In many jurisdictions, the first appearance is not a hearing. At that time, you may be able to plead your case to the DA. It's worth a shot. If it has to go to trial, I'd use a lawyer. The real value of defeating that first ticket is 'insurance,' for that next ticket that you cannot get out of.

I'm pretty sure that one ticket in your situation will have a negligable, if any, effect on your rates. It didn't for me, but then again, every insurance co. is different.

Even if you choose not to use an attorney, it's worth your time to fight it. Look into the self-help sites and books.

peace.

 

i had a reckless ticket in VA for doing 80+ in a 55...i hired a lawyer and got it reduced to just speeding. a bit less painful insurancewise.

 

Just out of curiosity, since I got a 99 in a 70 today (the cop was being nice, I deserved a lot worse), how do they notify your insurance company? Nothing was asked about insurance during the stop. I don't have a tag so none is written on my ticket he didn't even look at the temp tag in the windshield, he just asked me if I had one when I was in his car. He got all of my drivers liscence info though.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Weasel
[B]Just out of curiosity, since I got a 99 in a 70 today (the cop was being nice, I deserved a lot worse), how do they notify your insurance company?

 

Definitely get a lawyer and consider going for what NC calls a PJC (prayer for justice continued) if you don't have a good basis for getting it dismissed. With a clean record it should be close to automatic and there is no conviction and thus nothing on your insurance. It acts as a sort of probation (I think two years), there is no fine (only cost is lawyer) and it disappears if you don't have any other convictions in the probation period -- it does require that you keep a clean scorecard.

I'm a NC lawyer (don't do this kinda stuff, corporate finance and complex transactions instead) but my wife got a PJC a couple of years ago in Shelby County after driving my XJ12 Jaguar into NC on I-85 (crossing from SC on trip from Mississippi) well over 85 MPH (that's what she was clocked at) where speed limit dropped from SC's 65MPH to 55MPH-- flashy blond in a black Jaguar with NY plates and 10 cars following her "rabbit" lead -- you can imagine the local copperstopper's glee!

My partner who deals with personal matters got her a good local guy -- I will check with him on particulars (like how long the probabtion lasts). If you don't otherwise have a basis to get out and you can behave for a while, PJC is probably the best way to go.

[Edited by benzer on 04-27-2001 at 08:51 AM]

 

Benzer,

Nice to see another transactional guy out there. Originally from SC and have a couple of good friends doing coporate work at Kennedy Covington in Charlotte.

 

I was in your same situation. Had a clean record for 4 years or more. I decided to contest it because I would never be able to afford the car with it reported on my insurance. Contesting it was WAY WORTH IT! I received a "good drivers certificate" from my DMV when I renewed my license a while back. We get those in IL if you go 4 years without a ticket. I showed the judge that and gave him a sob story...didn't mean to speed..Im usually a safe driver...if this ticket is reported to the Secretary of State...I'll have to sell my dream car..etc. He was cool about it and gave me 4 months supervision. In IL supervision means that you can't get a ticket in the amount of time your supervision is. I stayed ticketless and the speeding ticket was not reported to the secretary of state.

Its kind of like a warning. Hope that helps...good luck!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by benzer
[B]Definitely get a lawyer and consider going for what NC calls a PJC (prayer for justice continued)

 

Good luck -- as I mentioned, the PJC would be useful if you don't have any other (better) way out -- non-moving violation (such as faulty equipment) is one if you don't mind the fine (usually as much as the moving violation so that the municipality doesn't lose revenue).

 

] [QUOTE]Originally posted by dean29
[B]Arrggghhh.