traffic ticket

[zman]

I got speeding ticket in Fairfax, VA.
It is my first moving violation. I was doing 61 (what the officer said) on 45 MPH zone.

Can you give me any advice?
Should I show up in court? Will showing up in court remove my point?
How much point will I get?
How much is the fine? (The ticket doesn't have this info).

How does point affect my insurance?

Thanks!

 

[zman]

Since this is my first ticket, can I take traffic school to dismiss the ticket?

I notice that DMV web site states:

"Traffic Schools
Attending an approved Virginia traffic school course is a great way to prevent traffic violations from hitting your driving record. We recommend I Drive Safely as your best choice amongst Virginia traffic schools to take online. Not only can this course dismiss a traffic ticket, enrolling can enhance your driving knowledge & skill and increase your awareness and the safety of you, your family and other drivers. "

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

You can try a lawyer, or you can plead your good driving record to try and get it reduced... The points raise your insurance premium, and the traffic course you're talking about would probably get the points removed before it hits your insurance company. Just remember, you can only take that course once every 2 years I believe, as that's how it is NY. This is a rather dumb ticket I might add 61 in a 45 is hardly dangerous... I'd seriously try the local lawyer for $200 bucks probably...

 

[selavia]

I am not sure about VA, but in MD, you would probably be best off going to court and pleading PBJ, (probation before judgment); usually they will cut the fine in 1/2 and take away the points. 16 miles over in MD is a two point offense (10-29 miles over is a two point offense). Most judges in MD will probably give you PBJ if you ask for it. Then again, I don't know the differences between VA & MD traffic law. I would shy away from a course only because your offense as BMW 325i 7803 said is not too aggregious.

And Bmw325i 7803, not to start anything, but I don't understand how a speeding ticket is "dumb." A law, whether or not a specific person agrees with its rationale, is the law. I wonder what else you might find to be a dumb offense... 'm not being fecious, I'm kind of serious.

Sean

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I am not sure about VA, but in MD, you would probably be best off going to court and pleading PBJ, (probation before judgment); usually they will cut the fine in 1/2 and take away the points. 16 miles over in MD is a two point offense (10-29 miles over is a two point offense). Most judges in MD will probably give you PBJ if you ask for it. Then again, I don't know the differences between VA & MD traffic law. I would shy away from a course only because your offense as BMW 325i 7803 said is not too aggregious.

And Bmw325i 7803, not to start anything, but I don't understand how a speeding ticket is "dumb." A law, whether or not a specific person agrees with its rationale, is the law. I wonder what else you might find to be a dumb offense... 'm not being fecious, I'm kind of serious.

Sean

It's just I get the feeling that he got picked out by a bored cop for doing 15 over, and for such a minor violation considering the speed-limit is 65 in most speedways, I think the judge would go light on this one either by making it a 2 pt ticket or possibly if he had a lawyer dismissing it to a parking ticket.

 

[Average Jae]

besides the here we go..

mmm P B J... just a thought of it is making me hungry at near midnight.. come to think of it, i haven't had any pbj since i got back to the states.. man i've been missing out!!

anyway back to the point.. it sucks you got the speeding ticket.

i'd either consult a lawyer, or ask around about how your friends/ other folks you know dealt with such a ticket in the past. PbJ seems like a good deal, if the judge bites. (in my area, they stopped giving probations like the year i got my license..

in most traffic violations, i would go in and try to fight the ticket, or try to get a reduced sentence. it doesn't help your cause at all if you just sit back and pay the fine, imo.

 

[zman]

DMV site for VA also says that

"...for each full calendar year that you hold a valid Virginia driver's license and do not have any violations or suspensions, you receive a safe driving point. You can also earn safe driving points when you complete a driver improvement clinic. You can accumulate up to five safe driving points to offset your demerit points."

Any one know how to findout how many "safe driving points" I have?
Will it cost me anything to find out my points?

 

[midtownkoi]

If you think you were speeding, take responsibility for your actions, and pay the ticket. I'm sure most of us (including myself) go over the legal limit at times, but we have to realize that there may be consequences for doing so.

 

[zman]

If you think you were speeding, take responsibility for your actions, and pay the ticket. I'm sure most of us (including myself) go over the legal limit at times, but we have to realize that there may be consequences for doing so.

See, that is the part that I believe I didn't. If I did go over the speed limit, I probably went to max 55 mph. There was a blue dodge truck on my right side which was passing me by. Then, when the cop walked to the middle of the street, the blue truck saw it first and slowed down. I guessed I passed the truck at that time.

I was not paying attention because my kids at the back seat were crying asking me to go to a bathroom. I guess I was trying to get home quicker.

So, yea... I sped up above the speed limit. I am willing to pay the fee, but I try to avoid the points if it is possible. Because I believe the cop read 61mph from the truck besides me.

I didn't want to argue with police because there were kids at the back seat, besides I don't think he would listen.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

DMV site for VA also says that

"...for each full calendar year that you hold a valid Virginia driver's license and do not have any violations or suspensions, you receive a safe driving point. You can also earn safe driving points when you complete a driver improvement clinic. You can accumulate up to five safe driving points to offset your demerit points."

Any one know how to findout how many "safe driving points" I have?
Will it cost me anything to find out my points?

How many years have you been licensed? How many tickets have you gotten of any type, besides parking? That should be an easy one. Then google the VA point system and see how many points your violation is, I'm assuming 4. I would still consult a traffic attorney.

Good call on not arguing, it is never smart to argue with police.

 

[hosagod]

Just pay the fee, and take a driving course. It gets completely removed from your record.

In Texas, you can drop 1 ticket per year if you take the driving course. You just have to come to court and pay a fee (not the speeding fine) and then provide them with evidence of you having taken the class. It's pretty straight forward.

And don't be bummed, mistakes happen by everyone. A speeding ticket is hardly anything to get upset over, everyone does it. You just have to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. The first one hurts bad...after that, it gets easier...hehe.

 

[webejammin]

I got one in NJ $430 court costs no points...lawyer $210...passing the tourist going 35 in a 50 at 80mph priceless...caught at 69 in a 50 sucks

 

[zman]

How long does it take for the ticket to be entered on the system? I checked on "Virginia Court Case Info" as stated on the ticket, I could not find my name. It has been over a week now. Another thing is that I cannot find the ticket fee on the ticket, but it has a court date.