If I got my first speeding ticked last week, should fight the ticket or just pay it off?
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If I got my first speeding ticked last week, should fight the ticket or just pay it off?
A friend of mine appeared in front of a Judge and got her fine decreased and the points were kept off her record, which would be ideal for me. My issue is that I’m leaving town very soon and frankly, I don’t know how all of this works.
Asked on June 24, 2015 under General Practice, Utah
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
Often, if you appear in court for the ticket, you have a chance to speak with the prosecutor and try to negotiate a deal or plea. If you have an otherwise clean record, show some contrition or acceptance of responsibility, and as appropriate also have a logical explanation for the violation, you will commonly be offered the chance to plea to a lesser offense--one that may have no points or less points. For example, with speeding, if this is your first ticket, you'd highlight that fact and, if the speed zones had just changed (e.g. a highway speed went from 50 or 55 to 30 or 35 as the road went through a small town), you might apologize and say that you hadn't seen the speed limit change.
Whether it's worth it to fight or not depends on how you value your time and inconvenience vs. getting points on your license.
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