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Hi, I'm 18 and just received a speeding ticket. I was heading to Charlotte for a New Year's party, and was pulled over at 11:15pm on Dec 31.
I was driving toward Charlotte from Monroe on Highway 74, and just passed the intersection by Target, when I noticed the car behind me was tailing me. I was in the left lane and in front of all the other cars after being stopping at a light. Since this guy was tailing me, I sped up a little so I could switch to the left lane and allow him to pass. Only when I saw flashing blue and white lights did I realize it was a police car that was following so close! I felt stupid and almost... tricked?
His lights turned on right before Fowler-Secrest RD near a dealership- which is where the speed limit says "55 mph." I pulled into a shopping center... I was very polite; officer was polite... blah blah... I was given a ticket that clocked me at 62 mph in a 45 mph zone... However, the intersection was written as "74 & Fowler-Secrest RD." Which means the 55 mph sign was clearly visible... Wouldn't that make my speed only 7 mph over?
The officer told me that I should go to court and it won't show on my insurance- but I'm not exactly sure what he meant as he didn't go any further.
Either way, I have a court date for Febuary 4th, 2009. I have never gotten a ticket, but I've only been driving since September (with my full license). What is the best I can hope for? Is there any certain way I should plead or say "prayer for judgement" or "nolo contendre?" What is the average fine?
I hate that happened to you. I got my first ticket three years ago. I probably would have done the same thing if a car had been following me too closely because that bugs me so much and I just want to get out of the way so they can pass. Did the officer say anything about going to one of those driving classes? I went to one after I got my ticket and it was expensive but I didn't have to go to court and it didn't show up on my insurance. The officer who gave me my ticket told me about it. Or maybe since he clocked you at 62 in 45 it isn't an option. I don't know. In any case, good luck! I hope you can at least get it reduced. What a bummer! I would be upset too!
A year back I was in the same situation in Hayesville NC,I was doing 65 in a 45 zone.The cop gave me a court date to go to and thats it.I am from England and dont have a U.S driving licence although my english licence is valid over here,so I had to go through the same channels.I went to the court date dreading it and thinking that they were gunna throw the book at me because at the time my immigration papers were getting filed.....When I got there I didn't have to go in front of a judge,just a woman sat in front of were the judge would sit and she had a bunch of papers for a bunch of people.When it was my turn she didnt ask any questions about why I was doing that kind of speed in the wrong speed zone,she just told me that if I was doing any more than 65,she couldn't drop the speeding ticket to 60MPH,to drop the cost of the speeding ticket,so in the end I got charged 120 dollars,and as far as I know it didn't increase the cost of my insurance because of being a first offence.I think your allowed so many MPH over a certain speed before they will really go to town on you,but thats all I have heard.Thats my experience and I hope all goes well for you.
Most of the time the traffic court will have someone from the DA's office out there looking at tickets. For something simple, like speeding only a few over, they'll often drop the ticket to 9 over but will increase the fine a bit. In NC 9 over doesn't go on your insurance. Go to court, while you're waiting in line see if they offer to drop it to 9 over. If so pay it then leave. You could go to court and try to prove your ask or ask for PFJ but they might fine you the whole thing and with 3 months of driving under your belt PFJ would be a waste IF they even allow it. Apparently NC is going to clamp down on those due to abuse.
I got a ticket this year & went to driving school. The class itself wasn't too bad, and I actually learned a few things I wouldn't have known otherwise. I went the "prayer for judgement" route, and did not get points on my license or affect my insurance rates. Here's what you need to know if you choose this option - you or anyone in your family can not get a ticket for a 3-year time period after you received your ticket or else this ticket will be charged back to you. Since you are 18, I assume you might still be living at home and are on your parents' policy. This means that anyone in your household - you, parents, and any siblings are subject to the 3 year limitation. It is a bit risky. I have never gone to court for a ticket, so I can't advise you on this option.
However, the intersection was written as "74 & Fowler-Secrest RD." Which means the 55 mph sign was clearly visible... Wouldn't that make my speed only 7 mph over?
You don't stop when you see a STOP sign, you stop at the STOP sign. The 55 MPH starts AT the 55 MPH sign, not when you can see the sign
Last edited by Asheville Native; 01-01-2009 at 09:12 AM..
You can also go to the ADA (at the Courthouse) and request that the ticket be reduced. Typically they will reduce it to 5 over the posted speed limit, which usually keeps it off your insurance. As far as the location and the 55 MPH sign - the location is simply where you were finally pulled over - the assumption being that the cop was following you and clocking your speed prior to that point, where the speed limit was 45.
Sucks I got one too my first one on December 24 going 51 over a 35 area, I think this officers need to give at least a warning if is the first time but they just like to collect from honest people like you and me, Well I'm going to hire a lawyer he would handle it for me, because you loose against the police if you go by yourself!! Gl to you. My court day it's on February 02 2009.
My sister was pulled over by a state trooper going 90 mph in a 55 zone and only had to pay $200 (Used Prayer for Judgement). Nothing went on her insurance & no point increase on her license either.
Let's hope something will give, because I rarely- if ever- speed. I shouldn't have worried about the guy behind me, I just wish I would have figured out who he was sooner! I feel just awful.
Plus my insurance is already super high since I have an almost new Audi(my parents bought it for me because of the safety awards and it's 6 airbags + side curtains) and I'm only 18. So it won't be the ticket cost that will kill me, it'll be the comprehensive rate increase.
The officer is correct. Show up on your court date, take your ticket in with you, and they will charge you court fees but they will reduce the charges to something that isn't a moving violation.
By the way, if your ticket says to show up at 9am, they ALL say to show up at 9am. You can go in any time that day, although they break for lunch for almost 2 hours. I showed up at 9am and waited an hour to go up front. When I got pulled over another time for an expired tag, I went in at 11am and I was seen immediately.
Dawn
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