82 in a 55, Georgia

[albax22]

What is the name of your state? Georgia

I came around a curve of I-85 headed north, inside the perimeter where the speed limit is 55 and everyone goes 80. there were 3 cops on motorcycles measuring speed with lasers. Each cop pulled over a car, including myself. I have one previous speeding ticket, but i got it 2 years ago and i was under 21. i am now over 21. i am prepared to pay whatever the fine is, can i plead no lo to this? or try to get it down...?

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? Georgia

I came around a curve of I-85 headed north, inside the perimeter where the speed limit is 55 and everyone goes 80. there were 3 cops on motorcycles measuring speed with lasers. Each cop pulled over a car, including myself. I have one previous speeding ticket, but i got it 2 years ago and i was under 21. i am now over 21. i am prepared to pay whatever the fine is, can i plead no lo to this? or try to get it down...?

**A: of course you can. You can plead anything you want. But do you have any logical explanation for exceeding the speed limit around a curve?

 

[albax22]

I was basically just keeping with the flow of traffic, but I dont think I can say that. What should I say?

 

[HomeGuru]

I was basically just keeping with the flow of traffic, but I dont think I can say that. What should I say?

**A: and does the traffic ordinance allow for speeding due to going the flow of traffic?

 

[seniorjudge]

**A: of course you can. You can plead anything you want. But do you have any logical explanation for exceeding the speed limit around a curve?

If you were speeding, then you are guilty of speeding. Ask for a non-moving violation.



Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable.

From marbol:

“Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a ‘vibrate’ position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR it VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings.”

(Better yet, don’t carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)


Here are five stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job in [name a state five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this.

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.” Or, another variation: “I was forced into it by a bad guy!”)

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Public defender’s advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

 

[albax22]

So I should try and plead guilty to a lesser charge? Also, if my last speeding ticket came when I was under 21, would it still be on my record?

 

[HomeGuru]

So I should try and plead guilty to a lesser charge? Also, if my last speeding ticket came when I was under 21, would it still be on my record?

**A: yes, please guilty to a lesser charge. But what IS the lesser charge?

 

[albax22]

Could I ask them to take it down to 23 over (the lower classification of speeding points/fines) and offer to do a defensive driving class?

 

[seniorjudge]

**A: yes, please guilty to a lesser charge. But what IS the lesser charge?

I know for a fact that inadequate muffler is a lesser included offense of speeding in Saint Louis City, according to the prosecutors there.

Go figure....

 

[seniorjudge]

Could I ask them to take it down to 23 over (the lower classification of speeding points/fines) and offer to do a defensive driving class?

Ask for the farm, settle for a goat.

You have to remember that your speed was so fast that they may not be in a bargaining mood.

 

[HomeGuru]

Ask for the farm, settle for a goat.

You have to remember that your speed was so fast that they may not be in a bargaining mood.

**A: and a goat would not go that fast.

 

[Heather2]

Could I ask them to take it down to 23 over (the lower classification of speeding points/fines) and offer to do a defensive driving class?

I'd take defensive driving anyways. Sounds like you need it and it does lower points.

 

[poohmantbb]

Also, if my last speeding ticket came when I was under 21, would it still be on my record?

Yes. 21 is not a magic number.