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| quote: | Originally posted by Estella
Hey, I have a similar question.
I've decided to challenge a ticket on the 11th. My lawyer who has dealt with my tickets in the past is a friend of the families. Anyways, even though he cuts a deal, I'm not going to pay because I don't feel the reason I got this ticket was just.
What are the odds of "winning"
What is the procedure?
Should my lawyer be present with me?
Do I get to present my side of the case? If the officer is there as soon I walk in the door, are my odds already shot?
If I'm shot down, do I just pay the ticket amount then, and there?
AHHH |
In California, a lawyer can not "fight" a traffic vio for you.
If you choose to fight the citation, there's a chance that the officer who wrote the citation won't show up. If he doesn't, you win.
If he does show up you get to present your "version" and then he will present his; don't admit you were speeding. Yeah, that sounds like stupid advice but this is what often happens. The driver says the speed limit was 45, I was only going 50 and this idiot (cop) cites me for going 65. Convicted of speeding by his own admission. Speed limit is 45 and he admits that he was going 50. Never admit that you were driving faster than the posted speed limit.
Instead, try this. "I was driving 33 mph, the speed limit is 35. Everyone around me was driving faster. All the cars were passing me. After I received this citation, I took my car to the mechanic and he checked the speedometer and says the speedometer works fine."
If you lose, the vio goes on your record and traffic school is not an option (in California).
Good luck.
edit: in California, a cite for reckless driving is a felony (major offense). You could get an attorney. Sorry, I missed that.
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Nu skal jeg betro dig min hemmelighed. Den er ganske ligetil:
kun med hjertet kan man se rigtigt. Det vęsentlige er usynligt for ųjet.
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and you will get a chance to present your side if the story if you like (although hate to say it, it's almost always the cop's word against yyours, youre gonna hafta leave most of the haggling to ykur lawyer haha)
He assumed I had been drinking, asking how many drinks I've had and proceeded to test my alphabet and give the "follow my finger" test. I've never been so livid, honestly. I was ON MY WAY to the bar. Such is life. So after the tests he goes to his car and does the usual. After his assumption to my mind state, he walks back to my car writing my ticket and he's silent. I'm wondering.. "Well, Mr. Officer, WAS I drunk?" Instead he says nothing and tells me to get my tires rotated. I then proceed to ask, "WHAT exactly is this ticket for?" which I could tell angered him, but everything was so vague and ambigious. 
