traffic court HELP!

I got a speeding ticket almost a year ago (86mph in a 35mph zone) from a cop using a radar gun. I pleaded not guilty and even changed the court date which is this coming Monday. I have already gone to traffic school about 13 months ago, so I don't qualify for it again. Is there anything I can say to the judge to get him to grant me traffic school again? I already have 2 points and can't really afford any more. HELP ASAP! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

You have to try an extend it one more time, if you can get past 18 months you're good for traffic school again.

Nailed at 51 mph over the speed limit. I think you should try the argument that you obviously didn't learn anything by going the first time, but you'll try to pay attention next time.

Hope this helps. Take it easy. <a href="http://www.speedtrap.org/" target="_blank">http://www.speedtrap.org/</a>

Paul, There previously existed an extended traffic school program (12 hours, as opposed to 8) that Judges had the discretion to order even when the defendant did not qualify for standard traffic school. I don't know if this extended traffic school program still exists, nor what the qualification requirements are. I don't think you will be able to qualify for traffic school simply by delaying your hearing. I'm not certain, but I think the operative date for traffic school qualification purposes is the citation date, not the hearing date. I would check on this before struggling to further delay the hearing. Finally, the following website has some useful info (although I don't know if it has anything specific to your present circumstances): <a href="http://www.ticketassassin.com" target="_blank">http://www.ticketassassin.com</a> Good luck, Craig

At this point, it is probably better to pay a lawyer to get the hearing postponed. If you do this enough of times the officer tends to forget the details or fails to show up altogether. Of course, you can then ask for a dismisal.

of course with this hearing being Mondy and this a long weekend, it maay be too late to reschedule. up here if you don't reschedule more than 2 weeks ahead, you're stuck. there's no school here either, but as they say on the Soprano's, you can get a "pass". once every 7 years (yikes!) you can have a ticket deferred. stay out of trouble for six months and it's dismissed. if it's something minor, the judge will warn not to waste it and to save your "pass" for something bigger... [ clean driving record for once ]

paul you need to retain an attorney asap. i think this is beyond anyone's abilities without professional assistance. judges often take people in traffic court more seriously if they have an attorney. attorneys can also file appeals. good luck and let us know what happens

Ignacio, I contacted an attorney, but she wanted $650. That's a bit much if you ask me. I'll see what I can manage begging and pleading on my own. I promise to let the board know what happens. Thanks everyone! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

The best guy in Minneapolis for this sort of thing gets $750. Of course, I'm just told he gets $750 and wouldn't have any first hand knowledge of his skills or fees as I have a spotless record. &lt;VBG&gt; The advice of fighting the first ticket is very sound. The subsequent tickets may be harder to fight or plead down (like an 80 in a 35...). Good luck!

paul pay the $650! it will be much cheaper than the increase in your insurance rates if the judge gives you a bunch of points! in addition, a lawyer can postpone any such penalties by filing an appeal if necessary. i have been in a similiar position several times <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> i strongly suggest you bite the bullet and pay your silver tongued devil to save your ***! in any case i wish you luck there but for the grace of god go most of us! be sure you report the results of your court date on monday - i believe your attorney will try for probation before judgement--just a fine but no points <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

I think in California you cannot be going more than 15 mph over to be eligible for traffic school so that will not help you. This is a pretty serious ticket (over double the speed limit), I would get a lawyer...

The catch is this: I'm in Toronto right now, and I already paid for a flight back to LA this weekend to try and handle this on my own. If I lose, my insurance will go up at renewal, which is next year. By then, hopefully one of my other points will have expired. The problem with using a lawyer is that if it goes beyond the initial court appearance, I have to keep paying for more any more services. ****, I think I'll out-run the cop next time... <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

paul you'll continue to pay increased insurance for 3 years! could be thousands of dollars! don't be penny wise and pound foolish! call the attorney tomorrow so she'll represent you on monday. you won't regret it. also, don't forget your license could be revoked! walking sucks!! big time <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />

If my rates go uo that much, or if my license is revoked, I'll just move back to Canada where my license is clean. The rates that they charge for such miniscule levels of insurance in California are a joke! It's criminal. <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" />

Hey, I've got a suggestion for you: Slow the F*&! down!! Guys like you make me want to pull my hair. You already have two points on your record, have been to traffic school a year ago and have a ticket for going over twice the speed limit. You're lucky I'm not the one who pulled you over because I would've had you behind bars for reckless driving . I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I couldn't care less! It makes me sick to think that maniacs like you get away with this crap. Even worse, nine other people have replied to this thread and not even made a passing comment on your shear stupidity ! I fervently hope that you get stuck with that ticket and your insurance company sticks it where the sun don't shine because that kind of behavior is inexcusible.

[quote]Originally posted by Jon: <strong>Hey, I've got a suggestion for you: Slow the F*&! down!! Guys like you make me want to pull my hair. You already have two points on your record, have been to traffic school a year ago and have a ticket for going over twice the speed limit. You're lucky I'm not the one who pulled you over because I would've had you behind bars for reckless driving . I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I couldn't care less! It makes me sick to think that maniacs like you get away with this crap. Even worse, nine other people have replied to this thread and not even made a passing comment on your shear stupidity ! I fervently hope that you get stuck with that ticket and your insurance company sticks it where the sun don't shine because that kind of behavior is inexcusible.</strong><hr></blockquote>Read again my words: TAKE IT EASY! ...and let me add: In Canada, the cops are tougher than here.

jon you are a damn fool to criticize speeding on a website devoted to sports cars that are designed to travel at 170+mph! furthermore, if you were better informed you would know that the vast majority of accidents that cause personal injury are related to alcohol not speed. <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" /> trade in your porsche for a volvo if you are truly such a goody 2 shoes! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

Ignacio If you think doing 85 in a 30 is OK because you have a Porsche, then I would say buying that Porsche is the most intelligent thing you ever did or will do. Having said that, I agree that most accidents etc. are not speed related.But man, get a grip - 80 in a 30? Seriously, would you guys be helping the guy if a 5 year old kid is stuck up to his midriff in the guys air intake? This kind of driving is stupid - I know. I hit someone going 15mph over the speed limit. OK, so she ran into the road, but pedestrians do that stuff. If I had been going 80 then I would have been cleaning out my airvents...as it happened - she survived and made a full recovery (eventually). Paul, go to court (with or without a lawyer) face up to your responsibility as a driver. As a Porsche driver you should know better. Hopefully this time will teach you a lesson as the traffic school was obviously about as much use as a chocolate teapot. Just to stress that I am no angel. I just don't think I would have the stomach to get on this board and whinge about this stuff to you guys when I only have myself to blame and I have to take responsibility. my 2 �re.

Okay, okay, I realize that I was wrong to speed, BUT let me explain the scenario fully. It was early Sunday morning, NO traffic, NO pedestrians, a very large (4 lane) street, and the whole speeding incident lasted about 7 seconds!! I had just left a car wash and was heading to a gas station a quarter of a mile down the road. I gunned it to the lights and low and behold, a policeman pulls up behind me on his bike with his lights flashing. I'm not saying that what I did wasn't dangerous (hell, hitting someone at 10MPH is dangerous), but it wasn't the wreckless incident that you're making it out to be. I don't speed on a daily basis. I save it for the track where I'm also an instructor. As for the police and courts being tougher in Canada, that's true. But at least Canadian courts give you a fair chance at a trial. Also, their demerit point system makes much more sense. <a href="http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/demerit.htm" target="_blank">Ontario Demerit Points</a>

paul i believe if cops spent half the time enforcing drunk diving laws that they spend enforcing speeding offences we'd all be a lot safer. good luck in court! <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" />

The thing that bothers me the most about cops writing tickets is that it has little to do with safety and everything to do enhancing revenue.

hey v8 right on! it is also easier and safer for a policeman to stop clean, well dressed motorists in expensive cars than it is to vgorously search for the drunks that regularly prowl our highways has anyone here ever noticed how speed traps multiply at the end of each month? that couldn't possibly have anything to do with a monthly ticket quota system,could it? <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

Hey everyone, the cop didn't show up so my case was dismissed! Thanks to everyone for all your help, links and advice!! <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

congratulations <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> but need i say it? TAKE IT EASY,MAN, YOU DODGED A BULLET! <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />

No need to become a Canuck...for now. <img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />

Congratulations Paul!

Thanks. By the way, I found out that there is another option available. You're only allowed traffic school once every 18 months, BUT the judge MAY grant you another crack at traffic school if 12 months have elapsed. The only catch is that it's 12 hours in length and cannot be completed online. <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />