ticket and traffic school

[CleanAzzE30z]

and btw, your OLD. I graduated HS in 1998. I thought I was old!!!!

Mariano

[Dave]

and btw, your OLD. I graduated HS in 1998. I thought I was old!!!!

Mariano

I graduated in 1987. I was only 16 at the time, though.

[CleanAzzE30z]

damn. Either you seem young or I seem old to myself cuz I had a feeling from your posts that you were my age. Maybe a combination of both? Ive been through a lot, I suppose. Whatever. Back on topic.

Mariano

[DaN]

Rather than start a new thread, I'll resurrect this one for my personal questions.

I received a ticket for disregarding a red light. I haven't had any tickets for about 5 years. I don't have much of a defense.
I'd like to get it reduced to prevent insurance spikes, and the record.
How does one get a ticket reduced, and approved for traffic school?
Do I need to plead not guilty, see what happens, then ask for traffic school?
Do I plead guilty and ask for a reduction?
Do I really need a lawyer for this simple case?
Thanks

[Jon325i]

DaN-

I'm not sure how VA traffic laws would apply to your situation, but here in CA (as already discussed) if you can fight/contest it through the mail then take this option. A court appearance might allow you to get the priced reduced some, but I can't say that with a high degree of confidence. Traffic school will certainly be an option since this is your first moving violation in ~5 years. It is doubtful the judge would reduce your fine during an appearance and let you opt for traffic school.....it's likely to be more of an either/or scenario.

Definately fight it through the mail if you can.

[DaN]

I'm not worried about the fine being reduced. I would rather prevent the points and insurance increase.
I thought the conclusion of the thread was that most states don't allow you to fight the ticket through the mail, per Dave.
I'm trying to prevent looking like an idiot in court, which is very likely to happen.

[e34john]

You gotta go in, I am basing everything on what I have encountered. You go in tell him you did it and ask if he can reduce the fine since you pretty much have a clean record...... ..... .... etc. Then ask him if you can go to traffic school.

Over here you usually have to go to traffic school first and bring that with you on your court day. It says on the notice that they mail you if you qualify or not.

[e34john]

Oh yea, fighting through the mail sucks, I lost. Next time I'll have to get someone who doesn't type like me to write my plea. But it did buy me a few months time to come up with the money.

[DaN]

Alright, so I should plead guilty.

[Devil Inc]

In Indiana, I believe that you can submit a letter to the judge to fight a citation, but I'm not sure on the specifics. I want to say it states it on the ticket/paperwork the officer gives, but it's been awhile since I recieved one.

Knock on Wood.

[DaN]

Any Lawyers on r3v? Where's Dave at?

[Dave]

talk to people you know - see who they recommend for a local traffic lawyer. Stuff like this varies a fair amount from state to state, and even from county to county.