Louisiana traffic ticket

[phillydog]

I took a trip from Minnesota to Houston TX. For work. My wife decided she would like to go, so off we went on a working vacation. after touring around the Houston area, we decided to go to Lake Charles LA. and visit the casinos there. We entered Louisiana, I set the rental car cruse to the posted speed limit and on we went. About 5 miles from Lake Charles I passed a Sheriff, I moved from the right lane to the left then from the left to the right after we passed. He proceeded to speed up and followed me about a half mile then turned on his lights. I pulled over, he ordered me out of the car, and proceeded to tell me I did not signal my lane change when I was behind him, and I replied I thought I did. After about a half-hour of him interrogating my wife, and myself, he finally gave me a ticket for not signaling my lane change. I have not decided what I am going to do about this yet, but here are what I see as my options.

1. Ignore the ticket
2. Send a registered letter pleading not guilty, then go to Lake Charles for a trial. (If this is legal)
3. Go to Lake Charles in July and plead not guilty.
4. Send them the fine(Least desirable)

These are in order of preference, any opinions are appreciated.

By the way, we were the only ones on the highway within view.

Phil S.

 

[Vincent Cosent]

I'll bet your hot.

And I dont blame you. My dad once got a ticket for 1 mph over in Texas. They love to ticket out of staters for anything because they figure you wont bother to fight it and most people dont. So my advice is to pay the ticket and spend your vacation dollars at home or consider ticket costs a part of your vacation expense.