Speeding ticket question - worth be battle?

[JRG_in_MD]

Folks,
Would like to get the sense of the community's thoughts on the probability of beating the speeding ticket for a particular locale that I'm sure some of you know. Here's the scenario:

Helped some friends move furniture out to their beachhouse with my pickup last weekend. Stuff was really lightweight and bouncing around in the back, and in paying more attention to the load than the road, got tagged in F*!#@%!Georgetown DE for 58 in a 40 mph zone. Classic speedtrap, local mountie set up 150 yards inside the speed zone sign. I was so steamed at the time I vowed to make the time to fight this.

Four days later, I need to figure out what are my chances. It's not the fine, its the 2 points I get dinged with and the resulting insurance rate increase that I'm interest in. Based on my experience with my kids, if this was in MD, I'd figure even odds for pleading Judgement before Punishment, they get their money, I keep my insurance record intact. For Delaware, I'm not sure what the groundrules would be. They can't see my record and probably don't care, and may be happy stick the penalty to me, given the potential small-town inferiority/arrogance complex. On the other hand, the mountie may be off to the casinos that day.

Thoughts/experience data points from the group?

Rich
2000 M5
1994 F-150 (the ultimate beatermobile!)

[bren]

Technically you were speeding, and from my experience small towns aren't keen on giving up the revenue from tickets....pay it

[Dirichlet]

I've had the unfortunate experience of fighting several speeding tickets in court. Two of these appearances resulted in a reduction of the charge (one in MD the other in NJ) and the other in a reduction of the fine (CT). If you have the time, I'd say to argue your case. If you have a clean record, they may be lenient... good luck.

[SMOODY]

I agree with Colin. In general, if you are willing to contest the charge, then you can usually get the charged reduced. As always, there are no guarantees.

[tgmeyer]

"Guilty with an explanation, your honor."
and
"I would like PBJ." probation before judgement

Yeah, done this a few times.
I'd rather sepnd the $$ in time off from work and fines than to my insurance company.
Tom

[ob325]

I've had the unfortunate experience of fighting several speeding tickets in court.

You? Speeding? I find that hard to believe.

[TMB_540i]

Having followed Colin back from Summit Point a time or three, I am very surprised that he was ever caught speeding!

Guilty with an explanation in VA got me a reduced fine and the points never showed up on my MD drivers record.

[Dirichlet]

Having followed Colin back from Summit Point a time or three, I am very surprised that he was ever caught speeding!

Why, Tom, whatever do you mean...?
Actually, every ticket I've ever received has been under 80mph while moving with traffic... go figure.

[OwnedbyDuncan]

Take a chance and go to court. The trooper or officer may have written all his tickets to out of towners for this court day and may not show.

Dave apker

[jhm5]

you need to know 2 things -
-will a violation in georgetown de show up on your MD driving record?
-how does the g'town de court usually handle such matters?
experiences in other jurisdictions aren't really relevant.
the small towns on the DE roads to the beach are notorious for speed traps.

[OwnedbyDuncan]

I can remember the first time my parents took my sister, brother and I to Rehobeth in approx 1968. My aunt and uncle warned my dad about the speed traps in the little towns in Delaware. Just like the pre by pass days going to Summit Point I always do the speed limit in small towns.

Dave Apker, Duncan and Kate the gripper

[JRG_in_MD]

Folks,
It's been a while since I posted any new info on this, but it's finally wound through to it's conclusion. Appealed the ticket, got a court date of the 12th of June, and went through the process.

Bottom line: I got a probation before judgement order on the basis of:
- Infraction being of a minor sort
- Good driving record (no moving violations in last 5 years)
- Showing up to plead my case
Costs were $56 for the fine, $35 cost of court, and 11.20 of victim's compensation/other bogus fees - $102.10

I still need to provide a certified copy of my MD driving record to them in two weeks time as proof of item 1. Once this is done, the charge gets dropped, although I need to still see if this record ever leaves the state of Delaware. Conceivably, if the record never leaves Sussex County DE, I could do this every year in different state municipalities and stay below the MD DMV radar.

Overall, the whole evolution was very professional. The court was a Delaware Justice of the Peace court, the local one for Georgetown. The cop who pulled me was there going over a slate of cases he was responsible for - two petty thefts and my speeding ticket. He basically set the deal up with the judge once I indicated what I wanted. I was given the option of appealing the case to a higher court, getting an attorney, or putting the whole case off.
When we went in to see the judge, the cop indicated he had spoken to me, what I wanted, his concurrence, and the judge agreed. In round terms, I figure I avoided at least $400 in insurance rate increases. All over and done with in a 1/2 hour, and well worth the 90 minute drive each way.

Hope this experience helps all, and watch out for DE cops!

Rich

2000 M5
1994 Ford F-150 (covering both ends of the motoring spectrum)

[Phat Ham]

One thing to keep in mind: Even if an out of state offense doesn't get transferred to your home state's record that doesn't necessarily mean your insurance company won't find it.

[Russell Thater]

JRG,

It's definately in your best interest to appear in court and appeal to the judge. Many times they will reduce the charge so as not to add points on your license. Fight it, but fight to reduce the charge. It is your word against the officers and they are going to take his side, not yours. This will definately affect your insurance rates if you receive 2 points. Play the game and don't get burned. Hope that helps a bit.

RUSS

[ErikT]

They definately don't mess around on the eastern shore.

One point I thought I'd expand upon, depending on the juristiction, the judge may actually be able to see your offenses in other states. If they ask if you've ever had a ticket they may already know the answer.

-Erik