Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Lost_Found84 t1_j845ts5 wrote

Reply to comment by ImOldGettOffMyLawn in I really messed up - speeding out of state, now what? by carazm

OP literally asked if he should get a lawyer to fight it.

The answer is no. Always pay the ticket if you’re guilty. Trying to fight a ticket where you’re obviously guilty is more likely to result in your punishment getting worse cause the court generally doesn’t like it’s time being wasted.

1

BukkakeKing69 t1_j84i399 wrote

This is horrible advice. There is literally no way the court can do some sort of weird retaliation because you decided to have a hearing. We kind of have a bill of rights my man.

1

Lost_Found84 t1_j84kl63 wrote

You’re dead wrong. In the punishment phase, the judge has sole discretion over how strict a punishment you deserve.

If you reveal yourself to be the type of person who will contest a ticket even though you’re obviously guilty, you reveal yourself to be the kind of person who needs MORE incentive than the average person to dissuade you from violating again.

On the other hand, if you show up to plead guilty, but request financial consideration when it comes to the fine because of some hardship you face, the judge may lower your penalty as well.

But the idea that you can feel free to piss off the judge because the Bill of Rights exists has got to be one of the stupidest things you could believe while walking into a court room.

1

BukkakeKing69 t1_j84o3k4 wrote

I said nothing about actively pissing off the judge lol. Yes, they can choose how strict the punishment is. That strictness cannot be greater than what it would be to just sign the ticket and turn it in, unless you create some type of chaos in the courtroom.

I have experience with this. I've self represented with a 15 over charge I was obviously guilty of, got it knocked down to a 5 - 10. Generally you talk to the cop before the hearing and that's pretty much the end of it.

I've also been party to a multiple car accident that involved a roll-over. I hired representation in that case despite being "guilty by the book" and had everything thrown out other than a small, no-point fine. The judge called me in to the courtroom to give a verbal beating and felt satisfied after that.

1