I made a huge mistake..91 in a 55

[ITALIANNYC]

I was pulled over today on a rode when there were hardly any cars..I didnt realize i was going so fast but thats no excuse and i accept that..The officer pulled me over and gave me 3 Tickets..The first one he gave me was the speeding ticket..He DID NOT give me a reckless driving ticket..The second one he gave me was for me not using a blinker to switch lanes. I never switched lanes to begin with, i saw the where the officer was when he pulled me over and i was in a lane the whole time that ended so i never switched lanes so that ticket is false. The 3rd ticket was for having my expired insurance card instead of my recent one, the officer told me to just mail in my insurance card sign by my carrier with all my car info and the ticket will be dropped..I have a court date next month, and i was planning on being straight forward with the judge and offering no excuses because i have none and want to be respectful to him..I have had one other traffic violation in my life and that was about 2 years ago for making an illegal u turn on a street that i didnt see the sign..I was told that getting a lawyer would be the much safer bet, because they have a much better chance of lowering the fine/points and whatever else they might do..I made a huge mistake and am sick to my stomach about it..What it everyones advice?

 

[Robbie]

What state?

Everybody makes mistakes, this will pass.

A lawyer has the best chance to minimize the damages. Usually the lawyer cost less that the first years insurance increase.

You also normally do not need to go to court if you use an attorney so there is savings in time and stress.

 

[seniorjudge]

Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable. Ask about drug court, if applicable.

From marbol:

"Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a 'vibrate' position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR IT VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings."

(Better yet, don't carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)"


Here are seven stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I've been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter/wife/ex-wife/niece/grandma/grand-daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled/crazy and needs my help.

3. I've got a job/military posting in [name a place five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this. (This conflicts with number 5 below, but that hasn't stopped some defendants from using both.)

5. You've got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: "It wasn't me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off." Or, another variation: "I was forced into it by a bad guy!")

6. I was influenced by a bad crowd.

7. I/my kid/my whatever has surgery scheduled.


http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Public defender's advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

 

[ITALIANNYC]

What state?

Everybody makes mistakes, this will pass.

A lawyer has the best chance to minimize the damages. Usually the lawyer cost less that the first years insurance increase.

You also normally do not need to go to court if you use an attorney so there is savings in time and stress.

the state is ny..long island to be exact

 

[seniorjudge]

I agree.

Get a lawyer.

 

[lwpat]

I think Long Island is in the TVB. Your only chance in that court is to hire an attorney. Send in the ticket not guilty and be sure to send it CRR. NY does have a speedy trial law for traffic tickets and you may be able to use it. I understand this court is backed up two years.

 

[seniorjudge]

I think Long Island is in the TVB. Your only chance in that court is to hire an attorney. Send in the ticket not guilty and be sure to send it CRR. NY does have a speedy trial law for traffic tickets and you may be able to use it. I understand this court is backed up two years.

Two years!

Good grief...they need me up there!