Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I got pulled over some days back for 62 in a 45 zone. Believe it or not I have never ever had a traffic stop before - I am usually very cautious and drive no more than the posted.
This one day I had to stop by home and rush back to work (was an extremely busy and important day) and dont know what i was thinking - but i sped the last couple of blocks to home and got pulled over just yards away from my home.
I was told for a mandatory court appearance - i read the automatic suspension for 30 days with 15 over limit if you're doing 55+ and it has me absolutely panicked.
I am the only one who drives in my family.
Can someone please suggest my options here - its my first ever court appearance and I'd like to be well informed and know all about my rights - do and donts.
I know I did something very stupid and will never ever do that - but i just cant afford to get a suspension and insurance rip off.
make your appearance in court, plead to the magistrate as you have done above, the ticket will be reduced to 9 over, you will pay a ticket plus court costs (a total of about $110) and you will walk away.
Throw away the zillion or so letters you will get over the next several days / weeks. They will sound important and necessary, but they are not. Schlep yourself down to court in Raleigh and take care of it. You may even be able to get out of it completely. Show up early and in a pleasant mood.
I'm going to go out on a limb here, but here goes. The police here are not always on the "up and up." I think you have admitted you were in fact speeding, but are you sure? I'm 47 years old, been driving since I was 15. Do you know how many moving violations I've had in my enitre life? ZERO! In fact, I've only been stopped once before moving here. I say this not to brag, but to make a point. Since arriving here in Cary, I've been stopped 3 times!!!!!!!!!!!! All for speeding. I was not going over the speed limit more then 5 mph. The officers, for lack of a better definition were lying. One tried to tell me I was going 71 in a 50, the next 53 in a 35 and the third 59 in a 45. All lies. The real reason I was stopped? Out of state plates. Now I have NC plates, of course, but this happened in the first two weeks I moved here.
Each time I was pulled over I was extremely respectful and the fact I work in law enforcement myself casually came up and it helped. I was simply "warned." I informed them in a professional manor that I intended to contest the violation (this before they decided against it) I asked one officer to view his radar as they are supposed to leave the violating speed locked on the consol until the stop is done. He said he erased it. Even though I work indirectly in this field, I can't stand that type of crap. Reality is, it does go on. You cannot win in an environment such as this and it is wrong. You obey the laws and "they're gonna get ya anyhow."
Oh yes, not to steryotype, but all the officers who stopped me all had the strong soouthern accent going on. Makes you wonder what their true motive is. Maybe someone shoudl tell them all us newcomers is why they grew the police force and thus the reason they even have a job! All us new comers leave and the police force capacity drops by what? 50%?
I to was never pulled over when living up north, I have been pulled over 3 times for speeding since i moved to NC. I really beleive I was speeding only one of those times. What can you do, say anything and your in real trouble.
I to was never pulled over when living up north, I have been pulled over 3 times for speeding since i moved to NC. I really beleive I was speeding only one of those times. What can you do, say anything and your in real trouble.
Well, I just said something and so far they have not come over and kicked in my door. I know with all the news and us becoming a socialist economic entity we tend to forget we are still a free country. Criticizing the police is still allowed, last time I checked. I have the higest respect for those who enforce the laws, but damn, do it by the book, please. Perhaps they have a hard time finding customers in Cary as most obey the speed limits, I'm not sure. Many patrol officers have a quota of tickets they are expected to meet monthly and I suspect they might have a hard time making that happen in Cary.
I sympathize with all of you and I have had my share in the past of moving violations but since I have been reading this forum, I am a bit surprised at the number of posts about this subject and how people think they have to get a lawyer for a speeding ticket. People are always angry when they get a ticket for speeding, doesnt matter what state or city you live in. The police were aggressive sometimes when we lived in California too. The law is the law and no matter how mad we get about it, shouldnt we just deal with the consequences? Yes, I am sure there are occasional circumstances which MAY warrant going to court and fighting the fight, but come on....And yeah, when cities or towns need revenue, one of the ways they take care of things is having the cops hide out looking for speeders. Whats the answer? Dont speed!
1. How rigid is the whole thing of getting a 30 day suspension for 15 above the limit while 55+ ?
I read on the forum somewhere that wake county is more stringent than the other neighbours.
(Again - im here only 5 months and am not sure how things work in NC in general)
2. Also - do they always offer you a chance to make a deal if its a first offence ? (ive got no idea and read different experiences on the forum)
Speak to the prosecutor in the courtroom before your court session starts.
If your record is good, they normally work with you.
If not, you can ask for a continuance and hire a lawyer.
My daughter worked at DMV HQ. They do suspend fot 15+ even out of state. Also, an insurance hit for 3 years.
I respectfully disagree with the first part of this -- there is no "court session" for a traffic ticket in Raleigh / Wake Cty courthouse. There is a magistrate, who is in the middle of a crowded noisy room. [think mass mayhem!] You speak to the magistrate, who will let you know that you have done something that might have resulted in a lost license and/or jail time. S/He will ask about your record and will look to see if you are contrite. All of this will take a matter of minutes. Like 2 or 3. You will also be advised that provided you don't need to change your insurance for any reason, it won't hit it for a while, if at all. If it does hit, or if you change insurance companies, then it will hit immediately.
Mine was a doozey - no inspection (bought a new car and have never had to do my own inspection on a new car before!), 15+ over, out of state license, and one other thing (can't remember what it was - seatbelt?). Anyhow -everything was dropped and the miles went down to 9 over. Don't waste a "prayer for justice" and don't let the lawyer letters scare you into thinking that you are going to be pressed against the wall and pay thousands of dollars. Your record will speak for itself. Steel yourself, get there early, be prepared to stand in line after line, and bring cash or check, I don't think they accept credit/debit cards.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I know with all the news and us becoming a socialist economic entity we tend to forget we are still a free country. Criticizing the police is still allowed, last time I checked. I have the higest respect for those who enforce the laws, but damn, do it by the book, please. Perhaps they have a hard time finding customers in Cary as most obey the speed limits, I'm not sure. Many patrol officers have a quota of tickets they are expected to meet monthly and I suspect they might have a hard time making that happen in Cary.
