Anonymous wrote:Going to court just saves you the points. The court fees are almost as high as the ticket fee was. Learned that the hard way.

True but point is what matters more

Going to court just saves you the points. The court fees are almost as high as the ticket fee was. Learned that the hard way.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

2
Points no big deal

Get a lawyer always worth it to avoid insurance increase

In a heavy rainstorm I made a right turn on red at the end of an highway off ramp and got pulled over. I told the cop I didn’t see the sign and he said too bad. So I immediately went back and took a picture of the intersection and there must have been 25 signs half for traffic stuff and half for commercial stuff. I went to court and showed the photo to the judge who let me off. I’m retired so the time wasted was no big deal.

I just talked to a lawyer and it seems most likely I should be able to avoid points by taking a defensive driver course. Cost $400 for lawyer and I dont need to go to court. Seriously considering this.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all. Court it is.

The officer mentioned that she would be at court.

I went to traffic court in VA - I think Charlotte County - not too long ago. The officers were there because they scheduled all of that officers cases on the same day. I observed for most of the day. What happens to me was pretty typical. I was speeding, admitted I was speeding, paid a fine but no points. I brought a printout showing clean driving record and that I had taken a driving class.

Thank you all. Court it is.

The officer mentioned that she would be at court.

I would go to court. You will probably have to pay the ticket ($$ maker, but drop the points (that’s a BIG win).

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?

Tell them you only made two consecutive left turns.

Anonymous wrote:They get 4 hours of OT for showing up at court on a day off. Sometimes court is less than an hour. He’s gonna show.

Plenty of people have gotten out of tickets from no show cops. This is not a guarantee.

They get 4 hours of OT for showing up at court on a day off. Sometimes court is less than an hour. He’s gonna show.

Anonymous wrote:I assumed that the cop telling you to go to court was his way of saying he wouldn’t show.

+1. That's how I read that statement too. Go to court OP.

I went to court in Fairfax for not having front license plate and dark tint (I just moved from another state). I told the judge I didn't know about laws since I'd just moved. The judge said "you should know all the traffic laws if you live in VA" and then lowered the fines to the minimum. At the end, I had to pay the minimum fines plus court fees. No points deduction.
Prepare to spend half a day to go through security and waiting for your turn.

I assumed that the cop telling you to go to court was his way of saying he wouldn’t show.