First Speeding ticket!
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,357
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From: Charlotte
First Speeding ticket!
I was going to raleigh to visit NC state for a cultural show at their theaters.. and as i was leaving the parking lot which turned into a road i got pulled over.....!! crap!!! (speedtrap)I was scared as crap since it was my first time getting pulled over ever!! (41 in a 25)Well i told the campus cop i'm from charlotte visiting and that it was pretty dark and didnt know my way around also i didn't realized i was going that quick.. and didn't know the speed limit... He was like so what! here your ticket!!! 
i'm due for court in raleigh next month on the 27th!
What do you guys think i should do since its my first ticket and all...
Any way that gives me no point on my insurance is good!
Go to court and hope they give me a driving class...?
Get a lawyer and let him settle it?
or... whatever you guys suggest so i wont get a premium increase on my insurance! which is already freaking high!!!
i'm due for court in raleigh next month on the 27th!What do you guys think i should do since its my first ticket and all...
Any way that gives me no point on my insurance is good!
Go to court and hope they give me a driving class...?
Get a lawyer and let him settle it?
or... whatever you guys suggest so i wont get a premium increase on my insurance! which is already freaking high!!!
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 144
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From: Apex
Since this is your first ticket this is what I would do.
Somebody may have to correct me since I haven't gotten a ticket in NC yet, though I've gotten several in NY.
First plead not guilty and send it your ticket if you already haven't.
Go to court (dressed in shirt & tie), generally before your case goes to the judge you get to talk to the officer or see a DA or ADA or something similar. They will generally offer you a lower violation. Next you will get to see the judge and they will then ask you to plead guilty to the lower violation, once you do that then ask for your prayer for justice. A prayer for justice will give you probation for 6months I think.
The reason you plead the ticket down before you ask for you prayer for justice is because if you get another violation is 6months you will have violated your probation and will now have to deal with the ticket you are on probation for and the one you just got, so you will basically be screwed with two tickets at the same time.
Hope this helps.
Somebody may have to correct me since I haven't gotten a ticket in NC yet, though I've gotten several in NY.
First plead not guilty and send it your ticket if you already haven't.
Go to court (dressed in shirt & tie), generally before your case goes to the judge you get to talk to the officer or see a DA or ADA or something similar. They will generally offer you a lower violation. Next you will get to see the judge and they will then ask you to plead guilty to the lower violation, once you do that then ask for your prayer for justice. A prayer for justice will give you probation for 6months I think.
The reason you plead the ticket down before you ask for you prayer for justice is because if you get another violation is 6months you will have violated your probation and will now have to deal with the ticket you are on probation for and the one you just got, so you will basically be screwed with two tickets at the same time.
Hope this helps.
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 5
From: Myrtle Beach
I would pay a lawyer to get it taken care of for you... I actually just got a bad ticket...first on my record but I've gotten numerous tickets dropped and thrown outta court... This new ticket is for Street Racing(Wreckless Driving-whatever 
), nice little $459, 6-pointer. Hopefully, I'll see my way outta this one too. Even if you get the points dropped, if a ticket is recorded on your license then your insurance goes up... least thats what I've heard. So the best thing to do is get a lawyer to throw the thing out and do all the work for ya... It is definately worth spending up to $500 bucks just to get the thing dropped because if you don't, insurance will eat you alive, especially with the cars we drive.
), nice little $459, 6-pointer. Hopefully, I'll see my way outta this one too. Even if you get the points dropped, if a ticket is recorded on your license then your insurance goes up... least thats what I've heard. So the best thing to do is get a lawyer to throw the thing out and do all the work for ya... It is definately worth spending up to $500 bucks just to get the thing dropped because if you don't, insurance will eat you alive, especially with the cars we drive.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,646
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From: Chicago
That sucks! Sorry you got a ticket.
I would do one of two: Since this is your first you can easily get a PJC and take the class.
If you want to to the attorney route then have them reduce it to improper equipment. No points, etc. and you do not have to worry about the PJC should you get another ticket.
I would do one of two: Since this is your first you can easily get a PJC and take the class.
If you want to to the attorney route then have them reduce it to improper equipment. No points, etc. and you do not have to worry about the PJC should you get another ticket.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 450
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From: Apex NC
As this is your first ticket you should not even have to bother with the PJC. Just show up at the traffic court in Raleigh and explain this is your first ticket to the DA or assistant DA. They should drop it to a "9 over" This carries no license or insurance points. You will just have to pay the fine (in cash, so take some with you otherwise you will have to use tha atm machine on a few floors above and get reamed for a usage fee)
Now the next ticket you get you will probably have to ask for a PJC
(From someone who has 6 months left on their current PJC )
Now the next ticket you get you will probably have to ask for a PJC
(From someone who has 6 months left on their current PJC )
Man it was a setup!!! that cop did me dirty... parking lot was turning into a road... with a 35 sign posted like couple hundred feet ahead... "SPEEDTRAP!!!"
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26
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From: Raleigh, NC
Well people, I called my brother who is an ATTY in Rocky Mount and we called our friend who is an ATTY in Raleigh and here is the real scoop. A PJC does not expire in 6 months, no, it last for 3 years. That is the first point. The second point is you should have the ticket reduced to 9 over the speed limit because this does not carry any points but I would call my insurance company just to make sure.
So, should you hire an ATTY to handle this, I would say yes because you do not know what type of mood the DA will be in when you get to court and if you have an ATTY you should not even care. Because if the DA is being unreasonable, the ATTY can just get you a continuance and he can then just wait to present your case in front of one of his buddies. This is how it works.
So, should you hire an ATTY to handle this, I would say yes because you do not know what type of mood the DA will be in when you get to court and if you have an ATTY you should not even care. Because if the DA is being unreasonable, the ATTY can just get you a continuance and he can then just wait to present your case in front of one of his buddies. This is how it works.
Trending Topics
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 450
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From: Apex NC
If anyone is interested in finding out how the insurance points system works here is a link to a pdf file detailing the North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan.
North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan
One thing I didn't realize is that PJC's are per household and not driver
North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan
One thing I didn't realize is that PJC's are per household and not driver
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 266
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From: Apex-Durham-Chapel Hill
I live in Cary, and my sister got a ticket in Raleigh downtown, it was her first ticket. The prayer for justice is the way to go. She only have to pay for the court cost and be careful driving for the next 6 months? (or may be a year now) I heard there has been a change in the probation period. But that will leave you with no increase in insurance premium and stuff.