[smokingcamaro]

Today I got my first speeding ticket ever So here is how it happened, I was going to work this morning very early like 7:00 AM and no one was really on the roads of Charlotte. I was running late for work and going faster than I thought I was, well there was a State Trooper that just so happened to be getting on the freeway while I was doing this who came out of no where. I know that I was speeding and should not have been. It was a horrible mistake, now I have a mandatory court date for going 75 in a 55. Has anyone experienced this, I really have no idea what I need to do, Should I get a lawyer or what?

[Coyotekiller]

Go find yourself a good lawyer and you can probably get a prayer for judgement. Or just get it reduced or dropped. Lawyers are magical creatures if you get a good one, they make miracles happen. Problem is, its gonna cost you about 5 bills to get one, maybe more. I wouldn't try to go to court without one either.

[MistyBlu10]

i got one in hatteras like 5 years ago(74 in a 55) had to drive back down to go to court, was dropped pretty much, court costs were more than the fine. they call you up before trial to make a deal at least they did for me. there was alot of people in the court room maybe different in NC. Lawyer i dont agree ive never used a lawyer and got away with everything

[MistyBlu10]

recently got popped for 25 over in md near dc had to go to driver safety course pay $150 fine no points no more speeding for me

[red70tvhs]

dont freak out. Its your only offense ever? Plead guilty to doing it, you diddnt realize it and apologize. If you were polite to the trooper he will tell the judge you were cooperative when the judge asks if you were. Plead for driving school and hopefully get it thrown out or reduced. I dont see them sticking you with the 20 over honestly, they'l reduce it at the very least IMO. Lawyer up if you want, but I wouldnt. Only thicket I lawyered up for was 116 in a 55mph lmfao. I so diddnt go to jail and I tried to frame the ticket... but they diddnt let me keep my pink copy after court :(

[Southern Comfort]

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

20 over around here would get you a wreckless driving charge. If you were just charged for speeding you can either pay the fine or go to court and apologize and say you didn't realize you were going that fast, the judge may reduce the fine or throw it out completely.

Hopefully someone local to you and with RECENT experience can chime in. Beware states like GA have enacted Super Speeder laws to help pay for trauma care centers. Governments are starving for cash, so these offenses are way more expensive than they used to be.
Best of luck. Let us know how things work out.

[Coyotekiller]

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

20 over around here would get you a wreckless driving charge. If you were just charged for speeding you can either pay the fine or go to court and apologize and say you didn't realize you were going that fast, the judge may reduce the fine or throw it out completely.

They are really coming down hard on speeders and racing here in NC. More than likely, the judge will see the speed on the ticket and charge you with reckless driving as well. That's why you get a lawyer, the lawyer knows the judges that are more forgiving with speeding violators and less likely to try to bury you with expensive fines and charges. I've had my fair share of tickets and I've been to court without a lawyer before, it sucked. I learned quick that lawyers were worth the money.

[jd10013]

Originally Posted by smokingcamaro

Today I got my first speeding ticket ever So here is how it happened, I was going to work this morning very early like 7:00 AM and no one was really on the roads of Charlotte. I was running late for work and going faster than I thought I was, well there was a State Trooper that just so happened to be getting on the freeway while I was doing this who came out of no where. I know that I was speeding and should not have been. It was a horrible mistake, now I have a mandatory court date for going 75 in a 55. Has anyone experienced this, I really have no idea what I need to do, Should I get a lawyer or what?

that's why I always leave my speed warning on and set to 65. at least that way I'll know when I get going to fast. its so easy in these cars. anyway, weather or not you should get a lawyer depends a lot on the laws of your state. I know here in VA 20mph over is reckless driving, and that carries some pretty stiff fines and even jail time. you don't show up to court for one of those without a lawyer.

but if it's just a speeding ticket and your first, I wouldn't waste the money on a lawyer. just tell the judge it was a mistake, and unless you draw a real prick it will probably get reduced to a lesser charge. and unless your in your teens or something it probably won't even effect your insurance. just don't get another one for awhile.

[two_wheel_mayhem]

How old are you? You have to be mistaken, mandatory court date..wtf? Last ticket I had was 83 in a 35 and all they wanted was me to pay them $415, could have paid online by credit card if I wanted to.

It's about money is all. Don't need a lawyer at all. You really aren't planning on saying you were innocent are you? You will lose AND be out the cost of a lawyer too.

It's either pay a fine and have mercy on your insurance or a diversion deal,and THEY will let you know what your options are, don't worry, NC can't do things much different than backwoods Indiana or Illinois.

You can call the court beforehand and they will probably tell you over the phone what your options are, just wait a few weeks until it's in the system.

Some counties have what they call a "safe driver diversion" for people that don't get a lot of tickets, which means you pay more but they won't put it on your record, also you can't get another ticket in the next 6mths/year their terms vary. If they offer this you should pay the extra money and take it.

[K32 Camaro]

First rule that ALL of you messed up! NEVER PLEAD GUILTY!! If you want to admit you did it say NO CONTEST! or else they will f you like a stuffed pig..

A lawyer could help but if the officer doesn't show then they can't press charges. Make sure the officer is there b/c they don't usually jump out to tell you. GL. Should be no problem.

[smokingcamaro]

Well I am 22, with a clean driving record, The State Trooper that pulled me over told me to come to the court date and ask for a prayer of judgement. He never even told me that I was getting charged with reckless driving just speeding. On the ticket it says Operating a motor vehicle on a street or highway at a speed of 75 in a 55 mph zone G.S. 20-141 (J1) I researched that code at the end and it does say reckless driving but why would he NOT tell me?

[jd10013]

claiming not guilty to a speeding ticket will just make you look bad and piss off the judge.

[Coyotekiller]

Originally Posted by jd10013

that's why I always leave my speed warning on and set to 65. at least that way I'll know when I get going to fast. its so easy in these cars. anyway, weather or not you should get a lawyer depends a lot on the laws of your state. I know here in VA 20mph over is reckless driving, and that carries some pretty stiff fines and even jail time. you don't show up to court for one of those without a lawyer.

but if it's just a speeding ticket and your first, I wouldn't waste the money on a lawyer. just tell the judge it was a mistake, and unless you draw a real prick it will probably get reduced to a lesser charge. and unless your in your teens or something it probably won't even effect your insurance. just don't get another one for awhile.

Originally Posted by two_wheel_mayhem

How old are you? You have to be mistaken, mandatory court date..wtf? Last ticket I had was 83 in a 35 and all they wanted was me to pay them $415, could have paid online by credit card if I wanted to.

It's about money is all. Don't need a lawyer at all. You really aren't planning on saying you were innocent are you? You will lose AND be out the cost of a lawyer too.

It's either pay a fine and have mercy on your insurance or a diversion deal,and THEY will let you know what your options are, don't worry, NC can't do things much different than backwoods Indiana or Illinois.

You can call the court beforehand and they will probably tell you over the phone what your options are, just wait a few weeks until it's in the system.

Some counties have what they call a "safe driver diversion" for people that don't get a lot of tickets, which means you pay more but they won't put it on your record, also you can't get another ticket in the next 6mths/year their terms vary. If they offer this you should pay the extra money and take it.

You should read what I posted about laws in NC in my previous post in this thread. They really are cracking down on speeders. And yes they really can do things very much different here than they do in Illinois and Indiana. If you get a ticket for 20 over you can get the book thrown at you. If you don't have a lawyer it could end up very bad for you.

[jd10013]

Originally Posted by smokingcamaro

Well I am 22, with a clean driving record, The State Trooper that pulled me over told me to come to the court date and ask for a prayer of judgement. He never even told me that I was getting charged with reckless driving just speeding. On the ticket it says Operating a motor vehicle on a street or highway at a speed of 75 in a 55 mph zone G.S. 20-141 (J1) I researched that code at the end and it does say reckless driving but why would he NOT tell me?

again, depending on the laws of your state, I wouldn't show up for a reckless charge without a lawyer. those can be pretty serious both in fines, points, and the effect on your insurance. insurance companies really don't like seeing the words "reckless" and "driving" together.