Should I just pay my first speeding ticket or try to fight and reduce it?

[Anonymous]

So the state I’m in, and the section of highway I was driving is pretty well-policed for speeders most of the time.

I see people getting pulled over all the time.

But today it was pretty empty and later in the day on a Sunday, so I kinda got more relaxed than usual.

Anyway, in my mind I always figured “well so long as I see the police car well ahead from far enough away, all I gotta do is slow down and the guy can’t dock my speed”

False premise.

Even tho the guy was way the fck away down the highway, and even tho I slowed down instantly the second I saw him come into view, and dropped down to 70, I still got pulled over.

Anyway, the dude docked me at 89 (which is true) the second I came into view. And I was pretty fckin far away from his car too.

I’m kinda just stressed about it tho because it was literally a straight, long open section of highway, basically no other cars on the highway, I was in the left lane, and yet I still got the ticket.

I didn’t try to fight it tho, I was as gracious as possible and I basically admitted fault and said that my speed even caught me off guard when I looked down and saw it, but I still got the ticket.

To his credit tho, he did cut me a break and charge me for going 80 instead of 89 which carries a significantly lower fee.

Either way this is a first time traffic offense of mine and I just seriously wouldn’t want this to negatively affect my insurance.

I’m willing to admit fault and pay the fee, but at the same time I kinda know if I contest it I’m kinda standing on weak ground since

1) The guy literally docked my speed

2) I pretty much admitted fault on bodycam

But was it legal for the dude to cut me slack and charge me for less than what I actually did?

Or was this some scare tactic of his so that I wouldn’t contest the ticket in court?

Either way I’m just curious if I should try and negotiate a reduced penalty or try to get it scrubbed off my record.

Still kinda pissed about it though. I was on a highway with nobody else on it.

Updates

1 mo

I literally bought new insurance today also by the way, but its set to go in effect tommorow.

Will this ticket have any affect on my current insurance for the next 6 months?

Also, what options do I have in my situation?

Is there anything at all I can do to try and reduce the penalty this will have?

[msc545]

Just so you know, he got you with a rear-facing radar antenna on the luggage tray of his car. I live in California and all of the highway patrol units here have both forward and rear-facing radar antennas that the officer can switch between or in some cases he can use both. So don't assume that because the police car is in front of you and facing forward that that somehow keeps you safe. It doesn't as you found out.

That's for beating a ticket. I don't see any way for you to beat this ticket. You straight up did the violation admitted to it and there is probably good evidence that you did it. A cop didn't do anything wrong by giving you some leniency since police have discretion to some extent in the way that they charge people or even if they charge them. In this case the cop was nice enough to take nine 9 mph off the charge, which as he probably knew would save you some money. You can go into court and make excuses or beg but I promise you that the judge won't care one way or the other since he hears this stuff all the time and he is going to make me more likely to lower the boom on you. If you start begging then if you just honestly admit that you did something wrong. As for increasing your insurance costs, I don't really know but it might. If it does then it does. We all live with these kinds of problems sometimes and you're going to need to grow up and live with it too. In the future, try not to drive more than 5 mph over the speed limit. There's a lot of research that suggests the cops are willing to ignore 5 mi over most of the time but not 10 or more.

[NaultD]

Juice ain't worth the squeeze. If it's on the record admitting to going over the speed limit it's an uphill battle fighting yourself.

Remember it's shut the fuck up Friday because every day is shut the fuck up Friday. Don't be rude and if the cop asks for id and such you give them the id. From there the cop ask you anything its i don't know, im not aware, I'd rather not say things about my day or buisness about where I was or where I'm going.

You running your mouth did all the hard work for the cop. most cops don't really want to out effort into relatively small pushing of safety in a safer time to do so. If you were actually dangerous they would arrest you right? Shut the fuck up. The cop will tell you to be more careful and let you go with a warning.

https://youtu.be/uUEUG-e5w1I?si=jkeJYJZRpfkBt5OR

[Asker]

You’re totally right. I only admitted to it because I figured the guy wouldn’t appreciate it if I gave him some BS answer like “oh I didn’t realize I was speeding” (when I very clearly decelerated by 20mph once I saw him)

But yeah, I could’ve just said “I choose to remain silent” instead

Because its almost like an admission of guilt wink wink without formally being an admission of guilt so if I had said that instead it couldnt’ve been used against me

[NaultD]

Also first and foremost never drink and drive. EVER. have a drop call it a night. At the same time never volunteer for a sobriety test.

Like I said if you were in any way dangerous they can arrest you.

These tests are made to be subjective and made to be failed.

I don't know, I'm not aware, I'm not talking about my day of where I've been and where I'm going.

Do not argue with cops at the stop but say I want a lawyer. Lawyers are expensive but will be the most valuable investment compared to jail time doing nothing.

[Asker]

Also I just actually read that legally cops are required to immediately stop asking you questions if you request a lawyer.

But then again if I had just chosen to be quiet, instead of admitting guilt, do you think the guy would’ve still lowered my ticket?

Its tough for me to say but I think my admission of guilt was precisely why he lowered the ticket.

Because if he hadn’t lowered it, I would’ve had essentially nothing to lose by contesting what would’ve been the original charge in court, and therefore I would’ve felt much more compelled to challenge his decision.

I GUARANTEE that was this guy’s whole strategy all along.

To get me to confess, so he can gather evidence against me, and to drop the charge down a bit, so I’d feel less compelled to contest it in court. A 2 pronged strategy

Its a double whammy essentially.

Of course, he now has the added benefit of now having stronger evidence against me as well.

Either way though I guess you technically can’t ever lose by immediately requesting a lawyer because the on the ground facts of the situation don’t change (how fast you were going)

If anything, if I HAD REMAINED SILENT, I probably would’ve had a much better chance at getting this knocked down on appeal since there would’ve been no admission of guilt made and I could’ve just argued in court that this was a first time offense

[NaultD]

Like I said if you are dangerous they would have arrested you.

You did everything to shut the fuck up. There is weak or even zero grounds to issue any ticket ever.

The cop would have put in extra effort to prove you are guilty of a moving violation. Like you said before it was a reasonable opportunity to push the limits so much so the cop lowed the speed ticket. It's the cops due diligence and individual digression.

Don't do all the leg work for the cop to do their job.

[Asker]

But yeah, by answering their questions I literally helped them build a case against me. It would’ve been best if I just stayed quiet XD

[Kelley1]

It won't go into your record until after the trial. If you already have insurance, the rate will not go up, but it might when it comes due again. With computers, there is probably an automatic check, so they are not paying a person to check your record.

It is likely that an attorney can get it dismissed--professional courtesy. I don't know, it that lower your premiums enough.

[katiesmuff]

I'd say just pay the fine and get along with your life. Why create a larger issue to arrise.

[KostasKouvalis]

I mean, the law's the law, empty road or not and you admitted fault.

"But was it legal for the dude to cut me slack and charge me for less than what I actually did? Or was this some scare tactic of his so that I wouldn’t contest the ticket in court?"

I don't know honestly, but it's not uncommon for cops to do this especially if you have no priors, so I guess it's legal. But I don't think it's a scare tactic. They don't care if you contest it, especially since you have a weak case. Surely they'd rather be in court then out in the field.

It shouldn't effect your insurance. Literally ANYONE can get a speeding ticket. Your insurance is usually effected if you have an accident, DUI or reckless driving.

Just pay it dude. Even if by some chance you win, your court fees, gas money, lost income from work will end up costing you more than the actual ticket. Just pay it. As a first ticket, I don't think you even need to go to traffic school.

[Lliam]

I don't see how you could contest it and I never heard of a speeding fine being reduced.

A speeding ticket is one (1) point on your driving record. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't effect your insurance.

Can you go to traffic school? Doing so will get the violation removed from your record. But you will still have to pay the fine and the cost of the class. You can attend in-person or on-line classes.

[Asker]

I’m absolutely willing to do that. I wouldn’t mind going to traffic school at all, I just really wouldn’t want this 1 incident to catastrophically f up my insurance.

Where can I find out if I have that as an option? Also I looked it up and for my state its apparently 3 demerit points they take away for ANY violation within 25mph of the speed limit

[Zack-Bann]

It will cost you more to fight it than to pay it
That’s for sure


The question is: are you the kind of person willing to go the distance just over a ticket?
Or do you prefer to leave well enough alone?


Because the world will spin all the same either way

[exitseven]

I fought a ticket once. There was a law that said that the cop the wrote the ticket had to show up at court or else the citation gets tossed. After that so many people came to court to contest tickets the state passed a new law saying that one cop could represent the whole department.
Find out what the laws are in your state.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

Fight it, go to court, the procecuter might talk it down if you just act personable and if he won't you have nothing to lose by going to trial with tips you learn from google

[Razp_Sorbet]

I wouldn't bother fighting it. No point you were in the wrong.

[DryGermanGuy]

How much is the ticket? And have you checked if it even has an impact on your insurance?

[LC75LC71]

Just pay the ticket. It might raise your next premium by a few bucks each month.

[Asker]

Only a few bucks? I’m with Progressive but you really figure its that little?

[LC75LC71]

That depends on whether you actually own the car, still make payments, or lease. Figured that detail might have been in your manuscript of a description lol. If you own then go for the cheapest liability for your next premium, either way shop around and get a few quotes.

[Asker]

I do own the car and I always pay for the insurance in full. Would that cause my rate to be lower or higher?

[LC75LC71]

Totally lower.. Rack up a bunch of traffic tickets and watch those rates drop!

[Asker]

I didn’t think you understood the question.

I was asking if people that lease their cars spend more in insurance than those who own them outright

[LC75LC71]

No you didn't lol You asked a stupid follow up question based on ownership of your car and I gave a sarcastic answer. Fun was had a bit on my end..

[MissSunshine2]

Just bite the bullet and pay it.

[Iron_Man]

fight

[Asker]

Like hire an attorney, or what do you recommend I do specifically?

Also, doesn’t the officer who ticketed me have to show up at the hearing? Couldn’t he point out, “yeah I was actually cutting the guy some slack”

I’m just kinda nervous about the whole thing

[Iron_Man]

I always go face-to-face I don’t hire an attorney. I defend myself and talk to the judge in person nine times out of 10 the cop is not gonna show up. They’re too busy and they don’t want to be bothered and the judge throws it out and looks at your past driving record to see if it’s OK

[Asker]

That’s even better if the cop doesn’t show up tbh. But I guess even if they theoretically did at least in my state, people on reddit seem to say you should always appeal even if its a reduced ticket because 1) they usually lower the charge
And 2) worst case if I were to go to trial and lose (seemingly unlikely based on what I read) I’d only have to pay like $120 more

But yeah I think what you’re alluding to is the pre-trial hearings tho. So to your point, they usually don’t want to bring things to trial and prefer to just reach a settlement/reduced charge instead?

[Iron_Man]

When is the trial? What state is this?

[Asker]

A date hasn't been set. Basically I have 30 days to respond to the ticket and for privacy reasons I’m not disclosing the state here publicly

[Iron_Man]

Come on man you’re blue anonymous like I’m gonna get on a flight and look for you come on this is insulting. Good luck in court bye it’s not a big deal. I’ve done a couple of these and I won just go and fight. It doesn’t last that long like five minutes once the judge talks to you.

[Cuminginside]

Sounds like Nevada or parts of California Arizona by the way New York is similar to Florida If you show up and the cop doesn't usually they're toss it I think New York is three chances. Florida seems like they're easier if you're efficient and easy to deal with at the stop although Miami is a different story

[Iron_Man]

@Cuminginside I live in Miami I’ve gotten off every time

[Cuminginside]

Sweet! I heard they could be savages down there when they want to be.

[Iron_Man]

@Cuminginside it all depends on the judge. The cops never showed up for me and I got off even when I got a ticket in North Florida driving fast I wrote it in to the Judge my circumstances and I still got off.

[Asker]

I’ve calmed down a bit since sorry for being paranoid. But yeah I don’t mind DMing you my state if you really wanna know. Haha

Seems my best option is to just plea “not guilty” anyway based on everything I’ve been reading.

Most people seem to say that by just being honest and admitted you f’ed up (if it comes to that) they’ll usually let you off if its a first time offense like in my case

And worst case scenario apparently I can still always change my plea if they did decide to move things to trial