So i was driving down route 2 west to go snowboarding at wachusett, i see the sign that says wachusett exit quarter mile, i'm in the left lane and i slow down and jump in the right lane, i also see a black unmarked cruiser in the break down lane, i didn't think anything about it, especially since i squeezed myself between two cars to get off my exit and slowed down since the the off ramp exit had a speed limit of 34 miles per hour posted., next thing you know right in front of the exit i get pulled over. The state cop comes over ask for license and registration, while i'm looking for them, he goes over to the front of my car and stares at it for like a minute, which i found odd, i hand him the license and registration and i say "the correct address is stickered on the back of my license" his response "yeah i got you doing 74 on the laser. He writes the ticket for 190 bucks hands it to me and doesn't say a word and gets in his car. I've been in the car before when my friends have been pulled over and they always ask why someones was going so fast. I looked at the ticket and he checked off Lidar and he checked off Estimated. I'm obviously annoyed, especially since i'm 24 and i've never gotten a speeding ticket or other driving infration. I'm also the lowest step on my driving record and i pay 100 bucks a month for my Tc. I have two friends that are town cops, but not state cops and i have a friend on the NYPD who gave me a mini version of his shield, which is my get ouf ot jail free card, but i like an idiot didn't have it on me. Can any of these people help me out? Any ideas? So, far i'm definitely going to fight it.
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I got a speeding ticket today in MA, what should i do?
- Thread starter planb1215
- Start date
With all the trouble with court, missing work, and at the end still having to pay the fine. You are better off just paying the ticket. Estimated or not, he's a state LEO and you're a 24 year old nobody to the judge. You have NO shot at beating it.
A little side note, I was down in Waltham yesterday and got pulled over for failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and not wearing a seatbelt, the cop was OK and let me off with a warning ticket...funny part was I had 4 pistols in cases sitting on the front seat and he never even noticed them. Guess yesterday was a lucky day. 8)
Where is your proof that you weren't speeding ? Frankly, you can have your day in court, but you probably won't get too far. If it were me, I'd suck it up and pay the fine and figure that it made up for all the times that I did commit a moving violation and didn't get caught...sort of a karma thing.
An NYPD "courtesy shield" may or may not have helped, in fact it may have only aggravated the situation. There is a pecking order of police agencies, and the NYPD credential might have rubbed the trooper the wrong way.
One thing that I did once, I got a speeding ticket on 2A in front of the old Mohawk Club in Shirley about 3pm in the afternoon. I decided to fight it, because I wasn't speeding. There were some terrain anomalies that could have affected the radar, esp the ancient X-band radars that the Shirley PD used at the time. (my original military intelligence training was as a radar inceptor, meaning I was trained to identify enemy radars and associated weapons systems, I figured that maybe I could baffle the court with some BS
) I just kept asking for continuances because I legitimately had to go TDY several times, (back when I was in the Army) I'd write a letter to the clerk of the Ayer Court. Finally after about a year, I got a court date. I showed up only to be told that the police officer decided not to pursue the matter. Maybe if you stall long enough, they will lose interest.
Just remember: the police are your friends (until you get a ticket, or get arrested or apply for a LTC
) We are all for law and order except when we get caught !
An NYPD "courtesy shield" may or may not have helped, in fact it may have only aggravated the situation. There is a pecking order of police agencies, and the NYPD credential might have rubbed the trooper the wrong way.
One thing that I did once, I got a speeding ticket on 2A in front of the old Mohawk Club in Shirley about 3pm in the afternoon. I decided to fight it, because I wasn't speeding. There were some terrain anomalies that could have affected the radar, esp the ancient X-band radars that the Shirley PD used at the time. (my original military intelligence training was as a radar inceptor, meaning I was trained to identify enemy radars and associated weapons systems, I figured that maybe I could baffle the court with some BS
) I just kept asking for continuances because I legitimately had to go TDY several times, (back when I was in the Army) I'd write a letter to the clerk of the Ayer Court. Finally after about a year, I got a court date. I showed up only to be told that the police officer decided not to pursue the matter. Maybe if you stall long enough, they will lose interest.Just remember: the police are your friends (until you get a ticket, or get arrested or apply for a LTC
) We are all for law and order except when we get caught !
So, was the radar right? WERE you speeding? If you were, then admit it and pay the fine. If you WEREN'T, then fight it. You said he checked off "estimated" - I'm assuming that means he didn't have a definate fix on you.
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First off, if you flashed the NYPD shield to the trooper, he'd probably end up adding it to his collection. In this state (unlike NY/NJ), if you flash a LE badge and YOU are NOT one, there is a criminal offense on the books called "impersonating an officer" it is a lot more serious offense than your speeding fine! Troopers have NO sense of humor, nor do they generally like local LEOs, so your local LE friends can't help.
Secondly, it is common practice to check off "estimated" in ALL cases, even with radar, lidar, etc. It's a fall-back position in case the judge asks "officer, are you certain that the car that was speeding was the one you stopped" . . . he has to be able to say that he observed you speeding and estimated your speed to be xx, then used the radar/lidar for confirmation.
If you fight it, you might get the fine reduced. I doubt that you'll get off scot free however.
From your description here, it sounds like he could have nailed you for ". . . especially since i squeezed myself between two cars to get off my exit . . . " as a driving to endanger, cutting another car off, etc.
Secondly, it is common practice to check off "estimated" in ALL cases, even with radar, lidar, etc. It's a fall-back position in case the judge asks "officer, are you certain that the car that was speeding was the one you stopped" . . . he has to be able to say that he observed you speeding and estimated your speed to be xx, then used the radar/lidar for confirmation.
If you fight it, you might get the fine reduced. I doubt that you'll get off scot free however.
From your description here, it sounds like he could have nailed you for ". . . especially since i squeezed myself between two cars to get off my exit . . . " as a driving to endanger, cutting another car off, etc.
I got ticketed early this year for an expired plate (my fault).
I fixed the problem right away and challenged the ticket. With
a state trooper you will probably only see a clerk of the traffic court
unless you wish to see a judge. Also, the trooper does not have to be
there in person, they are allowed to have a representative (BS in
my book). Anyway, short story longer, I said that I was sorry and
distracted with a new baby at home and fixed it right away and the
clerk *and* the trooper who acted as SP representative agreed to toss
it out. I say fight it, but be polite and humble.
F
I fixed the problem right away and challenged the ticket. With
a state trooper you will probably only see a clerk of the traffic court
unless you wish to see a judge. Also, the trooper does not have to be
there in person, they are allowed to have a representative (BS in
my book). Anyway, short story longer, I said that I was sorry and
distracted with a new baby at home and fixed it right away and the
clerk *and* the trooper who acted as SP representative agreed to toss
it out. I say fight it, but be polite and humble.
F
I haven't checked up on this, but I've heard that AAA members get free representation for minor traffic infractions.
I need to look into this, espeshally when it's local cops who may pull a no-show.
-Weer'd Beard
PS: Right now, I just pay not matter how skrewed I feel. Since I'd loose far more than the fine in work pay if I take the time off (Remember one day off may mean missing a 10 day fishing trip!)
-Weer'd Beard
I need to look into this, espeshally when it's local cops who may pull a no-show.
-Weer'd Beard
PS: Right now, I just pay not matter how skrewed I feel. Since I'd loose far more than the fine in work pay if I take the time off (Remember one day off may mean missing a 10 day fishing trip!)
-Weer'd Beard
Rob Boudrie
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Tickets
Unlike many states, MA does not have an option for alternate sentincing, traffic school, or any other procedure to avoid a license point. Judges and magistrates are specifically prohibited from imposing any form of alternate sentence which defeats the intent inposing 6 years of surcharges for any moving violation (which is twice the typical 3 year look-back period which is more typically used).
There is a "break" if you are not the worst rated driver in your house - if you have a newly licensed driver on your policy, a ticket won't impact your rates since they are based on the highest rated licensed household member. You also get a break if you have an at-fault acciden the year of your first ticket in a 6 year period since there is no "point" on the first ticket - just a removal of the discount for an "incident free year".
Figure about $500 to $800 on top of the cost of a first offense ticket over 6 years if your raises the high water mark in your house.
Magistrates and judges will almost always reduce the amount of the fine but the insurance screw job is cast in stone unless you get really lucky and beat it.
Don't expect memners of the state legislature to care, since they get the special "state" and "senate" places with the obvious implication.
You are not entitled to confront your accuser at the initial hearing (only a representative of the ticketing agency). If you want to confront your accuser and have a judge decide the case, it takes another day of your time and there is a $20 "appeal fee".firtree said:
Unlike many states, MA does not have an option for alternate sentincing, traffic school, or any other procedure to avoid a license point. Judges and magistrates are specifically prohibited from imposing any form of alternate sentence which defeats the intent inposing 6 years of surcharges for any moving violation (which is twice the typical 3 year look-back period which is more typically used).
There is a "break" if you are not the worst rated driver in your house - if you have a newly licensed driver on your policy, a ticket won't impact your rates since they are based on the highest rated licensed household member. You also get a break if you have an at-fault acciden the year of your first ticket in a 6 year period since there is no "point" on the first ticket - just a removal of the discount for an "incident free year".
Figure about $500 to $800 on top of the cost of a first offense ticket over 6 years if your raises the high water mark in your house.
Magistrates and judges will almost always reduce the amount of the fine but the insurance screw job is cast in stone unless you get really lucky and beat it.
Don't expect memners of the state legislature to care, since they get the special "state" and "senate" places with the obvious implication.
planb1215 said:
So what was the posted speed limit?
How fast were you allegedly going?
How fast do you believe you were travelling in the last mile or so before you slowed for your exit?
Was the speeding ticket written pursuant to MGL 90/17 or 90/18? (You can find this info by looking at the middle, left-hand side of your ticket)
Look at the bottom right-hand corner of your ticket, in the retangular area. Did the trooper write anything there, such as a number like 1,117, or a fraction, or a two digit number? This info might also be somewhere else in the portion of the ticket below your personal information.
Let me know, and perhaps I will be able to advise and assist you.
Darius
According to the ticket the speed limit was posted.
He says he got me doing 74 on the Lidar
I truely believe i was doing more between 60 and 65, ask anybody and they say i drive like an old lady, i have a perfect driving record since i was 16 and i'm a step 9 driver.
Checked off is 90/17
The other thing you mentioned about the fraction or other number is nowhere to be written down i looked carefully, nothing written what so ever under the court address box.
What it comes down to is i don't want to pay higher insurance, because i passed a couple of people to get into the right. it's just ridiculous.
If i was bombing down late at night doing 85 or 90 and got pulled over i'd just fess up. Plust i noticed on my way home another person pulled over by a state cop and two on the lowell connector on my way home. So a total of 4 state cops pulled over people yesterday.
He says he got me doing 74 on the Lidar
I truely believe i was doing more between 60 and 65, ask anybody and they say i drive like an old lady, i have a perfect driving record since i was 16 and i'm a step 9 driver.
Checked off is 90/17
The other thing you mentioned about the fraction or other number is nowhere to be written down i looked carefully, nothing written what so ever under the court address box.
What it comes down to is i don't want to pay higher insurance, because i passed a couple of people to get into the right. it's just ridiculous.
If i was bombing down late at night doing 85 or 90 and got pulled over i'd just fess up. Plust i noticed on my way home another person pulled over by a state cop and two on the lowell connector on my way home. So a total of 4 state cops pulled over people yesterday.
Don't suck it up and pay. It's not the tivket that will break you. It's your insurance for the next 7 years.
Look at it this way. What moral authority does the Commonwealth have to give you a ticket? They frequently break their own laws! E.g. Illegals aliens.
Check out some of the websites on how to beat a ticket in court.
Good luck.
Look at it this way. What moral authority does the Commonwealth have to give you a ticket? They frequently break their own laws! E.g. Illegals aliens.
Check out some of the websites on how to beat a ticket in court.
Good luck.
I NEVER pay a ticket right away...
If you send it in, chances are that you won't have your day in front of the magistrate for months. If anything at all, you at least saved yourself from having to dish out the cash right now.
Adam
If you send it in, chances are that you won't have your day in front of the magistrate for months. If anything at all, you at least saved yourself from having to dish out the cash right now.
Adam
Rob Boudrie
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Tickets
For all practical purposes, the magistrates hearing is an administrative finding of guilty at which a "deal" of a reduced ticket price is offered. MA prohibits any creative solution which save you the insurance gouge, but the rates are based on the highest driver in the house so under some circumstances (for example, a new driver in the house) there is no surcharge. A truly bizarre system.
There is a $20 fee if you want a second hearing and the ability to confront your accuser, which I believe the system keeps even if you win. So, MA has a $20 fine for being accused and the price goes up from there.
For all practical purposes, the magistrates hearing is an administrative finding of guilty at which a "deal" of a reduced ticket price is offered. MA prohibits any creative solution which save you the insurance gouge, but the rates are based on the highest driver in the house so under some circumstances (for example, a new driver in the house) there is no surcharge. A truly bizarre system.
There is a $20 fee if you want a second hearing and the ability to confront your accuser, which I believe the system keeps even if you win. So, MA has a $20 fine for being accused and the price goes up from there.
dwarven1
Lonely Mountain Arms
You might want to pick up a copy of A Speeder's Guide to Avoiding Tickets and read it at some point. Lots of interesting info in there.
And definitely challenge it, by all means. Who knows? They might not send a rep that day and you'll get off by default. Weirder stuff has happened.
Ross
And definitely challenge it, by all means. Who knows? They might not send a rep that day and you'll get off by default. Weirder stuff has happened.
Ross
I'm sure your sister is an excellent attorney. But she's not the kind of attorney that you want for this. You want someone who knows the clerk magistrates, has done this negotiation many times before, and will do it many times in the future.
![[wink]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/002.gif "Wink [wink]")
Ok, I have been through this a number of times. And, I have remained Step 9 since the late 1980s.
Here's what you want, and how it works, based upon my experience:
You want to be found "not responsible". That means nothing happens to you. No fine, no surcharges. Nothing.
When you send in your ticket pleading "not guilty" (keep a xerox of it, BTW) you will be given a date to appear in at a hearing in front of a clerk magistrate.
At the hearing, there will be you, the c-m, and a rep from the cops (not the cop who wrote the ticket). The rep will read the ticket and then the c-m will turn to you and ask for your side of the story. These hearings are designed to keep the court from clogging up, so they want to settle it instead of letting the ticket go to trial in front of a judge. What they do 9 times out of 10 is listen to your story and then offer to cut the fine down to half or better. Most people leap at this, thinking they have "won", but they haven't. They still get 6 years of surcharges, which could be thousands of dollars.
If, during this hearing, you indicate in any way, shape, or form, that you were breaking the speed limit, you will get no leniency.
Trying to get fancy and say that you were going a different speed than what was written on the ticket will only irritate them. So will anythign else that is slick or tricky. Keep it plain and simple.
The only thing that has any chance of working is if you can convince them that you were not speeding, or plant doubt in their minds as to what really happened. Here is the real important thing you must do: after you tell your story, point out that there is no pattern of misbehavior in your record (they will have it right in front of them and they WILL look at it as soon as you say that, so don't say it if it isn't true) then you must ASK to be found not responsible. This has worked for me. They flip through the record and say "oh, yes, you've got nothing here but a single parking ticket". Then, if you are lucky they will say something like "we'll give you the benefit of the doubt - not responsible".
If not, then you have the option to go on to court. The thing that happens to me most of the time is that the cop does not show up. There is a good chance of this happening, particularly if you are not also charged with a big laundry list of other stuff. Again, make your case, and hope for the best. I am currently 3 for 3.
Here's what you want, and how it works, based upon my experience:
You want to be found "not responsible". That means nothing happens to you. No fine, no surcharges. Nothing.
When you send in your ticket pleading "not guilty" (keep a xerox of it, BTW) you will be given a date to appear in at a hearing in front of a clerk magistrate.
At the hearing, there will be you, the c-m, and a rep from the cops (not the cop who wrote the ticket). The rep will read the ticket and then the c-m will turn to you and ask for your side of the story. These hearings are designed to keep the court from clogging up, so they want to settle it instead of letting the ticket go to trial in front of a judge. What they do 9 times out of 10 is listen to your story and then offer to cut the fine down to half or better. Most people leap at this, thinking they have "won", but they haven't. They still get 6 years of surcharges, which could be thousands of dollars.
If, during this hearing, you indicate in any way, shape, or form, that you were breaking the speed limit, you will get no leniency.
Trying to get fancy and say that you were going a different speed than what was written on the ticket will only irritate them. So will anythign else that is slick or tricky. Keep it plain and simple.
The only thing that has any chance of working is if you can convince them that you were not speeding, or plant doubt in their minds as to what really happened. Here is the real important thing you must do: after you tell your story, point out that there is no pattern of misbehavior in your record (they will have it right in front of them and they WILL look at it as soon as you say that, so don't say it if it isn't true) then you must ASK to be found not responsible. This has worked for me. They flip through the record and say "oh, yes, you've got nothing here but a single parking ticket". Then, if you are lucky they will say something like "we'll give you the benefit of the doubt - not responsible".
If not, then you have the option to go on to court. The thing that happens to me most of the time is that the cop does not show up. There is a good chance of this happening, particularly if you are not also charged with a big laundry list of other stuff. Again, make your case, and hope for the best. I am currently 3 for 3.
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