Speeding Tickets in L.A. (Los Angeles, Fairfax: insurance, lawyer, house)

[doriteman]

I just moved here eight months ago and got my first speeding ticket last week - a 51 in 35 on Venice Blvd near Fairfax given by a motorcycle cop with a radar gun. I have no legitimate case to fight the ticket but was wondering how the L.A. traffic courts work, particularly the downtown building. Do people get chances to plead to a lower charge? Any experiences appreciated.

[Merino1437]

You can try to fight it and depending on how you present your case, the judge can change the fine. Some judges will drop the case if the cop doesn't show up. Your best bet is getting a lawyer that specialize in traffic citations.

[Lovehound]

Request traffic school. I believe you can do this without appearing in court (last time I did it I don't recall any court). I think maybe you go to the city office where you pay the ticket, and make the request there. After paying some fees you can attend traffic school online, and then get the ticket taken off your record after successful completion.

I just explained this all in another topic here at CD in just the last couple days. When you get a ticket the big expense is NOT the ticket. It's when you get the 2nd ticket and you get a big surcharge on your insurance. The increased insurance costs make the ticket fines look like chump change.

Go find my other post. It's in another topic in Los Angeles or California about tickets. I'll come back and post a link if I see it.


EDIT: here ya go:

The whole topic: http://www.city-data.com/forum/calif...da-county.html

My post about traffic school: http://www.city-data.com/forum/7464226-post7.html

My post about the insurance surcharge: http://www.city-data.com/forum/7468336-post11.html

Particularly read that second link, and believe it!

[Morphous01]

Originally Posted by doriteman

I have no legitimate case to fight the ticket .

As much as I HATE the California court systems if you have no legitimate case to fight the ticket... well, just pay the fine and watch your speed.

However, I have been told that if you show up for the court date and the officer does not; they throw the case out...


I proly been to almost every court house in So California; no lie... And from what I can see; these court systems have an endless amount of money at there disposal so why hire a sleazy lawyer to take MORE of your money to fight the ticket????

[fatmancomics]

I say go to court in hopes that the officer doesn't show up. That's how I beat my last two tickets. Once you get there, if the officer does not show up, deny! Deny! Deny! You may still get that one judge who asks, "Well, WERE you speeding?" and the answer is always "No". Even if the officer shows up, deny it. And if your'e cringing at the thought of lying, then don't waste your day and just pay the damn thing.

[ferretkona]

I understand if you fight it you pay additional court fees ahead of the time. Non refundable.

[fatmancomics]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

I understand if you fight it you pay additional court fees ahead of the time. Non refundable.

Really? I've never had to. It's traffic court, not a criminal or civil suit.