apdepetris
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? MD
I was caught in a speed trap in Howard County on Rt. 32. I was clocked at doing 77 in a 55 mph zone (bad I know). I was just going along with my mind on something else and wasn't paying close attention to how fast I was going. This is the first speeding ticket I have ever received in nearly 20 yrs. of driving. I'm going to court at the end of this month. Everyone has been giving me advice on what I should do and I figured I'd would get a more expert opinion.
I figure I have two options:
First, plead guilty, apologize, and explain that I made a mistake and that I wasn't paying close attention to how fast I was going and let them know that this is the first ticket I've every received. I don't really have a problem paying the fine (I don't enjoy it or anything, but I realize if you break the law you have to pay a price), I just don't want the 2 points on my record. Then I can just hope that since I have a good driving record that they'll just make me pay a fine.
My other option (that several people have suggested to me) is to plead not guilty and try to get them on not having the calibration records in court or that the device hadn't been calibrated recently and try to get the case dimissed. I'm concerned about this option because if all their paperwork is in order then I'm in trouble and I just look like a jerk. And I'm afraid I'd annoy the judge and make things worse for myself.
I know I made a mistake and this has definately made an impression on me. I now check my speed frequently and make sure that I am not going over the limit. I'm just wondering if it's better to just say that I screwed up and own up to it or try to fight it on some legal technicality. Personally, I get really nervous speaking in front of people and authority figures tend to make me nervous as well so I don't know if I would be able to do very well trying to go the calibration route. But a lot of people are telling me that it would be stupid to just go and plead guilty. I have questions and things typed up for the calibration idea so if I decide to go that way I have some notes. Right now my only plan is to go in and hope I'm not the first case so I can try to read the judge and see what kind of mood he's in. I've heard that the judges in Howard County are pretty harsh.
I just wanted to get an opinion on which option would be the better way to go for my situation.What is the name of your state?
I was caught in a speed trap in Howard County on Rt. 32. I was clocked at doing 77 in a 55 mph zone (bad I know). I was just going along with my mind on something else and wasn't paying close attention to how fast I was going. This is the first speeding ticket I have ever received in nearly 20 yrs. of driving. I'm going to court at the end of this month. Everyone has been giving me advice on what I should do and I figured I'd would get a more expert opinion.
I figure I have two options:
First, plead guilty, apologize, and explain that I made a mistake and that I wasn't paying close attention to how fast I was going and let them know that this is the first ticket I've every received. I don't really have a problem paying the fine (I don't enjoy it or anything, but I realize if you break the law you have to pay a price), I just don't want the 2 points on my record. Then I can just hope that since I have a good driving record that they'll just make me pay a fine.
My other option (that several people have suggested to me) is to plead not guilty and try to get them on not having the calibration records in court or that the device hadn't been calibrated recently and try to get the case dimissed. I'm concerned about this option because if all their paperwork is in order then I'm in trouble and I just look like a jerk. And I'm afraid I'd annoy the judge and make things worse for myself.
I know I made a mistake and this has definately made an impression on me. I now check my speed frequently and make sure that I am not going over the limit. I'm just wondering if it's better to just say that I screwed up and own up to it or try to fight it on some legal technicality. Personally, I get really nervous speaking in front of people and authority figures tend to make me nervous as well so I don't know if I would be able to do very well trying to go the calibration route. But a lot of people are telling me that it would be stupid to just go and plead guilty. I have questions and things typed up for the calibration idea so if I decide to go that way I have some notes. Right now my only plan is to go in and hope I'm not the first case so I can try to read the judge and see what kind of mood he's in. I've heard that the judges in Howard County are pretty harsh.
I just wanted to get an opinion on which option would be the better way to go for my situation.What is the name of your state?