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R.S. Regular user CT one day I'll have 188 Posts |
So late last night (12:15 AM) I'm on my way home and I get pulled over and get a ticket for "travelling too fast." I was in a 45 mph zone going about 50 and then the zone seemlessly blends into a 35 mile per hour zone. I was slowing and probably going 44 by the time I crossed over into the 35 mph zone, but then immediately slowed to the 35 limit. I came to an intersection with a flashing red light, stopped, then turned left. His lights came on immediately AFTER I took that turn and my first (and only) thought was that I may not have come to a complete stop at the red light. Excessive speed was the last thing on my mind. I also thought they were spot checking for drunk drivers. Anyway, I was surprised when he said he clocked me going 20 miles over the speed limit! He asked for registration and insurance paperwork and I was only able to provide registration. I am always current in my insurance coverage, and I had the wallet insert that the insurance company gives, but I did not have the actual paperwork that shows the effective dates of coverage (I actually found that at home later on).
He goes into his car for a LONG time, and when he comes back he asked if I had found the insurance paperwork, which I did not. So then he goes on to say that he used his own cell phone to call the insurance company's 24 hour line to verify coverage, but they told him they couldn't get into their database. He said that he believes me that I have insurance and he'll give me a huge break on that, because by state law if he wanted to he could have arrested me right there and had my car towed and hit me with a fine for not carrying proof of insurance. Also, he said he would give me a secong big break and not charge me for going 20 miles over the speed limt, which would have been a $186 ticket. Instead he charged me with going ONE mile over the limit, which would give me the minimum fine of $132. Now, this is a road where traffic seldom moves less than 45-50 every single day - even when cops are on the road!! I guess what made me stand out was that it was late on a Friday night and I was the ONLY car on the road. He was just sitting there with the radar gun. I actually saw him when I passed by, but didn't think anything of it. Anyway, I concede that I was (slightly) over the limit. I wasn't contentious with him, and he was very professional with me. So now I have to pay or plead not guilty and go to court. I've heard that it's always best to contest the ticket because chances are they'll just drop it. Also, it won't impact your insurance rates if it gets dropped. On the other hand, I would hate to contest it, go to court, and have to pay it anyway - PLUS whatever else they decide to hit me with. So does anybody more familiar with the court system know what can possibly happen if I plead not guilty? I'm 53 and I have a clean record. I'll pay the ticket up front if that's my best option. But I just want to know what my options and the possible court outcomes may be. Thanks. Ron
"It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry." Thomas Paine
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Even though we have a few lawyers here, I doubt very much that any one of us who isn't licensed to practice law in Connecticut will give legal advice on your specific situation. So much depends on how the particular court system you are involved with operates. And a lot depends on your insurance company as well, so you might want to consult them to find out if your insurance rates will go up if you decide to plead guilty.
Also, I have found that police officers aren't always accurate when they tell you what the potential fines are. So you will need to check that out as well. I would suggest that you just find a Connecticut lawyer and ask him. Good thoughts, Bob |
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acesover Special user I believe I have 821 Posts |
Best thing to have done is to have a few connections and have it squashed. If that is not an option I think you will just have to pay the fine and bite the bullet. If you don't want to gamble and go to traffic court just plead guilty and pay.
If I were to agree with you. Then we would both be wrong. As of Apr 5, 2015 10:26 pm I have 880 posts. Used to have over 1,000
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Go to court, plead not guilty. Get found guilty(if the officer shows),
take traffic school. No fine upon completion and proof of such to the courts. Contest in court is always option number one sir. |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16543 Posts |
My legal advice is no.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-10 21:34, Devious wrote: Devious - I thought you were from California. Are you familiar with the laws of Connecticut and if they even have a traffic school option? |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16543 Posts |
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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RJE2 Veteran user 383 Posts |
Plead insanity. You're a magician, they're going to believe you.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-10 21:49, tommy wrote: Well, there you have it. Another thing the OP should consider. I checked the site Tommy linked to and it contains the following link where you will find important information about Connecticut speeding tickets. http://www.speedingtickethq.com/connecticut-speeding-ticket/ But, as I said earlier, if you still have any questions about what to do, consult a local attorney. |
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Salguod Nairb Room 101 0 Posts |
*Pull Over!* No, it's a Cardigan, but thanks for noticing!
We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness...
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Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
Me? I'd pay the fine and move on. The officer was just doing his job. OP was admittedly over the limit and didn't have insurance paperwork needed. I believe the officer did cut a break. Having a heavy foot myself I've found myself in similar situations as you describe. I've always been wrong and they've always been right. I wouldn't fight City Hall on this. I'm not even sure officers are required to appear in court anymore in many states, so a "no show" might not even help you. Again, check Connecticut regs.
I'm not sure what an attorney would charge for a consult on this, but between court costs and attorney fees, you're probably getting off light with the $132 fine.
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
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Dreadnought Special user Athens, Georgia 836 Posts |
Yeah, he was looking for a DUI.
Peace
"Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum..." Scott Would you do anything for the person you love? |
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esp0000 New user 4 Posts |
Could you go to traffic school as a substitute for paying the fine?
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Big Jeff Loyal user 300 Posts |
Go to court, plead No Contest and the judge might lower the fine, especially if you have a clean record. It doesn't hurt and whats the worst that can happen? You have to pay the full amount of the fine, which you said you were willing to pay anyway.
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LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
If we accept the facts as presented, the officer wasn't "just doing his job." He was flat-out lying about the speed, and further lying by saying he clocked the OP at a speed he wasn't going.
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
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General_Magician Special user United States 707 Posts |
R.S. I would listen to what mastermindreader just told you and seek the legal advice of a lawyer that is licensed to practice law in your particular state. I would also find a lawyer who specializes in the law for your particular case (I have no idea if their is such thing as a lawyer which specializes in traffic law, but I think going with a lawyer who is specialized as closely as possible to your particular case would be helpful for you).
The state that I reside in, most of the lawyers initial consultation fee is cheaper than their regular rate, but it depends on the lawyer and perhaps the state you reside in. Maybe the lawyer will be willing to charge you his initial consultation fee rather than his regular rate when you seek legal advice from him. Personally, before you plead guilty and pay the traffic ticket, you might consider if the cost of insurance will go up for you by pleading guilty and paying this ticket. If so, then it might be worth consulting an attorney in your state.
"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there is a light shining somewhere nearby." -unknown
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LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-11 20:52, General_Magician wrote: There are attorneys who specialize in traffic matters. As you note, there's more than the cost of the ticket at stake; there are the potential insurance consequences, and also the points on the driving record, which may cause problems if one gets subsequent tickets. In California, an attorney can appear on your behalf (without your presence) for non-felonies (including traffic citations), which can be another possible reason to hire an attorney - if you want to contest a ticket, but can't afford to miss work, or don't want to spend a couple of hours at the courthouse.
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
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balducci Loyal user Canada 227 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-11 20:36, LobowolfXXX wrote: From the description given in the OP, it was unclear to me as to where exactly he was clocked or at what speed. It sounded as though he might have been clocked when he entered the 35 zone at a high speed.
Make America Great Again! - Trump in 2020 ... "We're a capitalistic society. I go into business, I don't make it, I go bankrupt. They're not going to bail me out. I've been on welfare and food stamps. Did anyone help me? No." - Craig T. Nelson, actor.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Go to Court and Plead not guilty. Most likely the courts are VERY familiar with that curve problem. You might get very lucky and just pay court costs and no points. It's worth a try.
Dennis Michael
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landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
In NY, you'd do better paying.
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