What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Maryland
I received a speeding ticket. 58 in a 40 zone. The officer officially wrote the ticket for 49 in a 40 zone with a note saying that my actual speed was 58. Yes, he gave me a break with only a 1 point ticket vs 2 points. I had a clean record otherwise.
I had the option of going to court and pleading "guilty w/an explanation" to attempt to ask the judge to take the points off and only adding the fine. I was concerned that even if I pled guilty the judge could have asked the officer, assuming the officer appeared, what my actual speed was. With the judge finding that my actual speed was 58 and I already got a break with a 49mph in a 40 zone ticket the judge could have charged me with my actual speed and giving me a 2 point infraction. Thus, I decided to pay the ticket and to know to slow down in the future.
btw - while sitting in court last year due to a no-fault accident that my wife had I saw the judge do the exact thing that I was concerned about with my ticket. The judge, rightfully so, had no sympathy for speeders and gave most if not all defendants the maximum charge.
Did I make the correct decision with my ticket to just pay it or should I have taken it to court and pled guilty w/an explanation to try to reduce the charge?
I received a speeding ticket. 58 in a 40 zone. The officer officially wrote the ticket for 49 in a 40 zone with a note saying that my actual speed was 58. Yes, he gave me a break with only a 1 point ticket vs 2 points. I had a clean record otherwise.
I had the option of going to court and pleading "guilty w/an explanation" to attempt to ask the judge to take the points off and only adding the fine. I was concerned that even if I pled guilty the judge could have asked the officer, assuming the officer appeared, what my actual speed was. With the judge finding that my actual speed was 58 and I already got a break with a 49mph in a 40 zone ticket the judge could have charged me with my actual speed and giving me a 2 point infraction. Thus, I decided to pay the ticket and to know to slow down in the future.
btw - while sitting in court last year due to a no-fault accident that my wife had I saw the judge do the exact thing that I was concerned about with my ticket. The judge, rightfully so, had no sympathy for speeders and gave most if not all defendants the maximum charge.
Did I make the correct decision with my ticket to just pay it or should I have taken it to court and pled guilty w/an explanation to try to reduce the charge?
