I know this isn't a law forum, but I got a ticket for a U-turn. It was marked, but I just wasn't paying attention (there is no way to win this one). Anyway, I guess it is a 2 point ticket here. I haven't had a ticket in about 18 months but I paid to have it taken care of. The last ticket ON my record was speeding 24 months ago. Should I just pay it, or should I get the lawyer and pay extra? How long can you have a ticket on your record before you can have another one...that affects rates??? Thanks

Pay it and get on with your life. If you go to court, the best you can hope for is that the officer won't show up (doubtful) or that the judge might consider letting you take a 'defensive driving' course in lieu of points on your license.

However, that option varies by state and KS might not have it.

Good luck to you!!

If you've got a good driving record, go to court and ask the judge if you can take a class to remove the infraction from your record. The length that an infraction can be on your record varies and depends on the infraction. Check your state DMV website and you'll find the info there.

If you keep your driving record free, you're more likely to get a "break" from the judge to allow you to take a class to remove the points. If you've got a bad record, the judge will just look at you and snicker. Trust me on that, personal experience

If you go to court you should be able to have the clerk change the ticket/charge to an "Unsafe Driving Practice" which will cost more (which is why they like it) but, NO points. Just ask the clerk if it could be changed somehow to have no points. They do it all the time, you may not even have to ask.

Koz

people do it all the time, and they caught u? it's like me and "stop" sign. oh ...

years ago, i rented a Hertz in Miami and made a sneaky u turn, when the GPS nav alerted me "if possible, please make a legal u turn".

that's way before Nav became wide spread as it's today.

So did the judge snicker or did you take the class

i will let you know.....I couldn't believe it. I thought for sure this cop would give me a warning. Maybe I am just ignorantof how important no uturns are. I was like really, you are going to give me a ticket for a f@^%ing u-turn? Must be a slow night. I have just never heard of someone actually getting a ticket for that.

Actually, I just found out that is double the fine 70*2+20 for the court costs. So 160 plus I have to be in court. Hmm...This 3yr old ticket on my record goes off in 1 month. I think I just might pay the regular amount. Kansas is a moving violation state, not points. If i get another, I will pay extra then. That is the debate I am having. The extra $$ can buy brake parts for the Runner

Can't speak for your state or what your circumsntaces are, but many traffic regualtions are not iron clad and may be so technical that most cops and judges aren't aware of them.

For instance, in Cal, turn signal lights are only required if your movement would affect another driver. So if it does not affect the vehilce behiind you, or if the other driver is at a corner where it does not matter which way you're turning....

Some speed violations are for speeding where it would be "unreasonable" so going right at the speed limit may still violate hte law if the weather is so bad that a much slowe rspeed ws warranted. But that goes the other way that a straight highway, clear, dry, no cars around, and you get popped for 5-10 over the limit is arguable that it was not "unreasonable or unsafe" for the circumstances. The speed limit is only a prima facie evidence and that an additional 5 mph won't make any difference.

So......in doing a U-turn, there might be some limitations or exceptions in your state vehicle code that doing so and so in such circumstances is prohibited, except for so and so, or permitted unless there is so and so.......so look it up and see what it really says. But that may be a moot point since you alreayd paid for it...

He snickered that I would think he'd let me off easily by allowing me to take the class to remove the points.

As I was a street cop (granted I am in VA), most of the time I would ask the CA (City Attorney) to let you take a "Drivers Improvement Class", which a lot of people did online for dirt cheap. If you completed it, you brought in your certificate from the class, and away went the ticket! That was of course if you never had any other MOVING violations. In VA, if you dont get a ticket for a calender year, then you get 1point added onto your record per year (up to a total of +5) which is a little weird but VA is backwards. That is actually the *best* you can have. The worse the driver you are, the more into the negative (-) you go. I wouldnt sweat it. By the way, most cops have SCHEDULED court days, so most likely they WILL show up in court as they have to!

I have a buddy back home who is an IT specialist for Multnomah County in Portland, Oregon and this is what he told me. Pay your ticket by mail (if that is an option) but write a check for more than the amount of the fine (add like $10 to the total). When they send you a refund check for the difference DO NOT cash it. What this does is that it tricks the system by making it think your case is still pending or not closed. Therefore, as long as case (transaction) is not complete it will not generate a notification to the DMV or your insurance company.

Not sure if this works for other jurisdictions but definitely worth a try. I've known about this for a couple of years and have told all my friends and family and so far it seems to work!

In CA, you're eligible for traffic school every 18 months to remove one point. But if it's a ticket involving more than one infraction, the other point/violation stays. Pleading no contest or guilty, the judge will usually reduce the fine by about half and adding traffic school option and fees, will come out about the same as the original fine amount. Certain counties in CA allow online traffic school--piece of cake and about 30-45 minutes, rather than 8hrs in a classroom.

For CA drivers, I don't know if this site works either. http://www.ticketassassin.com

However, I'm a bit doubtful of going to court to challenge the ticket. Two friends of mine, one said his judge said at the start of the court session as they go through the names, he will offer 50% fine reduction and traffic school. If you elect to challenge, he'll note your case that you were offer that option and deny your traffic school eligibility if you lose your challenge (not sure if the judge can do that or not). The other friend, had multiple techinicalities on his cititation, failure to stop at a stop sign. Ticket had his bday wrong, direction which he was traveling, etc. He was the first to present his case, officer didn't show. Judge made him wait until all the cases were heard, so the officer had a chance to show up. The officer never showed, his case was dismissed.

I got a carpool ticket a while back, the officer submitted a written declaration--no way I was getting off. Also, proves that the theory only 1 out of 3 officers do a written declaration is greater than that. Another friend, tried doing so for a speeding ticket, that officer also submitted a written declaration. In the end, he changed his plea to a written no contest.

I've heard of that one, but I never tried it either. I plead no contest on my citation, paid the fine at the clerk's office.

I looked it up as I have heard of it too.....It doesn't work. The leftover $$ goes into a general fund.

Be thankful that you do NOT have a commerical driver license (CDL-big rigs)! As of 2005, anyone who holds a CDL and is convicted of a moving violation either in his/her POV or while driving a commerical vehicle is INELIGIBLE to take ANY driver's education course(s) design to remove/hide point totals on any state's license.

A DUI in a commerical vehicle (pass. Bus or big rig) automatically disqualifies your license for 180 days first offense. Also, point totals are DOUBLED for any moving violation while in a commerical vehicle. Blood alcohol level for a CDL holder is .04 and if you should ever hit someone in a commerical vehicle........you had better blow .000000000!