Need referece for speeding ticket lawyer

[aigel]

I stepped into a nice speed trap the other day and need some help. Anyone used legal help for this before and has a recommendation for the L.A. area / SG valley?

I'd like to start out with legal help on the trial by written declaration and then take it to court if needed.

Thanks,

George

[vash]

george..driving school not an option?

[aigel]

Driving school is an option, however, the next ticket may not be as easy to beat as this one and then I will get a point ...

George

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

Driving school is an option, however, the next ticket may not be as easy to beat as this one and then I will get a point ...

George

hahah. i went with the "bird in the hand...." attitude. i am free/clear end of june!!

there is a second, and more expensive class for that "second" ticket.

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by aigel

I stepped into a nice speed trap the other day and need some help. Anyone used legal help for this before and has a recommendation for the L.A. area / SG valley?

I'd like to start out with legal help on the trial by written declaration and then take it to court if needed.

Thanks,

George

please post the trap location!!!!!!!

[umfan866]

How did it work out? Apparently the best method is to do the trial by written declaration and explain how it was a clear, sunny day, and you were driving the car responsibly just following traffic ... I bought the NOLO book on how to fight your speeding ticket in California and they talk about this. It took me a while to obtain the form they initially send for trial by written declaration and then some time went by while I was going to construct the perfect letter.. and then I missed the deadline. Missing the deadline for filing it means they automatically considered me guilty and I got billed the fee and lost the opportunity to make it work. I read in the book that the written declaration works best because cops don't get paid to write letters in response, but they do get paid to go to court. Apparently the way the lawers work it is they just try to schedule and re-schedule the trial so much that the officer doesn't show up, and then - as with not responding to a letter - the case is then dismissed. Good luck.

[look 171]

I got one in Pasadena going around a very slow(20 on a 35mph zone) pick-em' truck. Radar got me doing 42 in my Land Cruiser. Traffic school that one. One month later, about a mile from there, the bastard got me going a little over 30 in a 25 zone. I went to court and was ready to fight or hope for a no show for the cop. The judge ask if anyone want traffic school even if its their second offence within 18 months. You just have to go to a 12 hour or was it 16 hours school physically, No internet. I sat through it sleeping but it was worth it to not get a point.

Jeff

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Good resource - if I remember correctly there are some legal links too:

Fight Traffic Tickets / Contest Traffic Tickets with the Ticket Assassin: Your Guide to Fighting California Traffic Tickets & Contesting Traffic Citations in California

[ted]

This place represents you with continuation requests till the officer is a no show.
2nd date the officer was a no show, ticket dismissed.
Cost $99 for the service.
Mr. Ticket, low cost defense of traffic violations & DMV hearings

[dmcummins]

Things are easy here in MO. You generally pay triple the fine to the local municipality and the speeding ticket majicaly becomes a loud muffler or parking ticket. No points.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

Things are easy here in MO. You generally pay triple the fine to the local municipality and the speeding ticket majicaly becomes a loud muffler or parking ticket. No points.

Ha! I got a loud muffler ticket in my SC a few years ago and my bike insurance increased because of it. I called to complain and they said an equipment violation could constitute a safety issue. I asked him if he'd ever heard of a loud muffler causing an accident, nevermind that VA has no decibel limit on mufflers or official definition of a loud muffler. Such a racket.

[onlycafe]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

Things are easy here in MO. You generally pay triple the fine to the local municipality and the speeding ticket majicaly becomes a loud muffler or parking ticket. No points.

because it is all about safety.


courtesy of pa.

[Rick Lee]

I always wondered what "fines doubled" means. Whatever amount you're forced to pay is the fine. If it's doubled, it's still the fine. Does that mean it multiplies exponentially to infinity? What is the max if the fine keeps doubling? And why isn't every inch of the road a "safety corridor?" When those end, does that mean it's a free-for-all?

[aigel]

Went with the trial by written declaration and it is pending with my paperwork sent in.

Ted - thanks for the reference! That sounds like a great and affordable approach in case I have to go for the trial de novo.

I'll keep you posted.

George

[aigel]

Here is the outcome:

- Trial by written declaration came back 'guilty'.
- I sent in for the trial de novo.
- I decided to skip legal help and just show up to the trial. I figured that I could at least try to plead 'no contest' and ask for traffic school which would put me back at where I started.
- Officer was not present at the trial - case dismissed.

So, what do we learn from this? Well, drive so they do not have anything on you, but if you get in trouble, fight until you run out of options. From what I have witnessed, the judge is handing out traffic school pretty readily in court, so even with trial by written declaration, it is likely you won't lose anything:

1. Trial by written declaration
2. Trial de novo
3. Court and hope the cop is a no show, if he/she is there, ask for traffic school.

The bummer on tickets really is what they potentially do to your insurance rate.

George