Tickets - who has expereince, need advice

[polishmafia]

You didn't even try to talk to a hearing officer?? After all of the advice, you just decided to give up?

[C3L1CA]

Would probably still have to pay, but could have possibly gotten it off of your record which will save you money in the long run on insurance!

[polishmafia]

Note: When Murlo posts a thread asking for a good insurance agent to lower his rates, I will not post up my advice. :)

[Murlo26]

Yea I know, really I was just going to try and save some on insurance was my big thing.

However, I just took an entire week off for vacation and don't have a lot left, few days and I don't want to risk spending it fighting for something that from my research shows I am kind of screwed going 20 over.

Also, I am traveling again for work and have been doing that a lot lately so my schedule is booked and with xmas and new years I just don't have a lot of free time.

I should've take care of this a week or two ago when I had some time but shit happens.

All sorts of excuses, I know but it just seemed like a very slim chance for an outcome in my favor.

I am sure rates will go up on me but mine are very good, my first ticket in years so I am not too terrified of that but we will see. I will talk to my insurance agent when the rates go up.

[Trogdor]

Last time I was actually in court for a ticket (about 11 years ago) I made it very clear to the assistant attorney (I think) for Winona that I had every intention of costing them as much money as I could in order to get their $160 from me.

If you contest the charge, it gets very expensive for the county to prosecute someone for a $200 fine. Remind them of that, and ask them for a "no same or similar." Meaning no other traffic violations in a year and the charge is dropped.

Remember, most traffic violations are easy revenue for the county. Most people just pay them, or go to court and are given reduced fines on the spot. They don't expect you to fight them. Nor do they want you to.

[goodhart]

LOL should we have expected any different outcome? Since when does Murlo listen to advice on the internet? :lol:

[C3L1CA]

Last time I was actually in court for a ticket (about 11 years ago) I made it very clear to the assistant attorney (I think) for Winona that I had every intention of costing them as much money as I could in order to get their $160 from me.

If you contest the charge, it gets very expensive for the county to prosecute someone for a $200 fine. Remind them of that, and ask them for a "no same or similar." Meaning no other traffic violations in a year and the charge is dropped.

Remember, most traffic violations are easy revenue for the county. Most people just pay them, or go to court and are given reduced fines on the spot. They don't expect you to fight them. Nor do they want you to.

I thought the city/county/state charges you when you bring it to court. They always made it seem like it'd be a hefty fee as well. Anybody know if thats true?

[Murlo26]

I thought the city/county/state charges you when you bring it to court. They always made it seem like it'd be a hefty fee as well. Anybody know if thats true?

This was my understanding as well.

Maybe that is an idle threat so people don't contest stuff, dunno.

I just didn't want to end up paying 400 for something just because I wanted to fight something that I legally should pay anyway.

[C3L1CA]

This was my understanding as well.

Maybe that is an idle threat so people don't contest stuff, dunno.

I just didn't want to end up paying 400 for something just because I wanted to fight something that I legally should pay anyway.

Yea I wish I knew more about how it worked, hopefully somebody can chime in and set the record straight. I got a ticket for riding my motorcycle down a park path this summer and had to go to 'court.' It was like a pre trial where I just talked with the prosecuting attorney and we made a deal and didn't have to pay any court fees. I was under the understanding that I would've if I took it to the next stp though.

Yea, it sucks but might have been worth it to save some money in the long run on insurance.