Tomorrow I go to traffic court!

[richmwill]

How FUN, eh? Sigh- Not looking forward to it. Made an "improper u-turn" on an interstate (I know, dumb move- made it over the center-grass, right where the "No U-Turn" sign was. Caught.) Any ideas on how much this is gonna cost me (in NY)? It's my first offense, my first ever ticket for anything in 12 years of being a licensed driver. I plan to apologize my head off to everyone, with extreme sincerity. Wish me luck.

[JVS]

1. You'll get the chair

;)

good luck

[richmwill]

2. Haha- Thanks (n/t)

[Nye Bevan]

3. I went to traffic court once in the Bronx

One of the most depressing experiences of my life. I have never seen a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

[Ikonoklast]

4. You can call the court

and they would be able to tell you the approximate fine and attending court costs. I assume that you are pleading no contest and are not going to fight the ticket.

Dress neatly, be humble, speak only when spoken to or asked a direct question, and if there are any other consequences from this offense other than a misdemeanor traffic offense, get an attorney to represent you (or at least get some solid legal advice as to a proper course of action).

If the judge or magistrate asks if you want to say anything in your own defense, keep it short and sweet, something to the tune of, "Your Honor, what I did was really stupid and it won't happen again. I am sorry."

[Shine]

5. Good luck with that! Hope you don't have to go to jail or anything.

Sincere and extreme groveling is probably a good thing...

;-)

~Shine

[Mizmoon]

6. $500 fine

ha ha, made you sweat.

I have no idea but I just got out of a $125 "didn't stop at the stop sign" ticket in New York. Didn't have to pay cash but it cost me time.

[richmwill]

7. Unbelievable

Yes, I did momentarily gasp when I read that! LOL

[richmwill]

8. If anybody still cares...

I went, and got a good Judge. He was being really hard-nosed to everyone else, however I got my ticket reduced down. It was supposed to be a $150 penalty, but he knocked the ticket down to $50, plus the $55 NY State surcharge, so I only paid $105 total. I was very pleased.

[LynneSin]

9. Don't apologize until you see if the cops show up

Only time I went to traffic court to dispute a ticket and the cop who wrote the ticket didn't show up. In fact it was a different cop. I never had a chance to say a word - as soon as the judge heard the ticketing cop wasn't here the ticket & points were dropped.

The only thing I said was "Thank you"

You could tell them it was an emergency!

[radwriter0555]

10. Sell it. Be polite, smile and be professional and concise. Ask forgiveness

from the court, address the judge properly and be sincere when you tell the Judge you've never done such a thing before, and you made an error and you won't do it again.

If you have a good reason why you broke the law, be simple and explain it. Then mention your great driving record again, and say you won't do it again.

And be polite and professional. This is just business, after all!