got a ticket last night

[retro]

I went out to get some painkillers last night, and on my way back I crossed a street on a yellow light. Well, there was a cop about to make a right hand turn there, and he pulled me over because I apparently ran a red light... even though it turned red as I was exiting the intersection. But seeing as how there were 4-5 other cars pulled over in that general area, at least I wasn't alone in being targeted by a bored cop. Nothing I can really do to fight it either... classic he said, she said situation. The cops around here give out tickets on a whim... my mom got one last year because a cop decided that she was following him too closely. So my unemployed ass gets to dole out what'll probably be $350-400 after paying the fine and going to traffic school. Sigh. Thank God for my tax return. :24:

Still, a pretty good run... 13 years of driving before I got my first ticket.

 

[Staci]

fight it. see if he actually shows up for court....he no shows it should be dismissed

 

[Natasha]

fight it. see if he actually shows up for court....he no shows it should be dismissed

This. You should always go to court on a traffic ticket. It's your first offense, too, chances are at the most you might have to take a defensive driving course (I don't know what it runs out there but here it's about $60 or so). I got a $300 ticket in Savannah, GA on my birthday a few years ago for running a red light (no denying it, I ran the SHIT out of that red light) and went to court on it. I ended up having to take a defensive driving course and paying court costs of $25. AND it didn't go on my record.

 

[skyblue]

a few years back i got clocked running a red at over 80mph and a 40mph zone,i got pulled over,got a talking to and sent on my way

 

[brieze]

Fight the man.

 

[Alien Allen]

around here they have moved the lights to the other side of the intersection.

They used to be in the middle. Plus I swear they have shortened the lights so they turn red quicker.

 

[Tim]

I would also go and plead my case to the judge. It's not like you can lose anything but a little time. If the judge finds you guilty, then you pay the fine, if not, you are off.

I just went to court with the guy who rear ended me. He got two tickets both of which put points on his license... We sat in the court room before the judge came in and the cop offered him a deal. He would drop the one ticket altogether and would lower the other one to one where there were no points, just a $75 ticket. He agreed and the cop explained the deal to the judge when he came in and it was over in 5 minutes...

It's ALWAYS worth your time to fight it, even if you are 100% guilty.

 

[AnitaBeer]

A cop tried doing that to me once. I said absolutely not, the light turned red after I was through the intersection, he tried arguing and I just told him to provide the proof and I'll take a ticket. He gave me a verbal warning and was on his way.

Do what others have said and show up to court.

 

[Johnfromokc]

Here is a strategy my brother used. Get a continuance - at least one. That throws the cops schedule off and he will likely not be in court for the rescheduling and you win. :ninja

 

[retro]

Fucking hell.

$519 for a fucking red light that I didn't run. Plus, in order to contest it or even get a continuance, I have to pay it in full. Fuck this shit.

 

[Joe the meek]

See, there is a God. You even gave thanks to him for your tax return

 

[retro]

See, there is a God. You even gave thanks to him for your tax return

Yeah. The tax return I'm living off of because I don't have a fucking job.

 

[Joe the meek]

Yeah. The tax return I'm living off of because I don't have a fucking job.

Look at the bright side, you could be without a job without a tax return

 

[Panacea]

around here they have moved the lights to the other side of the intersection.

They used to be in the middle. Plus I swear they have shortened the lights so they turn red quicker.

Ok so I'm not crazy...
I used to be able to get through if it just turned yellow, and now if I do that I've outright run a red. Can't seem to train myself out of the habit.

 

[Panacea]

$519 is incredibly steep, I'm starting to understand why people drive like slow dicks anymore. Not worth it.

 

[Joe the meek]

$519 is incredibly steep, I'm starting to understand why people drive like slow dicks anymore. Not worth it.

Didn't you ever have a NC license?

It took me a short time to realize the organized crime the DMV/court system/lawyers have in NC.

You get one ticket and the next day you'll have 20 letters from lawyers in your mailbox.

I learned to REMEMBER to check the mail box the next day if I forget to tell the wife I got a moving violation of some sort LOL

Speeding and failures to stop in NC will run you in the mid 200's, including lawyers fees, and no points on your drivers license.

 

[Panacea]

Didn't you ever have a NC license?

It took me a short time to realize the organized crime the DMV/court system/lawyers have.

You get one ticket and the next day you'll have 20 letters from lawyers in your mailbox.

I learned to REMEMBER to check the mail box the next day if I forget to tell the wife I got a moving violation of some sort LOL

No, I haven't lived anywhere but good ol' Michigan
The only ticket I had was last year. I was hauling ass through Canada and got pulled over near my home going a good 20 over, he tagged me for 14 over...
I ended up paying like $210 for the ticket and driver class. No points so I got lucky.


I did have Texas plates on the car, it was a rental...I suspect it had something to do with it haha

 

[Joe the meek]

I ended up paying like $210 for the ticket and driver class. No points so I got lucky.

That's the organized crime part here in NC. You pay a lawyer for pretty much ANY driving infraction and they get it knocked down to "improper vehicle infraction" or some mumbo jumbo, and you get NO points on your license.

Like, once the cop writes you up, your information goes to the courthouse, the lawyers get it, and then their like sharks looking for $125 to file one page of paperwork. Those lawyers literally have their letters mailed out to you on the SAME day you get the ticket. Hmmm... The court gets their extra $125 for what the infraction was, and the drivers don't get any points on their license and the insurance company apparently never knows.

Go through a red light? Pay a lawyer $120, pay the fine and no one ever knows.

 

[Panacea]

For sure, it's clear to see. I didn't fight it, actually, just took my lumps.

 

[Joe the meek]

For sure, it's clear to see. I didn't fight it, actually, just took my lumps.

That's the thing, the state of NC doesn't want you to take "your lumps", they just want you to pay money into the legal system. They make it easier for you to pay a lawyer and have no record of it.

I'm not complaining, just find it funny because if it was anyone else BUT the state, it would be considered organized crime.