Is is worth it to contest this speeding infraction?
10-07-2009, 09:22 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Bay Area/SB
Posts: 1,161
Car Info: 02 WRX
Is is worth it to contest this speeding infraction?
I got my ticket in the mail today for an infraction I committed about 3 weeks back. I was ticketed $446 for going 97 in the 70 in kings city south on 101. I have a clean driving record (3 years now) with no tickets or accidents. I was driving down to SB with my parents to move in for school and was very anxious, driving an unfamiliar car (mini van on loan), on unfamiliar roads. Should I go for this, or do I have no defense? My court date is at 8am, 2.5hours from home. Oh, also, I can't do traffic school. Let me know what you guys think.
10-07-2009, 09:32 PM
#2
If you can't do traffic school... which I don't know why (maybe a speeding ticket before within 18 months?) then I'd suggest fighting it through written declaration rather than an in person appointment. I heard CHP are good about showing up to court dates.
10-07-2009, 09:34 PM
#3
VIP Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 4,755
Car Info: 02 Subaru WRX w/ JDM Spec C
Why can't you do traffic school. If this is your first offense they should grant you it. I would go and hopefully A - Cop doesn't show, or B - The judge will either reduce the fine or grant you traffic school there.
10-07-2009, 09:34 PM
#4
you should be able to do traffic school, just do that. if they caught you dead to rights, and/or you admitted to speeding then you will not win in court for sure. if it was like a 75 in a 70 then you'd have some room to argue...but 27 over the limit is a bit much yo.
Last edited by STiForFun; 10-07-2009 at 09:36 PM. Reason: dsl fail
10-07-2009, 09:42 PM
#5
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Land Of The Dead
Posts: 3,863
Car Info: Cage and Slicks and Wing OH MY!!
cant do traffic school if its over 25 (if i recall correctly)
97 is a bit much. Wouldnt you have to drive down to kings city if you were to contest it anyways? If you do want to TRY and contest it go for written declaration. If you try and fight it in court, and lose you will pay the full amount, plus court fees, plus a waste of a day.
just my two cents. Sucks anyway you look at it.
97 is a bit much. Wouldnt you have to drive down to kings city if you were to contest it anyways? If you do want to TRY and contest it go for written declaration. If you try and fight it in court, and lose you will pay the full amount, plus court fees, plus a waste of a day.
just my two cents. Sucks anyway you look at it.
10-07-2009, 10:15 PM
#6
10-07-2009, 10:28 PM
#9
10-07-2009, 11:07 PM
#10
10-07-2009, 11:50 PM
#11
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Bay Area/SB
Posts: 1,161
Car Info: 02 WRX
It specifically says that I can not do traffic school. I have never been ticketed before; it must be because i was over 25 over. What are the odds that the chp officer wont show? As far as "why don't I pay the ticket": because I'm a college student with no income
10-08-2009, 12:04 AM
#13
Registered User
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Campbell, CA
Posts: 1,093
Car Info: VF48'd WRB Bugeye
You are damn lucky you weren't going 100+. Your excuse doesn't sound very good and you are just going to end up wasting more time and money trying to get out of it.
10-08-2009, 12:06 AM
#14
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: East Bay / Pomona
Posts: 3,670
Car Info: '02 PSM WRX
Driving a minivan fully loaded on unfamiliar road and going 27 over a 70mph speed limit? I'm surprised you're getting this much slack because I'm glad the cop got you doing something as stupid as that.
However, post the CVC code, and it'll be a little bit easier for those who wish to help you. My advice is to pay the ticket and learn your lesson.
However, post the CVC code, and it'll be a little bit easier for those who wish to help you. My advice is to pay the ticket and learn your lesson.
10-08-2009, 11:51 AM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 225
Car Info: LGT Wagon
Did you get pulled over or did this ticket come from a speed camera? Speed cameras aren't legal in CA.
If you schedule an arraignment before a judge, he/she may let you do traffic school and or reduce the fine. Just go to the court clerks office.
Alternately you can fight it via trial by declaration. There is information here about that process:
http://www.helpigotaticket.com/declar/index.html
and here:
http://www.ticketassassin.com/faq.html
Since the court house is so far from you, this might be the better option. And if you loose in your trial via declaration, you can try again in court.
If you schedule an arraignment before a judge, he/she may let you do traffic school and or reduce the fine. Just go to the court clerks office.
Alternately you can fight it via trial by declaration. There is information here about that process:
http://www.helpigotaticket.com/declar/index.html
and here:
http://www.ticketassassin.com/faq.html
Since the court house is so far from you, this might be the better option. And if you loose in your trial via declaration, you can try again in court.