Hi helpful Mamas,
My question is, has anyone else fought a traffic ticket? What was your process in fighting it and how did it end up? Do cops usually show to the hearings? If they do, what are your chances of having the ticket overturned? Is there a charge to plea not guilty and fight it?
Last week I had family in town for a wedding and we all needed to attend a rehearsal dinner in the Plaza. My husband and I (with our 2-month-old and 2-year-old) were following my brother in his car because he had a GPS and none of us ever go to that area. At the intersection of 47th St. and Roanoke (which is a bizarre intersection) we all thought that the lane we were in could be followed to the left. After going through the intersection a police officer stepped in front of my brother's car and waved at us to stop as well. Two officers on motorcycles were waiting there for people to make this mistake. (apparently there are many because one lady was there already arguing with them and once we pulled away two more cars were pulled over as we looked in the rearview). At any rate, my brother is from California and one of the cops told him he couldn't be expected to be familiar with the area and therefore could go without a ticket. In the meantime the other cop issued us one, despite the fact that we are unfamiliar with that area too! Obviously the signage is poor.
I would love to hear about others' experiences and any advice would be useful. Thank you!
Suck it up and get an attorney. Most munis that do this are not going to let you off. They want the money and the judges are used to it. Kinda assembly line revenue.
I would indeed go to what they call trial. If the officer shows up ( sometimes shift change or something else keeps them) not usually though, you have a chance to question him make sure you take pictures of the intersection and write down exactly what happened and how he allowed someone to go without a ticket when you where following them. If you win you still pay court costs... But no fine.
sometimes if the cop doesn't show up the ticket is automatically overturned in some areas. I would take some of the other mom's advice about an attorney. although I've never been given a ticket just a couple warnings. I do know that my aunt's husband got out of a ticket because he went down a one way alley the wrong way. but the alley was not clearly marked where he entered the alley so they overturned it and finally put a sign up. so if the roads are not clearly marked as to what is what they may or maynot take your side. I honestly would try to get pictures of the intersection and point out any lack of signs
You will have to pay court fees no matter what if you show up to plead either guilty or not. No matter what it will cost the ticket amount and court fees (unless you get out of the ticket, which from your story it doesn't sound like you will on your own). I would pay the extra $100 for an attorney so even if you can't get out of it they can plea it down to a non-moving violation and it won't affect your record. Also, how did you behave when the officer gave you the ticket? Did you just take it politely or try to talk your way out of it then. Point is, if they remember you for any reason if they show up in court they will make sure you are prosecuted.
To fight a traffic ticket you must call the court house and set up a court date. Yes, officers show up for court. It is a requirement of their job and they get paid to show up. Regarding getting it overturned, it is up to the judge to make that ruling. I have never taken a ticket to court but my husband is a police officer and has been in court on the other side. Even if you don't get the ticket overturned you may be able to get a lesser charge on the ticket. It is probably worth a shot.
get a lawyer....all of the young drivers use them now. The cost is usually less than trying to plead it yourself. & also usually keeps the points off your license & your insurance intact.
I went to court on mine in Virginia a few years back. I was able to pay a minimal fine (30 bucks) if I attended a driver-safety course (also offered online), around 80 dollars. Bottom line, no points off your License.
Hello,
Judge's tend to believe the officer who issued the ticket. A successful strategy to fight this ticket is to show proof of the poor visibility of the sign Go back to that intersection and take a picture of the sign to show the judge what you mean by poor visibility of the sign. Make sure you take the picture at about the same time as when the ticket was issued. Considering your driving record as well, the judge may rule in your favor.
Good luck!
Get an attorney, and have him/her handle it. I fought a ticket once, and the cop did show up. I was single/childless at the time, and had plenty of free time to phtograph, map, etc. the area. I ended up cross-examining the cop. The Judge asked me to return a week later. I did, and I won. But believe me, I spent a lot of time on this. This was in KC city Court too, like where you'll have to go. I work in the legal field, but would never spend that kind of time again. Email me privately if you need a recommendation of a competent lawyer to handle this quickly and efficiently.
Obviously, noone can say exactly what will happen, which I know you realize. You can pay an atty to fight it for you & they usually only charge in the area of $50, but the court costs and fines stll apply. You can go & plead not guilty yourself, but may still end up paying court costs & fines. For the most part the cops don't usually end up showing up (again depends on the area). The courts will at times drop the fine & just charge the court costs (this happened when I had an expired license ticket for a license that was expired by one day & I showed proof of renewal - saved me $100, I ony paid $20). If you want to get it to minimum, photos (if possible) & a short & to the point explanation are your best bet. There's no rule that states we have to accept a ticket without pleading our case. They can't charge you anything more for pleading your case, than if you don't so the only thing you will be out is your time for trying. Good luck -it definitely doesn't sound like a fair deal.
