Speeding Ticket - Please Help

#1
jpendergrass1

jpendergrass1

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Sep 18, 2012
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#1
Hey guys,

First off, before I tell you the story, know that I still live in Tennessee, in my heart....

So here's the story: I go to school in Orlando, Florida to work towards my Masters degree in Audio and Sound Engineering. I was back home, visiting my family in Tennessee and on my way back to Florida, I got a speeding ticket in South Carolina. I was on the interstate and I was right where an on ramp merged on and there were a lot of cars coming. I looked over my shoulder and saw a car in the other lane going much faster so I had to make a decision: run the cars to my right off the road and into a barrier or to speed up to keep from getting hit by the car in the left lane as I switched lanes. I chose to speed up. 15 seconds later, I am being pulled over for speeding and the cop told me he clocked me at 88 mph in a 65 zone.

I told him the story and he told me that the ticket could be reduced if I appeared in court on the specified court date. I told him that I lived in Orlando and that I was in school so it was not really possible for me to make the 9 hour drive back to South Carolina since I would have to go on days that I would have class. He told me that I could mail in a money order for the full amount of the ticket, 645 dollars.

I have so many loans out right now paying for school, my apartment, utilities, and food to live on. I am, surly, not living the good life right now. I have absolutely no room in my budget to fork out almost $700 for me to keep others and myself out of harms way.

The point is, I cannot afford this ticket and there is no way for me to make the court date.

I really do not know who to ask for advice because my family will not help me with this, they have their own expenses with a mortgage and sending my sister to Vandy (they are paying 100% of tuition).

I was just hoping you guys might have some advice for me because I really do not know what I can do. I have to drive because I live 20 minutes away from my school.

Is there anything I can do to get this ticket dropped if I call the traffic court that I am assigned to? Are their any police officers on this forum that can offer me some advice? Better yet, police officers in South Carolina that can help me?

I know this is a long post, and I apologize. I just really need some help and I feel like you guys are the next closest thing I have to family.

Please guys, any help would be appreciated, I am really in a bind here.

Thanks.
 
#2
#2
There are probably traffic lawyers in that area that will appear for you and handle for about $100. Just google them
 
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#4
#4
I would go with SDV's suggestion. Slowing down would have been the better option. But, I know with split second decisions, hindsight is 20/20.
 
#6
#6
jpendergrass1 said:
Hey guys,

First off, before I tell you the story, know that I still live in Tennessee, in my heart....

So here's the story: I go to school in Orlando, Florida to work towards my Masters degree in Audio and Sound Engineering. I was back home, visiting my family in Tennessee and on my way back to Florida, I got a speeding ticket in South Carolina. I was on the interstate and I was right where an on ramp merged on and there were a lot of cars coming. I looked over my shoulder and saw a car in the other lane going much faster so I had to make a decision: run the cars to my right off the road and into a barrier or to speed up to keep from getting hit by the car in the left lane as I switched lanes. I chose to speed up. 15 seconds later, I am being pulled over for speeding and the cop told me he clocked me at 88 mph in a 65 zone.

I told him the story and he told me that the ticket could be reduced if I appeared in court on the specified court date. I told him that I lived in Orlando and that I was in school so it was not really possible for me to make the 9 hour drive back to South Carolina since I would have to go on days that I would have class. He told me that I could mail in a money order for the full amount of the ticket, 645 dollars.

I have so many loans out right now paying for school, my apartment, utilities, and food to live on. I am, surly, not living the good life right now. I have absolutely no room in my budget to fork out almost $700 for me to keep others and myself out of harms way.

The point is, I cannot afford this ticket and there is no way for me to make the court date.

I really do not know who to ask for advice because my family will not help me with this, they have their own expenses with a mortgage and sending my sister to Vandy (they are paying 100% of tuition).

I was just hoping you guys might have some advice for me because I really do not know what I can do. I have to drive because I live 20 minutes away from my school.

Is there anything I can do to get this ticket dropped if I call the traffic court that I am assigned to? Are their any police officers on this forum that can offer me some advice? Better yet, police officers in South Carolina that can help me?

I know this is a long post, and I apologize. I just really need some help and I feel like you guys are the next closest thing I have to family.

Please guys, any help would be appreciated, I am really in a bind here.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I live in SC & had a few tickets. He could have been more lenient & reduced it to a lesser speeding offense right then. I've never heard of a traffic lawyer. The only other options is to pay it by mail or show up. If you do go to court they will offer to settle with a lesser charge or lower fine or both. If you don't prefer that you can plead your case to the magistrate or ask for a jury trial.
 
#7
#7
Thanks for the suggestion of a traffic lawyer, I had not even thought of that. I sent requests to 3 different firms in the area.

Any other ideas would still be great.
 
#8
#8
That fine seems a little steep for just speeding, is there more to this story you're not telling? I believe you could arrange a continuance for a later date if you really want to appear in court, you'd just have to call the court and discuss it. Also, you could inquire
about a payment plan for the ticket, I doubt they have one but it's worth a shot.

I got a combo speeding, window tint, and lack of proof of insurance ticket in Kingston TN($450). Went to court with a piece of random window tint(told them I removed it from my car) and my latest proof of insurance print out. Got those two violations taken off the ticket but the speeding stuck. I paid $5 down that day on the $100 speeding ticket and never finished paying it. 5 years later I get a call from a collections agency trying to collect for the remainder of the ticket. I eventually paid that and it was never reported to my credit.
 
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#9
#9
govols/cc said:
I live in SC & had a few tickets. He could have been more lenient & reduced it to a lesser speeding offense right then. I've never heard of a traffic lawyer. The only option is to pay it by mail or show up. If you do go to court they will offer to settle with a lesser charge or lower fine or both. If you don't prefer that you can plead your case to the magistrate or ask for a jury trial.
Click to expand...

Funny you are from Spartanburg. My dad worked for Milliken there and I actually got my ticket in Simpsonville on I-385
 
#10
#10
coug said:
That fine seems a little steep for just speeding, is there more to this story you're not telling? I believe you could arrange a continuance for a later date if you really want to appear in court, you'd just have to call the court and discuss it. Also, you could inquire
about a payment plan for the ticket, I doubt they have one but it's worth a shot.

I got a combo speeding, window tint, and lack of proof of insurance ticket in Kingston TN($450). Went to court with a piece of random window tint(told them I removed it from my car) and my latest proof of insurance print out. Got those two violations taken off the ticket but the speeding stuck. I paid $5 down that day on the $100 speeding ticket and never finished paying it. 5 years later I get a call from a collections agency trying to collect for the remainder of the ticket. I eventually paid that and it was never reported to my credit.
Click to expand...

Over 20mph the speed limit is considered reckless driving as well if I'm not mistaken.
 
#11
#11
coug said:
That fine seems a little steep for just speeding, is there more to this story you're not telling? I believe you could arrange a continuance for a later date if you really want to appear in court, you'd just have to call the court and discuss it. Also, you could inquire
about a payment plan for the ticket, I doubt they have one but it's worth a shot.

I got a combo speeding, window tint, and lack of proof of insurance ticket in Kingston TN($450). Went to court with a piece of random window tint(told them I removed it from my car) and my latest proof of insurance print out. Got those two violations taken off the ticket but the speeding stuck. I paid $5 down that day on the $100 speeding ticket and never finished paying it. 5 years later I get a call from a collections agency trying to collect for the remainder of the ticket. I eventually paid that and it was never reported to my credit.
Click to expand...

Unless I am reading the ticket wrong, thats the price. It says: "Recommended Bond Amount: 645.00"
 
#12
#12
jpendergrass1 said:
Unless I am reading the ticket wrong, thats the price. It says: "Recommended Bond Amount: 645.00"
Click to expand...

Unless it was like a state trooper and he hand wrote the fine then you almost ALWAYS have to call the number on the ticket and give the clerk the ticket number and she'll tell you the fine. Otherwise it'll be an automated voice and that will tell you.
 
#13
#13
jpendergrass1 said:
Unless I am reading the ticket wrong, thats the price. It says: "Recommended Bond Amount: 645.00"
Click to expand...

Yea he probably wrote the max in the top corner & seeing you're out of state wasn't lenient playing the odds of you mailing the full amount in.

We go to Milliken on occasion to feed the ducks & fly kites & stuff.
 
#14
#14
coug said:
Unless it was like a state trooper and he hand wrote the fine then you almost ALWAYS have to call the number on the ticket and give the clerk the ticket number and she'll tell you the fine. Otherwise it'll be an automated voice and that will tell you.
Click to expand...

Alright so I went to the website to enter my case number and all that jazz but it comes back saying "No records found with this last name and case number"

So.... Maybe I did not get a ticket...?
 
#15
#15
govols/cc said:
Yea he probably wrote the max in the top corner & seeing you're out of state wasn't lenient playing the odds of you mailing the full amount in.

We go to Milliken on occasion to feed the ducks & fly kites & stuff.
Click to expand...

Yeah well I still have SC tags, plates, and license.... I lived in Greenville last year.
 
#16
#16
jpendergrass1 said:
Alright so I went to the website to enter my case number and all that jazz but it comes back saying "No records found with this last name and case number"

So.... Maybe I did not get a ticket...?
Click to expand...

It probably takes awhile or doesn't show until the case is settled.
 
#18
#18
jpendergrass1 said:
Alright so I went to the website to enter my case number and all that jazz but it comes back saying "No records found with this last name and case number"

So.... Maybe I did not get a ticket...?
Click to expand...

It's not unheard of for them to take their time, up to two weeks. Calling in the morning like you said is probably your best bet.
 
#19
#19
Next time get out of the car and get in that cops face! Tell him what bs it is!!























Call a lawyer.
 
#21
#21
jpendergrass1 said:
It says 3 days after the ticket is issued. I guess I will just have to call tomorrow to find out for sure.... :(
Click to expand...

I assume he didn't go lightly on points either probably 4-6 by the sound of the fine. In the long run that's what will get you because when it hits your driving record your insurance will skyrocket.
 
#25
#25
jpendergrass1 said:
Hey guys,

First off, before I tell you the story, know that I still live in Tennessee, in my heart....

So here's the story: I go to school in Orlando, Florida to work towards my Masters degree in Audio and Sound Engineering. I was back home, visiting my family in Tennessee and on my way back to Florida, I got a speeding ticket in South Carolina. I was on the interstate and I was right where an on ramp merged on and there were a lot of cars coming. I looked over my shoulder and saw a car in the other lane going much faster so I had to make a decision: run the cars to my right off the road and into a barrier or to speed up to keep from getting hit by the car in the left lane as I switched lanes. I chose to speed up. 15 seconds later, I am being pulled over for speeding and the cop told me he clocked me at 88 mph in a 65 zone.

I told him the story and he told me that the ticket could be reduced if I appeared in court on the specified court date. I told him that I lived in Orlando and that I was in school so it was not really possible for me to make the 9 hour drive back to South Carolina since I would have to go on days that I would have class. He told me that I could mail in a money order for the full amount of the ticket, 645 dollars.

I have so many loans out right now paying for school, my apartment, utilities, and food to live on. I am, surly, not living the good life right now. I have absolutely no room in my budget to fork out almost $700 for me to keep others and myself out of harms way.

The point is, I cannot afford this ticket and there is no way for me to make the court date.

I really do not know who to ask for advice because my family will not help me with this, they have their own expenses with a mortgage and sending my sister to Vandy (they are paying 100% of tuition).

I was just hoping you guys might have some advice for me because I really do not know what I can do. I have to drive because I live 20 minutes away from my school.

Is there anything I can do to get this ticket dropped if I call the traffic court that I am assigned to? Are their any police officers on this forum that can offer me some advice? Better yet, police officers in South Carolina that can help me?

I know this is a long post, and I apologize. I just really need some help and I feel like you guys are the next closest thing I have to family.

Please guys, any help would be appreciated, I am really in a bind here.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

We will need to see a photo of you before we can proceed any further
 
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