Prayer for Judgement

[Momtonic]

Today I was stopped for speeding in Cumberland County, NC. At first the officer told me I was doing 59 in a 35, then he dropped it down to 54 in a 35. I didn't want to argue with him, but I know I wasn't going THAT fast.

Should I go in and speak with a DA and see if the ticket can be reduced (I can not afford for my insurance to go up or to pay the ticket) or should I take a prayer for judgement?

Thanks

 

[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.

 

[Robbie]

Your license will be suspended in NC for convictions more then 15 mph over the limit. You also will receive 2 insurance points with is a 45% increase in your insurance.

You can ask for a reduction in court to a non-moving or reduction to 9 over (no insurance increase for first conviction). You will still need to pay fines and court costs (around $140 last time I heard).

If they say no, plead not guilty and return with an attorney. It will save you money in the long run.

If you average more than one speeding ticket every three years, a legal plan is a good investment in NC (and probably VA). Most plans will pay your defense ($350-$1,000) for any ticket that involves a possible suspension. Speeding Tickets are rarely written for less than 15 over in NC (wonder why???).

More info here:
http://www.ncsu.edu/student_affairs/legal_services/legaldocs/Trafficpoints.htm