traffic court
 

I have to go to traffic court tomorrow for the first time, and I am not prepared at all. I am kinda getting scared. It is for an improper lane change, and the only reason I am not paying is bc I do not want the insurance points. Just wondering if any of you guys know the formalities of traffic court in VA, and if any of you guys could help me that would be awesome.

Re: traffic court
 

if you are guilty, suck it up and pay the fine

Re: traffic court
 

you should change the court date(way too late now) and then hopefully the cop won't show

Re: traffic court
 

We'll miss you here on the warpath. Until then...don't drop the soap.

Say hi to Rae Carruth for us

Re: traffic court
 

[quote=dmek25]if you are guilty, suck it up and pay the fine[/quote]

The thing is, it was kinda ify. I was going on route 50 in fairfax(its 3 lanes), and I was in the middle lane, when I realized that I needed to pull a U. So I switched quickly into the left turn lane. Cop pulled me over and said what I had done was dangerous because it was rush hour in the morning. I asked him, is switching multiple lanes illegal, and he responded no, but its dangerous to do so in the morning, but it is ok to do it at 11pm at night because there are not as many cars on the road. So I asked him what my ticket was for, and he replied it was for an "illegal lane change". He said that when I turned into the left lane I crossed over the solid part of the left turn lane, and not the dotted(see pic)

[IMG]http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/tribaltrans/whitemtn_image018.jpg[/IMG]

And thanks TAF, I heard it is quite slipperly.


Another question I have, I never signed my summons ticket. Since the cop never made me, does that mean the case is null and void?

Re: traffic court
 

from your description it does seem kind of iffy

Re: traffic court
 

I can't speak for VA, but in NY if you don't have any recent points/violations you can usually get your infraction reduced and you just pay a fine. It's when you're a frequent offender that you'll run into problems.

Re: traffic court
 

If you aren't too lazy, which you seem not to be, fight the ticket. You got to ask yourself though, does the cop have a video of you changing lanes? If no, he has no evidence and you should go into court and tell the judge you didn't commit the infraction alleged and that you changed lanes properly. Whatever you do don't admit to improperly changing lanes. Deny wrong doing.

And like someone else said, if the cop doesn't show up the case is dismissed.

Re: traffic court
 

hey saden, good afternoon

Re: traffic court
 

usually if your record is clean you can take a driver's ed course and totally avoid the ticket even if the judge does find you guilty. cops get 1 court date a month, so counting on him not showing isn't the best idea (though if he isn't there, that makes your life easy).

Re: traffic court
 

but yeah, deny deny deny. ask if the cop has proof, tell the judge that the cop said you hadn't done anything wrong, andd mention that your record is clean... it'd be a goo iea to pick up a copy of your record (tell them its for court, otherwise you get a longer term one if its for personal use) from the DMV (about $11) to bring as proof you can drive (if it's clean).

Re: traffic court
 

[quote=That Guy]but yeah, deny deny deny. ask if the cop has proof, tell the judge that the cop said you hadn't done anything wrong, andd mention that your record is clean... it'd be a goo iea to pick up a copy of your record (tell them its for court, otherwise you get a longer term one if its for personal use) from the DMV (about $11) to bring as proof you can drive (if it's clean).[/quote]

Thanks bud, I appreciate it. I will take your advice.

Re: traffic court
 

I took my [spotless] record to court for a very minor accident I had three years ago. When I asked the judge if he would drop the ticket, he lauged at me. Hopefully Fairfax is more forgiving than Prince William.

Re: traffic court
 

I would take That Guy's advice and deny any wrong doing. being that it is a simple lane violation I doubt seriously that the cop will have video evidence. you are in a very good situation since you have a clean record. i have only been to traffic court once and my only advice is to address the judge as sir or maam. also dress fairly nice. i went in with a clean record but i had some serious charges. driving without a license,no insurance,driving an unregistered vehicle, and a simple seat belt violation. i went in with my tail tucked between my legs and acted like i was about ready to cry and got away with a 150 dollar fine and no points.

Re: traffic court
 

yeah, humble is good. having a lawyer helps too, but for a lane violation i doubt its worth the expense (lawyers have a much easier time talking cops into lesser/dropping charges than a defendant by a mile).

taking a voluntary drivers ed course woulddn't hurt either (positive points and also good for the judge). you can take them online (for $35) and then take the test at any kinkos (which will hit you up for 2-3$ for computer time).

Re: traffic court
 

You can deny all you want, but who do you think they are going to believe? You or him? I've been totally gang-raped by the justice system in my short lifetime and it's all business and it's all about making money for the state. I got a ticket where there was NO proof of speeding, the cop saw me for 2 seconds and said, "You looked like you were speeding because you were right behind this guy I clocked going 20+ over."

The guy PASSED me going around a corner and the cop thought that I was following him. This dickhead proceeded to write me up for wreckless even though I wasn't even on radar. I got a lawyer and everything and the judge dropped all the tickets before my case and because the judge knew me, it was like he couldn't go TOO easy on me so he lowered it to five over, which was still horseshit since there was no proof.

But guess who was believed between me and the cop?

Re: traffic court
 

If you go the "deny" route definitely let us know how that worked out for you. If it does work I will be fairly impressed. A judge doesn't want to hear bullshit.

Re: traffic court
 

The only hope you have is to hire Johnny Cochran.




Oops...good luck.

Re: traffic court
 

I know the common advice is to admit no wrongdoing when you get pulled over, but I tend to take the honest approach. A few years ago I pulled over going 55 in a 30 and the cop asked the usual questions, do you know why I pulled you over, do you know how fast you were going, etc. I said yep, I was going too fast and I was going about 55.

He was shocked that I was up front and honest rather than giving him a line of BS. He let me go. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. They hear BS stories all day, I'd rather just be straight forward. I think they at least respect that.

Re: traffic court
 

Matty, i'm glad to hear that someone who was straight forward got off. every time i've been straight forward (which is every time), I get the ticket...

Re: traffic court
 

It's actually worked for me a few times, I'd say it's 50/50.

Re: traffic court
 

Just call it the Law of Rod.

Re: traffic court
 

Next time I'll just tell the copper that I'm droppin' it like it's hot.

He'll know what I'm talking about.

Re: traffic court
 

And when he opens up his shirt to reveal the Gardner jersey he's wearing underneath, you're in trouble.

Then again, I guess if a cop is opening up his uniform for you at ALL, you're in trouble.

I guess it's the new "Lick it or Ticket" campaign going on in VA.

Re: traffic court
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection]
I guess it's the new "Lick it or Ticket" campaign going on in VA.[/quote]

You're a strange one.

Keeps it interesting around here though.

Re: traffic court
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection]And when he opens up his shirt to reveal the Gardner jersey he's wearing underneath, you're in trouble.

Then again, I guess if a cop is opening up his uniform for you at ALL, you're in trouble.

I guess it's the new "Lick it or Ticket" campaign going on in VA.[/quote]

And if he starts beating you with his stick with a Rod jersey on, you are really in trouble.

Rod fan beating you with his rod = not fun

Re: traffic court
 

I was driving in DC one afternoon when a cop pulled me over. So he approaches the car, I roll down the window, and he says "You know it's illegal to drive without a seatbelt." To which I reply, "thanks for the tip" as I tug on the seatbelt that's strapped around me. Then he says you know it's illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving, and I say "But I wasn't talking on my cell phone, and even if I was it's not illegal in DC to talk on your cell phone while driving" (at that time it wasn't illegal yet). Then he says "You know you rolled right past that Stop sign there." To which I say "No I didn't" and he says "I saw you" and I say "You also saw me without my seatbelt on talking on my cell phone apparently."

So he wrote me up a ticket for the "rolling stop" and warned me not to give him any more lip. I challenged it, I didn't even go to court actually. I wrote to his supervisor and explained that it was apparent he was just trying to find a reason to give me a ticket and that if he doesn't even know what's allowed or not allowed (see cell phone law) then why is he even on the force?

So his boss wrote me back and apologized for the mistreatment and tore up the ticket. It wasn't a super hefty fine, but still it's the principle of it all.

Re: traffic court
 

[quote=TAFKAS]I was driving in DC one afternoon when a cop pulled me over. So he approaches the car, I roll down the window, and he says "You know it's illegal to drive without a seatbelt." To which I reply, "thanks for the tip" as I tug on the seatbelt that's strapped around me. Then he says you know it's illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving, and I say "But I wasn't talking on my cell phone, and even if I was it's not illegal in DC to talk on your cell phone while driving" (at that time it wasn't illegal yet). Then he says "You know you rolled right past that Stop sign there." To which I say "No I didn't" and he says "I saw you" and I say "You also saw me without my seatbelt on talking on my cell phone apparently."

So he wrote me up a ticket for the "rolling stop" and warned me not to give him any more lip. I challenged it, I didn't even go to court actually. I wrote to his supervisor and explained that it was apparent he was just trying to find a reason to give me a ticket and that if he doesn't even know what's allowed or not allowed (see cell phone law) then why is he even on the force?

So his boss wrote me back and apologized for the mistreatment and tore up the ticket. It wasn't a super hefty fine, but still it's the principle of it all.[/quote]

Wow, what a dick.

I try to keep an open mind about cops, but there's not doubt that they are just out to 'F' with you sometimes.

Re: traffic court
 

You know Tafkas, your not the first to have that happen. A guy I know got a ridiculous ticket and wrote to the superviser, and had similar results and apology as well. I have not been that lucky as most of mine have been deserved.
Urban legend says to pay a few cents over the actual ticket "fine amount" and the refund will never come,and the final judgement will never post as well, nor the points-forever!! Don't know for sure-probably BS and won't work unless paying..............remotely

Re: traffic court
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]Wow, what a dick.

I try to keep an open mind about cops, but there's not doubt that they are just out to 'F' with you sometimes.[/QUOTE]
They're people too and a certain percentage of them are a**holes just like in every walk of life. I'd say a higher percentage probably because they seem to brain wash it into them but most are just doing their job.

Every cop I've known personally has had that air of dickishness to them. Almost a superiority thing but even then they didn't try and screw people for no good reason.

Re: traffic court
 

Damn TAFKAS, that sounds like some crap. That sort of thing is a big reason why I decided that I didn't want to be a cop, which is what I went into college thinking I wanted to do. I couldn't stand the thought of having to find reasons to pull people over, and then to become so jaded with the whole thing that you make up reasons for writing tickets.
Well, that, and the drug/hooker addiction.

Re: traffic court
 

[quote=Mattyk72]And if he starts beating you with his stick with a Rod jersey on, you are really in trouble.

Rod fan beating you with his rod = not fun[/quote]

The mental image of that is hilarious.

Re: traffic court
 

AMD the cop...that's funny. You and Steve-O should get together and be this era's Starsky and Hutch.

Re: traffic court
 

[quote=BDBohnzie]AMD the cop...that's funny. You and Steve-O should get together and be this era's Starsky and Hutch.[/quote]

Yeah, I actually wanted to do that for awhile. But you know me, that sort of line of work probably wouldn't suit me too well. I do think I'd make a good dectective though.

Re: traffic court
 

nevermind

Re: traffic court
 

Thank you fellas, your help was great for me. I fought my case, and tried to get the fine to be dropped, but judge would not let that happen. I got a 25 dollar fine, and I do not know what the deal is with insurance now, but I think it might go up bc it is a moving violation. I am gonna call them and see what I can do.

Re: traffic court
 

[QUOTE=hooskins]Thank you fellas, your help was great for me. I fought my case, and tried to get the fine to be dropped, but judge would not let that happen. I got a 25 dollar fine, and I do not know what the deal is with insurance now, but I think it might go up bc it is a moving violation. I am gonna call them and see what I can do.[/QUOTE]
If I were you, I'd not do that. Frequently, insurance doesn't go up until they are notified of the moving violation. Don't be the notifier.

Re: traffic court
 

yeah, what he said...never ever call the insurance company for something like this. if you notice an increase, then call and plead your case.

Re: traffic court
 

[quote=BrudLee]If I were you, I'd not do that. Frequently, insurance doesn't go up until they are notified of the moving violation. Don't be the notifier.[/quote]

Good advice. I've had a couple of moving violations and my insurance never went up...probably because I never told them. I don't think moving violations would make it go up even IF they knew about it, they're very minor violations.

Now a speeding ticket...that would probably cost you.

Re: traffic court
 

[quote=BDBohnzie]yeah, what he said...never ever call the insurance company for something like this. if you notice an increase, then call and plead your case.[/quote]

[COLOR=Red][B]Never [/B][/COLOR]call your homeowners insurance company with a question. Even a general question or inquiry will count as a "case" by them...and that means you'll be seeing a big rate hike when you file a real claim because in their system...you didn't have a "clean" account. They're theives with this policy. They only allow a certain number of items on your record before they double (or more) your rate. Usually it's 3.

You can't even call without saying your name, they'll log the home number and open a case on the corresponding telephone number. If you MUST call with a question like "would I be better off fixing this broken window myself or filing a claim"...do it from a payphone, out of town, with a fake accent.