What to say during "trial" for auto ticket

[Anonymous]

I received a ticket for taking a right turn into a fancy neighborhood that has prevented people from entering it by putting up signs that say "No right turns" into it from 7-9:30 am. Well, I did take the turn during those hours and got a ticket. (I know this shouldn't matter but I must add that half my neighborhood takes this turn because it isn't a safety issue--just the neighborhood (that I live across from) wanting to prevent cars from going through during rush hour.) Anyways, I have chosen to go to court with hope that I can pay the fine but not get the 1 point associated with the ticket. I chose the "in between" route (choosing to go to trial but without police officer/attorney there as I've already admitted guilt) and will need to give an explanation to the judge.

Besides the fact that half my neighborhood regularly takes this right turn (should I even say this?), the only additional comment I have is that the police officer had no idea what she was doing--let four people go by while she was figuring out my ticket, didn't know whether there were points involved in the citation.

Anyways, what do I say to the judge (if anything) other than "I'm sorry I did it and I won't take the right turn during those hours again."

[Anonymous]

I would not recommend saying "everyone else is doing it"

[Anonymous]

Is the sign a county sign or one that the neighborhood association put up? Go look at the back of the sign and see if there is a county sticker on the back. I thought that you only had to obey signs with the stickers. I mean, anybody can buy a sign off the internet. If there is no sticker, take a picture and bring it to court with you. A friend said she got out of a ticket this way in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I received a ticket for taking a right turn into a fancy neighborhood that has prevented people from entering it by putting up signs that say "No right turns" into it from 7-9:30 am. Well, I did take the turn during those hours and got a ticket. (I know this shouldn't matter but I must add that half my neighborhood takes this turn because it isn't a safety issue--just the neighborhood (that I live across from) wanting to prevent cars from going through during rush hour.) Anyways, I have chosen to go to court with hope that I can pay the fine but not get the 1 point associated with the ticket. I chose the "in between" route (choosing to go to trial but without police officer/attorney there as I've already admitted guilt) and will need to give an explanation to the judge.

Besides the fact that half my neighborhood regularly takes this right turn (should I even say this?), the only additional comment I have is that the police officer had no idea what she was doing--let four people go by while she was figuring out my ticket, didn't know whether there were points involved in the citation.

Anyways, what do I say to the judge (if anything) other than "I'm sorry I did it and I won't take the right turn during those hours again."

Gosh, the sign is stupid, everyone does it, and the cop doesn't know what he's doing. You should tell them that exactly, word for word. You'll soon be posting to ask whether bicycles can make that fancy right turn.

[Anonymous]

Just pray the cop doesn't show up. Otherwise, the judge will laugh at you.

[Anonymous]

I got a ticket for speeding. I said I had sped, but it was my first ticket ever. He dismissed the ticket on the grounds that I completed an online driving school program. I did it. Unfortunately on the way home it was snowing and I got in a car accident, thus receiving my second ticket ever.

True story, circa 2007.

I wish I had just paid the first ticket haha

[Anonymous]

You're a douche. Pay the ticket. You were wrong and who case that everyone else does it. I think this is fake post.

[Anonymous]

I would not go with "the cop didn't know what she was doing". Might be true, but it's never a good idea to throw the cop under the bus. The judge usually asks the cop if you were cooperative or if you were giving them attitude. The one time I got out of a (speeding) ticket was to show the judge that I had a clean record (which I did), admit I made a mistake, and apologize. I still had to do the driver safety course, but rather that than points on my license!

[Anonymous]

OP here--thanks for the input.

The cop definitely won't be there as I "pled" guilty and so it is just me and the judge.

And to the person who said I'm a douche--I'm planning on paying the fine but I'd like to avoid the point as I don't want my insurance to increase. I don't think that is an unusual approach.

[Anonymous]

I would try something along the lines of saying it was an honest mistake. You live in the neighborhood, make that turn dozens of times a week or month, and made it out of routine, forgetting that it was a prohibited time. Point to your clean driving record and apologize. You could also ask if there's anything you can do to avoid points (e.g., a driving class).

The fact that a lot of people do it or that the police officer didn't know what she was doing isn't going to matter, and makes it look like you're not willing to take responsibility. Don't be defensive; be apologetic.

Btw, this isn't Observatory Circle off of Mass Ave, is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would try something along the lines of saying it was an honest mistake. You live in the neighborhood, make that turn dozens of times a week or month, and made it out of routine, forgetting that it was a prohibited time. Point to your clean driving record and apologize. You could also ask if there's anything you can do to avoid points (e.g., a driving class).

The fact that a lot of people do it or that the police officer didn't know what she was doing isn't going to matter, and makes it look like you're not willing to take responsibility. Don't be defensive; be apologetic.

Btw, this isn't Observatory Circle off of Mass Ave, is it?

Thanks for this helpful advice--I really appreciate it. And this isn't Observatory Circle.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like foxhall village and the right turns off of Foxhall coming up the hill towards reservoir. Those bastards!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would try something along the lines of saying it was an honest mistake. You live in the neighborhood, make that turn dozens of times a week or month, and made it out of routine, forgetting that it was a prohibited time. Point to your clean driving record and apologize. You could also ask if there's anything you can do to avoid points (e.g., a driving class).

The fact that a lot of people do it or that the police officer didn't know what she was doing isn't going to matter, and makes it look like you're not willing to take responsibility. Don't be defensive; be apologetic.

Btw, this isn't Observatory Circle off of Mass Ave, is it?

Thanks for this helpful advice--I really appreciate it. And this isn't Observatory Circle.

The judge will bust that lie.

[Anonymous]

OP here--thanks for the input.

The cop definitely won't be there as I "pled" guilty and so it is just me and the judge.

And to the person who said I'm a douche--I'm planning on paying the fine but I'd like to avoid the point as I don't want my insurance to increase. I don't think that is an unusual approach.

Yes, but you committed the violation. The point of the point, as it were, is to deter you from repeating your offense because the fine is not as important as your need to be wherever you were rushing to.

You have no excuse. You were wrong, so take the hit and don't break the law next time.

[Anonymous]

What jurisdiction is this in? In Virginia, the judge cannot suspend DMV points. If you want no points in Virginia, you have to have the ticket dismissed or you have to have the offense amended to a no points violation.