Nabbed for Speeding
 

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...

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.

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. :)

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

It's all about the money.

Death and taxes my man.

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.

Just another example of the man keeping us down.
Jim

Re: Nabbed for Speeding
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.:cool:

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. :mad:

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.

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

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.

OMFG he's trying to avoid paying a road tax, not asking to be let off the hook for a DUI!

Higgy you need to loosen up a bit and realize that looking for an out on a speeding ticket does NOT warrant the b.s. you are tossing around at this guy.

+1, his last name is Fusco not Lohan...

Don't hold back, Jeff. Tell us what you really think.

Gee Jeff...did someone get put in the doghouse by the wifey this week or something? You sure are giving him some backlash.

I for one know CJ personally, and he is in no way any kind of spoiled brat or taking anything for granted. I hardly ever get to hang out with him because of the fact of hes either working one of his two jobs or working on his thesis for his masters....doesnt sound like a silver spoon kid if you ask me.

And in response about his father, I think thats pretty low of you to accuse someone you don't even know about being the scourge and the scum of the police dept. I guess for one you don't have a lot of friends as cops...I for one do, and as for CJ its in his family. They all look out for each other and one hand washes the other. CJ merely brought the fact up as part of the story...he did NOT say he was going to do it, although it was tempting. But just to prove you wrong, he took the penalties charged with it.

Either way, if you have nothing good to say about it, then don't comment at all. I see people like you all the time on the BMW forums...new 17 yr old kid gets a 335 from mommy and daddy and asks all the n00b questions and everyone flames him because hes a spoiled kid. So what? People like him will be around forever, so you aren't going to change the world...so deal with it.

And in response to his father giving cops a bad name, how about you? You are one of the most uppity 911 drivers I've ever met on here....you know what? I think YOU give us Porsche owners (well ex porsche owner in my case) a bad name...I will leave it at that because I do not wish to sink to the low level of calling other peoples relatives scumbags and such....

Speeding tickets are BS forms of revenue generation. I say beat it by any means available. All is fair in love and war, and this is war.

Note: If it were something serious like a DUI, I'd have a different opinion altogether. Something that directly affects public safety, sure I'd say "pay it". For BS like this, I say it's fine to fight it by any/all means at one's disposal - be just as filthy, dirty, unethical and bogus as they are. Even more so, preferably.

I appreciate those of you coming to my defense, but don't beat up on Jeff. I'm sure he has his reasons for believing what he believes; it's just hard for me to accept him calling my father crooked when, in all honesty, he's probably the most upstanding citizen I know. If I remember, he did "fix" the ticket for me, but I still had to donate to a charity, and didn't get anything on my record... but it was 7 years ago now, and the details aren't exactly fresh in my mind.

By your thinking, though, Jeff, are people who use a radar detector guilty of the same kind of behavior as those who take advantage of having a relative who is/was a cop? They are also utilizing a loophole in the system in order to avoid having to pay a fine...

did you ever live in Higganum?

Me? No. I have lived in Bristol, Farmington, and West Hartford in Connecticut, and 5 blissful years in Boston, MA, about 4 blocks from Fenway Park.

CJ, I appologize. You sound like a straight-up guy. This is, however, a hot-button issue for me (ya think?). I have several cops in my family. I count a few among my closest friends. Not one would ever consider doing what your father did for you when he took car of your ticket. Not one.

No, using a radar detector is not the same. In my state, it's legal. Some states it is not, and I would probably not use one in those states. I would cerainly know what the punishment for such use is, and be willing to buck up to it if caught.

By way of contrast, I cannot think of a single state in which it might be legal for a police officer, active duty or retired, to work a deal to make a ticket go away for a relative or a friend. In that case, you broke the law and got caught. Your father then broke the law to cover that up. He used his position of influence and authority, and undoubtedly some friendship(s) he had made from that position, to break the law to cover up his son breaking the law. He drug those who helped him make your ticket go away into it with him; they broke the law as well. They were undoubtedly others with positions of authority and public trust; a judge, a D.A.; whatever. They knew they were breaking the law with absolute impunity; after all, they are the law, who is going to stop them? That is no more than backwater, third world country bull*****. It has no place here. If that sounds harsh, so be it.

I find it amusing to see some of the most vocal PPOT posters when it come to corruption, or perceived corruption in our government coming to the defense. I guess it's o.k. when it helps some one you know and like, or when it undermines enforcement of laws with which you dissagree. Wow.

Believe me, I share all of your views concerning speed laws and revenue generation. I would, however, never defend a man that is sworn to uphold those laws, whom the public has endowed with a great deal of trust, who wantonly disregards and breaks them to help a family member or friend. And has undoubtedly zealosly enforced them upon others. But hey, if you all are fine with that, more power to you. It was, after all, "just" a speeding ticket. Just a wee little bit of relatively innocuous corruption is o.k., right? I'm sorry, but I for one put that in the same class as a "little bit" pregnant.

Jeff, while the point you make is certainly valid, what grates me reading your posts is that you don't seem to have the decency to simply keep your opinion to yourself when it comes to another person's father. Didn't your parents ever teach you that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all? Mine certainly did. They made it very clear to me that you don't go around insulting people, even if what you might want to say is true. No good ever comes out of it. The message you might be trying to deliver gets lost in the venomous insults being tossed his way.

Agreed. And if you can use the Gov'ts own filthy, dirty, corrupt agents to help you do it- then all the better i say.

As far as Jeff- He apologized. And his point, while perhaps poorly expressed- is valid.

Cops are dirty.

It really is just revenue enhancement. When I was a prosecutor (less than a year ago) it was standard practice to amend speeding tickets that were 10 over the speed limit to defective equipment. The fine was higher, but no points off the license and no increase in insurance. There were few repeat offendors due to the cost of the ticket.

You are right. I have no excuse. Now that I've calmed down and gone back and re-read my posts, I feel pretty ashamed of what I wrote. I know better; my folks did raise me better. CJ, I appologize. Appologize to your dad for me too. I was way, way out of line.

I like this place :). We ARE passionate, but for the most part intelligent and "sane"...good move Jeff!

ps: While your "tone" was off-base, your message was spot on...

CJ:

I will not judge you; ain't my style. That being said, one of the problems our society has is folks not taking responsibility of their actions, whether it be speeding or paying a luxury tax.

If you were really going that fast in a zone marked for a much lower limit, 'fess up and face the music. It ain't easy, but it is a real character builder!!

And yes, I almost forgot. Imo CJ, you got caught and you admitted here that you were guilty so the right thing to do is simply suck it up and pay the fine. That's the way it goes sometimes and is the right thing to do.

WTF it's pretty simple you speed , you pay. You don't get caught speeding every day so if you average it out it really does'nt cost you that much unless you never speed.

Todd :D

Unlike more than half of the people I have sold parts to, CJ never haggled me on my asking price, even though he is a student as well. I'm not saying that like negotiation is a bad thing, nor am I calling my parts buyers cheap. However, it does show that CJ isn't merely out for himself. Reading the first post, it's pretty clear that he's asking how bad the fine will be...not "look at me, daddy is erasing my crime!"

You do need to get the Volvo going again...I don't think you'd want to do 70 in a 40 with it. :p