Traffic Ticket in Court Question (time)

[Fundman]

My experience and that of others who I have spoken to is that sort of horse trading rarely happens in Fairfax County.

Originally Posted by boyd888

Not true at all. If you are found guilty of a different infraction (ie 9 over instead of 19 over), the points are less. The judge isn't lowering your points, but instead is lowering the offense - which can carry less (or no) points. The judge can also lower the fine or give you traffic school.

Most importantly if the officer doesn't show up (it DOES happen) the ticket is usually dismissed. I went to court once and there were at least three people there all wanting to fight a "failure to stop" at a stop sign from the same cop that had since been changed to a yield sign. Not saying they were going to win, but the officer didn't show and everyone there for him (including me on a different charge) got their ticket dismissed. Everyone that "did the right thing" and mailed in got a nice 3 points and $150 fine.

[Bigfoot424]

The OP hasn't been back yet but I wonder which court system this involves? Might make it easier to assist if we knew. I've been in most of the NOVA court systems and it is possible to receive a reduction in a charge in ALL courts but it certainly is easier in PWC, Fauquier and a few others. Fairfax Co is one of the tougher ones but it is still possible.

[Hudlander]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

The OP hasn't been back yet but I wonder which court system this involves? Might make it easier to assist if we knew. I've been in most of the NOVA court systems and it is possible to receive a reduction in a charge in ALL courts but it certainly is easier in PWC, Fauquier and a few others. Fairfax Co is one of the tougher ones but it is still possible.

I am going to be in Fairfax County. No tickets since 2004.
The ticket occurred in May; the 1st date was July and I got a continuance. The 2nd date was late August and I got a continuance.

When pulled over I was very polite and respectful.
So what do you think?
Plea guilty or not (because sometimes they will drop it)?
For a ticket there is no prosecutor, only the cop, should I approach?

If they do pursue a trial, should I fight or plead guilty, take responsibility, and ask for leniency?

[Bigfoot424]

Need to know what the ticket was and what kind of record do you have. Last ticket in 04 doesn't help much if before that you were getting tickets on a regular basis.

[Hudlander]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Need to know what the ticket was and what kind of record do you have. Last ticket in 04 doesn't help much if before that you were getting tickets on a regular basis.

This ticket is for 54 in 35.
2004 was for 60 in 45.
2002 was for the same.

That's it. All on Braddock Road (different segements)

[Bigfoot424]

Far from perfect but certainly not a bad record compared to many I've seen. If you haven't done so you might consider having your cars speedometer checked at a shop qualified to do this. If it's off at all in your favor you can show this to the judge. You can contest the charge but if you lose you will be found guilty of the charge written. You could plead guilty with an explanation. No explanation will help but this is the chance to beg for forgiveness with a shot at how you'll never be in his/her court again.

[z28lt1]

In my (very limited) experience in Fairfax, if you plead guilty with a good driving record the likely (but not only) outcome is that the fine will be significantly reduced, but the ticket and the related DMV points stand.
It is also fairly difficult to find the officer before hand many times as well -- sometimes they've been around in the hall, but many times not.
If you are found guilty (and there isn't much reason to think you won't be outside of Bigfoot's advice) the outcome won't usually be better than pleading not guilty. Bigfoot424 usually has the right scoop on these things.

[AngelBy]

Originally Posted by boyd888

Not true at all. If you are found guilty of a different infraction (ie 9 over instead of 19 over), the points are less. The judge isn't lowering your points, but instead is lowering the offense - which can carry less (or no) points. The judge can also lower the fine or give you traffic school.

Most importantly if the officer doesn't show up (it DOES happen) the ticket is usually dismissed. I went to court once and there were at least three people there all wanting to fight a "failure to stop" at a stop sign from the same cop that had since been changed to a yield sign. Not saying they were going to win, but the officer didn't show and everyone there for him (including me on a different charge) got their ticket dismissed. Everyone that "did the right thing" and mailed in got a nice 3 points and $150 fine.

I'm in this case today, $111 fine ticket and 3 point for disobey at stop sign.

I did stop, but how can I argue with the policeman from stopping at 2 sec or 3 sec? He said that I didn't fully stop.

Please advise,



PS: I'm in PA

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by AngelBy

I'm in this case today, $111 fine ticket and 3 point for disobey at stop sign.

I did stop, but how can I argue with the policeman from stopping at 2 sec or 3 sec? He said that I didn't fully stop.

PS: I'm in PA

The case I was talking about was where a right hand turn lane that had a stop sign was later changed to a yield sign.

Failure to stop at stop sign tickets are impossible to beat. Of course all of the perfect internet drivers will claim they always come to a complete stop, but the reality of driving is that very few people actually come to a COMPLETE stop at a stop sign if there is no one coming from the other direction. Unless you completely blew through the sign you were just one of the unlucky ones.

PS This is the Virginia forum so there is not really anything I can say that would be applicable to courts in PA. You can try pleading guilty to something that doesn't have points, ask for traffic school (if it exists), or just mail it in.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by boyd888

The case I was talking about was where a right hand turn lane that had a stop sign was later changed to a yield sign.

Failure to stop at stop sign tickets are impossible to beat. Of course all of the perfect internet drivers will claim they always come to a complete stop, but the reality of driving is that very few people actually come to a COMPLETE stop at a stop sign if there is no one coming from the other direction. Unless you completely blew through the sign you were just one of the unlucky ones.

PS This is the Virginia forum so there is not really anything I can say that would be applicable to courts in PA. You can try pleading guilty to something that doesn't have points, ask for traffic school (if it exists), or just mail it in.

Although in my 30 years I probably wrote the fewest tickets of anyone on my department I did write these (stop signs) when I signed up to work the Aggressive Driving details. I could never believe when I would sit and watch a stop sign in a problem area and I'd observe someone approach and roll right through without stopping. I would always watch the wheels and if they didn't come to a complete stop I would pull them over. I didn't write them all (only the ones who ran it with just barely slowing) but the drivers almost always swore that they did stop. Some certainly seemed like they believed themselves and some you could tell were lying through their teeth.