Speeding unknown in 20mph zone... courthouse asking more money than ticket said.

[plaisted]

What is the name of your state? NC

I received a speeding ticket while going down a Raleigh road with a speed limit of 20 mph. It is a hilly road and I was coasting down the hill in neutral and don't know how fast I was going.

The cop didn't either and said he didn't have time to get his radar gun on me. He checked the last box and wrote in "Exceeding the posted speed".

Fine of $0 (zero) dollars and court fee of $100. I now hear that the courthouse can't process without a fine and called up and they say I owe $110 dollars.

Also I lost the ticket (well I didn't specifically, got thrown away by a room mate with some other papers).

What should I do?

Originally Posted by plaisted

What is the name of your state? NC

I received a speeding ticket while going down a Raleigh road with a speed limit of 20 mph. It is a hilly road and I was coasting down the hill in neutral and don't know how fast I was going.

The cop didn't either and said he didn't have time to get his radar gun on me. He checked the last box and wrote in "Exceeding the posted speed".

Fine of $0 (zero) dollars and court fee of $100. I now hear that the courthouse can't process without a fine and called up and they say I owe $110 dollars.

Also I lost the ticket (well I didn't specifically, got thrown away by a room mate with some other papers).

What should I do?

Q: What should I do?

A: Two choices -- pay an attorney $5K or so and have a jury trial or pay your ticket.


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.

Bathe and wash your hair.

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 the ticket not go on your record, if applicable.


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.”)

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Other people may give you other advice; stand by.