Traffic ticket HELP! 75 in 55 with child in car. (Pittsboro: lawyer, law)

[kbhardis]

Yesterday I was pulled over for doing 75 in a 55 on Hwy 64 near Pittsboro; since it is a highway, and I didn't see any speed signs, I assumed the speed limit was 70 and in keeping up with traffic, was doing 75. I am unfamiliar with highway 64 and do not travel it often. Anyways, I got pulled over by a state trooper and he ticketed me for speeding, doing 75 in a 55. Because of the speed, it is a mandatory court appearance, which is inconvenient but it's fine.

It wasn't until I got to where I was going and started talking to my family that I really started to get scared. The "passengers under 16" box is checked on the ticket (my 2 year old was in the car with me), and my sister told me that they will try to get me for child neglect and reckless driving, and they could take my daughter away from me and send me to jail. I have been torn up ever since yesterday at the thought that this could happen. I've been trying to do some research online to see what COULD happen, and can't find any straight answers. Nowhere on the ticket does it say reckless driving or child endangerment; just that I did 75 in a 55, and the checkbox with passengers under 16 is ticked.

Does anyone know what may happen? If this can be pled down to something less? Money is not an issue, my concern is being charged with child neglect and my daughter being taken away from me. Can that even happen? I am going to hire a lawyer as soon as the letters come in and I speak to a few to see what they think they can do, but until then I am going crazy and would love some information if anyone can provide it.

[C_Lan]

Lawyers will be contacting you based on the report that is filed. Talk to one or two and go with the one you feel most comfortable with. They will get you a reduced ticket. I was once ticketed for 75 in a 55 (traveling by myself) and within 3 days I started receiving letters from lawyers offering to help. I paid a lawyer the fine listed on the ticket and he took care of everything, and I did not have to make a court appearance. What was 20 over the limit was reduced to improper equipment. You may have the same results, and yes, I understand the issue with the child in the car. They will help you through this.

[kbhardis]

Originally Posted by C_Lan

Lawyers will be contacting you based on the report that is filed. Talk to one or two and go with the one you feel most comfortable with. They will get you a reduced ticket. I was once ticketed for 75 in a 55 (traveling by myself) and within 3 days I started receiving letters from lawyers offering to help. I paid a lawyer the fine listed on the ticket and he took care of everything, and I did not have to make a court appearance. What was 20 over the limit was reduced to improper equipment. You may have the same results, and yes, I understand the issue with the child in the car. They will help you through this.

I am hoping that whoever I hire can get those same type of results for me! I've had speeding tickets about 7 or 8 years ago that were worse than this one, and they were reduced down... I am just wondering if it will be different now since there was a child in the car with me, that is what I am really afraid of!

[C_Lan]

Originally Posted by kbhardis

I am hoping that whoever I hire can get those same type of results for me! I've had speeding tickets about 7 or 8 years ago that were worse than this one, and they were reduced down... I am just wondering if it will be different now since there was a child in the car with me, that is what I am really afraid of!

I'm inclined to think that the officer would have specifically mentioned endangerment and/or child protective services if it were viewed as that severe in their eyes. The passenger checkbox is implict, but were there any explicit comments on the ticket?

[kbhardis]

Originally Posted by C_Lan

I'm inclined to think that the officer would have specifically mentioned endangerment and/or child protective services if it were viewed as that severe in their eyes. The passenger checkbox is implict, but were there any explicit comments on the ticket?

No explicit comments at all! There is no mention whatsoever of child endangerment or reckless driving. It only states that I was speeding 75 mph in the 55 mph zone. I am hoping that it is nothing, and that my sister is just trying to scare me - which is working.

[Supernc42]

Originally Posted by kbhardis

I am hoping that whoever I hire can get those same type of results for me! I've had speeding tickets about 7 or 8 years ago that were worse than this one, and they were reduced down... I am just wondering if it will be different now since there was a child in the car with me, that is what I am really afraid of!

I suggest you get really familiar with your cruze control and use it. (Trying NOT to be sarcastic). It does help.

[lancers]

Get a lawyer you'll be OK. All the court wants to do is to extract as much money from you as is humanly possible.

[siameseifyoupls]

I got a ticket near Pittsboro several years ago. Yes, the 55/70 speed limit is confusing. Law enforcement knows this, and they are waiting for you. And, yes, your mailbox will be full of letters from attorneys.

[ucctgg]

Originally Posted by siameseifyoupls

I got a ticket near Pittsboro several years ago. Yes, the 55/70 speed limit is confusing. Law enforcement knows this, and they are waiting for you. And, yes, your mailbox will be full of letters from attorneys.

Is there a 70 mph speed limit near Pittsboro?

[BoBromhal]

your sister is an attorney?