First Speeding Ticket and Insurance

[buck naked]

Originally Posted by GregW

You should plead no contest as you were actually, although inadvertently, speeding. The lawyer is for the insurance dealing. PM me for a couple of names.

first of all - the accident took place on private property, not a public roadway, so the points on the license should be less.....if any


You should only need a lawyer IF there is any difference in the accounts of what happened, but it never hurts to have one (just in case). Some will take the case on retainer, but most will charge by the hour and 5 minutes is an hour.

The cop did you a favor by marking it down to 70mph, because the fines go up the faster you are and the amount over the speed limit. 78 in a 50 is excessive speeding.


Plead nolo, pay the fine, and pay attention from now on.

[rscalzo]

So you wouldn't fight the ticket and he wouldn't have to show up in court on his day off

What makes you think it would be on his day off? Even if it was , he gets overtime for the appearance.

Either way the reduction reduces any possible fines. 25 mph or more over brings greater penilities in the state. He did if fact do you a favor. The fine for 20 or less over the posted limit is $100. 28 mph over is a minimum of $250 plus a mandatory court appearence.

The OP could always go and tell him no thanks, I don't want the break.

[unit731]

Could Hale & Dorr get you off the ticket?
Or the equivalent law firm in NH?
Possibly.
But would probably cost $5 - 10 grand.
An expensive lawyer can ask questions about the calibration of the radar/laser, etc. and about the training of the officer, etc. and on and on.
A regular lawyer just does not have this expertise.


I contested a speeding ticket in NH once a long time ago.
Court began at 9:00 AM and ended at noon.
Mine was the last case before noon recess.
EVERY case that came up the person lost. Every one. And some had some real good excuses and witnesses.
The judge, you see, for most if not all cases agrees with the law enforcement officer. No matter what.
And the officers do show up in NH.

I've learned over the decades to watch for the speed limit signs. There are many speed traps in NH. Speed Trap dot com lists the towns.
But even in the middle of nowhere in NH you can run across some badge person going to work or going home. In NH all will stop you just for a speeding ticket. Unless they are actually going someplace in a hurry and don't have the time.
In my small little village we have the locals, the state, and the sherriff all passing through and all will take the time for a speeding ticket.
And then there are the unmarked cars. Lerking.

[Mrtwigg]

Originally Posted by nhdriver

Isn't MA six years for insurance history as far as any tickets are concerned?

Yes it is. I lived there for 19 years.


Coulda been worse, you were tagged going 23 over the posted limit. That's usually a mandatory court apperance and an expensive smackdown.

Man up, accept the responsibility for your actions, pay it and be done with it.

Speeders like you kill people.