What is the name of your state? South Carolina
This has got to be the weirdest ticket ever. There's a lot, and it's a long story, so please bear with me....
Back in September, I got a ticket for going 85 in a 60. I don't believe I was going 85 in a 60, and no, I didn't admit it. The officer was following someone who was going considerably faster than I was, and that person was weaving in that morning's rush hour traffic. Interestingly the officer matched him move for move without actually starting the chase or turning on his blue lights. When the cop pulled him over, he motioned me over as well. He got out of his patrol car and began to rant about how "this isn't a raceway" (duh), "it's wet out here" (cloudy, yes, roads wet, no), "you were all over my butt" (no, i wasn't), "we all hit AT LEAST 85" (not that i'm aware of, especially in RUSH HOUR - STOP & GO interstate traffic, did i just hear you admit to 85 without your lights on?) and a few other things that he made up. I didn't say anything to him and just sat there looking at him. It was kinda funny actually. He got a little bit frustrated because I didn't say a single word. So he just told me to get my license and registration and he went and fussed at the other driver for a while. He came back with my ticket for 85 in a 60 - 6 points, told me he appreciated my good attitude and that if i come to court he'll help me out. Interestingly, even though he accused me of several violations he only ticketed me for speeding. I'm guessing cuz I didn't admit anything and kept my mouth shut.
So, I decided to fight it. I wasn't going 85 mph, and in that kind of traffic it's impossible. The other reason I decided to fight it was because it was a $440.00 fine. That's a lot of money, and I simply don't have it. My court date was Oct. 9th and I showed up on time. My trial ends up being held in the Judge's Chambers/Office. I questioned the officer about traffic conditions, etc, and his testimony was that it did seem impossible to attain 85mph in those conditions. Apparently it didn't matter to the judge and he found me guilty and fined me the full amount of $440.00! OUCH!!!
After the trial the officer asks me if I need additional time to pay the ticket since it is such a large amount. I say yes, and he gives me 30 days (due by Nov. 9th) and tells me I'm free to go. Before I leave though, he stops me and says, "I thought you would get out of it. You came in well prepared and presented a very good defense."
On November 9th, I walk back into that court again to pay my fine since they accept ONLY cash, ONLY in person. I asked the lady at the counter if there was anthing they could do to reduce the ticket since it is a large sum. She looks at the file and tells me, "No, since you didn't show up to court, AND you are now 30 days late!" I'm sure the look on my face was priceless. We go back and forth for a while with me trying to tell her that I did show up for court. In the end, they basically "suspended" the ticket (no BW, no license suspension, etc) until we hear back from the cop and see if he can remember exactly what happened.
It's been a couple weeks, and the cop hasn't called back. So, I'm thinking I should appeal. I've never done it before. All my previous traffic tickets i've gotten handled the same day as the trial. Any help will be greatly appreciated, so thanks in advance!
This has got to be the weirdest ticket ever. There's a lot, and it's a long story, so please bear with me....
Back in September, I got a ticket for going 85 in a 60. I don't believe I was going 85 in a 60, and no, I didn't admit it. The officer was following someone who was going considerably faster than I was, and that person was weaving in that morning's rush hour traffic. Interestingly the officer matched him move for move without actually starting the chase or turning on his blue lights. When the cop pulled him over, he motioned me over as well. He got out of his patrol car and began to rant about how "this isn't a raceway" (duh), "it's wet out here" (cloudy, yes, roads wet, no), "you were all over my butt" (no, i wasn't), "we all hit AT LEAST 85" (not that i'm aware of, especially in RUSH HOUR - STOP & GO interstate traffic, did i just hear you admit to 85 without your lights on?) and a few other things that he made up. I didn't say anything to him and just sat there looking at him. It was kinda funny actually. He got a little bit frustrated because I didn't say a single word. So he just told me to get my license and registration and he went and fussed at the other driver for a while. He came back with my ticket for 85 in a 60 - 6 points, told me he appreciated my good attitude and that if i come to court he'll help me out. Interestingly, even though he accused me of several violations he only ticketed me for speeding. I'm guessing cuz I didn't admit anything and kept my mouth shut.
So, I decided to fight it. I wasn't going 85 mph, and in that kind of traffic it's impossible. The other reason I decided to fight it was because it was a $440.00 fine. That's a lot of money, and I simply don't have it. My court date was Oct. 9th and I showed up on time. My trial ends up being held in the Judge's Chambers/Office. I questioned the officer about traffic conditions, etc, and his testimony was that it did seem impossible to attain 85mph in those conditions. Apparently it didn't matter to the judge and he found me guilty and fined me the full amount of $440.00! OUCH!!!
After the trial the officer asks me if I need additional time to pay the ticket since it is such a large amount. I say yes, and he gives me 30 days (due by Nov. 9th) and tells me I'm free to go. Before I leave though, he stops me and says, "I thought you would get out of it. You came in well prepared and presented a very good defense."
On November 9th, I walk back into that court again to pay my fine since they accept ONLY cash, ONLY in person. I asked the lady at the counter if there was anthing they could do to reduce the ticket since it is a large sum. She looks at the file and tells me, "No, since you didn't show up to court, AND you are now 30 days late!" I'm sure the look on my face was priceless. We go back and forth for a while with me trying to tell her that I did show up for court. In the end, they basically "suspended" the ticket (no BW, no license suspension, etc) until we hear back from the cop and see if he can remember exactly what happened.
It's been a couple weeks, and the cop hasn't called back. So, I'm thinking I should appeal. I've never done it before. All my previous traffic tickets i've gotten handled the same day as the trial. Any help will be greatly appreciated, so thanks in advance!