Got a performance award, know any way of.....

[malbojah]

So I'm making a run from Cape Cod to Rutland, VT (just a place to crash for the night). Just north of Bennington on 7 north, a cop coming in the opposite direction pulls me over (never saw him as it was 7pm, dark, and very cold). He writes me up for 70 in a 55 (GPS log confirms this). I have no issues with paying the fine, it's the 2 point hit on my insurance that I want to avoid (no tickets in last 3 years, last ticket was on I-91 south of Brattleboro,VT, go figure)

Any suggestion?

[Bigfoot]

Call the officer and ask if he can do anthing to help you out. Won't cost you anything.  If people called me ahead of time, or approached me before court and asked for help I'd look at their driving record and go from there.  If the person was decent and had a decent record I'd ask the prosecutor to reduce it to defective equipment.  You might try this route.  

[MK96xj]

Call the officer and ask if he can do anthing to help you out. Won't cost you anything.  If people called me ahead of time, or approached me before court and asked for help I'd look at their driving record and go from there.  If the person was decent and had a decent record I'd ask the prosecutor to reduce it to defective equipment.  You might try this route.  

+1

I have had great success with talking to the prosecutor before court to get it knocked down to a non moving violation.

[malbojah]

Yeah, about going to court...it's five hours away. Each way. In my truck (getting a little chilly for the bike)

[satz]

Let me give you a good news NC and VT do not report their tickets to MASS. I live in Mass and i know first hand.
so now the question is do you want to pay or not. If you show up they might drop the charge.

satz

[Bigfoot]

Yeah, about going to court...it's five hours away. Each way. In my truck (getting a little chilly for the bike)

You might still try what I suggested.  Like I said, it doesn't cost anything.

[chornbe]

So I'm making a run from Cape Cod to Rutland, VT (just a place to crash for the night). Just north of Bennington on 7 north, a cop coming in the opposite direction pulls me over (never saw him as it was 7pm, dark, and very cold). He writes me up for 70 in a 55 (GPS log confirms this). I have no issues with paying the fine, it's the 2 point hit on my insurance that I want to avoid (no tickets in last 3 years, last ticket was on I-91 south of Brattleboro,VT, go figure)

Any suggestion?

Making a reasonable plea in court (it was cold, wanted to get to my destination, no traffic, my apologies).... they'll usually work with you. I think they would prefer you quietly pay the fine, never argue guilt or innocence, and everyone gets on with their lives. They couldn't give two poops about the points and will likely cancel them out, especially for out of staters. This has been my experience, especially in the police states of NY and NJ.

[Clint]

Go to court. They always offer to lower the fine and/or points. And if the cop doesn't show, you get a free pass. Figure out how much those points will increase your insurance to decide whether it's worth your while. Remember, it takes six years in MA for them to drop off your record.

[Bigfoot]

Go to court. They always offer to lower the fine and/or points. And if the cop doesn't show, you get a free pass. Figure out how much those points will increase your insurance to decide whether it's worth your while. Remember, it takes six years in MA for them to drop off your record.

No offense intended here but these kind of responses make me laugh.  Well, at least chuckle.  Advice over the internet is like opinions and assholes.  Everyone has one.  Not all systems are alike and the poster may very well drive his 4 or 5 hours and find none of the above is true.  It's also possible for an officer not to show up for court due to a family sickness, injury or maybe he/she came across an accident and was forced to work it and all of his cases can be continued to his next court date.    (Speaking for my area here)  So for all of those asking for advice, remember what's posted here may not even come close to what could actually happen in your court system.  My advice (I know, assholes) still stands.  Call the officer and see what you might be able to work out before hiring an attorney or driving all the way back.  Or don't and hire an attorney and drive all the way back.

[satz]

Let me give you a good news NC and VT do not report their tickets to MASS. I live in Mass and i know first hand.
so now the question is do you want to pay or not. If you show up they might drop the charge.

satz

Let me bold it maybe some one will read it.

[Clint]

No offense intended here but these kind of responses make me laugh.  Well, at least chuckle.  Advice over the internet is like opinions and assholes.  Everyone has one.  Not all systems are alike and the poster may very well drive his 4 or 5 hours and find none of the above is true.  It's also possible for an officer not to show up for court due to a family sickness, injury or maybe he/she came across an accident and was forced to work it and all of his cases can be continued to his next court date.    (Speaking for my area here)  So for all of those asking for advice, remember what's posted here may not even come close to what could actually happen in your court system.  My advice (I know, assholes) still stands.  Call the officer and see what you might be able to work out before hiring an attorney or driving all the way back.  Or don't and hire an attorney and drive all the way back.

Laugh all you want. I've had three tickets (two MA, one ME) dismissed because the cop didn't show.

However, I've never once heard of someone calling the cop and begging for mercy.

[Bigfoot]

Laugh all you want. I've had three tickets (two MA, one ME) dismissed because the cop didn't show.

However, I've never once heard of someone calling the cop and begging for mercy.

Okay. My advice still stands.