[martelds]

I need some advice. I'm out here in Phoenix AZ. I got myself a criminal speeding ticket out in a small town about an 1 1/2 hour outside of Phoenix. So this is my question. I'm lucky to live in AZ where once a year if you get a civil speeding ticket you can take a driving course and have the ticket not add points to your record. So I was doing 93 in a 65. Thanks to my radar detector it would have been much worse. Here is the question. In the Phoenix areas courts they are so busy it's almost a given that they offer you a plea deal and plead the ticket to civil. But I got my ticket out in nowhereville. I had my initial hearing and because the judges said she could not plead it down at this time, I decided to plead not guilty. Now should I represent myself and hope they let me plead it down to civil, which I'm ok with. Luckily the judge made the next meeting a phone call. Or should I pay a local traffic lawyer 1200.00 to try and completely get rid of the ticket. I'm pretty sure the lawyer can at least plead me down to civil, something I might be able to do myself. BTW I have a completely clean driving record with the exception of this ticket. Hey I've had my car for 1 year and this is my first ticket. Should I get a 1200 lawyer or should I just represent myself? That 1200 was my half way point to new custom rims. : If they don't plead it down I'll have a misdemeanor on my record, but because i wasn't doing 96 I can still take the driving course and not get points on my record. Judge said 3 more MPH and I would have been taken to jail.

[FNxR3DNECK]

$1200 for a lawyer to represent you?!? I got hit with a reckless driving charge in VA last year for 77 in a 55 and it only cost me $300 for the lawyer and $90 court fee and the lawyer got my charge completely dropped!

[tx6g1le]

The court will appreciate dealing with a lawyer instead of you. I don't know if $1,200 is a reasonable amount though. You may try to network and see if any local attorneys have any contacts in that town (most of the attorneys I know network frequently). Also, the DAs in small counties usually don't want to mess with speeding tickets.

[Frank237]

What County did You get the violation...that's the venue of the violation and trial. Go to that County Attorney's Office for information.

Many Counties will resist a jury trial...which IS your right. Trial by Judge is quick and easy....putting a jury together....not so much. Then again a jury trial may require an Attorney.

Good Luck.

[slowman]

I would get a lawyer. I've always gotten a lawyer for my reckless driving offenses back in the day when I was 16-18.

[nancygrl]

Wow...that's one pricey attorney....That's a tough call....whatever makes it go away and a no misdemeanor.

[martelds]

Believe it or not 1200 was the best price I got. One lawyer said 3200. The one I'm thinking about using first was 1600, but because I went to my initial hearing myself she said it would be 1200.00.I got the ticket in Yavapi county very rural. I didn't get a reckless driving ticket. I would have if I didn't have a detector. Good advice about it's cost money to put together a trial. Very good insight, Thank you.

[gdgraph]

Originally Posted by FNxR3DNECK

$1200 for a lawyer to represent you?!? I got hit with a reckless driving charge in VA last year for 77 in a 55 and it only cost me $300 for the lawyer and $90 court fee and the lawyer got my charge completely dropped!

How does a lawyer get a ticket completely dropped? I always thought it was either you were speeding or you weren't and the only way out of a ticket was if you could create doubt in the radar (it either picked up a different car next to you or the radar gun was not calibrated)... what was the basis for getting all charges dropped?

I'm curious to know because I live in VA, so if I ever did get a ticket I'd call whatever lawyer you used!

I've been very fortunate, the few times I've gotten pulled over I had my military ID on the back of my wallet sitting on my lap as I hand over my license and registration and then was asked where I worked and what I do and then get told to slow it down and then sent off on my way. I never flash my ID or try to make it too obvious, just have it sitting there so I don't look like I'm trying to be entitled to anything.

[interceptor]

I got a ticket many moons back in a po-dunk town out of state for hitting a banana truck (lol) that had jack-knifed in snowy weather. I figured that I could represent myself with notarized statements from the people following me that I was "pulled" in the direction of the truck due to snow piled on the side of the road.

Big mistake trying to represent myself in that small town. Walked away having to pay the fine and humiliation in watching the state policeman slap the judge on the back and ask if he wanted to go to lunch.

Those lawyer fees sound excessive compared to those I've seen in the system. Better call Saul.

[jpsuperman81]

$1200 good lord I would hope he comes with a guarantee for that price, last ticket I got was about $400 for a very reputable attorney.

[martelds]

Originally Posted by gdgraph

How does a lawyer get a ticket completely dropped? I always thought it was either you were speeding or you weren't and the only way out of a ticket was if you could create doubt in the radar (it either picked up a different car next to you or the radar gun was not calibrated)... what was the basis for getting all charges dropped?

I'm curious to know because I live in VA, so if I ever did get a ticket I'd call whatever lawyer you used!

I've been very fortunate, the few times I've gotten pulled over I had my military ID on the back of my wallet sitting on my lap as I hand over my license and registration and then was asked where I worked and what I do and then get told to slow it down and then sent off on my way. I never flash my ID or try to make it too obvious, just have it sitting there so I don't look like I'm trying to be entitled to anything.

They try and get you out of a ticket in discovery. Say the officer didn't cross a T or dot an d i. That's how they get 95% of the people out of a ticket. Technicalities.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by interceptor

Big mistake trying to represent myself in that small town.

Based on some of the specifics in your original post and how you worded it I'm afraid you might come off as pretentious or arrogant to the local authorities. You did not get very far with your initial efforts. I think a lawyer is the better choice here.
I'm not saying you ARE arrogant or pretentious, but the choice of neckwear in this photo gives me some concerns about the locals:
https://www.dcourier.com/news/2009/d...superior-cour/

[fastball]

$1200 sounds very high, but if it's what it takes to get the ticket dropped, if you can afford it I wouldn't hesitate.

A few things to remember when you appear in court:

Get your hair cut, comb it nicely, and completely clean shave I don't care how much you or your girlfriend love your beard/goatee/mustache or whatever else you have

Wear a suit. Pressed, no wrinkles, fits you properly. Tie your tie tight to the collar.

Cover your tattoos if you have them, if your suit doesn't

Be respectful and use proper English grammar.

You have no idea what your appearance and language can either do for you or against you in court. Seriously.

[avalonandl]

Hire the lawyer- cheap in the long run.....