Speeding Ticket - no fine, just court date? (Charlotte: insurance, how much) - City-Data Forum

deepballer · 03-09-2009, 03:40 PM

I was pulled over for going 75 in a 55 this morning on I77, just under the Brookshire underpass in Uptown. I was late for a meeting, but still shouldn't have been speeding. I haven't had a ticket in 6-7 years. The cop asked gave me a ticket, but it was an order to appear in court...no fine listed? He said to appear and if I had a clean driving record, which they'd have, they'd do their best to keep it off my record.

What does that mean? Is this cop just overly nice? Will I be fined in court? Will I get probation? I moved here a little over a year ago, so I'm not used to this court appearence. In Chicago, the cop takes your license, has you follow him to the closest police station's ATM to post bond, then you go to court and get probabtion so it's off your record.

Any ideas/thoughts? Can I expect a fine in court next month? (assuming so) If so, how much for 20 over?
Thanks

faabala · 03-09-2009, 03:44 PM

You should be deluged with letters from lawyers in the next few days. Call one and discuss it with them. They can almost always plead it down and keep your insurance from going up. The wife and I have gotten a couple of tickets in the 6 years we have been here. The Lawyers have got the system figured out.

chicagocubs · 03-09-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faabala

You should be deluged with letters from lawyers in the next few days. Call one and discuss it with them. They can almost always plead it down and keep your insurance from going up. The wife and I have gotten a couple of tickets in the 6 years we have been here. The Lawyers have got the system figured out.

By all means, I second that. It is cheaper overall to go through a lawyer.

dennise · 03-09-2009, 06:13 PM

My husband got a ticket for running a stop sign. We got all these letters from lawyers too. He hired one of them and got off with a noise violation for muffler. I agree with everyone else the lawyers are all in on it. And his auto insurance stayed the same. never went up.

Good Luck!

Dennise

Carolina_Stud · 03-09-2009, 06:44 PM

I bet if this was the year 2000 I don't think he would have pulled you over. I remember when i first paid a visit to Charlotte back then people drove sooo frighteningly fast and I mean fast.

anifani821 · 03-09-2009, 07:22 PM

Get an attorney. A violation in excess of 15 mph over the speed limit has a lot of repercussions and I would not chance that. It will cost you maybe $400 for the lawyer - a lot less than what your insurance hike would cost over time.

piggly · 03-10-2009, 07:42 AM

whenever there is a charge of greater than 15 over the posted limit there is a mandatory court appearance and there is no way to pay the fine out of court. More than likely since you have not had a ticket in several years, they will offer a "prayer for judgement" this means that you will plead responsible for the violation, and they will reduce to 9 over the limit, therefore it will not effect your insurance. You will still be responsible for court costs...in Meck I think they are about $140 now. You may still want to retain representation though. But if you happen to get charged with another violation within a 3 year period, BOTH charges will then effect your insurance.

himain · 03-10-2009, 07:53 AM

20 over? I would get an attorney just to cya...Avoid the aggravation in your life and let someone else deal with it.

aquastone · 03-10-2009, 08:40 AM

I think that 20mph over the posted speed limit is considered wreckless driving. Not sure though, maybe someone else who posts will know for sure (this could be from my memory bank from living in Virginia). I would also suggest you call a lawyer. Good luck.

deepballer · 03-10-2009, 12:12 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I didn't think an attorney woul dbe necessary, but after reading these posts, I'm not so sure now. I'll do some more research...