Should I fight the speeding ticket?

Question

Hello, I'm a poor college student and got a speeding ticket going back home from another city. The last speed limit sign that I saw was 75, so I was going at max 80 (because people told me its okay to go 5 mph apart from the speed limit). The officer that pulled me over said I was going 91 in a 65 zone. It was midnight and I don't recall seeing any sign saying that the speed limit changed to 65 mph. He said he'd cut me some slack and put that I was going 80 mph in a 65 zone.

I thought the cop was really respectful and nice and I am really grateful that he lowered it to 80, but I'm pretty sure I was going 91. This is my first speeding ticket and I don't know what to do.

So my questions are:

1) How much are the usual fines?

2) Should I go to court and fight it? If so, what do I say?

3) Will there be court costs? How much are they? (california)

4) This being my first ticket, will it effect my insurance and will I get any points?

5) Will telling the judge that I didn't see the speed limit help my case?

6) Lastly, what do you recommand I do?

I would like to pay as little as possible because I really need the money.

I know from reading other posts that even going 1 mph over is still going over the limit, but don't they take road into consideration? If I didn't know it was sloping down and still pressed on the gas, I would be at a certain limit for a short time until I noticed.

Answer 1

Haven't you ever heard that ignorance of the law is no excuse.  If you don't have that much money to start with stop speeding.  And then whining after the fact how immature is that?

BTW you are looking at a couple hundred at the least.

Answer 2

pay the fine and move on.

Answer 3

I suggest you dont go to court. The judge will make you pay the ticket anyway because speeding is speeding no matter how much youre going over. Thats why it is called a limit. Telling the judge you didnt see the speed limit sign wont help because he'll say you werent being a responsible enough driver & looking out for the signs. Judges tend to think speeding ticket appeals are a waste of time. && yes it will affect your insurance && yes you do get points on your license, but you get easilly get them taken off by going to a quick traffic class. But anyways, I suggest you just pay the fine as soon as you can && be grateful that the officer cut you some slack. Good luck with whatever you choose to do =]

Answer 4

No whining. You were just plain driving too fast. As was said, consider Defensive Driving. It may actually cost you a bit more, but it won't hurt you insurance. You can also explain your student status and the burden of increased insurance and see if your state allows the judge to defer the conviction. Basically its a simple probation. No meetings, no probation officer, just don't get another ticket. Also likely costs more than the fine.

It's perfectly okay to ask the court to give you a payment plan to pay out the fine in installments. They will likely add on a small payment plan fee, but you can pay it off in, say, $25 installments or whatever they will agree to. Just make sure you keep up with it.  

Answer 5

Firstly I'm not sure of the costs regarding speeding fines where you are. (I am in New Zealand).  Secondly you don't have to go to court to contest the fine (if you are in NZ).  You can do it in writing first, all the contact details for doing this are on the back of your speeding ticket.  Finally it's your word against the cop's, but he will be in trouble for breaking the law by falsifying his documents by cutting you some slack and documenting an incorrect speed.  You may just get away with it!

Good luck...

Answer 6

The statewide schedule calls for a fine of $146 for 1-15 mph over the limit.  That includes all assessments.  Your fine will be within a few dollars of that. (The officer was very nice: the fine for going 26 mph over the limit is $380.)  Traffic school will cost a bit more, but will keep it off your record and prevent insurance increases.  Otherwise, it is one point, and could affect your insurance.

It would not help to say you did not see the speed limit.  Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit is 55, so if you did not see a sign, that is what you should have expected the speed limit to be.  Moreover, there is nowhere in California where the limit is 75 -- there are some places where it is 70.  

However, if you go to court, and tell the hearing officer that you were speeding and want to go to traffic school, but that the cost of the ticket is burdensome, the hearing officer might (just maybe) reduce the fine a bit.

Answer 7

Contact the court as soon as possible.

Find out if there is a Defensive Driving option.

If there is take the option.

This should be cheaper and might eliminate the ticket from showing on your record -causing insurance to go Up.