I just got my first ticket! What's gonna happen?!?

Question

I'm a 16 year old from Texas, and recently I got pulled over for speeding. I was going 87 in a 65 MPH zone. I know I was being stupid and irresponsible, and it has been haunting me for the past few days. So please no negative comments because I'm looking for help. I was wondering if I could go to defensive driving, but I heard I can't because I was going 22 MPH over the speed limit. And I was wondering what's going to happen since I still have a provisional license.

Answer 1

Since you are under 18, your parents will suffer, too. And your car insurance will definitely go up. Go to court and fight it. And take your parents, too. You may have to go back to driving school.

Answer 2

not sure but at least you wernt goig 25+ mph. It happens, it sucks, pay your fine, and try not to think about it. Slow it down and you might get points on your license, depends what Texas rules are, and if you get to many you could get your license taken away for a short time period.

Answer 3

Your assumption is correct.  In Texas, if you get caught speeding over 20+ mph the limit, you do not qualify for defensive driving.  Since I don't know who pulled you over, DPS usually has a fine schedule that you can go by to pay your fine.  If you choose Nole Contedere or guilty you can send in your payment to the respective Justice of the Peace.

If a City Police Officer pulled you over, usually you have to get down to their respective municipal court house/room and give your plea and pay your fine.  Sheriff's Office Officers usually work with Justice of the Peace too.  

So, basically, what you're looking at is:

1) Give your plea and pay your fine (recommended)

2) Plea not guilty and go to trial.

Note: Unless the officer is a complete FOOL, and can not give proper testimony in trial, you really dont have a chance on fighting a ticket alone.  Hiring a lawyer would not be cost effective for a simple Class C ticket, but it's your right if you want one.

Youre better off paying the ticket, and learning from your mistake.  

Consequences will vary.  IF and I said IF the judge is nice that day, he could give you a deffered sentencing, basically meaning that if you do not get in any more trouble beyond this ticket, the ticket will not reflect on your license.  NO TROUBLE NOTHING!!  or you will have the ticket show on your driving history, then get ready for the insurance to go up too.  ALOT!! Remember that since you have a provisional, there are certain peramiters that you must follow: no driving with anyone under 18yrs old, so on and so on.

But if you continue your reckless driving, then the state will suspend your license until your 18yrs old or indefinantly.  Don't wreck your new freedom, be a safer driver for everyone on the road!!

Answer 4

Your insurance will go through the roof and and your parents will be vary mad

Answer 5

You could lose the license or they could fine you.  I think 22 over is enough to get you arrested, so you're lucky that the officer wasn't a jerk.  They'll mail you something about your traffic court date.  Pretty useless to fight it, you were caught. Good luck.

Answer 6

It's not that you can't take defensive driving. It's that the judge doesn't have to let you but can do it as a deferred adjudication. It's not the end of the world, and nothing very terrible's going to happen. Go down and ask the court clerk about your options.