Should I go to court or just pay the fine? (insurance, college)

[helpmeout1]

So today I got clocked going 50 or say the officer says but he marked me at 40 on the paper in a 30 zone. I would not be complaining if i just have to pay but I will have a 2 point on my record if I just pay and I can't wait 3 yrs for it to come of my record because I don't want my insurance rate to increase . Do you think I might have a chance if I go to court?

[bande1102]

Originally Posted by helpmeout1

So today I got clocked going 50 or say the officer says but he marked me at 40 on the paper in a 30 zone. I would not be complaining if i just have to pay but I will have a 2 point on my record if I just pay and I can't wait 3 yrs for it to come of my record because I don't want my insurance rate to increase . Do you think I might have a chance if I go to court?

Yes, go to court. If you read your ticket, I think they give you 3 options: 1) pay, 2) admit guilt and go to court to hope for PBJ, or 3) go to court for trial.

NOTE: you have to send in the ticket to get a court date. They don't automatically give you a date any more.

Personally, I'd go for option3 and hope the cop doesn't show up. My insurance goes up more for a speeding ticket than it does for minor fender benders.

You could also hire a traffic lawyer. In my area, they cost around $250 + and then you don't even have to go to court.

Totally unscientific poll amongst acquaintances/coworkers/friends: 2 people got off because they chose option 3 and cop didn't show. 1 person got off with lawyer. 1 person got PBJ with lawyer. 1 person got PBJ just b/c he showed up and judge was giving pbjs to everyone who happened to show up that day. Seriously.

[helpmeout1]

What is a PBJ? I also don't get what option 2 means. If I do choose option 3 what do I tell the court?

[papichulo2]

sound like u pizzd off the police officer haha. so yah go to court because its extreme but take responsibility also.

[helpmeout1]

He didn't seem pissed of to me o.o. I was responding respectfully. I wasn't rude or anything. He clocked me going at 50 but he said he dropped it down to 40 so do you think if I go to court and if the cop is there he could say that he really clocked me at 50 and I get in more trouble? I just don't want 2 points on my record because my insurance will spike up a little or a lot.

[P47P47]

Originally Posted by helpmeout1

What is a PBJ?

Probation Before Judgement


A guy I met in college referred to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich not as a "PBJ", but as a "Schmelby".

[bande1102]

If you choose option 1, you admit your guilt and get the corresponding fine + points.

Option 2, you admit your guilt, but ask for a chance to explain your case in front of the judge. With option 2, the state/county whatever doesn't have to prove you were speeding b/c you are admitting you did. The hope is that the judge will show mercy and lower fine, lower points, give you probation before judgement, etc.

Option 3, you ask state to prove you were speeding. Usually they do that with testimony from the cop who gave you the ticket. IF he doesn't show, then the state doesn't have a case and you get off. If he does, you both tell your side to the judge and the judge will decide what happens to you: see above.

Probation before judgement means that the judge will give you 3 years (can't remember if it's 2 or 3 years) to keep your driving record clean.

If you don't get any more moving violations (like speeding tickets) then that original ticket will go away. It's like it never happened.

If you violate probation before judgement, then you have to deal with the original ticket + the second moving violation.

I think all of this stuff is on line somewhere, just not sure where.