I just got off the phone with my wife, who just got pulled over. The guy writes her up for speeding going 72 in a 55 zone, more or less says "you can either attend this Drive Right course for $75 or pay/contest the ticket and have your insurance go up and pay the ticket which is much more. Here are a couple issues I'm having: 1) The cop flashed his high beams at my wife and not his emergency lights to pull her over. Once he flashed, she pulled to the side to give him right of way and he follows THEN with his emergency lights. 2) Did not provide reason to why he was pulling her over 3) Comes back with a speeding ticket and a cite of going 72 in a 55 zone. When asked to provide evidence of the 72 the cop said "I've already cleared it on my radar gun." 4) When discussing contesting this the cops says "I always show for my citations and if I do then the ticket is automatically assigned to you." Is this true? Do courts take the blind word of the police over citizens?! 5) My wife, when pulled over, passes a 65MPH sign, yet was cited for 72 ina 55MPH 6) Was with the flow of traffic, with other cars going same speed or faster. 7) When she gets home her ticket is included with a brochure about this "Drive Wright (for Wright county)" brochure. This sounds like meeting quota and pushing a new course. So, is this worth contesting? On one hand, I say no, pay the $75 and attend this stupid course. On the other hand (and the hand I'm leaning towards) contest this b/c even out of principle the cops around here are ridiculous. Thoughts? Having just moved to MN I don't know the idiosyncracies of cops and the procedures. Thanks, Todd
From what I know the Cop has to show proof when you ask for the radar gun result. Also if this is the first offense, they will usually let you off when you contest it. But again, things may have changed. Even though the speed limited increased to 65mph, they'll argue and say u were going 72...My friend got pulled over on 694 going 61 on a 60 Limit. I think it was because he was driving an STi and caught there attention. $130+ fine. Sorry to hear that Todd, I do not know if I helped much there...
that sucks. i would contest it. if its a first offense you can get probation / continuance and no insurace woes. if that doesnt work try to get the thing bumped to the 65 zone. cuase only tickets >9 over go to insurance. i really wanna know what the deal is with the radr gun and them showing you it. cuase if you ask and they HAVE TO show you. it could be a nice way out of a ticket.
I think I am going to fight it. Another bit of info: This was a 2 lane, road and the cop was a couple hundred yards in front of the pack of cars, with my wife being the tail car. The first car was going about 75 or so, do you think he could have caught the first person? How could he pick her out when there were many others going faster?
Don't sweat it at all. No radar gun shown to your wife = she wins. Have your wife go talk to a hearing officer 2 weeks from now. The cop had no proof your wife was over the speeding limit.
Ya think? She was told there are court fees when appearing to contest tickets. Is this true? I always thought they were built into the fee of the ticket.
I dont care what anyone says you still have to give cops credit for what they do. I mean would any of you guys go to work not knowing if you will come home to your kids at night? I know that there are some as$hole cops out there but then there are some nice ones.
I will agree with you...however... Most cops I've met fall under two categories: 1) Total buttholes that no matter how polite, relaxed (hands on the wheel, "yes sir," license and registration already out), and respectful you, are they have a bug up their butt. 2) "Nice Cops" that don't give you the ticket, but let you know they are doing you a HUGE favor. Either way, 99% of cops I've met walk with an attitude of power and a little bit of fear-inducing attitude. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they are out on the streets, but the couple I've ever had to run into seem like they are the kid in high school that no one took seriously and "now it's their turn."
just call and find out. having a private hearing with a court administrator is different than going to court in front of a judge. There is no charge in hennipen county, can't imagine wright would be different, but call and find out. make sure she asks for a "private hearing". i wouldn't worry about it.
No the cop does not have to show you proof, from what've heard from a cop, secondly she was speeding, period. all said and done, it's not a big deal, talk to a hearing officer, chances are you'll pay a little more and keep it off your record, no court, but usually will cost you around $200 to keep it off. or look into this course idea, if that keep it off your record for $75 go for it. bottom line is she was still speeding, and that cop used his descretion and gave her a ticket, the speed limit starts at the speed limit sign, and not an inch before, you'll get cops all over the county that will enfore that. On top of that there is a huge statewide speed crack down, if they pull you over for speeding now, you are getting a ticket, I wouldn't count on getting out of a ticket during this increase enforcement period, best advice is to not speed at all, I try not to, though I slip up at times. Still I think as long and you are under 10 mph, your may be able to slide, over ten forgetable it.
when i went to court in front of the judge i still had to pay some court fees (wright county) but it wound up being less with the court fees, and it doesen't matter if you are the first car in the pack the middle or the last its up to the officer who gets pulled over. and for going 61 in a 60 i would have fought that you are pretty much safe doing 63 in a 55, i was told that on a ride along because its not worth their time to go to court for any less than that
okay here is my 27 cents worth. January I got pulled over for 72 in a 60, got a ticket with a fine of 145, went and talked to a hearing officer at hennipen county, paid 150, ticket is not on my record, I am on one year probation, no same or similar. Yesterday afternoon on the way to FS I got pulled over on 394, I thought I was doing 60 to 65 in a 55, he said he clocked me faster then that. I drove a way after less then 5 minutes on the side of the road with a written warning. If he was behinde me when I switched lanes he very well could have got me accelerating into the lane and traffic at 70. Wven with teh crack down it is hit or miss, I have 5 yrs with nothing till this past jan, but that ticket is not on my record until and if I screw up again before jan 17. I suggest going to see a hearing officer and you will most likley not have to worry about it... okay that was more like a 1.27 not .27
see my comments in this thread: http://mnsubaru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8306 The class is a new thing. Take advantage of it. Not worth fighting over $75 and a couple hours of class time; you will pay much more than that for the "probation" deal anyway. Basically you get one freebie. The hearing officer won't care what the circumstances are, they will just offer that deal, and if you want to fight it more you will go before a judge (and the officer if he shows) on a future date. Unless the ticket shows a mile marker or something it is his word against hers as to the 65 mph sign. I'm sure they camp out right at the transition from 55 to 65 on purpose. http://www.motorists.com/issues/tickets/ticketFAQ.html Does the officer have to show me the radar/laser reading? This is not required in most jurisdictions. Also, whether the officer allows you to see the speed reading has virtually no bearing on your case. Anyway, you should save the freebie for the next ticket when that class is not an option. One thing I miss about living in Minneapolis proper is that the cops seemed to have better things to do than hassle casual speeders. Talk to me tomorrow...
I'll probably just have her pay the $75 for the class and end this whole thing. Man, talk about a wake-up call; 2 tickets between the two of us in a matter of two weeks!
I'd do the class for sure. Cheaper than having to pay the ticket and I hear you get to drive a road course. I'd do it just for that.
my ticket was a lot more money than this to keep it off my record, but it will still probably end up saving me money in the long term to do so.
