GR8-LIFE

Visiting 21CMC from South Florida. Was driving up from Houson on I45 where the limit was 70. Had it in cruise. Well at some point, it changed to 60. Cop pulled me over and told me the speed limit is 60 in Dallas county. Nice guy and but he gave me a belated birthday present and Cited me for 14 over.

Magistrate Appearance date is 6/19 but I'm going back to FL on 6/11. Normally I would make an apperance on 6/19, plead no contest offer up my reason, excuse, (which the really was none but I just didnt see the speed limit change).

I dont want to just pay it cuz that will put points on the license.

Any suggestions? I'm going to be driving down to the Precinct tomorrow (On polk st) to see what my options are since I wont eb here on 6/19

1st ticket in 5 years. What pisses me off is I wasnt even trying!!!

Steve02C5

Call the JP, and ask for deferred adjudication or call David Sprechter here in Houston - this guy's connected - and he can steer you.
For the most part, the system just wants the money, especially if you've got a good record.

06C6FVR

So you live in Florida....Check with your insurance agent, find out if they look outside florida. Mine in texas told me that they dont look outside texas (i got a ticket in NM), so I just paid the damn thing....in NM, 15 over was only $80. Im pretty sure Florida insurance companies wont check to see if you have a ticket in Texas.

Daren

BlueC5Kitten

Not sure about the insurance implications...but it can still go on your driving record, depending if Texas has a reciprocal agreement with the state in which you hold a license. I had a ticket over 4 years ago in Arkansas, showed up on my TX driving record.

C6-CYa

Most states have reciprocal agreements these days. I know for a fact that Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts do. :-(

Call the court and asked for deferred adjudication with probation for 60 days. You pay the same amount as the fine, and if you don't get another ticket in Texas for 60 days, it's off your record.

98C5RT

I recently (still pending on several) had a rash of tickets, only one in my vette (case of vette envy). Let's just say, deferred adjudification (or disposition) is your best route! If you look at your ticket, it should have instructions on how to do this through the mail. If you hire a lawyer, you will have to appear in court, no exceptions. You could also take a defensive driving course and pay the fine. That will keep the ticket off your record and typically get you a discount on your car insurance too! Good luck!

GR8-LIFE

actually I'm not too concerned about that portion. I've been with my statefarm agent for 15 years. He's told me some secrets and has kept me in good standing even when I did get points many years ago

I guess I'm more concerned with the Dallas ticket costs! In FL, you can get adjudication witheld for less than the fine. But here in Dallas, it seems you have to pay more than the fine!!!

DFWLCJ

Check with a lawyer...I've managed both DA and Def Driving without a court appearance...time is of the essence though.

You will have to pay the freight but the ticket goes away..
We have no state income tax...we have to get creative about raising revenues..

GR8-LIFE

i'm going down there today. I dont know why the ticket was so much, It wasnt in a "men working zone, "Fines doubled" zone, etc, $226! and they want $50 more for adjudication! In FL the fine wouldnt be that high, I would be paying $85 courts costs to plead No contest and maybe $35 for a 4 hr driving school course on the Internet. Oh well.

GR8-LIFE

well, neither does FL but I get what you are saying

C6-CYa

Everything is bigger in Texas!

Want more proof?

Another Don

As I understand it, here in Texas a portion of each and every "Citation" (ticket) is required to be sent to the DPS folks in Austin. But, the costs associated with "Deferred Adjudication" are "administrative fees" and are retained 100% by the locals. Since they know you don't want the points and they do want the money, if you're going to play the D/A game, they're going to charge you.




5

Gray Fox

Only happens to Boston Fans

00Nassau

If you are a Texas resident, you can pay the ticket and take defensive driving and the ticket is not shown on your record. You can only do this once every 12 months. I do not know if an out-of-state person can do the same.

I do not know exactly how it woorks because I have not personally done this, but my daughter has.

Snowman

Can't help you on the ticket but did feel some compassion for you. I was driving SOUTHbound from 21st Century MC and got a ticket almost out of Dallas county for 82 in a 60. Guy was nice, pointed out that I had 12 miles to go at 60 (and sho nuff there was another cop). I just paid it. Like you, I wasn't even trying!

DP

Gray Fox

Well..... what was the outcome??

GR8-LIFE

well, I just went down to Precinct 1 yesterday to see what I could do before driving back to FL. I'm glad I went. They squeezed me in for the 1:30 pre-trial hearing. I pleaded No contest and asked for the defensless driving school which was the best offer. But the judge said since I wasnt a Texas driver, he could only give me the deferrred adjudication (which was a bit more expensive.) But then he decied to reduce the deferred adjudication cost to the same price as the Driving school offer, only he did not require me to go to the school. So it was $102 (Instead of the ticket cost of $246) and witheld adjudication.

GR8-LIFE

actually the cop knew I was from florida and probably assumed I am visiting to see the Miami Heat whoop up on their Dallas Mavericks so he probably decided to nail me because of that

Lichen

Well, right now, you're losing that bet by 1 point.