Finally got pulled over

fluffy2097 · 04-26-2005, 01:43 PM

So I finally got pulled over, for doing 64 in a 45. Now the question is do I fight it? I looked up the violation in the Massachusetts general laws and found this.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-18.htm
The other possible speeding violation is 90/17, and thats about reasonable and proper speed. 90/18 is something regarding special laws that seem to be set on a town by town basis.

I was driving with 4 other cars and we were all traveling the same speed (one person even thought they were getting pulled over, not me.) The ticket says that he hit me with lidar at 560 feet, but it also has a check box saying that it was estimated.

I'm poor and trying to move at the moment, and I really cannot afford to get hit either the 190 dollar speeding ticket, or a massive rise in my insurance rates. If anyone knows more about Massachusetts speeding laws, Please give advice.

Another note, I had my screen up and the cop said nothing about it. There was nothing on the ticket about it either. Frodoplayer was up, no vis was on. I believe the song "marijuana in your brain" was visible on the playlist.

sdashiki · 04-26-2005, 01:46 PM

dont know shiite about MA traffic courts, but here in florida in major metro areas you can pay a lawyer $50 to get it thrown out of court because the courts are so clogged with traffic tickets that if you ask for a court appearance, they will just let you go. And if the lawyer cant do anything for you, they sometimes have a refund policy or where they will pay your ticket if they cant get you off.

angusn · 04-26-2005, 01:53 PM

Here in Connecticut (waving north to you) it is usually a good idea to file "Not Guilty". Always be very polite to the police officer at the time, but make the system work for your $$. Usually, traffic court is full of drunk drivers and hit-n-run butt-wipes... your measley speeding ticket will either be nollied or reduced. As always,

first. There are many sites dedicated to helping people get out of tickets. Personally, I just pay 'em... but when I was a poor college student, I filed "not guilty" 'cause I didn't have the

to get out of tickets at the time.

ODYSSEY · 04-26-2005, 03:15 PM

A) Hire a lawyer.
or
B) Appear in court, ask the DA to reduce your ticket and plead guilty.

Never just file (by mail) guilty and pay the ticket. If he estimated your speed a lawyer should be able to get your ticket thrown out. Remember the small cost of a lawyer, will out weight the increase on your insurance. Specially if you are a young (under 25).

Here in NC, insurance companies have a differnet point system than the DMV. Our state requires insurance companies to ignore the first ticket (on your record), if it is the only ticket. We also get one "pray for jugdement" ever three years, if you have a clean record. So we can get two tickets within three years and pay no increase in insurance.

migel628 · 04-26-2005, 03:28 PM

Not sure about Mass. traffic laws, but I know in NY, 19mph over the speed limit is just points (I believe 25mph over is suspension). I think you should plead not guilty & talk to the cop. Most likely, he/she will drop the violation to something smaller, but probably still speed related. Of course you could go the lawyer route & probably get it tossed out @ a fee. For future reference, try not to go more than 5-10mph over the posted speed limit.

ddn · 04-26-2005, 04:01 PM

You sir, are a jackass.

Try driving even remotely close to the speed limit.

fluffy2097 · 04-26-2005, 04:09 PM

You know, It really sounds like I am, but it really wasn't that reckless if you knew the area.

ODYSSEY · 04-26-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by fluffy2097

You know, It really sounds like I am, but it really wasn't that reckless if you knew the area.

But going more than 10 over is asking for it. Now it is your time to read up on state laws or hire a lawyer.

maxxell · 04-26-2005, 04:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ODYSSEY

But going more than 10 over is asking for it.

You've clearly never driven on any major highways. If I were to go any less than 10 mph over the posted limit on the FL turnpike, I'd get rear-ended. If I were going less than 20 mph over the posted limited on I-75, I'd get the evil eye from every other driver on the road.

Peoples · 04-26-2005, 05:00 PM

yeah, wow....going the speedlimit on 295 towards baltimore might get you pulled over for slowing down the flow of traffic. The speed limit is 45, I've never seen anyone got slower then 60 there. Yesterday I was on there going 70 and had to move to the slow lane because it wasnt fast enough for the poeple behind me

Shelbrain · 04-26-2005, 07:17 PM

I have to agree with the comment about driving on I75/Turnpike. Forget about I95 anymore either. When I lived in South Florida, I always used to get pulled for driving in the HOV lane...I wish they had those traffic ticket doctors here on the West Coast (FL) but I have yet to see/hear of any.

ODYSSEY · 04-26-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by maxxell

You've clearly never driven on any major highways. If I were to go any less than 10 mph over the posted limit on the FL turnpike, I'd get rear-ended. If I were going less than 20 mph over the posted limited on I-75, I'd get the evil eye from every other driver on the road.

Interstates are differnet. I just follow the flow of traffic (within reason). Most people drive about 80mph on interstates. I even have passed state troopers doing 80-85mph, simply following with the flow of traffic. Interstates marked 45mph are a joke. Now if people could learn to keep right and pass on the left (auto-ban) then the world would be a happier place.

BoyNextDoor · 04-26-2005, 08:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ODYSSEY

Interstates are differnet. I just follow the flow of traffic (within reason). Most people drive about 80mph on interstates. I even have passed state troopers doing 80-85mph, simply following with the flow of traffic. Interstates marked 45mph are a joke. Now if people could learn to keep right and pass on the left (auto-ban) then the world would be a happier place.

you could say that again. Tere is no driving culture here what so ever... ****es me off. And so does it with most european ppl (who actually can drive) ...

Escalade182 · 04-26-2005, 08:43 PM

"Guilty with reasoning, averting collision towards near vehicles exceeding the speed limit." get you off with $70. I'm afraid there's no free was out of this

Escalade182 · 04-26-2005, 08:46 PM

in Maryland that is...