I can tell you from being in traffic court dozens of times that with some common sense, a little understanding of the judicial process and a little time you wont need to pay the 500+ dollars for a lawyer.
Most cops who are jerks are known to be jerks by the judges in their county. That alone will get them on your side. Here is a process I use that has gotten me out of every ticket (which has been a lot through the years... shoot a couple months ago I had a bad week and got 5 tickets in a week. All were bs tickets too.)
* Send in the ticket - check the contested hearing box
wait a while ....
* When you get your court date, wait until 3 days before your date and request a continuance.
* While you request a continuance, go to the prosecutors office and get a subpoena for the officer.
* do research on the officer - he is a public figure, which means you can request information about him. Find out what his shifts are and when hes working. Once you find out that information, use your judgment and find the most likely time he wont show up. If he works the night shift he will NOT wake up early to come to your court date. If he works in the afternoon, he will not come in to work early just to go to your court date. If we is works the morning, try to make it in the middle of his day.
* call the court and request a time that you want (which will add another continuance to your case)
* put together a well prepared defense, just in case.
* go to court 9 months later ... win.
Traffic police write on average 25 tickets a day. 25 * 36 weeks = 900 tickets written since he last wrote you a ticket. He will most likely not remember your case unless you did something to really stand out.
Even if the officer went back 9 months through his statements to read what he had written down, he would probably think that you had a lawyer because you went through the system and no cop wants to look like an idiot on the stand. So your chances are EXTREMELY high that the officer wont show up - in which case the case will be dismissed, nothing further.
I can tell you from being in traffic court dozens of times that with some common sense, a little understanding of the judicial process and a little time you wont need to pay the 500+ dollars for a lawyer.
Most cops who are jerks are known to be jerks by the judges in their county. That alone will get them on your side. Here is a process I use that has gotten me out of every ticket (which has been a lot through the years... shoot a couple months ago I had a bad week and got 5 tickets in a week. All were bs tickets too.)
* Send in the ticket - check the contested hearing box
wait a while ....
* When you get your court date, wait until 3 days before your date and request a continuance.
* While you request a continuance, go to the prosecutors office and get a subpoena for the officer.
* do research on the officer - he is a public figure, which means you can request information about him. Find out what his shifts are and when hes working. Once you find out that information, use your judgment and find the most likely time he wont show up. If he works the night shift he will NOT wake up early to come to your court date. If he works in the afternoon, he will not come in to work early just to go to your court date. If we is works the morning, try to make it in the middle of his day.
* call the court and request a time that you want (which will add another continuance to your case)
* put together a well prepared defense, just in case.
* go to court 9 months later ... win.
Traffic police write on average 25 tickets a day. 25 * 36 weeks = 900 tickets written since he last wrote you a ticket. He will most likely not remember your case unless you did something to really stand out.
Even if the officer went back 9 months through his statements to read what he had written down, he would probably think that you had a lawyer because you went through the system and no cop wants to look like an idiot on the stand. So your chances are EXTREMELY high that the officer wont show up - in which case the case will be dismissed, nothing further.
There ya have it... super secret tip lol
Thanks for the advice. I've had MANY speeding tickets over the years, which were all well-deserved, but never had to go to court. What a pain in the ass!!
(just sayin' btw... i too drive w/o a front lic plate)
I just saved you a bunch of money, pro bono.
I certainly realize it is the law; I'm assuming it is a fix-it ticket, as well. Not worried about that one, as it won't affect my insurance.
I am worried about neg driving on my record, though. Not sure what you mean by me already pleading guilty. I'm not sure what I did to earn the citation, much less admit to it.
I certainly realize it is the law; I'm assuming it is a fix-it ticket, as well. Not worried about that one, as it won't affect my insurance.
I am worried about neg driving on my record, though. Not sure what you mean by me already pleading guilty. I'm not sure what I did to earn the citation, much less admit to it.
nah, I'm just razzin' you. No worries at all. The part I was dissecting was the fact you admitted to driving w/o a front plate. That's a driving infraction right there. Thus, part & parcell for LEO to grab whatever he can out of you.
Good luck btw...
So, if you weren't doing anything "negligent", what the heck did he say you were doing to warrant a ticket??
That is the whole issue. The guy 'copped' an attitude with me, and would not say a word to me about what I did. NOTHING except that I was in front of a school. I'm assuming it was my exhaust, but the ticket doesn't indicate anything. There isn't even a speed written on the citation. NOTHING except Neg Driving II.
I've been in contact with the PD, filed a complaint, and now will try get the ticket dismissed.
nah, I'm just razzin' you. No worries at all. The part I was dissecting was the fact you admitted to driving w/o a front plate. That's a driving infraction right there. Thus, part & parcell for LEO to grab whatever he can out of you.
Good luck btw...
Thanks
Although I've had PLENTY of tickets I deserved, this isn't one of them!
Although I've had PLENTY of tickets I deserved, this isn't one of them!
Here is my lawyer:
Bill Montecucco
405 W 13th St
Vancouver, WA 98660-2806
Phone: (360) 735-8555
Tell him I referred you, he wins 98% of all traffic cases, got me off and several of my friends here in the local area. Very reasonable expecially at what you are looking it, your case sounds like a slam dunk for Bill.
Here is my lawyer:
Bill Montecucco
405 W 13th St
Vancouver, WA 98660-2806
Phone: (360) 735-8555
Tell him I referred you, he wins 98% of all traffic cases, got me off and several of my friends here in the local area. Very reasonable expecially at what you are looking it, your case sounds like a slam dunk for Bill.
I was nailed for street racing in the GN years ago which was big time Neg I. That cost me $5K with a lawyer to get dropped to Neg II and only pay $500 fine. Got nailed for neg II in the Vette for fishtailing. Paid the fine because none of these, include a couple of speeding tickets, ever hit my insurance. Been with my insurance long enough and am 40 so my ins agent said they don't ever search my driving record.
I think it's better to have a good ins agent than a good lawyer. Now I don't worry about speeding. Happy to pay $124 to enjoy American freedom!
I was nailed for street racing in the GN years ago which was big time Neg I. That cost me $5K with a lawyer to get dropped to Neg II and only pay $500 fine. Got nailed for neg II in the Vette for fishtailing. Paid the fine because none of these, include a couple of speeding tickets, ever hit my insurance. Been with my insurance long enough and am 40 so my ins agent said they don't ever search my driving record.
I think it's better to have a good ins agent than a good lawyer. Now I don't worry about speeding. Happy to pay $124 to enjoy American freedom!
Wow - they always hit my insurance and I'm 40! Maybe I need to talk to your agent.
Bill was able to get my neg driving ticket dismissed. Money well spent. I would recommend him to anyone in the area!
Thanks, Tommi!
Great!!! Hey that TT car is still here in my shop so if you want to check it out come down and see it. I will be here in the shop all week but I can't work past 6pm this week.
Corvette Store
Anyone know a good attorney?
lol
