Traffic Citation

[GraphiteGTS]

Please give me some advice.
I'm in Northern KY and just got another traffic citation this morning, in my Jeep. I have a 16-yr-old driver in my family, plus other tickets and I'm afraid my insurance is going through the roof.
I went through a yellow that the officer said was a red. Honestly, I'm 90% sure it wasn't red. I was under the speed limit on dry pavement.
Any use of trying to fight it?
What is your counsel? Your experience?
I really hate it when cops talk down to me and treat me as some child molester.
I'm 54 and pretty laid back. I've never had a ticket in my Viper!
Rick
Cincy Area

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

Just call an attorney and ask if he can get it reduced to "defective equipment". It is a no points violation, but will cost you a fine of course. A fine will be much less than increased insurance!! Good luck!!

 

[Hisserman]

Without a witness it is going to be your word against the cop's. The judge ususally goes with the cop, especially one with an attitude. The fact you have other tickets doesn't help. Your only chance is to get a good attorney -- then the trade off is the cost of the attorney less than the cost of the increased insurance (ususally is, but no certainty that the attorney will get you off). Bummer!!

 

[GraphiteGTS]

Like, "defective brakes"? That might be tougher than defective speedo. (Plus, I just did a brake job myself on the truck.)
Thanks for response, though.

 

[Vreracing]

I have a 17 year old in my household. In my case, our insurance went up quite a bit after he got two tickets.

 

[GraphiteGTS]

I am willing to pay an attorney.
For two yrs. the cops can't catch vandals in my neighborhood who damage cars, rip out Christmas lights, and break windows. Yet, they have time to nail scofflaws like me.
Rick

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Fight it. It's your word against his. Get the attorney.

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

Like, "defective brakes"? That might be tougher than defective speedo. (Plus, I just did a brake job myself on the truck.)
Thanks for response, though.

Brake job yourself....there ya go...defective equipment!!!

 

[joe117]

Quick, do a brake job on your Viper.

 

[GraphiteGTS]

I'm paranoid about driving my Viper. I've had police follow me all the way to my house for no apparent reason. I find myself driving slower than in my other cars.
Honest, guys, I'm a taxpaying, law abiding citizen. I've never *****, plundered, or killed.
So why am I so afraid of those whose job is "To protect and to serve"?
I'm sure there are some good cops, but my assistant's daughter got nailed for doing 56 in a 55.
I'm going to fight this frigging ticket even if it costs me through the nose.
It's time for a revolution in this country against petty, worthless, and stupid laws that push us all around.
Rick

 

[Steve-Indy]

Sorry, Rick. GET an attorney (!!!!) and let him/her call the shots on procedure and defense.

Hope you can make it Feb. 7th.

 

[joe117]

Next time they follow you too long, pull over. If they stop and ask you why, say that you thought he was following too close and you were afraid he was going to hit you. Be real nice, he will feel like a di*k.
Of course, he is a di*k.

Lots of places will give you a pbj and not record the violation if you make a donation in the amount of the fine to some kind of fund.
You do have to go to court for that.
Call up the clerk of the court and see if you can find out if this is sop where you live.

 

[GraphiteGTS]

Steve and Joe -
Thanks for good advice. I know that I sound whiny, but I work hard 55-60 hrs/wk, I'm also doing the doctorate that I've been wanting to pursue, I pay taxes out the *****, am raising two kids, I'm in church every Sunday, and am pretty straight-laced. If tickets raise my insurance, I may forego the one hobby that I really like, (outside of golf) - my Viper. O.J. goes free and I'm going to traffic school, after having been lectured by a cop 30 yrs. my jr.
Rick

 

[newredrt10]

Try this
Asked for a delay for some reason, and get another court date. If the officer does not make the second date you may be home free. X your fingers.

 

[JGK95]

Speaking from "experience" in the City of Chicago before the Judge even sat down, Rusty the Baliff explained to the "INNOCENT" masses that a Yellow counts as a Red light regardless. Your best hope is to postpone the case repeatedly until it gets dropped.


Jay "Don't read too much into My very UNprofessional advice" K.

 

[DarcShadow]

I got out of my last ticked by getting into a motorcycle wreck that put me in the hospital on the day of my court date. Then the court house lost my paper work or something and I haven't heard back. Been a year now. Not exactly the ideal way to get out of a ticket though.

 

[GraphiteGTS]

Guarantee you, if I get my bike out tonight I will wreck too. It's snowing like crazy.
Talked to my lawyer today and he gave me little or no hope.
I can't figure why a cop would think I would run a red right under his nose.
Here, it's a revenue-producing scam.

 

[ChoiceViper]

DarcShadow, make sure you don't have a warrant out on ya!!!

I always postpone the court date as many times as possible. They only let me postpone twice last time I tried it, the first time for some reason I was able to do it three times. Cop didn't show both instances and ticket was dropped.
I have been told by friends that I got lucky. We'll see next time.

Point being always fight the ticket. It ***** sitting in court for half a day, but most of the time, even if the cop shows, the fine gets reduced compared to just paying the ticket outright.
Just my .02 c's

Dave

 

[GraphiteGTS]

Dave,
So your plea is always "not guilty", or "no contest", or "guilty"?
Here if you go to traffic school, points are not assessed against your license and the citation is not reported to the insurance company, supposedly.
RRR

 

[ChoiceViper]

not guilty.