Following too close ticket, no accident, 35mph (College Park: how much, lawyers)

[michaell1999]

First ticket and I'm in my late 30's. at a stop light and car in front sits there when light turns green. About 3 cars in right lane pass us, she goes then slows down. I lift off to slow down, now I'm right on her bumper, she goes again so I go. Cop jumps behind me from right lane and blue lights. We were going about 35mph, no contact/accident, about 500 yards from stop light.

I admit that I was too close and driver in front was erratic. Cop gives me ticket then asks stupid questions about my car. What year? Got the V8? Buy it new? How much was it new? How does it handle? Do I like it?????

Fine is $250 and 3 points.

Should I pay or try to argue in court?
Fine seems high. Not like I was tailgating at 80mph.

[nyte3k]

I know someone else is going to ask this....but what kind of car do you have? heh

Anyway... I would at least go to court and plead nolo, you'll still have to pay, but no points to your license. I actually recently (like last month) got a following too close citation and was the middle car in a three car accident. The good thing is, it happened in College Park and the fine is only $87. I plan to go to court for it.

[Ga Jerk]

Originally Posted by michaell1999

First ticket and I'm in my late 30's. at a stop light and car in front sits there when light turns green. About 3 cars in right lane pass us, she goes then slows down. I lift off to slow down, now I'm right on her bumper, she goes again so I go. Cop jumps behind me from right lane and blue lights. We were going about 35mph, no contact/accident, about 500 yards from stop light.

I admit that I was too close and driver in front was erratic. Cop gives me ticket then asks stupid questions about my car. What year? Got the V8? Buy it new? How much was it new? How does it handle? Do I like it?????

Fine is $250 and 3 points.

Should I pay or try to argue in court?
Fine seems high. Not like I was tailgating at 80mph.

That thing have a Hemi in it? Sweet!

Try calling the traffic prosecutor and stating your case. Ask to plea it down to just a fine, no points.
I did this with a speeding ticket from a state trooper and the prosecutor let me walk with no fine and no points (I was an ATL Firefighter at the time so I'm sure that helped) .

[michaell1999]

[quote=nyte3k;14471119]I know someone else is going to ask this....but what kind of car do you have? heh
[quote]

BMW M3. 4.0 liter 414HP, 295lb torque, 8400 redline, etc. Same thing I told the officer
His patrol car was a Charger. Should have asked him to race. Double or nothing

[Eresh]

Originally Posted by michaell1999

BMW M3. 4.0 liter 414HP, 295lb torque, 8400 redline, etc. Same thing I told the officer
His patrol car was a Charger. Should have asked him to race. Double or nothing

LOL!! I've been dying to do the same.

Anyway, that does seem like a steep fine given the situation. Maybe you can plea it down.
That's the bummer about having a car that can perform. They are cop magnets - even at 35 mph.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by michaell1999

I admit that I was too close and driver in front was erratic.

Originally Posted by michaell1999

Should I pay or try to argue in court?

You admit that you did what you were ticketed for doing. What are you going to argue?

[atlantagreg30127]

Sorry, but the growing trend to ask people for advice on traffic tickets is ending here, due to the fact that no one here should offer any type of legal advice on how to "fight" traffic tickets. The yellow pages are filled with lawyers who do specialize in this type of thing, so please consult a professional for legal advice. Thank you.