Okay, anyone an expert on traffic violations, give me your opinions . . .

BriBri529 Posted: Nov 24, 2004 11:36 PM

Okay, anyone an expert on traffic violations, give me your opinions . . .

I was a 'bad' girl and went through a yellow light that turned red as I was already going through. I was on empty for a while and was panicking and just wanted to get to the nearest gas station (which was not so close.) I was pulled over by a sheriff, told him the truth, but he gave me a ticket anyway for going through a red arrow (IT WAS NOT red when I started going through.) The thing is he DATED the ticket wrong! He put down a date that was 5 days later! I was told by a few people to send it in not guilty because that ticket was dated wrong. Now I have to appear in court to fight this thing. I have never gotten a ticket before, never mind fought one. I don't know if I should just pay the ticket and take the points on my license or if there is a good chance of the ticket getting thrown out . . . any suggestions or thoughts? TIA

september2004 Posted: Nov 24, 2004 11:39 PM

Re: Okay, anyone an expert on traffic violations, give me your opinions . . .

show up, plead your case, and whatever happens, happens...

sometimes people bank on the cop not showing up, that is what happened to me and the ticket vanished

BethGail Posted: Nov 24, 2004 11:39 PM

Re: Okay, anyone an expert on traffic violations, give me your opinions . . .

i think that something like that would make the ticket invalid. Also, if the cop who issued the ticket doesnt show up for the hearing, i thnk it also gets thrown out and apparently that is very common.

btrflygrl Posted: Nov 24, 2004 11:40 PM

Re: Okay, anyone an expert on traffic violations, give me your opinions . . .

absolutely TRUE....if there is ANY information, it should be dismissed....when you go to court and talk to the DA or assistant DA to plead your case, show them that it is dated incorrectly. There might also be a phone # to call....call and explain the situation

BriBri529 Posted: Nov 24, 2004 11:51 PM

Re: Okay, anyone an expert on traffic violations, give me your opinions . . .

Thanks girls

luvsbob4603 Posted: Nov 25, 2004 01:23 PM

Re: Okay, anyone an expert on traffic violations, give me your opinions . . .

I would fight the ticket! the cop dated it wrong and tell them it was yellow. it seems like the cop was wanting to give someone a ticket and he picked you. good luck i hope you get it dismissed.

Kel Posted: Nov 25, 2004 11:58 PM

Re: Okay, anyone an expert on traffic violations, give me your opinions . . .

Always go and 'fight' a ticket. You actually may not have to 'fight' or even plead your case .. sometimes you will just be given a lighter infraction .. especially if you have a great driving record .. and sometimes you won't even have to tell your story.

I've gone to traffic court twice for speeding tickets (about 8 years apart) .. the first one .. in Long Beach .. was reduced to 'following too close' .. the second one .. in Hempstead .. was reduced to 'failure to yield.'

It seemed at Hempstead that everyone was offered a lesser infraction .. I can't say that regarding Long Beach .. because I couldn't hear the discussions .. at Hempstead .. it was very easy to hear in many cases what was being said and what was being offered.

If you do choose to go to traffic court .. which I think you should .. my advice would be to keep your statement brief and to the point. Try to say as little as possible. In my experience .. the more you say .. the more trouble it seems to create.

But of course, it would be noteworthy to point out the DATE of the ticket is incorrect .. try to have some kind of proof that the date written is incorrect.

Different courts have different ways of handling cases .. but let them do most of the talking.

In both of my traffic court experiences .. I never had to say a word describing the situation .. when I approached the ADA .. they gave the offer .. and I simply accepted. (You then are called before the judge to state you agree to the terms).

Anyway .. GOOD LUCK!!

Definitely go .. but be prepared .. Hempstead court was a nightmare .. I spent 3 1/2 hours there .. however .. Long Beach was fairly quick .. I want to guess no more than a 1/2-hour.

Kel Posted: Nov 26, 2004 12:02 AM

Re: Okay, anyone an expert on traffic violations, give me your opinions . . .

Posted by BethGail

...Also, if the cop who issued the ticket doesnt show up for the hearing, i thnk it also gets thrown out and apparently that is very common.

When I went in to fight both of my speeding tickets .. neither of the cops were there. I have heard this a lot .. that if a cop does not show, it gets thrown out .. is this only in cases where the driver decides to take the case to trial??? Because no cop showed up at Hempstead .. for any of the traffic violations heard that day .. and I don't recall any at Long Beach, either .. and none of those tickets were thrown out.