When does D-Driving course take effect?

[gotlawyer]

What is the name of your state? NY

I just got a speeding ticket last week. I was running late to a meeting I had for work that was 6 hours away, and I foolishly tried to drive and make the meeting all in one day.

I also have a driving on the shoulder ticket ( I drove on it for like 50 feet when I was right by my exit & stuck in gridlock) and I also have an improper lane change and no signal ticket; all from last year.

In my state you are allowed 11 points in an 18 month period. I think with my priors, I have 8 already, maybe 7 at best. With this speeding ticket -- 81mph in a 55 zone -- I would get 4 more points.

I called a lawyer and he said to take the defensive driving course. My impression from my State's DMV website however is that you can't use the D-Driving course to knock points off in retro. So it's the point accumulated within an 18 month period from the dates of your convictions. So my taking the course now is already after the fact if I am found guilty say 2 months from now. I am tempted to take his word for it.

The only question is can I wait a week to take it through work and save some money? If I take it through a driving school it'll be 50 bucks, but I'll take it this Sun. and get it out of the way. If I wait a week and take it at work it'll be 18 dollars. Also do I really need a lawyer? The court is in Woodbury NY, 1.5 hours away, and I have no idea what the courts are like there. thanks

[lwpat]

I assume that you are familar with the new New York surcharge that you will be paying for the next three years. Better start saving some more money.

[You Are Guilty]

Originally Posted by gotlawyer

What is the name of your state? NY

I just got a speeding ticket last week. I was running late to a meeting a had for work that was 6 hours away, and I foolishly tried to drive and make the meeting all in one day.

I also have a driving on the shoulder ticket ( I drove on it for like 50 feet when I was right by my exit & stuck in gridlock) and I also have an improper lane change and no signal ticket; all from last year.

Congrats.

Originally Posted by gotlawyer

In my state you are allowed 11 points in an 18 month period. I think with my priors, I have 8 already, maybe 7 at best. With this speeding ticket -- 81mph in a 55 zone -- I would get 4 more points.

Looks like you're good at speeding and math!

Originally Posted by gotlawyer

I called a lawyer and he said to take the defensive driving course. My impression from my State's DMV website however is that you can't use the D-Driving course to knock points off in retro. So it's the point accumulated within an 18 month period from the dates of your convictions. So my taking the course now is already after the fact if I am found guilty say 2 months from now. I am tempted to take his word for it.

Huh?? I don't know what this is even supposed to mean, but near as I can tell, you have it entirely backwards. Straight from the DMV website:

An accident prevention course cannot prevent a mandatory suspension or revocation. An accident prevention course and point reduction do not affect a driver responsibility assessment. You cannot use the course as a credit against future driver violation points.

Incidentally, the DD course does not affect the driver surcharge points. How mcu is the surcharge, you ask?

If you receive six points on your driver record during a period of 18 months, the annual assessment is $100. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. The total assessment for the three years is $300. If you receive more than six points on your driver record during a period of 18 months, the annual assessment is $25 for each point more than the original six points. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. The total assessment for the three years is $75 for each point more than the original six points.

Originally Posted by gotlawyer

The only question is can I wait a week to take it through work and save some money? If I take it through a driving school it'll be 50 bucks, but I'll take it this Sun. and get it out of the way. If I wait a week and take it at work it'll be 18 dollars.

Yeah, good idea. Try to save $32 and risk several thousand in the process. Please let me know if you'll ever be playing poker in Vegas -- I'll make it a point to come play with you.

Originally Posted by gotlawyer

Also do I really need a lawyer?

No, clearly traffic lawyers don't offer anything you can't do yourself. Much like when you have a toothache and give yourself a filling, or when your computer breaks and you build a new CPU out of spare parts from your old toaster.

Originally Posted by gotlawyer

The court is in Woodbury NY, 1.5 hours away, and I have no idea what the courts are like there. thanks

Assuming you mean Woodbury, Long Island, the courts there are these relatively modern looking, brick buildings. Inside are a lot of lawyers and guys with speeding tickets, and a few judges and police officers. It's been a while, but I am pretty sure this is it:
[url]http://nycourts.gov/courts/10jd/photo_bldg1.jpg[/url]

[gotlawyer]

Maybe I read the dmv website wrong -- my head has been a little fuzzy these past couple of days. I am paranoid as ever about the prospect of losing my license. I drive like a little old lady now. Also there's a camera that has been taking a picture of plates for years at this red light in my town; and yesterday my paranoia led me to believe that it took my car's pic despite that I was on the other side of the street! I thought they put in some new feature that allowed it to do that, but it must have been some guy that braked in the crosswalk that set off the camera flash.

Also what is this "You Are Guilty" crap? We live in a tolerant society, where one is innocent until proven guilty

And yes I am aware of the BS surcharge. The Commies just snuck that in there without mentioning anything to anyone. I've already paid it. With the D-driving course and a plea deal I should be right where I was before in that regard. It's still cheaper than 5 hundo a lawyer that I spoke to today wants . . .

So I guess your advice is to take the D-driving course ASAP? I don't know how much difference a week will make . . . especially $1,000s.

Also I am talking about Woodbury in Westchester County. And I meant if they let you cop a plea or do they go right to trial like in NYC

[gotlawyer]

Correction:

It was 81mph in a 65 zone