It is very late (or early) right now but I just got back from being pulled over for a "speed contest" violation. On the ticket both traffic and misdemeanor are checked. If anyone can inform me on what the consequences are going to be I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Mike (praying and crying at the same time)

 

My street racing days are behind me, but having the 'misdemeanor' box checked is bad news for your bank account. When I got a misdemeanor 'exhibition of speed' about 15 years ago, the max penalty was 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine! Pretty serious sentence for lighting up the tires. I think I paid about $350, but that was back when a regular speeding ticket was $50 and not $150.

Don't let the jail time scare you, they won't give you any, but they COULD, so I wouldn't smart off to the judge or anything. I think the max fine is higher than $1,000 now.

If you plead guilty or no contest, they will fingerprint you and enter you into the system, and generally treat you like you robbed a store or something.

You may want to consult with a lawyer for advice about fighting it or pleading no contest at a reduced fine. I know that's expensive, but you are not going to get out of this cheaply.

Good luck.

 

i agree, get an attorney. at least they can study the citation and see if the officer filled it out "perfectly", and let you know your options, otherwise you will lose a lot of sleep between now and court date. good luck, most of us have been there.

 

damn, i got a ticket for excessive acceleration, do any of u guys know how to atleast fight it?

 

Brimstone. Sorry about the bad news. This is not the end of the world just another one of those pain in tha a$$ issues to deal with. I just looked up Speed Contest in the California Vehicle Code Book. The minimum fine is $355.00 and 24 hours in the county jail. Maximum fine is $1,000.00 and 90 days in jail. This would be just the basic fine without penalty assesment, after penalty assesment and a host of other add on charges you may pay 2 to 3 times the basic fine. I have fought a couple of tickets and would advise you to go to the DMV and buy a copy of the California Vehicle Code Book and look up your violation (cost $3.50 in 1997). In reading the Speed Contest section racing is not allowed upon a hiway. Racing is a judgement call issue. Maybe you just took off fast to make a lane change and the other guy did not want to let you move over. Maybe the lightning is a fast vehicle and the other guy was trying to pass you. Maybe the reason your tires spun was that the vehicle had poor traction relative to its power. I would not know I was not there. The judge was not there either, you will have to explain what happened. I would get an attorney that specializes in traffic violations to give you some advise and possibly represent you in court. I have seen this done and a good attorney can be of tremendous help in court, they know the system and know how to work the angles. I don't think you will have to do the jail time our jails are way to crowded. Just the same don't be wearing any tight pants to court. Ha Ha just kidding. Good luck, I know you can beat the rap. BTW I would not post the particulars you never know whos out there.

 

Brimstone,

I agree with the other posts. Bite the bullit and get an attorney. This is not a situation to handle yourself or plead "no contest." It's a job for a professional.

A good attorney will "plea bargain" with the officer and/or the judge before your court appearance. There is a good chance the misdemeanor will be waived if the officer agrees. Many of these attorneys know the officers and judges personally and know how to approach them.

I hope your previous driving record is in good shape because I'm sure the officer has looked it up. It may influence what he may agree to ....... Good luck.



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Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK, HD electrical and cooling, power seat, Rhino Liner, Extang Classic tonneau cover, Mobil 1. Man, I got it all! (New Jersey)

 

Brimstone, I agree with Redhotl. This is just a little bump in life. Be cool, money will cure this pain. The biggest hit you will take on this is in your wallet. In my eyes you should always take a ticket to court. If you just pay the ticket, its a done deal, your screwed. At least by taking it to court you give your self a chance of getting out of it. Maybe you are thinking "but this is just my first ticket, no big deal". Keep in mind, you could get that second one tomorrow. Around here when a court date is set it is usually 1-3 months down the road and that way you have more time to get over the shock of it and consider your options. Once you get a court date set, ask around about traffic lawyers and call them to see what they can do for you. You would be suprised what they can do for you for the right $$$$$ To give you an example, around here is is common to have a $50 speeding ticket changed to a $100 defective equipment charge. But guess what, the defective equipment charge is not a moving violation so it doesnt go on your record. Do they have diversion where you are at? You may also be able to pay a higher fine, get on diversion for 3 months, keep your nose clean, and have the ticket dropped. A lot of this stuff you can do for yourself free, but a lawyer will be glad to do it for a few bucks. For me the biggest issue about getting a ticket was INSURANCE. They are the ones that will put the screws to you for a poor driving record. And also some companies (such as mine)look at driving records when hiring new employees. I dont want the guy I just seen on Amazing Cop Chases driving my company truck. A clean driving record is important. Good luck!

[This message has been edited by ksmike (edited 07-15-2000).]

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I've been super depressed all day, I really hope that the only penalty will be out of my wallet. I am definitely gonna talk to a lawyer first thing Monday. I will surely have to put all plans for new mods on the L on hold for a while.

Thanks again,
Mike

 

I was driving a set of doubles in Las Vegas and you have to make wide trun to get into some driveways. I turning right into one and checked my mirrors and the only cars were about a mile back. I started my turn and had gone pass the sidewalk when I got hit on right front bumper. I got a ticket for improper right hand turn with accident. I got a lawyer with the union. The ticket was changed to a parking ticket. The power of the right person doing the right job.

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1999 Red SVT Lightning
#3466 of 4000
NLOC #428
99 Grand Prix GTP Red

 

I agree fully with the "who you know" crowd, I got a speeding ticket last month, not a bad one, 61 in a 45, but I didn't want it on the driving record, so I got an attorney. I told her I just didn't want it on my record, money wasn't an issue. She got the charge changed to "Improper use of powered equipment", the fine was 50 bucks higher but the insurance company will never know. The point is, (yeah, i did have one), all the little muni court magistrates around here are local lawyers, they all know each other, and they all practice in front of each other, my lawyer is the judge in Lebanon, the judge in Mason pratices defense in front of her etc... I really think it would be more convenient to just give the deputy sherriff $100 when he pulls you over, but they frown on that so we go thru the indirect bribe the judge through the city court dance. And I do consider it bribery, ,plain and simple. My lawyer pockets $200 in fees for this one, the judge will get his from someone who goes in front of her, the city takes the extra 50 on the side.

 

Cannot be enough posts/advice here to emphasize:

Get a good politically-incorrect lawyer who is not afraid to use up favors for you.

The more you $pend now, the le$$ you will $pend later (a misdemeanor will haunt you forever).

Besides, the officer just might retire/lose-interest/die before the trial -- at which point, without a witness against you, you win.

 

Brimstone, if you want a California Vehicle Code book, I have one. Let me know what I can do. e-mail me at mterry@torrnet.com

Mike

 

As a “veteran” in these affairs, I speak with experience. Don't fool around get an attorney.

Previous posts have all given good advice. If you have to pay a little more up-front, you will save in the long run keeping the ticket off your driving record. Want to know what your insurance company does when you get a couple of 100mph+ tickets?

On a different note, may I make an additional suggestion? Invest in a GOOD radar detector. I have used them all. I recommend a Valentine One. It will pay for itself very quickly and will save you 90% of the times that you would have been “had”. Unfortunately it will not be effective against instant-on and lasers.

Brimstone, good luck on your ticket.

Skyhawk


[This message has been edited by Skyhawk (edited 07-18-2000).]

 

Dang Stone that hella sucks. I am so sorry since I know totally what is going through your mind. Trust me...this is the very first time in 2 and a half years that I have not had a court date pending for one stupid traffic violation or another. Feel for ya. Good Luck.
CA

 

Hey guys thanks again for the great advice and support, I posted the message here right after I got my ticket cuz I knew there would be many of you who could relate. I am in the process of getting an attorney and I will be happy if the only damage is out of my pocket. One good thing that's come out of this is I'm always driving at the speed limit, even in the Lightning, and it's still very enjoyable.

PDLightning, thanks for your offer to help, I really appreciate it. I was able to pull the vehicle codes off the internet, they are all there.

Mike

[This message has been edited by BRIMSTONE (edited 07-18-2000).]