Should I pay my Traffic Tickets?

[420]

Are you saying you were pulled over or a camera got you? then lawyers are somehow notified?

I was pulled over, doing 82 in a 75, in the middle of the day, down a completely empty 2 lane highway in southern VA, middle of nowhere. Yeah, you're right, I got the ticket right away, but since it was reckless driving, it as the court summons that they mailed. For that charge you have to appear in court. Which was 5 hours south of my house. The lawyers jumped on me because all traffic tickets and such appear on VA's public website.

did you pick a lawyer?

[Rassah]

Are you saying you were pulled over or a camera got you? then lawyers are somehow notified?

I was pulled over, doing 82 in a 75, in the middle of the day, down a completely empty 2 lane highway in southern VA, middle of nowhere. Yeah, you're right, I got the ticket right away, but since it was reckless driving, it as the court summons that they mailed. For that charge you have to appear in court. Which was 5 hours south of my house. The lawyers jumped on me because all traffic tickets and such appear on VA's public website.

did you pick a lawyer?

Yeah. Picked the cheapest offer, he went to court for me, the ticket was changed to "equipment malfunction" probably by default, and I just had a $45 ticket plus the few $100 (either $200 or $300, don't remember) lawyer fee.

[420]

Are you saying you were pulled over or a camera got you? then lawyers are somehow notified?

I was pulled over, doing 82 in a 75, in the middle of the day, down a completely empty 2 lane highway in southern VA, middle of nowhere. Yeah, you're right, I got the ticket right away, but since it was reckless driving, it as the court summons that they mailed. For that charge you have to appear in court. Which was 5 hours south of my house. The lawyers jumped on me because all traffic tickets and such appear on VA's public website.

did you pick a lawyer?

Yeah. Picked the cheapest offer, he went to court for me, the ticket was changed to "equipment malfunction" probably by default, and I just had a $45 ticket plus the few $100 (either $200 or $300, don't remember) lawyer fee.

how does it relate to equipment malfunction?? like your speedometer said a lower speed

[SaltySpitoon]

At least this was actually legit speeding and, with posted speed limit signs around, you'd be at least somewhat aware of the consequences. Worst I had was in VA, where the speed limit for I95 is 75mph is some places, and the unposted law is that 80mph+ is automatically considered reckless driving. So, doing just 5mph over the speed limit, which is fairly common, instantly sets you up with threat of suspended license and jail time, or a $300 lawyer bill and reduced ticket. I got about 20 letters from lawyers even before I received the ticket itself in the mail. F'in racket.

Virginia is the most miserable state ever for speeding tickets. They will give you a ticket for going 61 in a 60 zone. I had a friend who got pulled over doing 61 in a 55 zone, and they charged him criminally. He had to drive back to Virginia to go to court, but the officer didn't show up so he got off.

My dad was driving to visit me a few days ago, and he was driving through Virginia. I got a call from him saying he was running late, because there was a car wreck, and he pulled over to provide first aid to keep a woman and her kids from bleeding out. The sheriff and medics thanked him when they arrived, and he went on his way. About a half a mile down the road, he got pulled over for doing 68 in a 60 and got a ticket.

[420]

At least this was actually legit speeding and, with posted speed limit signs around, you'd be at least somewhat aware of the consequences. Worst I had was in VA, where the speed limit for I95 is 75mph is some places, and the unposted law is that 80mph+ is automatically considered reckless driving. So, doing just 5mph over the speed limit, which is fairly common, instantly sets you up with threat of suspended license and jail time, or a $300 lawyer bill and reduced ticket. I got about 20 letters from lawyers even before I received the ticket itself in the mail. F'in racket.

Virginia is the most miserable state ever for speeding tickets. They will give you a ticket for going 61 in a 60 zone. I had a friend who got pulled over doing 61 in a 55 zone, and they charged him criminally. He had to drive back to Virginia to go to court, but the officer didn't show up so he got off.

My dad was driving to visit me a few days ago, and he was driving through Virginia. I got a call from him saying he was running late, because there was a car wreck, and he pulled over to provide first aid to keep a woman and her kids from bleeding out. The sheriff and medics thanked him when they arrived, and he went on his way. About a half a mile down the road, he got pulled over for doing 68 in a 60 and got a ticket.

that'll teach him to take time to help people!

[Inedible]

Care to give any details, like where you were, what kind of posted limit there was and what was your actual speed?

80 in a 65; mild traffic, central california

I get that there are some cops that are just out there to be difficult and cause people grief but in this instance, you're 15 over the limit.

The speed limit is there for a multitude of reasons. Number one will be safety of others.

Are you saying you're so good a driver that you can drive safely at 80 whilst everyone else should drive slower?

Are you saying that everyone should be allowed to drive at 80 regardless of the safety issues?

It's always annoying to be caught but caught you were and at least on 10 other occasions. Either you need to slow down or you need to accept that you have to pay these fines.

Think of it as a charge that better drivers can pay to drive faster than everyone else if it helps you feel better.

[01BTC10]

Care to give any details, like where you were, what kind of posted limit there was and what was your actual speed?

80 in a 65; mild traffic, central california

The speed limit is there for a multitude of reasons. Number one will be safety of others.

If you look at my video, the conclusion is that the no1 reason is to fund the state. Sometimes when the limit is too low then it's even more dangerous.

[420]

Care to give any details, like where you were, what kind of posted limit there was and what was your actual speed?

80 in a 65; mild traffic, central california

I get that there are some cops that are just out there to be difficult and cause people grief but in this instance, you're 15 over the limit.

The speed limit is there for a multitude of reasons. Number one will be safety of others.

Are you saying you're so good a driver that you can drive safely at 80 whilst everyone else should drive slower?

Are you saying that everyone should be allowed to drive at 80 regardless of the safety issues?

It's always annoying to be caught but caught you were and at least on 10 other occasions. Either you need to slow down or you need to accept that you have to pay these fines.

Think of it as a charge that better drivers can pay to drive faster than everyone else if it helps you feel better.

a majority of cars were driving 75-85. Yes I am such a good driver as well.

yes everyone should be allowed to drive at least 90 I'd say.

If everyone were paying every time they exceeding the 'speed limit' either they wouldn't speed or they'd work to change the laws; and i hope the latter.

The quicker we get off the road the less traffic congestion which is a big problem in california

Care to give any details, like where you were, what kind of posted limit there was and what was your actual speed?

80 in a 65; mild traffic, central california

The speed limit is there for a multitude of reasons. Number one will be safety of others.

If you look at my video, the conclusion is that the no1 reason is to fund the state. Sometimes when the limit is too low then it's even more dangerous.

Does this mean you created that video?

[Schleicher]

The quicker we get off the road the less traffic congestion which is a big problem in california

Well, it's not that easy.
Traffic jams and accidents are more likely if there are big speed differences between cars.

[01BTC10]

Does this mean you created that video?

No, it only means that sometime I lack proper English writing skills.

[MAbtc]

The quicker we get off the road the less traffic congestion which is a big problem in california

100% agree there.... 

[420]

The quicker we get off the road the less traffic congestion which is a big problem in california

Well, it's not that easy.
Traffic jams and accidents are more likely if there are big speed differences between cars.

The main problem is inherent; too many cars and too little road.

See the autobahn. Great diversity in driving speed; less accidents and less jams

[Marbit]

i don't pay traffic tickets. 

[01BTC10]

I don't get caught when speeding. Well, only once in 12 years  

[Axios]

The main problem is inherent; too many cars and too little road.

See the autobahn. Great diversity in driving speed; less accidents and less jams

Um... European drivers are just better.

[420]

i don't pay traffic tickets. 

how many times have you been arrested? where

[MerchantMiner]

First of all I am not a lawyer. Follow this strategy at your own risk.

I have seen this strategy used successfully before fighting tickets. basically it goes like this...


You get to court, you are allowed to speak and you ask the judge...

"Do I have a right to a fair and impartial hearing in this court today?"


The judge should reply in the affirmative. Then you will ask...

"Your honor who is bringing fourth this complaint against me today?"

He will reply "The State of California."


You will then ask...

"Your honor who do you represent here today?"

He will reply:

"The State of California."


You then ask:

"Your honor, if the plaintiff here today is The State of California, and you represent The State of California, how is it possible for me to receive a fair hearing today in this court?"


He at this point has two choices...
1. He dismisses the case and leaves the court with his robes in a bunch.

2. He really hits you hard with everything he can think of such as maximum punishments for your ticket, contempt of court, etc. You might think this is a loss, but this is really a win. Why is that? Because if he continues with the charges after you have demonstrated the hearing is impartial you put the judge into the realm of PERSONAL CIVIL LIABILITY, meaning you can now sue the piss out of him and take HIS SHIT. They usually know this and use the threats as a form of intimidation. At this point you could remind him of his civil liability, or you could let him heap on the charges and then take all his crap later when you sue him. Obviously this option is only useful if you wish to actually sue him.

Again follow this strategy at your own risk. I am not a lawyer. I have however seen pissed off judges storm out of the court room after a scenario like this.

This works in the UK , check out Freeman of the Land , John Harris on youtube . our law is what created your law , we gave the USA the blueprint for the Constitution , we have the Magna Carta

[420]

We're supposed to have the magna carta too

[Marbit]

i don't pay traffic tickets. 

how many times have you been arrested? where

baltimore area. ive been picked up 3 times because of tickets over the years. they can't take what they can't find. blood from stones. 

[randomcloud]

To anyone with legal knowledge:

Couldn't the OP just move to another state if he really didn't want to pay the tickets and was willing to accept a warrant?