Should I appeal this ticket?

[eastsideman09]

I was pulled over for "following too closely" a speeding driver. The other guy was clocked in at going 76 in a 65, while my speed was not recorded. The officer managed to pull us both over... When he came to my window, he did not ask for my registration or proof of insurance, just my license. On my ticket, the only part that is correct on the vehicle description is the color and state... Year, make, style, LP number and expiration date are all wrong, and he did sign the ticket.

As far as the situation goes, I was at a reasonable distance from the car in front of me traveling at a reasonable speed for the left lane, no higher than 72. An upcoming merger was on the left, and I was surrounded by traffic, at least one behind me, and a few in the other lane. There was more than enough distance for the asshole to wait and merge after me and the other guy instead of cutting in front of me. At this point, obviously I'm following too closely, but not at my doing. There really was not a whole lot I could do.

I understand it's my word against the officers... He was kind of an asshole, starkly commenting that I was lucky I wasn't getting two tickets. I have to pay for classes for next semester within the next week, and I really need some money for some of my final projects. I'm eligible for a drivers course, but reduced charges on, or dismissal of, a bull**** ticket, in my opinion, is preferable to paying more for the ticket and paying again for a drivers course. I have one ticket on record, and this is a minor one, not resulting in suspension at all, and my dad pays my insurance if it raises.

I'm really wanting to appeal, but as inconvenient as paying the ticket would be, it would be an assurance of no points, but it would further exempt me from the drivers class for anywhere between 6 months to a year in the event a "real" infraction occurs...

[fido123]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

Sounds reasonable, just think about it again in a few days and seriously think if you may have actually been in the wrong. When you're pissed it's very easy to distort things in your own mind and not realize it.

[darkshark]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

If you're going to make an appeal, you need to present your case like it's scientific fact. I've appealed against a ton of tickets, and the only one I won, was when I could mathematically prove that my car couldn't have been going as fast as the officer said it was (no radar or laser).

If you go into this and just say, "well sir the guy cut in front of me so I had no choice at that point to follow closely and I wasn't doing 76 I was doing 72". The judge is going to make you pay the full fine no questions asked. If you go in there and are able to state more hard facts (and make it sound like you are well informed, were very aware of your surroundings, were extremely observant during the situation etc) then you may have a chance. And I don't know if it's the same law where you live, but if you file an appeal, and the cop doesn't show up, you're automatically off the hook, but with the economy how it is, it's less likely that the cop won't show up (they get paid 2 hours wage at 1.5x just to show up, even if the case takes 5 minutes). I say go for it as long as you can present a defense detailed enough to rival the cops.

[Rubin0]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

How long after the guy cut in front of you were you pulled over? If you were tailing the guy for more than a few seconds then I would probably say the cop was in the right. It doesn't take that long to slow down. If it was immediate, then the cop either didn't see the guy cut in front of you or he is a douche. I'm just guessing here but you might have been pissed off that he cut in front of you and intentionally didn't slow down, which is what the cop may have thought and what the judge might assume.

[EnR]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

I got pulled over for the first time yesterday. It was about to turn into an 80kmph zone and I was in a 60, I wanted to get passed a van before it turned into the one lane 80 and an undercover cop was coming the other way, clocked me at 92 in a 60, 232$ fine and 4 points but he brought it down to 75 in a 60 which is 57 bucks and 0 points. I'm pisssed because I was 20 feet from it turning into an 80. I can't tell my parents because they'll take the car away and I don't have a job and only have 60 bucks laying around. If I pay the ticket I have no money left for gas and I was supposed to go to the gym on sunday. Now I'm ****ed. I have no gas left either.

Is there any way I can get the ticket taken off completely?

[rushyrulz]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

Pretty much what ds said. Appealing a ticket isn't an easy task unless you have pretty much indisputable evidence.

[psychoangel691]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

It's worth a shot to explain your side of the story and try to get rid of the ticket. If they wont get rid of it at the least they may drop it down to a lesser one which they tend to do for people a lot.

[Zageron]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

Where I'm from, you appeal every single ticket.

90% of the time the police officer doesn't show up, and you win your case by default.

[chaosjr17]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

There is literally no reason you should have to pay that. You should absolutely appeal the ticket.

Year, make, style, LP number and expiration date are all wrong

If this is correct then the ticket was made out to a completely different car, in which case the ticket is void.

[DotKritic]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

On my ticket, the only part that is correct on the vehicle description is the color and state... Year, make, style, LP number and expiration date are all wrong, and he did sign the ticket.

If this is correct then the ticket was made out to a completely different car, in which case the ticket is void.

This.

Just be prepared to argue your case if it doesn't go correctly. Have a presentation of the area of the location, where cars were around you, and and where the driver was coming from.

edit: Did you sign it?

[MrGiggles]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

Where I'm from, you appeal every single ticket.

90% of the time the police officer doesn't show up, and you win your case by default.

Yeah, around here appealing usually results in a reduction just because, or even complete negation due to the bro not showing up.

[fido123]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

I got pulled over for the first time yesterday. It was about to turn into an 80kmph zone and I was in a 60, I wanted to get passed a van before it turned into the one lane 80 and an undercover cop was coming the other way, clocked me at 92 in a 60, 232$ fine and 4 points but he brought it down to 75 in a 60 which is 57 bucks and 0 points. I'm pisssed because I was 20 feet from it turning into an 80. I can't tell my parents because they'll take the car away and I don't have a job and only have 60 bucks laying around. If I pay the ticket I have no money left for gas and I was supposed to go to the gym on sunday. Now I'm ****ed. I have no gas left either.

Is there any way I can get the ticket taken off completely?

He already gave you a big break. You were technically in the wrong so there's nothing you can do.

[scientific]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

you are broke
highschool
no friends
great life

[EnR]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

He already gave you a big break. You were technically in the wrong so there's nothing you can do.

That's what I figured, he was really nice. Didn't even charge me for not having registration on me(120$)

[EnR]

Re: Should I appeal this ticket?

you are broke
highschool
no friends
great life

Someone got hurt at work, can't work until they work it out.
Graduated highschool, something you might do in the future.
Tons of friends.
Yes.