Do you fight tickets even when you're guilty?

[georgeharrison]

I got a ticket for going 26 in a school zone from photo enforcement. There were no children present, but the lights were flashing. James wanted me to fight it. I remember the day/time and I remember looking down and seeing 26 on my speedometer and saying "oh crap." I never speed in a school zone, and I go through one at least three times/day (not this particular one, though). I was pacing the car in front of me who sped up too soon in the school zone (after the crosswalk that is in the middle of the school zone). Anyway, I ended up doing mitigation by mail and basically just asked for mercy and a reduction in fee since I have an otherwise clean driving record. I haven't heard back yet.

It got me to wondering, though, if people just fight tickets all the time even if they know they are guilty. If you do fight it knowing your are guilty, what would you say? Would you lie? Would you make up an excuse?

[jennlin]

always always always. i have a clean driving record, and in most cases, your first ticket "costs" you more on your insurance than your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc... insurance companies usually give you a "good drivers discount" if you have a clean record. if you get a ticket, they not only remove the discount, but they tack on the tickets.. so you lose a lot more when you get that first ticket.

it's worth it on your first ticket to pay for a good lawyer (3-500ish) and have them take care of it, because you lose a lot more when you pay for your insurance hike.

[jennlin]

May 21, 2012 10:56:17 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

If you haven't used it in the past 7 years, don't you get one deferral? That used to be the law in Washington. You still pay the fee but it doesn't go on your record if you avoid getting a ticket for another year.

oh yeah, good point. my SIL was able to defer a school zone ticket. you mitigate that, then go to court and tell them you want to defer it.

[georgeharrison]

The photo enforcement tickets do not go on your driving record, so that's not an issue in this particular circumstance, but I can see how you are saying how valuable it would be to fight it - especially with a clean driving record.

[jennlin]

if it doesn't go on your driving record, then i would go to mitigate it, and lower the ticket. they usually lower about 25% ish.. not worth the lawyer.

[Deleted]

I'd fight it. The worst thing is that you'll be out a couple of hours and still have to pay the ticket.

[picksthemusic]

If I know I did something wrong, I will go to court and admit my shame in front of the judge. That usually gets your fine reduced and the wrongdoing taken off your record. I figure I should own up to it if I know I did something wrong. Now, if I were wrongfully accused of something or something was made to be my fault when it wasn't, I'll fight that tooth and nail.

[jennlin]

May 21, 2012 13:09:20 GMT -5 @jennuinne said:

Duh! (says the lawyer) This doesn't go on your record, like you said, but for other tickets you might be able to get it deferred or reduced to a non-moving violation (that doesn't go on your record). There are lots of technicalties and you can often get a ticket dismissed even if you are "guilty." Otherwise, mitigate it to reduce the fine. You can mitigate on your own. If you want to fight it, you probably need a lawyer.

Hmmmmm jennuinne, what is your experience/success rate with traffic tickets? I have a go-to lawyer (found via yelp years and years ago) that has been successful for me, h, and several friends....but since she's a yelp-find, I won't feel bad about switching if it's something you've done, have experience/success for, or even want to do........ Seattle nestie/nextie/leftie discount?

[georgeharrison]

Looks like you'd have some business from GBCNers if you do.

[jennlin]

Jeanie mucklestone is/was my yelp find.

[Deleted]

I was going to say I've never had a ticket.. then I remembered that I got one just a few months before I got married. lol

I just paid the amount I owed and was done with it because the cop had been nice and not written the ticket for what it could have been. If he had gone with the full ticket amount I would have probably lost my drivers license since I was speeding in a school zone.. oops.

[tacocat]

May 21, 2012 11:28:02 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

If I know I did something wrong, I will go to court and admit my shame in front of the judge. That usually gets your fine reduced and the wrongdoing taken off your record. I figure I should own up to it if I know I did something wrong. Now, if I were wrongfully accused of something or something was made to be my fault when it wasn't, I'll fight that tooth and nail.

all of this!