Just Got My First Speeding Ticket In Nassau. 50 In A 30. What To Do?

[veryangry]

Originally Posted by Zytos

The ticket was given in Flower Hill; I have to show up in Flower Hill Village Court, in Manhasset. Has anyone appeared there? Any tips?

Never been there, much less even heard of it. My only tip, the local towns are all about the money. If it was not a serious moving violation they will probably reduce it to a parking ticket. Parking = village gets all the money, moving violation = share with town. When I got a ticket a few years ago in Port Jeff Village, when i went to court they were plea bargaining everything down to parking tickets. The faster you were speeding, the higher the fine, but still no points so I paid and left with nothing on my record.

[Zytos]

Originally Posted by veryangry

Never been there, much less even heard of it. My only tip, the local towns are all about the money. If it was not a serious moving violation they will probably reduce it to a parking ticket. Parking = village gets all the money, moving violation = share with town. When I got a ticket a few years ago in Port Jeff Village, when i went to court they were plea bargaining everything down to parking tickets. The faster you were speeding, the higher the fine, but still no points so I paid and left with nothing on my record.

Thanks for the encouraging reply. It's a "passed stop sign" violation so I'm hoping for the best. Thanks.

[apult]

This post is just to update this thread and add some specifics from my case.

Got a speeding ticket on Meadowbrook Pkwy (75mph in a 55-zone). Replied via mail, pleaded not-guilty. In a few weeks I received a letter with my court date (2 months?) at 16 Cooper Street, Hempstead, NY.

I am in my 40's and have a pretty clean record (at least for the last few years...only one small moving violation about 3 yrs ago).

I showed up, sat in a room with about 100 other people. One by one we were called up to the front by 1 of the 3 or 4 prosecutors (?). For me, I was immediately told that because of my clean record they would knock the speeding ticket down to jaywalking, $180 fine. I was waiting for about an hour and 15 minutes, the plea bargaining took no more than 15 seconds.

I sat back down, waited for my name to be called again (~30 mins). At this point you walk into another room with about 10 other people and the judge presents your case, you agree, you leave and pay fine.

Bring a book or magazine to read.

I was initially nervous that I would need a lawyer, how I would actually plea bargain and generally about what could go wrong. Turns out there was no real need to worry but was probably a factor of a clean record and that I wasn't doing anything too crazy (although 20 mph over limit is not insignificant I don't believe it to be reckless, especially on an open highway on a nice day - no rain, snow).

Hope this helps others.

[GCMag]

Are you allowed to go to the court (16 Cooper Street) before the hearing date printed on the ticket?

[HIS]

Originally Posted by benjamin010

I am 35. Never had any speeding tickets. Clean record and had my license since 19 (sans an accident 4 yrs ago). I honestly was rushing to use the bathroom. I have no other excuses. I only told the office sorry and that I didn't realize I was speeding (because I really didn't, other cars were "speeding" but I was the one pulled over).

I also got a ticket for tints (though a tintometer wasn't used to determine the tints were illegal). I plan on getting these tints ripped off of my windows in a few days.

People are telling me to plead not guilty. Wouldn't this complicate things? This took place in Elmont. I have about two months till my court date. I am beyond nervous as I've never even been in court before.

Plead NOT Guilty to the Judge. they will then send you a date in the mail to come back to the court.

There will be a couple of prosecutors sitting there to discuss your case....just dress well (pants and shirt) talk nicely....and just say i am sorry about this - i was a little bit fast...but not 50 in a 30. this is my first ever offense...yada yada yada....and then eventually they will make you an offer....keep nagging - eggs are expensive, milk is expensive i have 3 kids....

they will end up giving you a non-moving seat belt violation - pay the fine and leave.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by apult

For me, I was immediately told that because of my clean record they would knock the speeding ticket down to jaywalking, $180 fine. I was waiting for about an hour and 15 minutes, the plea bargaining took no more than 15 seconds.

This statement alone tells the whole story - it's all about the dollars and not about public safety. Jaywalking?!?

[msbuffy104]

I would like to thank all you fine ppl over here....

I got a speeding ticket in Sept for going 82 in 55 on the LIE and 1 for each of my tints.... 5 in total :/

At first i was gonna hire a lawyer but after reading this forum i was confident i could do it on my own!!

Today was my court date a 16 Cooper & Everything went EXACTLY as stated here at first then ....

The judge did not want to let me go without any points b/c i was "supposedly" going so fast!
Even though the prosecutor already told me no points just a fine!!

So the judge offered me 2 points instead of 6 which i denied and said ill get a lawyer...

So he called the prosecutor back in and ask him why he thinks i should not get any points and he spoke my license is clean and yadda yadda yadda ...

The judge then agreed and i had to pay over $500 in fines

Everything has a surcharge even the dismissed tickets but im not mad ... Ill pay for no points anyday!!

Thanks once again

[mickeypat]

I also suggest to go with lawyer because he can negotiated the point because if you get the points the your insurance will go up. i am going to send you the information of my lawyer...