit VA's automatic 80 or above is wreckless no matter where you are law.

[myold88]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

Your supposed to slow down and move one lane to the left. It sounds like you failed to do either, pay it and move on and consider it lesson learned ...

No way. Never plead guilty ! There is some good advice on these posts.

[2010 SSRS]

Fight it

[Rayner]

Always fight the ticket.

That's the first thing any lawyer will tell you. And it's not because they are trying to get you to pay them. Most traffic lawyers only charge $75 per violation, meaning if you get off....you just saved a LOT of cash.

Also, it's not about not owning up to a mistake. When you fight a ticket, you stand just as likely a chance that you will have to pay the fine as you do that you will get off. The difference is when a lawyer handles your case, regardless of the outcome, he will almost always keep it off your driving record. And that is the most important thing when you think about it.

Insurance goes up when you have a ticket, and you get "points" on your license in many states which can add up to you having no license.

When a lawyer handles the case, you can have it dismissed because the cop didn't show; you can have them argue on your behalf with their knowledge of the law; you can get the charge and/or fine reduced; or you can have them get the judge to give you defensive driving or "deferred adjudication" which means you pay the fine and keep your nose clean for a period of time and you get nothing on your record.

To illustrate my point -- since 2004 I have gotten 11 tickets. When a cop or my insurance carrier pulls up my record, they see 0. The last citation to appear on my record is one from another state before I learned the benefits of getting a lawyer.

You see, the city *WANTS* you to pay the fine. They don't want you to exercise your rights and fight it. In most cases, they don't care whether you did it or not. Just pay it and move on. But see, that thinking can get the owner of an SS Camaro into not having a license. Obviously you should drive responsibly. That goes without saying. But there is also truth to the urban legend of certain colors and certain vehicles attracting more attention. That attention can lead to many stops on roads where "everyone else" was going the exact same speed as you. It sucks, but it happens a lot.

If you end up having to pay, an extra $75 won't matter. And if you get a more favorable outcome, you will have saved yourself a boat load of future hassles as well as money.

[DiverRich]

As one of those officers who has been hit by a car (which incidently left me off work for 14 months of rehabilitation) I'd say just pay it. But... I might be kinda biased. lol

[SlingShot]

I just don't get you guys ... Seems like it's ok for all of you to break the law, then not man up when your cought. Maybe try taking your heads out of your asses, drive the way your suppose to and maybe the life you save will be your own.

[TekkGuy]

I honestly never heard of such a law...I wonder if we have a similar law in NY...? If so, I must count myself lucky since I never moved over to the left if a cop pulled someone over on the right and so far, no tickets.

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by DiverRich

As one of those officers who has been hit by a car (which incidently left me off work for 14 months of rehabilitation) I'd say just pay it. But... I might be kinda biased. lol

I've had two of my LEO friends get hit during traffic stops ... And they will never be able to work again ...