Nabbed for Speeding

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

I don't want to hear how you shouldn't speed on public roads; it was a nice clear night with no traffic on a backroad, and I was in the mood for a spirited drive. I bet we've all done it. I just had the bad luck of a cop waiting for me around one of my favorite corners.

I got clocked at 71; cop said the posted speed limit was 30, even though a sign within 50 feet ahead clealy said 40.

Apparently, when it comes to speeding, Connecticut is far more lenient than most states. A few friends of mine have been nabbed for similar speeds (65 in a 40, 75 in a 45) and have only had to appear in court, donate money to a charity, and the ticket gets nullied. A conversation with a friend in NY revealed that the same offense in his state would likely be points on his license and a huge fine.

Still, even though friends of mine have had some pretty good luck in this situation, I want to expect the worst and hope for the best. WHat do you think I should expect in terms of a fine if I do have to pay one, and how much do you think my insurance would go up if the ticket stays on my record? I have a clean driving record - the last time I got a ticket was when I was 19, and I'm 26 now, and that ticket was nullied.

The last ticket got nullied basically because my father is a retired cop. He took care of the last ticket; the temptation is there to see if he can do the same again; if the penalty is only a small fine/donatoin to a charity, I would rather pay it than listen to my father's lectures every time I visit him for the next 6 weeks. Plus, I'd rather just be a man and accept my just punishment. If it is going to be a HUGE fine and an increase on my insurance, however, (I only pay about $115/month now) I guess I wouldn't mind being a spoiled brat just once more...

David McLaughlin · David McLaughlin's Garage

I was busted once on the Mass Pike; 96 on a 65 zone. The trooper was pretty nice, but then I hit the break down lane before he even had a chance to get into the first lane of traffic. I asked to a hearing and plead poverty. I forget the final total, but they dropped about $100 off the ticket. It was still over $200. I figured that I was speeding and should pay to play, I just didn't want (nor could afford at the time) to pay so much. Yeah, mu insurance went up, but it was my fault. I've never been stopped in CT, but I imaggine the fines and insurance penilties are similar to MA.

m21sniper · 06:50 AM

I got nailed at 140mph in a 40mph (non-residential) zone once, but since there was no radar(in Pa only state troopers can use radar), and no swerving/lane changing, i only got a $140 dollar (3 point) 'careless driving' ticket.

If someone among you is wondering how he caught me, i slowed down shortly after i passed the cop(who i never saw), and he caught up to me about 3 miles later since i had resumed 'driving normally'. He told me if i'd have kept it floored for 15 more seconds he'd have never caught me. To which i replied, with a smile, "It was never floored."

Later in court, (i challenged, lost, went to appeal, and had it reduced to no points and a 68 dollar fine) he also told me it was the fastest he'd ever seen a vehicle with 4 wheels move in his entire 15 year career.

Disclaimer: the above stated story is fictional, and for amusement purposes only.

widgeon13 · 07-23-2007, 06:39 AM

was it 30MPH because it's a populated area or because it's a curvy country road, state police or local? I think 26 is actually the high end of risk window with males, in other words, once you pass that age there is a potential for good drop in insurance premiums.

Try to get court date rescheduled as many times as possible and then hope the cop doesn't show. If you can get it nullified that would be the best route.

Sounds like the guy was being a prick if there was a 40 MPH sign within 50 feet or so and he still tagged you for 71 in a 30.

stomachmonkey · 07-23-2007, 06:53 AM

Speeding tickets in CT are EXPENSIVE.

I got a 20 over on I95. Cost me $250. Most of the hit was "Clerks fees" and other admin crap.

Girl I know got one, she sent the court a letter explaining that the fine did not seem appropriate. She thought it was too much.

The judge sent her a letter back agreeing the fine was not appropriate and ADDED $100 to the fine.

doh!

Jeff Higgins · 07-23-2007, 08:32 AM

Wish I had a retired (or otherwise) cop for a daddy that I could go whining to that would "take care of" my flagrant violations of the law.

You knew the risk when you decided to do this. You have admitted your guilt right here. When I get legitimately caught, I man up and pay. It's all a part of the game; if you can't afford to pay, you probably shouldn't play.

If it were not a legitimate ticket, I would fight it with everything I had. Or let me restate that - everything I had short of snivelling to daddy the cop. It's that kind of bull***** that destroys any respect the rest of us have for guys like your dad. Or you.

berettafan · 07-23-2007, 08:39 AM

just be glad you weren't in good ol' virginny!

86 in a 65 and i'll be absolutely thrilled if i get out of this for less than $800.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
Wish I had a retired (or otherwise) cop for a daddy that I could go whining to that would "take care of" my flagrant violations of the law.

You knew the risk when you decided to do this. You have admitted your guilt right here. When I get legitimately caught, I man up and pay. It's all a part of the game; if you can't afford to pay, you probably shouldn't play.

If it were not a legitimate ticket, I would fight it with everything I had. Or let me restate that - everything I had short of snivelling to daddy the cop. It's that kind of bull***** that destroys any respect the rest of us have for guys like your dad. Or you.

This is hard to hear I am sure, but basically? Jeff is right.

I HATE getting tickets. Fortunately, I haven't gotten many....at least recently. But if I do - as much as it BUGS the crap outta me? I pay. Or I take traffic school if it is available to me AND I pay.

masraum · 07-23-2007, 10:07 AM

find out what your options are. The two best options are usually defensive driving or deferred adjudication/disposition. A lawyer may be able to help as well.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

It's all about the money.

Death and taxes my man.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-23-2007, 12:23 PM

Gotta pay to play. I always figure every ticket (few) is for the many times I have sped in the past. Suck it up, pay it, move on.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

Just another example of the man keeping us down.
Jim

teenerted1 · 07-23-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJFusco

The last ticket got nullied basically because my father is a retired cop. He took care of the last ticket; the temptation is there to see if he can do the same again; if the penalty is only a small fine/donatoin to a charity, I would rather pay it than listen to my father's lectures every time I visit him for the next 6 weeks. Plus, I'd rather just be a man and accept my just punishment. If it is going to be a HUGE fine and an increase on my insurance, however, (I only pay about $115/month now) I guess I wouldn't mind being a spoiled brat just once more...

you get out of jail free card is only going to cost you a lecture from the old man? take the easy way out is my opinion. how long can the old man hold a grudge anyway if he is able to get you off for free.

the other is going to cost you time and money and points if they use them out there. what is this donation program they have? we call that state revenue generating.

out here we don't have points but going double the posted limit will cost you. you hadn't hit the forty zone it looks like.

in Oregon the officer could have had your car confiscated for reckless driving and you may not get it back.

your going to pay one way or the other so suck it up.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by widgeon13
was it 30MPH because it's a populated area or because it's a curvy country road, state police or local?

Local cop, curvy country road, technically a "business district" (only local business seems to be a country club). Visibility good, "low" traffic (= no traffic), dry conditions.

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
Wish I had a retired (or otherwise) cop for a daddy that I could go whining to that would "take care of" my flagrant violations of the law.

You knew the risk when you decided to do this. You have admitted your guilt right here. When I get legitimately caught, I man up and pay. It's all a part of the game; if you can't afford to pay, you probably shouldn't play.

If it were not a legitimate ticket, I would fight it with everything I had. Or let me restate that - everything I had short of snivelling to daddy the cop. It's that kind of bull***** that destroys any respect the rest of us have for guys like your dad. Or you.

Cry me a river. It's easy to preach until you're in the same situation... I bet 99.9% of the people in the world would take the "easy" way out and "whine" to dad. and for the record, I am going to take care of the violation myself.

widgeon13 · 07-23-2007, 06:36 PM

Get a delay in the court date (two if possible) and hope the cop doesn't show up. More than likely a pretty good fine is in order. CT was my residence for 30+ years and while I think I have moving violations in just about all states from FL to ME, fortunately, nothing in CT. I do know it ain't cheap.

Good luck, at least you seem to care. At 26, I didn't and now have to live with the consequences. Unfortunately, at your age, judges like to make examples of the offender. If you do appear, be humble, it can't hurt.

tdatk · 07:19 PM

CJ,
I'm a convicted speeder. In Va 20 over is reckless, no if's ands or buts. You "must" hire an attorney, 6 points and an 11 year record. Fines range from 250 to 2500. 1 year in jail and 1 year licence revoke. Mine cost 800 attny, 750 fine and 1 year probation. DO NOT get caught SPEEDING in Va. the "new" law took effect in July and adds another 1000. non- negotiable " tax" to that for Va residents. Welcome to Hell..

Good thing I live ~12 miles from West Va, I have an outlet.

Jeff Higgins · 07-23-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJFusco
Cry me a river. It's easy to preach until you're in the same situation... I bet 99.9% of the people in the world would take the "easy" way out and "whine" to dad. and for the record, I am going to take care of the violation myself.

Kind of what I thought; a spoiled little punk. Maybe "99.9%" of the people in your little world. Not mine. Adults take responsibility for their actions, deciding to pursue them (or not) after having weighed the consequences of them. You clearly have not learned to do so. Small wonder; your father apparently never instilled any responsibility in you, covering for your actions as he has.

I'm almost twice your age; hell, I'm probably your father's age. What the hell makes you think I have never been in your situation? I've had my share of tickets; some deserved, some not. I have always taken responsibility when they were deserved. Even with cops in the family, and cops as very close friends, I never once even considered having one "fix" a ticket for me if I happened to get one in their jurisdiction. Never.

That your father has used his influence as a retired cop to fix a ticket for your spoiled little candy ass tells me all I need to know. You can tell him for me that he is the scum of the earth, and has soiled the good names of honest officers everywhere. The dishonest, corrupt SOB does not deserve to be numbered with the fine, honorable officers who have served their communities with fairness and honesty. Working for special favors for his spoiled, snivelling kid undermines community respect for some very good people. There is nothing worse than a dishonest cop; not even his spoiled brat kid.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

You don't know me, you can't even pretend to know me. I've been on my own since I was 18, paying my way through college out of my own pocket, paying my way through grad school out of my own pocket. When I was 19, I didn't ask dad to fix the ticket, he just did it. I certainly don't expect him to now. Did I not say that I was going to take care of it myself? It seems to me that you are taking a lot of assumptions based on my age; little do you know that I have asked NOTHING of my parents since I moved out of their house when I left for college.

Spoiled brat kid, eh? I am working my ass off for what I have, and believe me, it isn't much. I have never asked my parents for ANYTHING, even though I know they would help me if I needed it.

You can insult me all you want, but do not insult my father. He was a great cop for 25+ years, and was head of the Hartford County SWAT team, along with teaching tactical weapons at West Point and other installations for the Army reserve. I love how you can make assumptions about both me and my father based on a tongue-in-cheek comment after a speeding ticket.

Many people on Pelican have met me and I can assume would vouch that I am neither spoiled nor a brat. If you are prepared to make that presumption based on this thread than you can gladly go F*ck yourself.

pwd72s · 07-24-2007, 06:40 AM

CJ? Hope you caught the sox game last night...

Jeff Higgins · 07-24-2007, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJFusco

You don't know me, you can't even pretend to know me. I've been on my own since I was 18, paying my way through college out of my own pocket, paying my way through grad school out of my own pocket. When I was 19, I didn't ask dad to fix the ticket, he just did it. I certainly don't expect him to now. Did I not say that I was going to take care of it myself? It seems to me that you are taking a lot of assumptions based on my age; little do you know that I have asked NOTHING of my parents since I moved out of their house when I left for college.

Spoiled brat kid, eh? I am working my ass off for what I have, and believe me, it isn't much. I have never asked my parents for ANYTHING, even though I know they would help me if I needed it.

You can insult me all you want, but do not insult my father. He was a great cop for 25+ years, and was head of the Hartford County SWAT team, along with teaching tactical weapons at West Point and other installations for the Army reserve. I love how you can make assumptions about both me and my father based on a tongue-in-cheek comment after a speeding ticket.

Many people on Pelican have met me and I can assume would vouch that I am neither spoiled nor a brat. If you are prepared to make that presumption based on this thread than you can gladly go F*ck yourself.

It sounds like we have had roughly similar upbringings. My dad died when I was barely 18, and I went right to work to support my mom (who had actually never worked), my little sister, and my little brother. I did so until I was almost 20, when I left the house to get out from underfoot. My mom was working by then, so it was time to go. I've been on my own and working for everything I have ever had ever since. So what? If some one ever offered me such a favor, I would politely refuse. And think a great deal less of them as a man.

"Great cop", eh? "Great cops" simply do not "fix" things for their friends and family members. I stand by what I said about him. How many tickets did he write over his career for similar infractions? What a ******* hypocrite. "Taking care" of them as he has is utter bull*****; cops that do that are a disgrace to the badge.

So no, maybe you are not a "spoiled brat", but you did accept his offer to fix your last ticket. I don't care if you think "99.9%" of the people out there would take advantage of such an offer. I don't care if you tell yourself that to feel better about accepting the offer. You are wrong. What you did, by way of accepting that offer, was wrong. I'm glad to hear you are taking the high road now. At least it sounds as though you are on an honest path. I commend you on your decision.

That said, however, I will never waver on my position concerning dishonest cops. There is no gray area on this one. He called in a favor to make your ticket go away. Absolutely innexcusable. If he did it for you, I'm sure he did it for others. He belongs in jail with those he did not give a break. Bad cops like him are the scourge of good cops; the scourge of society as a whole. They are no more than egotistical, power tripping ass holes. Busting people they don't know one day; getting those they do know off the hook the next. Cop, judge, and jury all in one. Nothing pisses me off more than his kind.