Speeding Ticket - Going to Court

**edr247** · 01-26-2011, 04:53 PM

If you are being charged court fees, feel you weren't speeding (and perhaps have proof), or if you just feel like wasting your time and everybody elses (along with perhaps being charged more fee), then I say go for it. Otherwise, just pay the damn fine, and ease of the gas pedal.

**VeloClone** · 01-26-2011, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by alarson

God forbid the court actually do what it's being paid for in the 'court costs' already and hear the case.

There is a lot more that goes into court costs than just the judge and the court room. These things still have to happen even if you don't show up to fight it as you signing the ticket as guilty and paying the fine is a legal finding and has to be recorded as such. Nothing in the legal realm is quick and easy. Maybe it isn't as costly as the judge, courtroom, etc. but there are still costs involved which have to be paid by someone. Should it be the taxpayers as a whole or the one who signs the ticket and admits their guilt?

For the record, I have had my share of tickets, and then some. I only fought one -not speeding - and when the city attorney (prosecutor in this case) heard my defense he unilaterally asked that the charge be dismissed.

If I willingly am going to speed, I better be man enough to accept the consequences.

**Cyforce** · 01-26-2011, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by ia2189

If you were speeding, be accountable and pay it. If you were not speeding, then you should have an argument for court and shouldn't care either way if the cop shows up.

However, from past experience, you will most likely have to pay the court fees anyway. I had a $75 ticket for something which I contested and won, but still had to pay $65 in court costs (it was actually a $10 fine). Yes, it's a ripoff. Had no idea at the time this was how things work as I wouldn't have wasted my time with it. Court costs can be waived at the judge's discretion, it just didn't happen in my case. Good luck!

Sounds like some Southern Iowa Hillbilly justice, when I beat my ticket I didn't have to pay dime one.

**Irresponsible** · 01-26-2011, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by VeloClone

If I willingly am going to speed, I better be man enough to accept the consequences.

And I thank you for the effort. The more money the state earns from speeders, the less they take from my paycheck. (Theoretically

)

**BigCojones** · 01-26-2011, 05:54 PM

I'm not going to read the entire thread to see if anyone posted this or not but 2 years ago I got a ticket for going 11 over. I showed up in court and pleaded not guilty. Then I filed for an extention for discovery. I then called the DA's office and asked if she would be willing to lower it to 5mph over. She agreed and it was done.

**michaelrr1** · 01-26-2011, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by BigCojones

I'm not going to read the entire thread to see if anyone posted this or not but 2 years ago I got a ticket for going 11 over. I showed up in court and pleaded not guilty. Then I filed for an extention for discovery. I then called the DA's office and asked if she would be willing to lower it to 5mph over. She agreed and it was done.

I did already post that you got a ticket 2 years ago. Sorry to steal your thunder.

**ISUFan22** · 01-26-2011, 06:36 PM

Some people put a lot smaller dollar value on their time I guess...

**Me State** · 01-27-2011, 05:49 AM

Court costs are added to all tickets because even if you plead guilty the ticket still needs to be processed.

Court costs and taxes would probably be lower if people would just be adults and admit when they were wrong. Why waste the courts time and taxpayer money just to fight something that you did in fact do?

**CIRISH** · 01-27-2011, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by simply1

I don't know, they like to waste time charging you with operating without a license and proof of insurance, go to court and show them you have those things, they'll generally dismiss it without paying anything. surely better ways to do this than requiring a judge glance at something and dismiss.

Actually, the charge is failure to provide proof of insurance, and the citation is quite spendy. The recourse is to show up at the clerk's office and show proof of insurance. the citation will be dismissed but you'll still have to pay court costs. Same goes for failure to carry registration, which some jerk cops will issue even tho they can call in the plates and know the vehicle is currently regfistered. You can still probably get it dismissed by getting ahold of the assistant county attorney who's stuck grinding through traffic cases and providing proof of registration at the timeof the stop. Again, you'll have to pay court costs.

Bottom line-throw your insurance card and registration in the glove box and avoid the hassle.

**CIRISH** · 01-27-2011, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by RayShimley

It is a flawed system if it is counting on people not showing up for a court date that they are already being charged for. Find a way to streamline it so violators who don't wish to contest the fine can mail it in directly (or pay on site using a debit/credit card) without getting charged a court fee and you'd have an argument.

It may be flawed but not for the reason you give. If you mail in a payment before the date you are to show up in court, you've plead guilty and the amount you've sent in includes court costs. If you contest it, the court costs will be higher (costs consist not only of charges for processing the case but witness fees, etc.) So there is an incentive for just mailing it in.

**RayShimley** · 01-27-2011, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by CIRISH

It may be flawed but not for the reason you give. If you mail in a payment before the date you are to show up in court, you've plead guilty and the amount you've sent in includes court costs. If you contest it, the court costs will be higher (costs consist not only of charges for processing the case but witness fees, etc.) So there is an incentive for just mailing it in.

$100+ dollars in "processing fees" for a 10mph over speeding ticket? Give me a break. Even TicketMaster wouldn't have the gaul to try and get away with that. It is simply a way of making more money off speeders without having to raise the "fine".

I've never contested a ticket because I'm too lazy, but I sure as Hell don't begrudge someone that right if they want to. More power to them if they can get off or get a reduced fine.

**Wesley** · 01-27-2011, 08:36 AM

Looks like 380 67 is the magic number for a ticket (60 limit).

Ace Rent a Car even has a ticket. The interesting thing is that the cost for 67 or 75 is the same: $75.

A large chunk of the money goes to the camera company in Florida.

**Me State** · 01-27-2011, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by RayShimley

$100+ dollars in "processing fees" for a 10mph over speeding ticket? Give me a break. Even TicketMaster wouldn't have the gaul to try and get away with that. It is simply a way of making more money off speeders without having to raise the "fine".

I've never contested a ticket because I'm too lazy, but I sure as Hell don't begrudge someone that right if they want to. More power to them if they can get off or get a reduced fine.

Court costs are $60. Not $100+.

**cloneswereall** · 01-27-2011, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley

Looks like 380 67 is the magic number for a ticket (60 limit).

Ace Rent a Car even has a ticket. The interesting thing is that the cost for 67 or 75 is the same: $75.

A large chunk of the money goes to the camera company in Florida.

... The cameras on 380 are in the 55 zone. I think it trips around 60.

**greatshu** · 01-28-2011, 08:37 AM

You can talk to court clark to see if you can make your violation to non-moving violation, so it won't stay on your record for insurance purpose. You will have to pay somewhere close to double fine to do that though but its well worth the investment.

Don't fight the speeding ticket. There's not much you can do.