[ryanid77]

Well, I got my first speeding ticket since I bought my STI (2 years in Dec). Anyway, I was driving home after work yesterday and got busted doing (according to the cop) 80mph in a 50, $280 and 5 points! I am not a reckless driver, I used to have a lead foot in the past but since I got the STI I have been very careful not to speed especially since my record was about to be wiped clean. In fact most of my friends joke about how I drive like a grandma since I bought this car.

Anyway, I was the only car on the road at the time and this is a nice strech where there are no turns into side roads. So I gunned it and for just a few seconds and BAM! I was so pissed at my self. The cop says that i'm lucky he didn't give me ticket for reckless driving and I can either pay the fine and accept the points or go to court. He also said I need to put my front tag on and if he sees me again without them he'll pull me over and give me another ticket. Off course I do plan on going to court, but would it be a good idea to get a lawyer? I can't afford to get 5 points on my licence. Do you guys have any suggestions as to how to handle this? I live in Montgomery County, MD. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Frozen STI]

Lawyer up if you are worried about points, other than than you have to pay to play once in awhile.

[VROOM293]

Originally Posted by ryanid77

Well, I got my first speeding ticket since I bought my STI (2 years in Dec). Anyway, I was driving home after work yesterday and got busted doing (according to the cop) 80mph in a 50, $280 and 5 points! I am not a reckless driver, I used to have a lead foot in the past but since I got the STI I have been very careful not to speed especially since my record was about to be wiped clean. In fact most of my friends joke about how I drive like a grandma since I bought this car.

Anyway, I was the only car on the road at the time and this is a nice strech where there are no turns into side roads. So I gunned it and for just a few seconds and BAM! I was so pissed at my self. The cop says that i'm lucky he didn't give me ticket for reckless driving and I can either pay the fine and accept the points or go to court. He also said I need to put my front tag on and if he sees me again without them he'll pull me over and give me another ticket. Off course I do plan on going to court, but would it be a good idea to get a lawyer? I can't afford to get 5 points on my licence. Do you guys have any suggestions as to how to handle this? I live in Montgomery County, MD. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Wow,i guess i dont have it so bad here in cali. I will never wear a front tag.80 mph is the min. speed every one usually travels when able.
Ive had 1 ticket to date,I was at 121 mph in a 65 all by my self ,not a soul around[rare in L.A].
The chip used discretion and lowered it to 99 to avoid the arrest,impound,30 day automatic D.L loss. etc...
I have gone to the CHP/DMV/LAC web site to view my citation/ticket disposition several times, and its a ghost.I then called the court house and...
It doesnt exist.It was either lost by chip or chip tossed it.Thats 3 solo
100+ test runs ive been stopped and released for.The 2 prior were non written.I WONT get a 4th get out of jail card...I just dont think my luck will
extend to 4.

Several things you can do.1st find out how he measured your speed.
if a gun ,get prepared[in court] to ask for documentation of calibration prior to his tour of duty that night.


Show up for court ,he may not.

[onlytakes4]

Originally Posted by ryanid77

Off course I do plan on going to court, but would it be a good idea to get a lawyer? I can't afford to get 5 points on my licence. Do you guys have any suggestions as to how to handle this?

I got a pretty nasty speeding ticket a few years ago and called a lawyer here that said he has a 99% success rate at beating speeding tickets. He said that what he does is he turns it into a criminal trial and then the cop won't show up because it's a huge pain in the a$$ just for a speeding ticket. Then the lawyer said it costs $2000 for this. He said most of the people he helps are on the verge of losing their license so they really have no choice but to pay the retainer.

If the cop has you on radar and you're not gonna get a lawyer then it's gonna be pretty tough to do anything about it in court. If he caught you by pacing behind you, then you stand a chance. The nice thing about going to court is that you can ask the judge for leniency and see if he will let you pay a fine and go to traffic school to clear it up. Good luck.

[chargedvette02]

If you go to court the DA will probably knock the ticket down to 2/3 points speeding. If you get a lawyer and go to court and the cop shows up you will most likely get the full 5 points and have to pay a lawyer. On the other hand if you go to court and the cop doesn't show you will get 0 points.

[JAYMAC10]

How much are the points going to cost you?

Don't see why you need a lawyer as it will probably cost you way more in the end anyways...

It's not rocket sciense regarding/fighting speeding tickets. There are only so many ways/directions one can take it and I don't think you need to pay a laywer for that.

I would just plead your case. No one around, no history of speeding in the past, strait open road = minimal risk. Better there than in rush hour traffic like some people!

[Tweeter]

don't speed.

as for the front tag, let them know you were only issued one

[god5337]

see this post on NASIOC Trial By Declaration (How To) - NASIOC this is my personal experience: NASIOC - View Single Post - Trial By Declaration (How To)

[Mavrik]

Show up and hope the cop doesn't. otherwise he pretty much got you. why pay more with lawyer fees cause thats what will happen if you lose.

[DjChieNa]

First of all, I hope you have a clean record, meaning 0 points for the past three years. Montgomery County is serious when it comes to speeding. Be glad that the cop cited you for speeding and not reckless driving. Either way, you will have to go to court and fight this in getting the points reduced/removed and pay a fine. I don't think the judge will be too lenient in your defense for driving 30mph above the speed limit. 10-15mph over he'll be lenient but anything over 20mph, good luck.

Depending on the judge, he will warn you that your charge can be a jailable offense and if you want legal counsel present. If you agree, they will postpone the court date and you will have to find a lawyer.

[ryanid77]

Thanks for the replies folks. Can anyone else who did TBD share their experiences? I need to figure out how that works in MD. If not I guess my best bet is to show up in court and hope for the best.

Edit: Just found out that TBD is not allowed in MD.