travel to a strange city and get a 34 in 30 ticket... fine is $235... ripoff?
Apr 28, 2015, 9:05 pm
#76
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,285
To follow up on my other post, my speeding ticket court date was today and the lawyer emailed the following results: 90 Day Deferred Disposition and fine+court costs of $224. So, just got to make sure I don't get another speeding ticket in the city and the ticket will be dismissed from my driving record.
So it seems like the $50 I spent on the lawyer was worth it, assuming my insurance would have gone up with the ticket on my driving record.
So it seems like the $50 I spent on the lawyer was worth it, assuming my insurance would have gone up with the ticket on my driving record.
I'm impressed that your lawyer charged only $50. When I was in graduate school there was a jurisdiction about 30 miles away on one of the main highways that was notorious for rejecting all arguments laypeople made in their own defense in traffic court. Lawyers there charged $500 to represent you (still a savings compared to the insurance premium hike for points on your record), and that was in twenty years ago dollars.
Apr 29, 2015, 8:25 am
#77
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 226
Thanks for coming back here to let us know how it turned out. With so many of these advice threads we never learn the outcome.
I'm impressed that your lawyer charged only $50. When I was in graduate school there was a jurisdiction about 30 miles away on one of the main highways that was notorious for rejecting all arguments laypeople made in their own defense in traffic court. Lawyers there charged $500 to represent you (still a savings compared to the insurance premium hike for points on your record), and that was in twenty years ago dollars.
I'm impressed that your lawyer charged only $50. When I was in graduate school there was a jurisdiction about 30 miles away on one of the main highways that was notorious for rejecting all arguments laypeople made in their own defense in traffic court. Lawyers there charged $500 to represent you (still a savings compared to the insurance premium hike for points on your record), and that was in twenty years ago dollars.
I've got to imagine there is little work involved with these types of cases since they charge so little.
Apr 29, 2015, 8:38 am
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Not all states count speeding convictions out-of-state in their point system; NYS for example only counts Ontario and Quebec.
I don't know if other states have taken traffic infractions out of their "court" systems. In NYS in several counties (mostly with large cities) have gone over to an Adjudication system, your case is NOT heard by a JUDGE but a (lawyer) hearing examiner--he/she has limited powers; they cannot turn a moving violation into (say) an "equipment failure".
I don't know if other states have taken traffic infractions out of their "court" systems. In NYS in several counties (mostly with large cities) have gone over to an Adjudication system, your case is NOT heard by a JUDGE but a (lawyer) hearing examiner--he/she has limited powers; they cannot turn a moving violation into (say) an "equipment failure".
Apr 29, 2015, 9:05 am
#79
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, United, British Airways, Alaska Air
Posts: 250
This is SO true. I drive from the Northern suburbs to the Western suburbs every day for work, and everyone here drives super fast. In fact, I'd say everyone goes faster than 65-70; it's more like 70+ usually... in some spots the speed limit has recently gone up to 60 so that means people are driving faster now than before. I've been tailgated in the left lane before when I was going 80 - pretty crazy!
Apr 29, 2015, 9:22 am
#80
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Sorry to hear your experience. Seems like a speed trap town. Happened to me in rural Iowa. If you want to fight the ticket for your own satisfaction, that is one thing, but otherwise it would be best to pay up and be careful in future - especially in small towns and when out of state.