Can you really beat a speeding ticket??

[tynan19]

That is awesome. ^^^^^^^^^^^^. My wife never seems to get tickets.

[RIJIMMY]

Originally posted by tattoobob
I am still awaiting a date for my hearing. I was going over 100 in a 55
at 4:30 AM coming home from RI fishing all night. Fine $350.00

And yes I am fighting it, can't hurt

Bob

I got nailed in Gansett , 2:30 am right on the road across from the town beach. 48 in a 25.....$315 !
The cop turned around in the parking lot while I was stopped at a red light. I argued with him becasue he was going to pull me over before I even passed him. I was going to fight it but couldnt get away from work. Its not the $ so much as that I have to hear it from my wife each time I go fishing

When I went to URI, I got nailed all the time, when I tried to fight it, it never worked, and they often upped the fine to cover court costs. I fought the law and the law won

[sportsman]

Either I'm just lucky or don't understand. I've contested my share of tickets, I've won some and lost some but till now I've never heard of the court adding to the fine on the ticket or adding on court cost. Is this just a RI thing?

[Hooper]

Spence and 5/0: You guys live in two different states, the laws are certainly going to be different! You are probably both right...

In Mass, when a motorist receives a traffic citation for a moving violation it is either criminal or civil. Speeding is almost always civil. Your only two options at that point are to either pay the citation or request a hearing in front of a clerk magistrate, this must be done within 20 days.

The magistrate listens to the narrative read to him by the court liason officer. Then you get to tell your version of the events. The magistrate then has a few options. He can find the driver responsible (pay up) , not responsible (you're golden) or he may reduce the fine involved or dismiss certain violations on the ticket. In that case the violator must pay for the portion the magistrate fine you responsible for.

if you are found responsible for any portion of the ticket, you have the right to appeal this finding to a judge. At that point, usually, the officer who wrote the ticket is summonsed into court to relate the events to the judge. Again, you are given the opportunity to ask question of the officer and provide your own version of the events. Then the judge decides the outcome. At that point, there are no appeals! Good or bad, that's it.

I always tell friends, get the hearing, always. Insurance is too expensive not to......

[Young Salt]

update, case dismissed.........clean driving record. paid $25 in court costs. Had to be there at 5:30 so i didn't miss any work - if i get another one i WILL fight it.

[tynan19]

Nice, see it helps to fight it. Always take it to court. Now slow down.