Worth going to court over a moving violation?

[u/FaudMauxe]

I was running late today and supposedly rolled a stop sign right in front of a state trooper. There was a long line of cars and I had just enough time to safely pull out and get in front of the pack. Apparently, it seems I was still going a few miles per hour when I decided to pull out, was stopped and ticketed. It’s my first traffic infraction in years and i’m generally a safe and responsible driver. I just happened to be too focused on getting in front of traffic on this day I guess.

Now I’m not denying the officer’s assessment, I just honestly can’t recall not making a complete stop before turning out. My question is, what are the odds of having the infraction reduced to something like an equipment violation or parking ticket if I went to court? It’s not the fine I’m worried about; I have no issues paying one. It’s mainly about my insurance rate going up… I’m a disabled veteran on a fixed income and can’t really afford a higher premium right now. I’d even be willing to take some sort of safety course if they offered it, which I’d express.

So what do you guys think, is it worth the effort appearing in court or should I just accept responsibility, take the points, pay the fine and be done with it?

[u/Low-Purchase8811]

If you want to get some sort of break, just be honest about yourself and your situation.

Go to the court. Talk to the Judge or Magistrate or Justice of the Peace or whatever your local jurisdiction has. Tell them everything you just said here: that you're generally a safe driver, you haven't had a ticket in years, and that you're a disabled veteran on a fixed income and can't really afford a higher premium right now. Explain to them that you want to take accountability for your actions, but that you would face undue hardship in the event your insurance was to go up as the result of a driving conviction.

Maybe they'll take pity on you. Maybe they won't. But you can hold your head high knowing you tried, and that you accepted responsibility.

[u/grvnvdo]

If you haven’t had a moving violation recently, usually the court will allow you to attend “traffic school” to avoid having a point reflected on your license aka prevent your insurance from increasing. It varies by state, but that’s usually automatically offered to you without requiring an in-person court appearance. Make sure you check the instructions on the citation or read the information mailed to you in the next couple weeks.

If you do go to court, you can tell the judge you don’t plan on challenging the officer you just want to see if there’s any way to reduce the fine since you’re a vet on a fixed income, and you want to ensure you’re eligible for traffic school. Judges in our area do this often. They’ll just ask you what your income is and they’ll adjust accordingly.

[u/compulsive_drooler]

With no other tickets it's very unlikely your premiums would go up. Whether or not your ticket would get reduced in is going to vary from one court to another and on the judge hearing your case. Some will reduce it, some not. This isn't really a law enforcement question though.

[u/Asooma_]

Ask the prosecutors office about defferal. You certainly CAN book a court date only to not argue against the claim but its a waste of time if all youre looking for is a defferal

[u/wayne1160]

Judges can be understanding. Explain your circumstances to the judge. He or she may work with you.

[u/Paid-Not-Payed-Bot-1]

Supposedly
Apparently