Worth appealing this speeding ticket? (insurance, home, transfer to) - City-Data Forum

R3N3G4D3 · 02-12-2012, 02:09 PM

I just got a speeding ticket last night on my way home from a friend's place at night. The ticket is for 40 in 30 mph, so it's only $100, but what scares me more is the insurance premiums. I currently have the Excellent Driver Plus discount with GEICO, which will probably go away after they find out about the ticket, as well as any other premiums they decide to add. The officer asked me the typical questions (do you know why I stopped you, how fast you were going, etc.), and I stupidly admitted that I was speeding, and mentioned that I thought I was going 40. He replied that I was actually going faster, and on the ticket he mentioned 40+ with 47 in parentheses (giving me the 40 mph fine instead of the 47 one).

Now, I've had another speeding ticket before in MA, but that was with my NY license, and NY doesn't count MA tickets, and it didn't transfer to my MA license, apparently, so it looks like I have a clean driving record. I want to avoid the points, but I have no good argument to appeal the ticket, I do not think the officer made a mistake. Furthermore, I'm afraid that if I do try to appeal it, the magistrate might decide to change the fine to the 47 mph since that number is also on the ticket in parentheses (or are they not allowed to do that?). I was considering contesting the ticket, then showing up and admitting my fault, but asking for points not to get counted since this was the first offense, I'm not sure if the magistrate can/will do that in MA. What would you guys recommend? Thanks

Ronnie555 · 02-12-2012, 02:42 PM

umm sometimes people just show up in court hoping the officer won't come. But if he shows up you'll pretty much be back where you started...

I'd probably just pay the ticket unfortunately =( even though I know it hurts your insurance rates in MA

R3N3G4D3 · 02-12-2012, 03:06 PM

Massachusetts doesn't require that the officer show up, so even if he doesn't come, it won't help me (especially since he put the actual speed on the ticket as well).

tamiznluv · 02-12-2012, 11:19 PM

Ooooh, welcome to Mass.! That ticket will cost you for the next 8 years! Been there, done that. I pay over $1600 a year on my car because of a DUI 4 years ago now. 4 down, 4 to go!!!

massnative71 · 02-12-2012, 11:38 PM

Go ahead and repeal it, the worst that can happen is you will have to pay the original fine. There is no way of admitting fault and not having the points counted, you are either responsible or not. I would just say you had a bad day and are sorry and that you cannot afford the financial hardship this will cost you or something to that effect (if it even gets that far, sometimes the magistrate will be lenient and cut you a break).

massnative71 · 02-12-2012, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamiznluv

Ooooh, welcome to Mass.! That ticket will cost you for the next 8 years! Been there, done that. I pay over $1600 a year on my car because of a DUI 4 years ago now. 4 down, 4 to go!!!

A DUI is not treated the same as a regular speeding ticket, which i believe disappears after 3 years.

And 1600 a year is not bad considering, many young drivers or those involved in a minor accident pay far more. You in your case are lucky you didn't kill somebody.

tamiznluv · 02-13-2012, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massnative71

A DUI is not treated the same as a regular speeding ticket, which i believe disappears after 3 years.

And 1600 a year is not bad considering, many young drivers or those involved in a minor accident pay far more. You in your case are lucky you didn't kill somebody.

Oh, don't I realize that now! I pray to God every day that HE was my co-pilot that night! I learned a very large lesson that night. I do NOT drink and drive anymore! I just wish more people learned the lesson I did!

3 people did not pass our "drunk driving" class. One on the very last day!!! No way, Jose, I learned to be a good dooby again.

SuperSparkle928 · 02-13-2012, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3N3G4D3

Massachusetts doesn't require that the officer show up, so even if he doesn't come, it won't help me (especially since he put the actual speed on the ticket as well).

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Exactly. The officer issuing the citation does not have to show up. They just have a random one there. For those who have a tendency to get speeding tickets (I did when I was young), the best approach is to a have a good friend that is an officer in the state where the infraction occurs. Contest the ticket, and for some 'magic' reason, they 'misplace' it.

snatale1 · 02-13-2012, 06:33 AM

Pay it, you'll loose more missing work than you will just paying it. 1 speeding ticket on a perfect record is nothing. People severely over estimate what a speeding ticket does to your insurance premiums. I don't know if they still do it since the switch to the new point system but on the old one you got a pass on the speeding surcharge if you didn't screw up in a while. I know it saved me a couple times. Not sure if that's still the case. But either way to minor to go to court over.

MikePRU · 02-13-2012, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snatale1

Pay it, you'll loose more missing work than you will just paying it. 1 speeding ticket on a perfect record is nothing. People severely over estimate what a speeding ticket does to your insurance premiums. I don't know if they still do it since the switch to the new point system but on the old one you got a pass on the speeding surcharge if you didn't screw up in a while. I know it saved me a couple times. Not sure if that's still the case. But either way to minor to go to court over.

I don't ever recall being forgiven for a speeding ticket. I think that might have been your insurance carrier had that policy.