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Argh! I have traffic court tmrw

LaNegritaLaNegrita
in 1st Trimester

...so i get a ticket for going "almost 50 in a 40" when i was actually going almost 50 in a 45...which makes sense right? he also tacked on no plates, and no proof of ins. so i have a couple questions.

i have proof of ins. no biggie.

i have pics of the intersection where it shows the speed limit is 45. so that should kinda leave it up to the judge to clarify it as speeding rite? and do courts still do the base fine plus an extra $X for however many miles i was over the limit? and if there is no true evidence of how fast i was going (i.e. radar) then how may i possibly be fined?

i won't have my car to prove i have license plates on it. will they let me work that out at a sheriff's station later?

also, if the cop doesn't show up do they automatically throw out the case no questions/explanation needed?

thanks ladies. i'm soo not feeling going into court. but thank GOD a friend is going with me. i've been having morning sickness all day, so court is pretty much the last place on my list of places to be tmrw.

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Re: Argh! I have traffic court tmrw

  • bjmyangelbjmyangel
    lots of questions, but it all depends on where you live.  I live in AZ and if the cop doesn't show up, you get off.  Remember that cops set their court dates for specific days base on when they KNOW they will be able to show up.  Ask for a continuance based on morning sickness and the fact that you don't feel you can properly participate in court if you are puking.  Might work.  Otherwise, take in your registration for the car.  That shows proof that the car is registered which means you have a plate.  Kinda something you'll have to prove though.  Take a video of the area, driving past the speed limit sign and then to ther intersection you were stopped at to prove to the judge what the posted limit is.  I know that's a lot to do before morning, but it might help.  Good luck!
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  • LaNegritaLaNegrita

    i'm in cali. don't wanna do a continuance. wanna get this over with.

    i have pics of the intersection for the posted speed limit. the street signs are visible so i think that should suffice.

    thanks, i'll take in the registration.

    i'm hoping the judge will throw it out because the cop was wrong about the posted speed limit. registration/insurance is a simpler fix.

    thanks!!

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  • mrsrose16mrsrose16

    Yes, if the cop doesn't show up, the case is dismissed.

    The license plate and insurance card should have been a fix-it ticket. I'm not sure, but I think you should have had that signed off before the court date.

    *very important* were you caught with a radar? When you are in court, ask when the latest street survey was done. It must be within the last 5 years. If it was not done, or was done more than 5 years ago, they cannot use a radar. If they don't know, then they obviously cannot give you the ticket.

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Making lefse at the cabin **Scott 6/8/96** **Avery 7/24/08** **Brendan 7/15/10**
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  • LaNegritaLaNegrita

    lets pray he doesn't show.

    nope @ radar. the ticket literally says doing "almost 50 in a 40"...when it was a 45mph zone. if it was radar he would have written in an exact speed rite?

    you kinda lost me on the street survey. but he didn't use a radar (as far as i know) so i shouldn't even need to ask that rite?

    thanks rose!

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  • mrsrose16mrsrose16

    No, don't worry about the street survey if they didn't use a radar.

    But, I would definately question what speed you were going at "almost 50". That does not seem accurate enough to warrant a ticket. How can an officer give a ticket if they don't know the exact speed that you were going? Were they driving right next to you at the same speed? Trying to catch up to you would obviously mean they were going faster than you.

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Making lefse at the cabin **Scott 6/8/96** **Avery 7/24/08** **Brendan 7/15/10**
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  • nero1281nero1281

    Some agencies actually hire a liason to represent the officer in court.  This is so that he officer doesn't have to show-up at all (this saves on overtime costs).  So don't bank on the ticket being dismissed if the officer doesn't show up.  I don't know many places that do this, but I've heard of it.

     In my city, the majority of the time, the officers/judge will happily make a deal with you.  As long as you were respectful at the time of the original stop and at the time of the trial.  You may have to plead guilty to lesser charges which you wouldn't get points, but would still have to pay a fine.  

    Go in there with any ammo you have to put up the good fight, but try catching bees with honey at first.  Remember to always be respectful to the judge and officer.  If you piss then off, they can make your life miserable.  

    And don't try for a continuance, you want to get this over with and behind you.  Who knows how long it will be before you get another date. 

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  • firecracker31310firecracker31310
    No one but a licensed attorney in your state can offer you legal advice and things are so different state to state. For where I am from this is very "off" but just remember that statements here are from people's experiences. HTH you, but since I dont know the laws of your state I don't know what is going to work other than saying watch your speed in those areas ;)
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