| Author | Message | ||
     Sprintst |
was going to respond to a previous thread, but it looks shut down. My advise to anyone - always get a lawyer. The Courts want their money, you want no points on your insurance. So, last ticket was bogus, 70 in a 55, that way I had to appear in court. I have prepaid legal, so my lawyer is paid for. He talked to the DA, speeding ticket is turned into an "improper equipment" ticket I pay $25 fine, $141 costs, total $166 No points, no court appearance, no problems | ||
| Froggy |
How much does a pre paid lawyer run? I know its gonna vary, but what did it cost you? | ||
| Sprintst |
I get it through work, and it's paid for itself many times over. per the website: With Pre-Paid Legal: A one year membership costs $312 or less. (Message edited by sprintst on May 04, 2011) | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Maybe that works in NC, but I bet it doesn't in California. I didn't know DAs spend time on traffic violations? My experience in CA traffic court is it's all on the judge. | ||
| Sprintst |
We've had the same done in Virginia as well In my experience, the lawyers have a much better chance of getting you a reduced thing, be it with a judge or the DA's office | ||
| Fast1075 |
One of the guys that rides with me sometimes got a ticket this past Sunday...he was written up as 37 over. He is gonna get smoked...says the cop was a nice guy and actually went easy on him...he said he was more than 50 over...which is a dead nuts go to jail, go directly to jail felony in Florida...AND your bike is confiscated and will end up on the auction block... I got stopped weekend before last on a rural country road. I was riding alone at a comfortable pace. Got pulled over, have no idea where he came from...said I was running 75 in a 55...I really wasn't paying attention...amazingly he let me off with a verbal warning...I thanked him as and as he turned away, he said..."my Lightning is blue" be careful... | ||
| 1_mike |
In California, you get a chance to "plead your case" by "declaration". You fill out a one page ditty and tell your side of things. No court, no face to face with a judge. I was stopped a coupla years ago for doing 80 on a major So. Cal. freeway. In actuality, I was probably doing 70 or 75mph. I was on my 90, FZR1000 with over 104,000 miles on it at the time, so I had been basically babying since the 100K mark. Anyway, I FILLED an 8-1/2" x 11" piece of paper with 8 font type (started with 11 font!). Even told my thoughts about the cop being a weenie (not in those words). A coupla weeks later I received a notice..."innocent", a coupla weeks after that, I received my full amount check back. Cost, one piece of paper and about 30 minutes in front of a computer screen. Mike | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Mike-- Maybe i will try that my next ticket. Certainly more appealing than sitting all morning or afternoon in traffic court...I find being so close to the "high boot clique" yukking it up in the back of the courtroom most disagreeable. And realistically it's probably just as effective as making a personal appearance these days as the cop shows up or they reschedule due to cop's schedule so he CAN show up 99% of the time. | ||
| Ottobotz |
I have yet to stop to receive a ticket. -$300 and change in my pocket, a year. -$166 I dont have to pay the court. -about a $1 to $2 in gas, wide open. -No ticket, priceless...... 99% of the time I obey the laws, but when I want to get on it, I dont stop. Here in AZ the cops most of the time dont chase a biker haulin ASS. Once in a while you will get a rookie cop or those damn cops on BMWs. Havent been chased by one of them, yet....  | ||
| Johnnys999 |
Not all trial by declarations go your way. It didn't for me and I'm a retired LEO in California. The CHP sometimes think they are holier than thou and the female officer that stopped me fit that profile. She wrote me because I didn't know how fast I was going (I rarely look at my speedo, I ride based on conditions) and that I should have known better because of my background. She admittedly tailed me for five miles and when I made a move to get around a tractor trailer she pulled me over. Yeah, I sped up to get around the vehicle, but it wasn't a sustained speed. Thats the beef I have with radar and laser, they pick you off without a pace and certainly there are times when you have to speed up to avoid danger. I wrote up a declaration in detail but was convicted anyway. I disposed of it with an online traffic school. The area where I was cited is a known "speed trap", I've known it to be so for 35 years so I always drive on my best behavior. I strongly believe municipal and CHP traffic enforcement units have been directed to step up their efforts in this area because they need the money. Devalued homes pay less property taxes. Either way its worth giving Trial by Declaration a shot. (Message edited by JohnnyS999 on May 05, 2011) | ||
| Dannybuell |
Ottobotz - Are you saying you don't stop for LEO's? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Thats the beef I have with radar and laser, they pick you off without a pace and certainly there are times when you have to speed up to avoid danger. They are more about their ticket quota than a rider making a move and perhaps speeding to get out of a bad spot in traffic. | ||
| Fast1075 |
The little town I live in has less than 5K people...the police department tripled in size in the last year...the mission...traffic duty...I have seen all six patrol cars in the department with people pulled over at once....three in the southbound lanes and three in the northbound lanes....they also use the "dress the officer like a bum and give him a portable radar gun and radio" trick... The downtown area is all commercial...5 freakin' lanes each way...the road into and out of town is 60 mph...it is 30 in town...nuthin' but a money maker...the next town over has an identical setup...their speed limit is a more reasonable 50 mph. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
'Prayer for Judgement Continued' is the only way to fly...in North Carolina. You will still eat all the legal fees. | ||
| Sprintst |
You know the problem with this? Why stop? Seriously, if you lose your bike, go to jail, probably lose your job.........why stop? You may as well run for it. One of the guys that rides with me sometimes got a ticket this past Sunday...he was written up as 37 over. He is gonna get smoked...says the cop was a nice guy and actually went easy on him...he said he was more than 50 over...which is a dead nuts go to jail, go directly to jail felony in Florida...AND your bike is confiscated and will end up on the auction block... | ||
| Stargazer |
"You know the problem with this? Why stop? Seriously, if you lose your bike, go to jail, probably lose your job.........why stop? You may as well run for it." Sure....why stop? You can do it, you know that ragged out crown vic with the overweight "wackenhut securiity by nite donuteatin' cop" can't drive his car like you can ride that bike! Go for it! Only make sure there's no LEO aircraft eye in the sky on you, make sure its not a two car detail, no bike made can outrun a radio.. Not to mention, in a lot of states, intentionally attempting to outrun the Poh- Leeese is a felony. Hummm, most of us aren't 18-20 year olds, so we make reasonable decisions..... Also, most us can ride decent ...probably, but with adrenaline dump our finer motor skills turn to crap and we do stupid stuff like oversteer, underbrake, misjudge distance,... and our peripheral vision goes to crap....oh damn I didn't see that 3/4 ton urban assualt vehicle coming thru the intersection on green while I'm blowing the intersection on red, cause I'm going for it? Really? You really wanna run? Think twice bout that. Here's a novel idea, how about know the area you ride in. Most of us ride a lot on our favorite roads, scan the horizon, know your area. Interstates, congested city traffic, and unknown roadways, I'd think twice....just my opinion. | ||
| Sprintst |
What I'm saying is by making the punishment as high as they do, they make it a serious consideration to run. If you are going 120 mph on an empty road and get clocked, if pull over, your life is screwed. Felony, jail, job loss, motorcycle loss. Yet, at this point, you've harmed no one. But knowing how bad the consequences are, you may choose to run. Now you really can harm someone. I think the laws on speeding need to be adjusted. You shouldn't be subjected to the destruction of your life when you haven't harmed anyone, imo (Message edited by sprintst on May 08, 2011) | ||
| Bwbhighspl |
I encourage you to run. Makes the evening news very entertaining, and you may even get on one of Spike TV's chase clips. Depending on how it shakes out, you'll probably qualify for a Darwin award. | ||
| Jdugger |
> I think the laws on speeding need to be adjusted. Not gonna happen. It's too lucrative. Just come to the track instead, and get your rocks off there. | ||
| Dannybuell |
Bwbhighspl - LOL 2x! It may also increase the supply of used parts. Jdugger - word. | ||
| Ottobotz |
-I plead the 5th!!! Just happen yesterday, doing 65 mph to get in front of traffic in a 55 mph, didn't see cop with radar, I knew he had to work his way through traffic, Lights, Action, thank GOD for garage door openers!! He never had a chance. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
Some good info in this thread. I'm a VA resident and got a ticket in NC 70 in a 55. I've got myself a lawyer I can trust (referral from an old friend) and we are going for improper equipment. The problem is not all DAs will go for that. Some counties are (to put it politely) a bit backwards and it's always a crap shoot. No guarantee that you get off without points. But I gotta try. Some states make it easier to avoid points...like Florida. Just take an online class. Some states like VA make it damn near impossible for a motorcyclist. Cars can go run on a Speedo testing rig at a shop and the lawyer will use that to get improper equipment even if your speedo is 100% accurate. They just want that piece of paper to let you play the game. No such animal for motorcycles. (Message edited by mountainstorm on May 09, 2011) | ||
| Eagle1 |
+1 on the VA nonsense. I was really stupid 1.5 years ago and was paced doing 100+ on a semi-crowded interstate. Granted, it was only for about a half mile (slowed for traffic) but it was enough to attract attention. I pulled over, was very polite to the officer (he even thanked me for being polite), and got a summons. Despite a perfectly clean record, military background, defensive driving course, etc, I was still given 90 days in jail (served 2). Most other people also lost their license and got a fat fine. Did I mention the speeding (it's considered reckless since it was >20 mph over) is considered a Class 1 Misdemeanor? Whoever mentioned that the punishment doens't alway fit the crime, I guess I can understand that in certain situations- at least in jail-happy VA. And for the record, I DO NOT advocate running from the police, but whoever said that running from the police results in ending up on Spike TV getting in wrecks, etc- that's a bit of an exaggeration. Most bikes DO NOT pull over (at least in the DC metro area) and most of them get away. In fact, the LEO that pulled me over was quite surprised that I didn't run. | ||
| Kenm123t |
In Palm Beach county fl the sheriffs dept has killed so many citizens and themselves in car chases. They are required to shut off sirens lights and go the other way in hispeed chases. Felony murder the officer witnessed is about the only reason they can persue. They blanket areas with numbers now so they can reduce chases. However they manage to kill them selves and other by running through thier own stop sticks and barricades. My nephew works there its not much better than the Keystone Kops. He says the perp will be dead of old age before he gets through the chase request procedure. | ||
| Nm5150 |
I also am a 5th pleader.If I am getting after it and I pass a cop I just act like I didn't see him and keep going.If he wants me bad enough I will see him shortly with the lights on and pull over.Most of the time I don't see him again and as long as I pull over as soon as he is there I don't get charged with fleeing.Then I need a good lawyer.All of the guys that are in the legal system have law degrees and it is kind of like a union.They want to see their Brothers getting paid and if you have a good lawyer he plays golf or whatever with the DA,Judge,etc. | ||
| Sprintst |
Wow Eagle1, that's what I'm talking about - they make it just about worthwhile to run 90 days in jail would ruin my life, so how much more would I have to lose by running for it? | ||
| Blower1 |
Last summer speeding ticket doing 68 mph in 50 mph road here in Finland was 1200$! After that the riding joy was gone for a long time... | ||
| Eagle1 |
Sprintst, they give you 90 days but suspend most of it- in my case I only had to serve "4" (Virginia has day-for-day good time). However, you're then on probation for a year and if they catch you messing up (not sure what this entails, whether it's speeding or reckless again) THEN you spend the rest of your 90. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Y'know, you can do some research too - ESPECIALLY if you get a ticket out of state. I got popped in VA a couple years ago, 80-couple in a 55. Got home to MD, checked with a LEO buddy of mine, points don't transfer, no reciprocity. Wrote a check, licked a stamp, done. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
"I have yet to stop to receive a ticket..." Douche canoe award goes to; Ottobotz and every other jackwagon who can't take responsibilty for their actions... | ||
| Chameleon |
Gotta pay to play... We are ALL responsible for our own actions. Nobody makes us twist the throttle; it's all on us. I have Pre-Paid Legal and strongly recommend it. It costs me $19/mo, or $228/yr. Over the last several years I have averaged 1.75 tickets/year (probably a little higher now) and at that rate, PPL MORE THAN pays for itself. They've had good success for me with the tickets I've had them fight. Be advised that they will only fight non-criminial speeding tickets. They can't help you on parking tickets or lane violations such as improper use of HOV lanes. If you want their representation on criminal traffic matters, they will refer you to an outside attorney who will take on your case for a 25% discount. I've had good and bad situations with police; mostly bad... All of these interactions were due to my actions leading up to the officer contact, but many of the officers overreact and compose themselves completely unprofessionally. Feb 21, 2009 a Washington State Patrol cop pulled me over for "excessive lane changes." He had his gun drawn on me, was cursing at me, demanding that I throw the key away from the bike and sit on my f*&^ing hands. Instead I calmly handed him the key and sat down near my bike. He then called another cop for backup (while I was calmly sitting there), impounded my bike, gave me a criminal reckless driving ticket with a court date already on it, and refused to allow the tow operator to give me a ride off the freeway or to give me a ride himself, instead forcing me to walk along the freeway in full gear. Rather than walking in the direction I was traveling as the cop expected, I started walking the opposite way, passed the cops, back toward town. The first cop questioned me about it and I told him that I felt it was safer since it was a shorter distance to get off the freeway which he accepted and went back to BSing with his buddy he called in for backup. Little did they know I was walking toward the tow operator's headquarters 1 mile away (Google Maps on my Android smartphone rocks). Although at that point I had missed the meetup with friends I was going to ride with, I still intended to ride that day. I got to the tow lot just as the tow truck arrived and was able to take the bike after paying the $197 tow fee, avoiding additional impound fees.  I was able to catch up with my friends at the designated lunch stop location and enjoyed riding with them for the rest of the afternoon. I showed up at court and 45 minutes later found out that the prosecutor decided to not pursue the case. Probably since the cop endangered my safety by forcing me to walk along the freeway. | ||
| Dannybuell |
The Oregon State Police are way nicer than the Washington State Patrol. | ||
| Chameleon |
Yep... And according to my mom, the CHP is nicer than WSP, too. I wouldn't know; never got stopped in California. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Stay outa Jersey! |
