Is Dandridge a speed trap? (construction, office, speeding ticket)

[Rapunzll]

Also, if you show up to court for a speeding ticket and the ticketing officer does not show, is the ticket dismissed?

[oldmanbob]

Could be, especially if you contest it. Some judges will dismiss, and let you off for court cost, but could get rescheduled.

[Rapunzll]

I got busted for speeding. I was trying to get around a semi before it turned to one lane for construction. No workers present or anything like that. The officer who gave me the ticket wrote the amount down, I sent a check and got a letter back saying we only take money orders, (my mistake) and oh btw, the amount should be more. I paid over a hundred and they wanted about 75 more. I got a mo for the original amount and said that I didn't think it was right to change the amount and to let me know if there was a problem and if there was, I would show up in court. Well, it's over a week since the court date and I hear today that no, you have to pay the higher amount, and I said then I want to come to court. The clerk isn't sure if the judge will give me another date. It ticks me off, because it doesn't seem right to me to change the amount after the fact. I will drive the three hours to go to court if that's what it takes. Seems to me it would make sense for them to just take the money and not clog up the court with something like this where I paid what the officer said I owed.

<<<Vent over>>>

[tennonmymind]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

I got busted for speeding. I was trying to get around a semi before it turned to one lane for construction. No workers present or anything like that. The officer who gave me the ticket wrote the amount down, I sent a check and got a letter back saying we only take money orders, (my mistake) and oh btw, the amount should be more. I paid over a hundred and they wanted about 75 more. I got a mo for the original amount and said that I didn't think it was right to change the amount and to let me know if there was a problem and if there was, I would show up in court. Well, it's over a week since the court date and I hear today that no, you have to pay the higher amount, and I said then I want to come to court. The clerk isn't sure if the judge will give me another date. It ticks me off, because it doesn't seem right to me to change the amount after the fact. I will drive the three hours to go to court if that's what it takes. Seems to me it would make sense for them to just take the money and not clog up the court with something like this where I paid what the officer said I owed.

<<<Vent over>>>

Sounds to me like you should make a copy of the ticket (amount shown) and send it back. Then if it's not good enough tell them to send you a revised ticket with justification for the increase. Play the mail game, in the meantime, slow down.

[Rapunzll]

I sent them the original citation, with the new money order for the original amount. I made copies of everything. I think if I had paid the original amount with a money order the first time around, they would have just accepted it and i would have heard nothing.

[Rapunzll]

Yay! I got a call while I was out today saying the judge agreed to settle for the original amount the officer wrote me up for. Maybe they figured it wasn't worth the court time, but who knows. At any rate, I'm very happy about it.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

Yay! I got a call while I was out today saying the judge agreed to settle for the original amount the officer wrote me up for. Maybe they figured it wasn't worth the court time, but who knows. At any rate, I'm very happy about it.

Good for you!

[Rapunzll]

I called up and thanked the judges secretary for asking him about it again. I figured she doesn't get too many people appreciating what she does! <G>

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

I called up and thanked the judges secretary for asking him about it again. I figured she doesn't get too many people appreciating what she does! <G>

Good for you, again! It's so important to thank people when they do a good job, go the extra mile, etc.