Advice Needed: Speeding ticket i PW County (Manassas: insurance, DMV)

[ceomom703]

OK, so it was the day before Christmas Eve and I was mentally going over my Christmas list before family arrived. I was on Rte. 234 going through the Manassas Battlefield and I didn't notice that the speed limit went from 50 to 35. The change happened when I was looking through my rearview mirror and saw the 50mph sign going the opposite direction. The sign was apparently just across the street from the 35mph sign.

Needless to say, I was caught going 53 in a 35. Not quite reckless driving but close. This ticket carries 4 points. This is only my 2nd citation my entire life. The first and only speeding ticket I ever got was in 2005. My biggest concern is the increase in insurance rate -- then my husband would fine out and I will lose all credibility when telling him to slow down when he drives.

What to do? I've gotten lots of advice but everyone is guessing. Does anyone have first had experience on what I should do to minimize this? Thank you for all and any input.

[Fern435]

Pay the fine and tell your husband you got the ticket? Or am I just being old-fashioned?

[Forehead]

Yeah, I'm more worried about the fact that you would hide it from your husband than the fact that you got a ticket. Wouldn't he notice a chunk of money missing from the bank account when you pay it off? I guess I'm also old-fashioned.

Pay the ticket, admit your mistake. Hell if anything, this gives you more credibility when telling him to slow down, i.e "don't get a ticket like I did."

[ChristineVA]

Just tell him. It wasn't as if you were recklessly speeding. I think we've all been through area where the speed drops significantly and we get caught up in that. It's not like you were doing 80 mph. Just tell him that you didn't see the signage change.

As for your ticket, with a good driving record you could quite possibly go to court and have some of the points reduced if the judge has mercy on you. Your fine and court fees will likely cost you more though.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

Just tell him. It wasn't as if you were recklessly speeding. I think we've all been through area where the speed drops significantly and we get caught up in that. It's not like you were doing 80 mph. Just tell him that you didn't see the signage change.

As for your ticket, with a good driving record you could quite possibly go to court and have some of the points reduced if the judge has mercy on you. Your fine and court fees will likely cost you more though.

No it doesn't. If the judge reduces it the fine will be appropriate for the charge.

OP. Couple of things you can try. You can pay to have the speedometer checked on your vehicle. The shop will give you a piece of paper showing what the actual speed you are doing for 25, 35, 45 and so on. Quite often the prosecutor will reduce the charge to Defective Equipment since you went to the trouble of paying for this as long as you don't have a terrible driving record. If you have a lot of points and previous moving violations you're less likely to receive any help. Or, you can just go to court on the day in question and seek out the prosecutor. You will have a chance to talk with him or her either before court starts or when the judge released the prosecutor to go out into the hall to talk with those that need to see him. Get there a little early in hopes of seeing them before court starts. If you have a good record you can ask for a break to Defective Equipment. They may go for that or just agree to reduce it to 44/25 which reduces the points a little.
At PW you'll have to go through metal detectors to go into the courthouse. Take out any sharp items from your purse. No cameras allowed to include cell phones with cameras or computers with cameras. They will not hold them and you'll have to return them to your car.

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

If you have a lot of points and previous moving violations you're less likely to receive any help. Or, you can just go to court on the day in question and seek out the prosecutor. You will have a chance to talk with him or her either before court starts or when the judge released the prosecutor to go out into the hall to talk with those that need to see him. Get there a little early in hopes of seeing them before court starts. If you have a good record you can ask for a break...

I've personally seen this happen. The prosecutor will work with you if you have a good driving record. He/she can suggest to the judge that the charge be dropped in lieu of you taking a driver improvement class. You'll have to provide the certificate of completion to the court afterward.

Also just because you get a speeding ticket, it does not automatically raise your insurance rate. At one point I actually had -12 points on my DMV record. I had a reckless driving charge (stays on your record for a REALLY long time, and numerous speeding tickets). I got a note from DMV warning me that another ticket would get me a suspended driving license for a while and I smarted up. That whole time, my insurance didn't fluctuate. It only became a problem when I wanted to add my motorcycle to their coverage. They said that I wouldn't be covered because of my bad record. I told them that I'd cancel my house/auto plan if they wouldn't cover me. They relented and warned me that they'd drop the motorcycle coverage if I got another ticket - lol.

Fess up to your husband. No need keeping it from him just because you're a lead foot.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

OP. Couple of things you can try. You can pay to have the speedometer checked on your vehicle. The shop will give you a piece of paper showing what the actual speed you are doing for 25, 35, 45 and so on. Quite often the prosecutor will reduce the charge to Defective Equipment since you went to the trouble of paying for this as long as you don't have a terrible driving record. If you have a lot of points and previous moving violations you're less likely to receive any help. Or, you can just go to court on the day in question and seek out the prosecutor. You will have a chance to talk with him or her either before court starts or when the judge released the prosecutor to go out into the hall to talk with those that need to see him. Get there a little early in hopes of seeing them before court starts. If you have a good record you can ask for a break to Defective Equipment. They may go for that or just agree to reduce it to 44/25 which reduces the points a little.
At PW you'll have to go through metal detectors to go into the courthouse. Take out any sharp items from your purse. No cameras allowed to include cell phones with cameras or computers with cameras. They will not hold them and you'll have to return them to your car.

This is excellent advice.

OP, you sound more worried about informing your husband? Just tell him and if it helps, look a little pitiful. Chalk this up as a lesson learned. Good luck!

[ceomom703]

Thanks all. I'll have to consider all advice. However, telling my husband is still the hardest part -- he'll laugh at me for days! I'll have to get off my "high horse" when it comes to "who's the better driver".

[Fighter 1]

Originally Posted by ceomom703

Thanks all. I'll have to consider all advice. However, telling my husband is still the hardest part -- he'll laugh at me for days! I'll have to get off my "high horse" when it comes to "who's the better driver".

OR !!! you could do the most intelligent thing and get educated before you go to court and learn what your rights are . Every one knows that you are innocent until "PROVEN guilty " So just go to your arraignment and demand you right to a "Verified complaint" ( thats your constitutional right) That verified complaint ( look it up for the definition ) has to come from the injured party, explaining his/her injury,witnessed by a notary with his / her seal on the document. How was the cop or the city injured ???? For sure the notice to appear / ticket you were given by the cop does not fill this requirement by LAW. Just check some of my many site postings on these subjects. This works in all states . Additionally after doing this process you're husband will be real proud of you.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by Fighter 1

OR !!! you could do the most intelligent thing and get educated before you go to court and learn what your rights are . Every one knows that you are innocent until "PROVEN guilty " So just go to your arraignment and demand you right to a "Verified complaint" ( thats your constitutional right) That verified complaint ( look it up for the definition ) has to come from the injured party, explaining his/her injury,witnessed by a notary with his / her seal on the document. How was the cop or the city injured ???? For sure the notice to appear / ticket you were given by the cop does not fill this requirement by LAW. Just check some of my many site postings on these subjects. This works in all states . Additionally after doing this process you're husband will be real proud of you.

Yeah. Let us know how this goes after it's done.