Speeding Ticket(s) Advice

[Boyd]

I collect speeding tickets like some people collect pez dispensers. I'm not bragging, but I honestly can't count how many I've received over the last 15 years. I've always either payed the fine or taken defensive driving. Well, it's finally caught up to me. I seem to have "forgotten" about a couple of tickets I received last year, and as a result I recently got a notice that my license will be suspended in 21 days if I do not pay the fine and provide proof of financial responsibility. At the time I was pulled over, I was driving a new company vehicle and did not have a copy of the insurance certificate. If I were smart, I would have had a copy of my personal insurance certificate because it covers me regardless of the vehicle I drive, however; I did not and received a ticket for no insurance and speeding. A few months later, I received another speeding ticket in a different municipality. Well, whether I'm just getting old or subconsciously didn't want to part with the money, I neglected to take care of the tickets and consequently may have my license suspended. The letter states that I need to mail a copy of an SR-22 to the DMV within the next 21 days to keep my license. Should I hire a lawyer to handle this, or can I contact both municipalities myself and make arrangements to pay the fines? Can a lawyer get the court costs waived? Am I the only moron to get themselves in this situation? (and yes I do realize how ironic my signature is right now)

[vanzuuk1]

As far as I knowyou should just have to prove that the vehicle was insured at the time of the ticket.
Again as far as i know once you appear in court your suspension will be lifted, carry the appearance notice in case you get stopped and the computer shows you suspended.
A lawyer cant get the fines waived, he can only help you get the tickets dismissed or reduced to something lesser.
If you cant afford a lawyer plead not guilty and ask to speak to the officer before you appear. Most courts in NY will let you do this, they want to avoid trials and get your money. If the officer offers to reduce the ticket you will avoid or reduce points on your license. Dont offer any long story, just be sincere and ask the cop if he can work with you at all. Dress well and listen intently to what he says, sometimes the less you say the better.

[ZuperZport]

Danger, danger! ---- Your best bet is to contact the municipalities by TELEPHONE and make arrangements to pay any and all fines through the mail by personal check. Here is why ----- Way back in 1991 I lived in northern California and traveled south to central Cali on Route 5, which in most places is flat and deserted. Well, as a very stupid and careless 21 year old I was redlining my 5.0 Mustang in 5th gear going well over a hundred. I got nailed by......you guessed it a 5.0 CHP. The cop was all over me. Wrote me a ticket for "in excess of 100 m.p.h.". Was very lucky I was not arrested and car impounded. Anyhow stupid kid that I was, I ignored the court date and let the ticket lapse. Shortly thereafter my license was suspended. In order to get everything straightened out I has to pay the ticket ---- $480.00!!!!!!. Ouch!!!. Here was the catch. When I called up the court the clerk told me that this was "a serious matter" and to "come down to the court and pay it in person". I got a little nervous. Called a friend's father who was an attorney. He said "DO NOT GO IN PERSON TO THE COURT......THEY WILL ARREST YOU!!!!" Apparently my attorney friend said courts will commonly ask a person with a past due ticket to come in person where they will then enforce the bench warrant for skipping the court date. The court gets the ticket paid plus all the costs for bail and extra fines. Its their little way of tricking you into more revenues for them. If you pay by personal check your cancelled check will serve as a receipt and all should be cleared up. Be sure to carry the cancelled check in your glove box as proof of payment for possible future inquiries. Best of luck!!!

[Jim Nilsen]

Get a LAWYER Even though it is expensive in the eyes of most and you may not like them very much, it is the only insurance that you won't make a mistake about what you do.

Also don't get the cheapest lawyer you can find get the best lawyer you can afford, BIG DIFFERENCE.

I feel for you but I can truly say that when I was young and stupid about all of this I was glad I paid a lawyer more often than the times it didn't work out even when I paid for one.

Goodluck. Jim Nilsen

[Damn True]

Use the Chewbacca defense.

[6'9"Witha69]

Use the Chewbacca defense.

"That does not make sense!"

[AAW]

In my experience, crying helps. (and a boo-boo face doesn't hurt either)
~Theresa~

[toxicz28]

"That does not make sense!"

Not a South Park fan, huh?

[Steve1968LS2]

In my experience, crying helps. (and a boo-boo face doesn't hurt either)
~Theresa~

That would only help if he wore a low cut top.. on second thought that may make it worse.. ;)

[Boyd]

I called my corporate office in MO and explained that while I understood that the speeding tickets were my responsibility I felt that the no insurance problem should be handled by them because...
1. I was assigned a fleet vehicle with a missing driver packet (gas card, maintenance card, insurance card, etc,etc..)
2. I called the day of the vehicle assignment and notified them that my driver packet was missing and was told it would be "taken care of" shortly.
3. I received the ticket for no insurance 3 weeks later(because they never sent the driver packet) and when I called to notify them of the ticket I was told it would be "taken care of".
4. 4 months later I received a letter from the city stating that the ticket had still not been paid.
5. When I called to notify them of the letter from the city they said they would "take care of it".

They told me to fax the letter from the state about the possibility of my license being suspended and that they would "take care of it." So given their track record so far in dealing with this.....I should receive a letter from the state in about a month notifying me that my license has, indeed, been suspended.

[6'9"Witha69]

Not a South Park fan, huh?

[hijack]I am a fan. That was what the whole defense boiled down to. You have to do the Cochran type voice when you say it.[/hijack]

Fight every ticket you get. I have gotten out of about 76% of the tickets I have been issued. If you forget, do not show up! Pay by cashiers check or something similar and send it certified mail. Usually if you pay they will forget about it.

[TonyL]

the letter to the court works best. I've gotten out of 2500 dollar tickets (dont ask)

Simply by asking to get out of them. Send a letter explaining in detail what happend. That you would like to have the fine lowered to (insert reasonable amount) and wait. It has worked 4 times for me, despite having warrents, past due amounts, intrest, etc.

Something like: (spelling errors likely to ensue)
Dear Sir,

I'm writing to you concerning Dockett # I realise that I was speeding that day, I do not contest this. Due to circumstances out of my control, the company vehicle I was driving didnt have proof of insurance in it. I relayed this info to my office and was told it would be taken care of. During the hussle and bustle of work, I forgot to pay the fine. I would like to make this right, But now, due to my mistake the fine has been increased to the point that it would be difficult to pay it. Could you please waive the late fees? or reduce the fine?


Stuff like that works. Every time. Why? Because the judge has no time. Its very easy for him to just stamp "ok" on it. And have one less case to hear. It'll work, and thats all a lawyer is going to do. except take your money for it. trust me.

[zero g]

I guess it depends on what part of the country you are in. All of the above would not be applicable in FL, and even then it can vary from county to county. The county clerk's office does not have law enforcement on hand to arrest people. I would take care of the matter in person get acopy of the employers ins. info and take it with you. DO NOT let your license get suspended. If you do then you will have to pay the DMV for re-instating it after you pay all the fines and court costs of the original tickets.