Go to court or pay ticket

[Anonymous]

I got a ticket making an illegal U-Turn in Vienna. The cop told me that I have a really good driving record and that I can try to go to court to see if it gets dismissed. Does anyone have any knowledge of this if it makes sense to go to court or is dismissal very unlikely?

I did not get any ticket for the last 10 years at least if that is any consideration at all.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Never pay a ticket. Make them work for the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never pay a ticket. Make them work for the money.

Thank you!

I am going to confess that I did make an illegal u-turn. I had an idea that it was illegal but on that day I did not spot the sign that says no u-turn and thought maybe I was wrong. I did confess to the police my mistake.

So I dont have anything to stand on other than to ask for leniency. If that is the case, is the Judge likely to forgive?

[Anonymous]

What’s your time worth to you and how much is the ticket? You admit you were in the wrong, so no need to fight on principle. I’d probably just pay it and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never pay a ticket. Make them work for the money.

Thank you!

I am going to confess that I did make an illegal u-turn. I had an idea that it was illegal but on that day I did not spot the sign that says no u-turn and thought maybe I was wrong. I did confess to the police my mistake.

So I dont have anything to stand on other than to ask for leniency. If that is the case, is the Judge likely to forgive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: What’s your time worth to you and how much is the ticket? You admit you were in the wrong, so no need to fight on principle. I’d probably just pay it and move on.

I am more worried about points and its implications on insurance costs, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never pay a ticket. Make them work for the money.

Thank you!

I am going to confess that I did make an illegal u-turn. I had an idea that it was illegal but on that day I did not spot the sign that says no u-turn and thought maybe I was wrong. I did confess to the police my mistake.

So I dont have anything to stand on other than to ask for leniency. If that is the case, is the Judge likely to forgive?

In my experience in a different state, you don't say a darn thing. You go up to a clerk who says "you've got a clean driving record; wanna plead to a parking ticket for $ for no points" and you say OK and they bring you in front of the judge to make it official. It's not a trial, you don't give your side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never pay a ticket. Make them work for the money.

Thank you!

I am going to confess that I did make an illegal u-turn. I had an idea that it was illegal but on that day I did not spot the sign that says no u-turn and thought maybe I was wrong. I did confess to the police my mistake.

So I dont have anything to stand on other than to ask for leniency. If that is the case, is the Judge likely to forgive?

In my experience in a different state, you don't say a darn thing. You go up to a clerk who says "you've got a clean driving record; wanna plead to a parking ticket for $ for no points" and you say OK and they bring you in front of the judge to make it official. It's not a trial, you don't give your side.

This is not what happened to me. I told my story. The officer told his story. The judge told me clean driving records were just lucky. I guess I was more believable as the judge ruled in my favor. It was failure to stop behind the line at a stop sign. He admitted I stopped but not behind the line.

[Anonymous]

In my city I’m another state when you go to court they offer you a deal as soon as you walk in, usually for slightly lower points/fine. If you turn that down you go talk to a prosecutor and they offer further reduced or no points if you do a class—there are different classes for different levels of point reduction. I did one last year online from home while sick with Covid. Then you have to come back to court with proof of course completion and pay the fine.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone please share how this works in Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone please share how this works in Virginia?

Its not a state thing. It is a court thing. To find out the procedures for your particular case, contact the clerk of the court. They can explain how it works.

As an example, I had a speeding ticket in a nearby rural county. I had planned on pitching my case for leniency to the judge. But in that court the only way to see the judge was via a trial and the trial would proceed if I first pled not guilty. I didn’t want to go through that so I had a discussion with a prosecutor that was handling all the traffic cases that day.

As another example, some courts will take into account your proactive enrollment in on-line driving courses. Some courts don’t. The clerk can explain whether that is a worthwhile strategy.

[Anonymous]

How long have you lived in Virginia? How much was the ticket?

If you only got illegal u-turn, it is 3 points - if you've lived in Virginia for a while, you'll have enough safe driving points to cover this.

Does your insurance have accident / minor violation forgiveness? Honestly, I'd just pay the fine and be done with it. This isn't a major incident and likely will have limited impact on insurance.

[Anonymous]

What’s more important to you, time or money?
Chances are you will still be found guilty because you did it with no excuse. Not seeing a posted sign is not an excuse.
You are guilty without a reason.
I would pay it.
I would also sign up for a driver improvement class which will get you 5 good points on your license. Assuming you have +5 now taking the class will get you back up there.

[Anonymous]

Go and tell the judge what happened. Say you made the turn but didn't see the sign (or saw the sign but had a brain fart moment)... you will pay court fee but no point. Either that or cop won't show and you will be dismissed. If you have time, try to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s more important to you, time or money?
Chances are you will still be found guilty because you did it with no excuse. Not seeing a posted sign is not an excuse.
You are guilty without a reason.
I would pay it.
I would also sign up for a driver improvement class which will get you 5 good points on your license. Assuming you have +5 now taking the class will get you back up there.

The bolded is not entirely accurate. Depends upon why you did not see the posted sign. Can be a legal defense if the sign was not posted in accordance with the law (such as a height requirement) or if the sign was so poorly maintained that visibility was obscured.