No traffic school for juvenile ticket - trying to understand

[dll71]

My 17 year old daughter received a ticket for going 55mph in a 35mph. She received the citation notice in the mail with the bail amount, but with no option for traffic school. Since the bail amount was pretty high and we were questioning traffic school, she went to court to see if they could reduce her fine and see about going to traffic school (plead 'no contest'). To our disappointment, we were told that the judge may reduce the fine but she will not be eligible for traffic school because she was going 20mph over the speed limit (cut off is anything over 19mph). The court said that her best bet is to plead not guilty and hope the officer doesn't show. We know that this is true for the the most part , but I'm sure the officer will show and just wondering if the court is able make any exceptions. It just frustrates me that it's a matter of 1mph in this case, although I'm really not making any justifications for my daughters negligence for getting the ticket.

Any advice is welcome! Thanks in advance!

 

[CdwJava]

What state is this?

If this is California, then this 20 MPH "cut off" is a court policy and not a matter of state law. Then the question becomes, WHO told her she was not eligible for traffic school? Court staff (clerks, bailiffs, janitors ...) should not be giving that kind of "legal advice", so if it was anyone but a judge, she should consider discounting it and appear at court and see if she can request traffic school through the judge (the court).

- Carl

 

[Raachie]

That's interesting.. I got a similar ticket when I was also 17 years old. I was going 65 in a 45 & I had passengers when I wasn't even supposed to (Really not my proudest moment!) and I still got the option for Traffic School. This is in California though..

 

[dll71]

Thank you, that helps alot!. We are in Northern California and she gave her plea to a Sr. Probation Officer (who stated those 'facts' of the over speed limit cutoff). I guess she'll have to wait and see when she stands before the judge. She is pleading 'not guilty' just to see about traffic school, just seems like a waste of time for the judge and the officer since she's not actually contesting the ticket. We'll see what happens.

Thanks again!

 

[CdwJava]

They might be offering her an informal diversion that will keep this from even going to court should she choose to take it ... they may not even report it to the DMV if she takes the probation diversion (IF that is what is being offered). You need to find out exactly what is going on here.

- Carl