88 in a 55 today in Chatham County. (I was just trying to get back to the future)

Yea it seems fast when you put a number on it, but in today's cars 88 feels like 55 on a nice open highway.

Anyway, of course I'm going to do what any self respecting white male would do and throw money at the problem until it goes away. I know I'm not the first one to get pinched on 64 heading back to Charlotte. Any good attorney experiences in that area?

12/27/2009 5:14:45 PM

yeah, there are plenty of places where the speed limit is 55, but 88 is very reasonable with the right car/conditions.

and yes, the only thing to do is throw money at the problem until it goes away. It's a fucked up system, but if you're going to speed, you might as well just look at it as a fast driving tax and factor it in as a cost of driving how you want.

Quote :

"I know you can take the courses to get points taken off your license, but I have never heard of it being required"

requirements vary by county/driving violation/age of driver. maybe driving record, too...not sure, i've never had to take one of these courses.

[Edited on December 27, 2009 at 5:29 PM. Reason : ]

12/27/2009 5:26:55 PM

i've been procrastinating...I have a court date january 8. do you guys think it's too late to get a lawyer?

12/27/2009 5:28:39 PM

no

just call a few lawyers up until you get one that you think will take care of what you want for ~$250. Mail him a check for whatever his cost is (which typically includes any fines/court costs you have to pay), and go on with your business. You can mail him your copy of the ticket if you want, too, but that isn't absolutely necessary.

in a few weeks or months (depending on how long until your court date, and how many times he has the case continued), you'll get a letter saying "The charge against you of ___ mph in a ___ mph zone was reduced to ____". What you want to see is improper equipment/seatbelt violation/some other city code or non-moving violation, because then it just amounts to the equivalent of an expensive parking ticket.


Hell, out of all the traffic lawyers I've hired, I've never met even a single one of them. Haha, I've hired James Crouch 2-3 times...used to have his office # in my cell phone. I just call them up, give them my ticket #, and either mail them a check or give them my credit card # over the phone. That's pretty much the end of it.

[Edited on December 27, 2009 at 5:36 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on December 27, 2009 at 5:37 PM. Reason : ]

12/27/2009 5:29:20 PM

sweet, thanks

i'll call tomorrow

12/27/2009 5:31:44 PM

well I got a quote in the mail for a hundred bucks...do they normally charges fees on top of that price?


thanks for the info, I had no idea how this shit works. that answered a lot of my questions.

12/27/2009 11:16:23 PM

Failure to stop at stop sign...cops...

I used a PFJ on a speeding ticket a few years ago. I was actually given the ticket in December 2006. Is the three year limit on PFJ from the date of the violation, or from the date the PFJ is granted, or what?

I've also read that I should try to have this changed to a non moving violation, but I don't even know how I would do that.

[Edited on January 27, 2010 at 9:06 AM. Reason : ]

1/27/2010 9:04:50 AM

Don't speed. Really, even if it is 5:15am and there's only 2 cars ~1-2 miles behind you and no one ahead of you as far as you can see on the beltline so you aren't posing any threat to anyone else... WHY? Because that makes you the cop's only target FML!

1/27/2010 9:38:07 AM

you should probably contact an attorney before proceeding if you have any questions, some of them will answer a few basic questions over the phone free of charge.

that being said, i'm pretty sure the prayer for judgment three year period begins running from the court date it was granted, not when the ticket was issued. if possible, you can always try and continue the case until you get past that three year period and then use another one for this ticket. as far as having it reduced to a non-moving violation, it depends on the county where you received the ticket. wake co. will rarely allow a ticket to be reduced, but most other counties will, just dress professionally and be respectful to the DA and usually they'll grant your request unless you have a really bad prior record.

1/27/2010 9:48:51 AM

^^^Also, it was a "rolling stop," turning right onto a one way street, if that makes a difference. It's not like I straight ran a stop sign. I somehow doubt that the court cares at all.

[Edited on January 27, 2010 at 9:50 AM. Reason : ]

1/27/2010 9:49:56 AM

Quote :

"I used a PFJ "

you mean -pjc (prayer for judgement continued)

they would probably snicker if you asked for a pfj

1/27/2010 9:57:12 AM

Oh, right.

1/27/2010 10:01:21 AM

So, when I ask the DA to use a PJC, I'm assuming I still have to pay the $130 court cost and my $30 fine for speeding is dropped? Or is it like a dismissal and the court cost is also dropped?

[Edited on January 29, 2010 at 3:34 AM. Reason : .]

1/29/2010 3:34:12 AM

I got a ticket Christmas Eve on the way to work. Said he clocked me at 80 in a 55. Wrote the ticket for 69 in a 55. Normally I would just think, ok I will get it reduced to 9 over. But on the ticket under other information and under speed it says 'R 80 S' Is that going to show the DA that I was actually doing 80mph? This is Durham county, and I have also heard that if you show up with cash to pay court costs they will pretty much do what you want lol.

1/29/2010 8:32:17 AM

you should only have to pay court costs if you're granted a pjc

1/29/2010 9:31:10 PM

too much to read in here. wake county. 15 over.

talk to DA. ask for it to be reduced to 9 over (first offense). no insurance changes as long as no more tickets within three years. correct?

[Edited on May 21, 2010 at 8:46 AM. Reason : don't use pfc, right? wasn't me, btw]

5/21/2010 8:45:47 AM

Speeding advice

1. Don't speed

5/21/2010 8:53:10 AM

Read this:

http://www.ncdoi.com/consumer/consumer_publications/automobile%20and%20vehicle/it%20pays%20to%20be%20a%20safe%20driver%20(insurance%20points).pdf

If the judge won't grant you a reduction, or you feel like you're not getting a good deal, ask for a continuance so you can seek legal advice. But yes, you basically get one 9over every 3 years without your insurance increasing.

5/21/2010 9:05:58 AM

so go talk to the DA before the court date, then just pay the court costs and that's it? no need to go to court, right?

5/21/2010 9:15:49 AM

^ sure

5/21/2010 9:18:29 AM

the DA is not going to talk to you before your court date, you have to go to court, there are a million other people with speeding tickets they have to deal with so unless your dad is the mayor you better be in court with your nice pleated khakis and freshly pressed dress shirt (tie optional).

5/21/2010 9:30:13 AM

thanks, wasn't sure about it. and again, it wasn't me who got stopped.

5/21/2010 9:31:33 AM

I was pulled in Virginia on I-77 for 80 in a 65. (total speed trap; after my ticket, he had already pulled another driver before I had time to close up my tank bag and don my helmet and gloves)

Judging by the way he described it, he was doing me a solid by reducing it to 80 in a 65, much like LEOs in NC often bump us down to 9 over.

So when this gets back to NC, will it be listed as "15 OVER OMG," or "lowest-level speeding ticket"? I'm thinking about just paying the $136

6/1/2010 10:58:13 AM

NC and VA are both members of the Driver's License Compact and your 15+ in VA will be reported to the NC DMV. The DMV can (and probably will) assess driver's license points as well as suspend your license for 30 days:

Quote :

"Your driving privilege will be revoked for at least 30 days if you are convicted of: * driving any vehicle more than 15 mph over the speed limit, if you are driving at a speed higher than 55 mph. "

http://www.ncdot.org/DMV/driver_services/drivingpublic/suspensions.html

I don't know if insurance points will be assessed for an out-of-state violation but if they do it'll be 4 insurance points (an 80% surcharge on your insurance). I'd get a lawyer to take care of it if it were me.

6/1/2010 1:57:03 PM

I've been reading the law, and it seems that I'd only get my license suspended if it was over 15, whereas I was only 15.

I'm still going to get a lawyer. Damn it I hate those guys.

6/1/2010 3:07:42 PM

Quote :

"* driving any vehicle more than 15 mph over the speed limit, if you are driving at a speed higher than 55 mph. ""

I have never never NEVER understood this law. So the law-breaking speeder blazing down the I-40 outside of Garner (maybe he missed
the memo when the speed drops from 70 to 65 mph) at 80 mph is more dangerous, hence the suspension of 30 days, then the 17 yr old
punk kid who thinks is cool driving 40 mph (20 over) in a fucking neighborhood.

The state can still get its "premium use highway tax" but speeding on a freeway should be held to a different set of penalties
(at least the additional stuff beyond just the $$$$) then someone obviously driving faster than is reasonable and prudent on a city street or narrow 2-lane country route.

Their are situations where driving 60 in a 55 (5 over) on some windy two lane country road is more dangerous than going 81 in a 55 like on US64 west of raleigh. Their is nothing reckless at all about going 80 on any interstate highway unless it is pouring rain or heavily congested traffic.

[Edited on June 1, 2010 at 7:10 PM. Reason : l]

[Edited on June 1, 2010 at 7:11 PM. Reason : l]

6/1/2010 7:06:40 PM

^I was a 18 punk ass kid who drove 45 in a 25 and had to go through a lot more shit than I did when I got one for going 73 in a 55 in a work zone.

6/1/2010 8:38:02 PM

Just FYI, damn near any lawyer you hire in Stanly County for any reasonable speeding ticket can drop it to improper equipment, the only difference is some charge $250ish and some charge $450ish (crazy).

On that note, anyone know how easy improper equipment is in Johnston County or have recommendations for lawyers? Had 3 troopers pull over 3 different people (including me) where the limit dropped from 55 to 45 in the middle of NC42 somewhere. One odd thing, the trooper was nice about it but added that I could go to court in person and fight it because he wasn't gonna show up that day. I can't tell if that's his way of indirectly saying I can get it taken care of easily or his way of fucking around with me and just making me waste my day.

[Edited on July 12, 2010 at 10:51 PM. Reason : .]

7/12/2010 10:47:52 PM

Excellent response time guys. Good game, good game.

Just another FYI, Johnston County does indeed have improper equipment and from the sound of it are almost as lenient as Stanly County. As long as you weren't doing something pretty bad like 20-25+ over the speed limit or in a work/school zone it'll get dropped to improper equipment/no points. The trooper even said he wouldn't be there on my court date so I could get it dropped pretty easy and quick. For $215 cash money I'm gonna stand on the theDuke's side and just figure this is my past 3+ years speeding tax without getting caught.

7/19/2010 10:40:25 PM

Quote :

" I was pulled in Virginia on I-77 for 80 in a 65."

Be thankful you aren't a Virginia resident. 80+, regardless, is reckless driving = lots of points on your license for a long time.

[Edited on July 20, 2010 at 8:32 AM. Reason : ]

7/20/2010 8:32:18 AM

i got out of a ticket the other day.

pulled over, going 17 over. but apparently in MA, drivers licenses are last name, first, middle whereas nc is first middle last. so he mixed up my name.

Tada! no more ticket!

7/20/2010 7:03:58 PM

might want to double check that before you assume anything

7/20/2010 8:11:55 PM

^^ i got a ticket which had my name as middle first last. it still had my license number on it, and from my experience, that is what really matters to the dmv. now, if you have had a lawyer say that they can get the ticket thrown out for the error, that is another matter.

7/21/2010 9:59:04 AM

well i went to court and they threw it out. and that was that.

might have helped that i went in uniform....

7/21/2010 9:33:24 PM

I got bent over for a big ticket last night on I-73 (the little mini/soon-to-be beltline in Greensboro). I got hammered doing 101 in a 65. Luckily all he did was give me a ticket for that and didn't toss in a reckless driving or revoke my license.

Waiting on a call back from my lawyer, but I think I might just handle this myself like I normally do. I'm thinking I will have to use my PJC on this bad boy since it is 36 over and triple digits.

Anyone had any experience with the Guilford County courts? All of my previous cases have been in Wake Country.

7/22/2010 11:48:40 AM

40lbs should have been a trip to jail

7/22/2010 12:05:17 PM

Quote :

"So when this gets back to NC, will it be listed as "15 OVER OMG," or "lowest-level speeding ticket"? I'm thinking about just paying the $136"

Fight that ticket man! Hire a lawyer. A while back I got a ticket for 69 in a 55 in VA. I just paid it, nothing happened. Then a few years later I got a ticket for 80 in a 65 (at 6am on I-85 in the middle of nowhere without any other cars around...clearly I was a danger to the public ). Again, I just paid it. Then I got a letter a few months later from my insurance company informing me that for the next three years they would be bending me over and fucking me in the ass.

3 years with an extra $600/year to pay on my policy. What a load of horseshit.

7/22/2010 1:04:03 PM

Quote :

"I'm thinking I will have to use my PJC on this bad boy since it is 36 over and triple digits. "

I could be wrong, but I dont think those things are exactly automatic. The judge has to agree. With your level of speed, I wouldnt be surprised if the best you can do is get it down to 16 over. when I got a 76 in a 55 (US 64 on the way back from the beach when there were zero cars on the road around midnight) it took the lawyer quite a bit of work to get it reduced. I ended up getting it to 9 over, as I recall, but was required to take driving class. It took about 3 or 4 continuances for the lawyer to get the right judge.

7/22/2010 1:13:37 PM

Quote :

" I got hammered doing 101 in a 65"

if you dont hire an attorney, you are an idiot

in wake county the da's wont normally let you handle a ticket above 90 without an attorney. and most times your lucky to do community service and get them to reduce it to 95, when your charge was originally above 100

7/22/2010 1:24:47 PM

Quote :

"I could be wrong, but I dont think those things are exactly automatic. The judge has to agree. "

You are correct about this. The judge does have to accept the PJC. Usually the judge will do what the ADA recommends though. My lawyer is still in court so I will talk to him when he gets out. He will probably give me the name of the best lawyer in Guilford County. I realize I am quite fucked, but like I said, I am just thankful I didn't get a reckless driving tacked on.

One time in Wake County I got pulled for 90 in a 65 and reckless driving. Had to PJC the reckless and got my speeding reduced to nine over by doing 24 hours of community service. I am hoping I can do a PJC/community service combo (or driving school) in order to get this dropped.

Expecting the worse and praying for the best!

7/22/2010 1:37:51 PM

Iin my opinion speeding tickets on the interstate are given out 70/30. I.E. 30% of the time it's for your "safety" and the rest of the time it's all about the money. I'd rather just pay a few hundred a year more in taxes (directed to road construction) and have the HWY Patrol leave me alone.

7/22/2010 1:58:47 PM

I don't understand the money argument; the department nor the officer get a chunk of that change (well a tiny, tiny fraction goes in to state retirement). I don't see officers writing tickets because they are making the state money.

7/22/2010 2:10:53 PM

Just got off the phone with my lawyer back home and he gave me the number of his buddy in Greensboro. He said "that cop just wasted paper giving you that ticket". Hopefully that is the case. Now I am just waiting to hear back from this local lawyer, Joe Williams.

7/22/2010 3:25:50 PM

^^if it were about safety I wouldn't daily see people driving around in shitbox cars with balding tires, severely cracked windshields and 1, 2 or ALL 3 brake lights burnt out.

7/22/2010 3:29:52 PM

Well there is evidence that more tickets are written when the economy is down and I mean the money goes somewhere right?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112121819.htm

Although, there are so many variables it's hard to say why exactly more tickets are written. I mean does the order come from the top down (eg the governor/mayor sees a budget deficit and mandates a $afety campaign) or does it start at the bottom (an officer hears there is a budget deficit and cutbacks are coming so he decides to write more tickets in an attempt to keep himself relevant to his superiors)? Even though the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, people will more likely assume the former than to accept the latter because it's easier to blame the big bad government than individuals they might have empathy for.

[Edited on July 22, 2010 at 3:54 PM. Reason : ]

7/22/2010 3:52:22 PM

Or, since the economy is down, more people are out of work and can't afford to keep their car inspected, registered, insured and drivers license renewed. More citations are issued for regulatory violations on daily basis than moving violations.

7/22/2010 3:56:15 PM

^good point. Of course almost all the fines you listed get thrown out in court when the defendent shows proof of renewal/inspection. That throws outs jethro's point.

7/22/2010 4:02:39 PM

^^Maybe. That study was based on 1990-2003 data in NC. Registration was still on the sticker system so they'd have to be pulled over first (or go through a checkpoint). An expired license may show up when the tags are run (idk) but the tags would still need to be ran in the first place (searching for citations) or the person would need to be pulled over first (or checkpoint). The registration and insurance info I figure would come up when the tags are run, but there's a reason the tags are being run (again searching for citations) or the person would need to be pulled over (or checkpoint).

I mean yes there are plenty of reasons to run tags but I would hope officers don't spend most of their days cruising around calling in plates on otherwise law abiding drivers.

^I was actually getting at that it may have nothing to do with money (in the state/city budget sense) and everything to do with a cop, their supervisor, the chief, etc. trying to justify their paycheck. I mean if you were a supervisor and had to let go of one of your cops, would you let the guy go that writes 3 tickets/day or the guy that writes 1/week (assuming their job are equal in the duty to enforce traffic laws). As far as the tickets getting thrown out, it's the cop's job to catch the person/write the ticket, not to prosecute the accused.

[Edited on July 22, 2010 at 4:40 PM. Reason : ]

7/22/2010 4:35:26 PM

^oh okay, I understand.

Honestly though, I was pulled over for an expired inspection/registration and no other reason a few months ago. I had mistakenly thought that the 15 day grace period for registration applied to inspections as well. Totally my thought, and all it cost me was the inconvenience of going downtown to the courthouse to get it dismissed.

7/22/2010 4:40:51 PM

^^I think there date is skewed since the city/county I live in receives no money form state citations. Now a civil penalty can be imposed for violations of city ordinances like lesh laws, noise violations, etc.

Many cops do run tags all day; most are called in on the radio but access is available in car. Now it might seem like a giant waste of time to most people, but what if an officer didn't stop someone driving w/ no insurance and they plowed in to your family?

^Also, if the tag expiration date is 7/15/2010, you had a 45 day grace period.

7/22/2010 5:05:55 PM