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When I got a ticket a few years ago, the lawyer I chose (from the mail) had me pay him the total cost, so $218 in your case. His incentive to get the ticket reduced was that he got to keep the non court cost part. Sounds like it isn't much, but I'm guessing it adds up if you are in court doing that all day, every day. It was money well spent. My insurance did go up though.... it almost doubled.
I know this has been discussed many times over. I've been reading the threads.
Last night driving back to Raleigh from New Jersey for the holiday, I got a speeding ticket 3 miles from my house on Capital Blvd. The irony of driving 446 miles and THEN getting a ticket. I had been trying to drive conservatively but honestly I probably lost my focus after eleven hours (including 3 hours in gridlocked traffic)
Anyway the officer told me I was doing 60 in a 45. I apologized and explained that I really hadn't seen the sign where the speed limit dropped from 55 to 45. Anyhoo, I have a $218 ticket now.
I don't really see a lot of info on the actual numbers. Can anyone answer these questions?
- I've been reading about the prayer for judgment idea. My understanding is that I'd still have to pay court costs ($188 - the fine itself is only $30), is that correct???
- My license is out of state (Pennsylvania - just moved to Raleigh). I will be getting an NC license next week and I already have NC insurance. Will I be assessed points? The incident happened *in* Wake County
- If I go to court and am able to negotiate a reduction to 9mph over, how much of a fine would I have to pay and how many licence points would they assess?
Thanks!
Leia
A lawyer is unnecessary. Go to the Wake County courthouse at the appropriate time, plead prayer for judgment since it's your first fine in-state.
I did that on my own last year and it was fine. I was doing 60 in a 45 as well (on Aviation Parkway, which I thought was 55). They dropped it to 9mph and the fine ended up getting reduced to $112. It was quick and painless. Although now I have to be careful not to get a ticket for 2 more years. You will get points but it will not affect your insurance if the PFJ holds.
I think a lawyer would be more advisable if you intend to plead innocent and challenge the ticket. PFJ is a type of guilty plea.
When I got a ticket a few years ago, the lawyer I chose (from the mail) had me pay him the total cost, so $218 in your case. His incentive to get the ticket reduced was that he got to keep the non court cost part. Sounds like it isn't much, but I'm guessing it adds up if you are in court doing that all day, every day. It was money well spent. My insurance did go up though.... it almost doubled.
If your insurance went up, then he didn't do his job. The point is to get it reduced or delayed judgement to avoid Insurance points.
A lawyer is unnecessary. Go to the Wake County courthouse at the appropriate time, plead prayer for judgment since it's your first fine in-state.
I did that on my own last year and it was fine. I was doing 60 in a 45 as well (on Aviation Parkway, which I thought was 55). They dropped it to 9mph and the fine ended up getting reduced to $112. It was quick and painless. Although now I have to be careful not to get a ticket for 2 more years. You will get points but it will not affect your insurance if the PFJ holds.
I think a lawyer would be more advisable if you intend to plead innocent and challenge the ticket. PFJ is a type of guilty plea.
Best to save the PJC. Get it reduced, take the license points, avoid the insurance points and save the PJC for next time or for something bigger if you ever need it.
I got a ticket in March on Evans Rd in Cary...notorious for speed traps at lunch hour and what do I do....19 over on my way to lunch!
I chose one of the lawyers who sent me info and paid her $300. They all wanted $300 my ticket was in the $250 range total. She went to court three times, the cop never showed so the court had to throw my ticket out. I get no ticket, the lawyer gets to keep the $300.
Also, AAA will reimburse you for expenses for the attorney too, I got $50 back with my basic membership.
You typically don't need a lawyer to get the reduction or PJC in Wake for run of the mill tickets. However, if for some reason you ran into problems, you can ask the DA for a continuance. The way it works is that the DA grants reductions but a Judge grants a PJC. Now if you wanted to avoid the hassle of going downtown to court, parking, etc. - then you might get a lawyer. Typical charge might be $100 or less for the attorney's fee (plus court costs and fine).
You may want to have a conversation with your insurance agent about your PA record. It should have been pulled already so verify that the PA speeding ticket has dropped off. If it hasn't, you might want to use the PJC and save the 9 over for the next ticket (if you get one).
If your insurance went up, then he didn't do his job. The point is to get it reduced or delayed judgement to avoid Insurance points.
The attorney may not have done his job but we don't know all the facts. If the poster had prior tickets in a three year period (or other drivers in his household had a PJC), there might not have been anything the attorney could do. Now if he had a PJC already on the policy but had no other violations in a three year period and the attorney got a PJC, then that would not be doing your job. But to be fair - it does depend on the facts.
I got a ticket in March on Evans Rd in Cary...notorious for speed traps at lunch hour and what do I do....19 over on my way to lunch!
I chose one of the lawyers who sent me info and paid her $300. They all wanted $300 my ticket was in the $250 range total. She went to court three times, the cop never showed so the court had to throw my ticket out. I get no ticket, the lawyer gets to keep the $300.
Also, AAA will reimburse you for expenses for the attorney too, I got $50 back with my basic membership.
THat is good that your ticket got thrown out and I am sure the attorney was happy also. Typically court costs are close to $200 now. The fine is much less and will usually be reduced from what it shows on the ticket along with the reduction. Further a PJC does not carry a fine so the court cost charge is the only charge. One thing to be wary of is if the attorney just gets a PJC because it means more money in his/her pocket. That is not always the best plea. I do not suggest using a PJC until you already have a moving violation in the last three years. It is better to save the PJC in my opinion. Plus only one PJC can be used per HOUSEHOLD while you are allowed one 10MPH over or less per driver.
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Insurance went up
