summary:
-caught speeding
-sheriff said he caught me doing 92mph (he said using laser)
-sheriff didnt show proof
-i can't remember how fast was i going
-sheriff said he will write me as 89mph to lower the fine (he checked that i'm a good driver, $80 diff)

my question is this:
-should i appear in court hoping that the sheriff do not appear and ask him for proof of me speeding, if he appear? what if he can show me the proof, and it shows 92mph and thus bump the ticket up?
-or just pay the ticket? $142

i'm asking you guys. i know u all are great people to go for advise. Thanks in advance.

it happened in st. cloud, MN

 

without a lawyer the sheriffs word is fact, meening that whatever he says will be taken as FACT not opinion to the judge. Dont fight it, Im sure you were speeding, just pay it.

 

I'm with quivers.. dont fight it.

 

aren't you always supposed to fight a ticket? at least show up to get it reduced or have the possibility of it getting thrown out?

 

plead guilty and ask for supervision...the price will be a little less but you cant get busted for the same thing for 3 months...

 

Thanks all for the input..

 

Do yourself a favor and get a local lawyer. They are usually close to the courthouse you are going to. Unless they offer you some sort of deal where you won't get a conviction, where you can just pay the fine etc...

Just paying off a ticket and getting a conviction is really just for people who can't speak english or have all the money in the world. You don't want a ticket conviction if you can help it. Insurance companies can and do see these, and your premiums can definitely rise from them.

If you're an out of towner, just find local lawyers in the area, call up a few, explain your situation, and you'll get price quotes. Most of the time you won't even have to show up in court. They'll get you some sort of supervision and a fine. But it beats having a conviction on speeding, which they can and usually send over to Jesse White's office in Springfield, if you're from IL, so even if its out of state, you'll still get the conviction.

I've gotten a lawyer for every single one of the tickets I've ever had. Minus the one where traffic school was an option. Maybe 8-9 in the last 3-4 years?

Lawyer should run you anywhere from $75-$200 and subsequent court fees and/or fines.

If this were cook county, I'd just tell you to go find one 10 minutes before you go to court in the cafeteria. Works every time.

 

This is really the last thing you want to do. I've gotten a lawyer, and each and everytime, I get 2-6 months supervision and some $50 or so in court costs....

And NO conviction on your driving record.

With a car like the S, you're going to want to have as clean a record as possible for insurance purposes...

 

This doesn't happen too often, so I wouldn't count on it.

I went to court 3 times because my cop didn't show. They wouldn't let me off until the 3rd time because the speeding was rather high....(101 in 55)

Well I came prepared with a lawyer that time too. But still ended up being better off.

Another person that was there without a lawyer, the judge "offered" to just give 1 year of supervision and a $375 fine too(you also waive your right for a trial)(for the same offense mind you), since the cop didn't show.... and say blah blah blah "you could've gone to jail" blah blah blah.

My turn comes, and the lawyer basically, pushes for a "trial" but since the cop isn't there, there is no "testimony" or proof etc... After the 3rd court visit, judge FINALLY just threw out the ticket, with a STERN finger pointing warning. No court costs no fees. Out $350 for the lawyer though. $150, plus 100 for the 2nd and 3rd visit.

Even in that situation I made use of my lawyer.

US Judicial system is rather messed up and favors those who can get lawyers. So if you can, its in your best interests to just get one.

 

What I'm proposing is not to "fight" the ticket. You won't win.

Just show up with a lawyer, or have a lawyer just go to court for you.

They'll get you supervision and a fine, but NO conviction.

If you just show up, usually you'll get a fine, supervision, AND a conviction.

Plus if its a busy courthouse, you wont be waiting all day. People with lawyers ALWAYS are up first. You'll usually be in and out in 30-60 minutes. Might be there all day if your last name starts with Z and the courtroom is packed....