WWMD: speeding ticket?

**Deep Days** · 10-12-2006, 10:38 PM

I had to pick my parents up today at DIA, and on about my fourth lap around, I was trying to merge back onto Pena Blvd just before the terminal, and traffic was pretty bad. In order not to die, I felt like I had to go significantly faster than the rest of everyone on the road, all of whom were already speeding. As I came around the corner, I successfully merged, and I was going about 60, and everyone near me was going about 55, I would guess. This was in a 45 mph zone.

Long story short: a state cop sniped me before I could slow down and get back off Pena Blvd to pull into the "arrivals" loading place. He got me for doing 60, probably just because he knew I saw him.

Is this worth arguing in court? That I justified TEMPORARY speeding in order to merge safely? If so, what steps should I take to prepare?

I would appreciate any legal expertise anybody could provide, particularly if you've been in this situation before.

Normally I would just say "fuck it, I was speeding", but I was a little pissed about these circumstances.

Thanks.

**funkendrenchman** · 10-12-2006, 10:41 PM

Pay the ticket... everyone knows not to speed on Pena. (I've seen a car pulled over almost every time I've been on the road)

Oh, and next time, park in the cell phone lot.

**Toby** · 10-12-2006, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by Deep Days

Is this worth arguing in court? That I justified TEMPORARY speeding in order to merge safely? If so, what steps should I take to prepare?

Bwaahaha! Good luck, Max. I don't know the laws in Colorado, but my magic 8-ball says "outlook not so good". It also says "concentrate and ask again".

**Pow4Brains** · 10-12-2006, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by funkendrenchman

Pay the ticket... everyone knows not to speed on Pena. (I've seen a car pulled over almost every time I've been on the road)

Oh, and next time, park in the cell phone lot.

2nd. Tried fighting one and lost. Airport cops having nothing better to do than go to court.

**shmerham** · 10-12-2006, 11:35 PM

It's worth a shot; all you risk is a few hours of your own time. Maybe they'll plea bargain for a defensive driving course and a fine, instead of it going on your record.

**DownhillRider** · 10-12-2006, 11:41 PM

Try fighting this one and then get yourself a laser jammer and radar detector - no more tix after that.

**Deep Days** · 10-12-2006, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by Toby

Bwaahaha! Good luck, Max. I don't know the laws in Colorado, but my magic 8-ball says "outlook not so good". It also says "concentrate and ask again".

Unlike most questions/remarks coming from me, this one was discussed among a party of three others who agreed that it might be worth a shot (none of whom have any legal experience). Stop being such a dick, man...

The question is: if my fight is unsuccessful, can I potentially be any worse off than having just paid the ticket? And if the answer to this is no, then does anyone suggest any specific preparation (i.e. legal counsel/consultation, written records of something, whatever) to gain an advantage in fighting this ticket? I know nothing about this, as I have never argued in court, which is why I am consulting those potentially more knowledgeable than I.

funken: I did not know this. This was the first time I have driven my own vehicle to the airport, and I tend not to pay anywhere near as much attention to my surroundings while not driving as I do when I am driving.

**Toby** · 10-12-2006, 11:44 PM

Or maybe just don't speed or if you do don't bitch about it when you get caught?

<edit>this was answering DownhillRider, not Max</edit>

**Toby** · 10-12-2006, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by Deep Days

Unlike most questions/remarks coming from me, this one was discussed among a party of three others who agreed that it might be worth a shot (none of whom have any legal experience). Stop being such a dick, man...

I'm not being a dick. Like I said, I don't know your laws. But over here, the laws are clear that even if you're overtaking you're not allowed to speed. It sucks and often it would make overtaking more dangerous to stick to the limit but it's clear cut. I often break limits too while overtaking, but I know if I get caught it's my fault. IMHO you fighting your particular case is analogous to people who want to sue McDonalds because they're fat. But hey, good luck, like I said.

Squatch · 10-13-2006, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by Toby

I'm not being a dick. Like I said, I don't know your laws. But over here, the laws are clear that even if you're overtaking you're not allowed to speed. It sucks and often it would make overtaking more dangerous to stick to the limit but it's clear cut. I often break limits too while overtaking, but I know if I get caught it's my fault. IMHO you fighting your particular case is analogous to people who want to sue McDonalds because they're fat. But hey, good luck, like I said.

Over here, people fight speeding tickets all the time depending on the likelihood that the cop will show up. Generally, if they don't show you're off scot-free.

Bummer news about the cops showing up.

G · 10-13-2006, 12:26 AM

www.ticketassassin.com

**Superstar Punani** · 10-13-2006, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Geoff

www.ticketassassin.com

That link is only for CA. (the templates all reference CA vehicle codes)

If CO lets you fight your ticket in the mail, then go for it. Basically pigs get paid o/t to rock up in court. However, if you opt for a trial by mail the pig has to fill out extra TPS reports which does pay them any extra. So if they don't turn in their paperwork then you automatically get off.

I've gotten off two tickets this way which would have otherwise cost $250+

**Deep Days** · 10-13-2006, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by Superstar Punani

I've gotten off two tickets this way which would have otherwise cost $250+

And a shit ton of insurance money...

I'll see if there's a number on the ticket to call to find out if this is possible. Thanks for the tip, SuPu. But what happens if you don't get off the ticket? What is the fine? More than it would have been if I had just paid the ticket?

**lemon boy** · 10-13-2006, 07:02 AM

You were speeding at the airport?

BWAHHAHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHA

No shit you got a ticket, DIA exceeds the number of tickets per mile of any other stretch in CO (or did for a LONG time). Even more than from Johnsonville - > Salida.

My CO experience (been to court in Westminister)
In CO you can usually plea tickets by mail (and assuming your car is registered LA the insurance shouldn't be impacted) and get 50% off fines and points + often down to a non-moving type violation (and if you're LA...maybe just get hit with fines). If you go to court here usually you can plea to the same thing or somewhat less. If you argue innocence in court you run the risk of being found guilty and getting whatever ass reaming the judge (and you're not getting a jury trial) feels like giving you (can often be WAY GREATER than the ass reaming from even the original ticket), b/c your argument is not that you broke the law, this seems stupid.

Pay ticket, move on.

**The Dude** · 10-13-2006, 07:11 AM

if you go to court, you won't even get a judge, you'll get a magistrate. Where you're going to pay court fees on top of the fine if you are found guilty. Those cops will also talk about how they test the radar/laser everyday before they start pulling people over.

I agree w/ LB, pay the ticket and move on. And remember, never speed on Pena Blvd around the airport.

**flatNshallow** · 10-13-2006, 07:13 AM

admit responsability with explanation; tell judge your story and just ask for no points. Ticket$<Insurance Premium Hike $

**willywhit** · 10-13-2006, 07:20 AM

"Takes the wheel when I'm seein' double, pays my tickets when I speed..."

**BushwackerinPA** · 10-13-2006, 07:52 AM

A real maggot wouldnt of let the cops pull them over...

dont try this on a 4 lane highway, you are forsure to get caught. but on winding back roads in the right car and enough skill you can allways get away scotch free.

**Brock Landers** · 10-13-2006, 07:56 AM

Absolutely fight it. I mean, if youre going to need to go to court. If you dont have a day job or anything else going on, go to court. Youll talk ot the magistrate for about 4 minutes and theyll just say "How about we reduce it to a 50 dollar fine and no record" whereupon you say "OK" and leave simple as that. If the cop shows, which is doubtful, just explain what was going on and worst case scenario, you pay the ticket anyway. They have other things to do like convict felons and get lunch, they dont really worry about a speeding ticket. The cop could give a shit anyway, sitting in court all morning is not what he wants to be doing anyway

**willywhit** · 10-13-2006, 08:27 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7FFDDYDVQY put the pedal to the metal and dance with the devil !

**Blurreds_left_nut** · 10-13-2006, 09:00 AM

i have always been under the impression that if you try to go to court and lose, the fines increase. Somebody has to pay for all those easy a** courtroom jobs.

**ill-advised strategy** · 10-13-2006, 09:07 AM

I beat a ticket once.

**smmokan** · 10-13-2006, 09:11 AM

If you go to court and fight it and somehow lose

the fines do not go up. I also believe that included in your total fine is a court appearance fee as well- so you may as well go if you're paying for it. I've done this before (in VA when I lived in NC) and they dropped it from 15 over to 9 over, which lowered the fine a little bit.

If its your first ticket, you may have more luck and maybe they'll lower it to "parking on pavement" or some bullshit like that... but chances are the fine will be the same. Since you probably have your insurance based out of LA, it won't effect your rates, so I wouldn't worry about that.

**homerjay** · 10-13-2006, 09:13 AM

I've gotten sniped on Pena before, too. Don't speed there anymore.

Did they give you the "faulty equipment" option with a lower fine and fewer points? Take it, pay it, and be done with it.

**1080Rider** · 10-13-2006, 10:01 AM

Allright, lets do this one more time. And everyone save this one to memory. The first thing you do if you get a ticket is call the prosecutor's office. If you have a decent record you ask them for a deferred sentence or a reduction to a non-moving violation. If you have a shit ton of tickets don't bother. You can fight a ticket but you'll lose most of the time. If you talk to the prosecutor before the court date and are willing to do the leg work most jurisdictions will give you a break on a first or second ticket. Just call the prosecutor for the jurisdiction that the ticket is from, politely explain to them that you're a college kid w/ no $$$ and want to preserve your status w/ your insurance co. They may ask you to pay the price of the ticket but if they'll amend to a non-moving then you've accomplished what you wanted, namely kept your insurance under $1000/month. That's my suggestion... PM me if you need more.