In Pennsylvania get the officer to agree to a lower speed (which reduces points) or agree to a plea of guilty of not obeying an official traffic control device (which has no points associated with it). Don't know if your state has a similiar section in their Motor Vehicle Code.

 

ALWAYS get a lawyer.
NEVER plead guilty.

Don't screw around with internet searches.

Call 5 lawyers in the county of concern, explain your situation and get estimates. After that you'll be an expert and can make an informed decision of which lawyer to go with.

I had a 75 in a 35 and reckless driving reduced to 49 in a 35 and the reckless was dropped by a cheap ($300) lawyer who knew what he was doing. These guys do a zillion cases like this a day.

 

Thanks to all who replied!! So far I have the details from one lawyer, but I plan to check out one or two more before I decide on one. I guess I just need to treat this like a "fun" tax!! Although I'd rather spend this money on other things...

 

How about this for the luckiest person in the world:

1 1/2 weeks ago I get stopped for (all at one stop):

- 65 in a 30
- Imprudent Speed
- Passing on the right

The cop was trying to get me for every possible violation he could think of... 14 Points (11 suspends your NY license for 6-months) and >$400 in fines.

I hired a lawyer ($500 retainer) that my Senior VP (4th highest exec of GE) recommended...

...today the lawyer calls and says that a judge has dismissed the three charges because the officer turned the tickets in late... BuuhBye.

I drive the speed limit... ALWAYS. I will never get this break again...

 

Make sure Missouri has a points system. I found out that Texas doesn't, so I took defensive driving for $40.00 (on the Internet). I still had to pay the fine, but the ticket was expunged upon successful completion of the D.D. course. It cost me a lot less than a lawyer.

 

A lawyer can always try to make an agreement with the prosecutor/ada to accept your guilty plea in exchange for some lesser offense.

The key however is to beat it completely. This is my strategy. You plead not guilty. Adjourn the case as many times as possible. First by phone then by mail then finally by personal appearance. It's easy to get them to put it over generally and your goal here is for the cop to not show up. If he does not appear and you are "ready" you win - case dismissed.

When you absolutely have to appear keep a watch. First make sure you don't see the cop before you proclaim that you are ready. If you see the cop try to adjourn it again, say that you need time for a lawyer or he is supposed to be there and is misssing whatever works.

This has worked for me many times. Radar tickets are almost impossible to beat.

Another thing, many states give you the right to request a "supporting deposition " from the officer. If you request it properly and dont get it before trial you win. Same goes for the calibration etc. documents for the radar gun.

and, finally always look for minor errors in the ticket info or missed citations to the proper violation section. Any errors and you win
Good luck
of course if you should have to face the cop (still maintaining your not guilty plea, be ready to cross examine and question the officer as to every possible detail, trying to show that his recollection may not be reliable, maybe you will get lucky.

 

I always wondered why cops are never around when you need them. They keep getting called to court to hear that the case is to be adjourned.

 

My wife got one for 93 in a 70.......$80.00 for her and a new radar detector for me. As for adjudication; not for you......this is for very clean records which yours is not. My wife was adjudicated after explaining to the Judge that this was only her second time in the car. She had not had a ticket in seven years. Her husband (i.e. me) had insisted that the car be driven with the lights on during the day (Silver Car) and had failed to explain how to "brighten the dash" if the lights were on. All the judge said to me was why was she driving MY car? Gotta love Utah.