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On the day of the hearing. Get there a little ahead of time. You will find a line of people - both lawyers and violators - waiting there to talk to the prosecutor. When your turn comes, go in, discuss your case and that is it. He will modify the charge and then you go sit in court awaiting your turn.
- Remember to take your driving record abstract (from DMV) showing your clear record
- Be concise and to the point. Do not try to describe the entire story, get emotional, argumentative etc etc. They have very little patience.
The cost of points will vary by municipality.
The bolded section above cannot be overemphasized, especially for a probationary driver.
Okay, sounds good
Thank you
But to be surr
They do charge per point? And that is a separate fee from the actual ticket fee, correct?
Not sure if it is per point or per violation. Eg, in many place you will pay a fine for the number of mph you were over limit, with the per mph cost going up after 10, 20 etc.
There is an additional court fee on top.
Another thing I forgot to add - DO NOT try to argue applicable statutes and laws unless you are a lawyer. It will only p*ss the prosecutor off.
Say you have no violations - perfectly clean record. no one would let you merge. You had to merge where the line turned solid. You were driving slow and has your turn signal on. You are sorry. Then plead for charges to be reduced.
Alrighty, well thank you very much guys
Especially Nicobellic for your most recent replies
I'll do as you suggest and see what happens
Court date is on Weds so I'll post a reply to let you guys know what happened
I'm told to wear a suit but I think that's a bit excessive so I'll just wear interview like clothes
Alrighty, well thank you very much guys
Especially Nicobellic for your most recent replies
I'll do as you suggest and see what happens
Court date is on Weds so I'll post a reply to let you guys know what happened
I'm told to wear a suit but I think that's a bit excessive so I'll just wear interview like clothes
Dress neatly but comfortably. Just don't do what I've seen some do. Walk in with shorts and a old t-shirt. Showing a lack of respect for the judge will surely sink your case. Relax. It's traffic court and the judge doesn't expect you to be a lawyer. Tell your side as accurately as you can.
Quote:
DO NOT try to argue applicable statutes and laws unless you are a lawyer. It
will only p*ss the prosecutor off.
Very good advice as unless you know the applicable case law that goes with it, you'd only hurt yourself. In fact even many lawyers don't know the law that well if it's outside their practice area.
I always said, you have nothing to lose by pleading Not Guilty.
True but if I plead not guilty I lose the chance of getting a reduced fee or reduced points, if I'm correct.
And for a guy with little to no money, I think I have a lot to lose unfortunately.
True but if I plead not guilty I lose the chance of getting a reduced fee or reduced points, if I'm correct.
And for a guy with little to no money, I think I have a lot to lose unfortunately.
No you must plead not guilty in the beginning otherwise if you plead guilty no other options are offered you.
In other words if you plead guilty you have no chances of getting anything reduced.
Usually after they ask anyone pleading not guilty, then they talk to you one by one in the backroom somewhere and make any deals.
I always wonder where the cops are when people blatantly pass over solid lines... (like yesterday, when the car two lanes ahead of me decided he didn't want to be in the lane any more... something I'm surprised the 18-wheeler he cut off didn't honk at him for.)
I say go to court, obviously. I really hope they bump it way down.
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