Ticket Question. Big surprise right?

XB12R · 03-29-2006, 10:33 AM

So I got a ticket in Leawood Kansas just over the KS/MO border in my cage and I'm not sure what to do. The ticket was for 82 mph in a 65 mph on 435 which is the major highway that loops around KC. I haven't had a moving violation in about 4-5 years, so I want to see if I can get it dropped down. I called the courthouse and they said it would be up to the prosecuting attorney and that I would be required to appear. My boss has already said it would be cool if I want to take the morning off to go, but I don't want to waste my time. I was trying to drive from one side of the city to the other on my lunch break because my girlfriend locked herself out of her apartment when I got the ticket, but I know that is no excuse. What do you think my chances are of having the prosecutor being cool? According to the lady at the courthouse if he says it is cool they will knock it down to a nonmoving violation and I'll have to pay double the ticket. I don't really want to pay $174 for the ticket, but I would rather do that than have it sitting on my record for the next 3 years. If he says no the ticket is still the $87 that is marked on the ticket, so I kind of feel like I've got nothing to lose except some PTO time. What do you think?

bush · 03-29-2006, 10:41 AM

I'd try to get it knocked down and pay double. You may end up paying more than the extra $87 in insurance costs next time you try to take out a policy.

But that's just me, I have an impeccable driving record and I'd hate for it to be flawed.

ChloroFiend · 03-29-2006, 12:56 PM

Kansas is infamous for ticket "buy outs". Look at the indie paper "Pitch" and you'll see a million ads for lawyers saying they can get any ticket off your driving record.

I'd pay the double and get it a non-moving. You will save money.

XB12R · 03-29-2006, 02:12 PM

Are you from KC Chloro? Just wondering because I used to live in Naperville. I've seen the adds in the Pitch. I think I'll just show up and see if I can get it off of my record on my own.

kneedraggin650s · 03-29-2006, 07:22 PM

Take it to court. It can't hurt to try and get it knocked off your record. You might waste time, and pay a little more but it will most likely save you in insurance.

ChloroFiend · 03-30-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XB12R

Are you from KC Chloro? Just wondering because I used to live in Naperville. I've seen the adds in the Pitch. I think I'll just show up and see if I can get it off of my record on my own.

Nope, but I pulled internships there in summer 03 and 04, working for American Century just off the plaza. I lived in Leawood one summer and on the plaza the next. KC's a fun town! I used to spend a lot of time in westport, especially at Kelly's since i went to Iowa State.

officerbrat · 03-30-2006, 09:41 PM

Allowing the fine to be dropped or the speed is going to be up to the judge, agency att. and the officer who wrote the citation.

Hate to say this but if i would have been the one to write the citation for 17 over the only thing i would say yes to would be a diversion. I have had "cousins" of police officers attempt to have the family L.E.O. call and ask me to drop it. All that did was cause me to be disappointed in the officer that called.

I dont want my insurance to go up anymore then the next person but if i was caught going that fast i would pay up if a diversion was not granted.

However, just like every state, every agency operates differently. The city/district att. may not consult the officer and just reduce it. You can try it and see but dont be suprised if they done reduce the speed on the violation.

kneedraggin650s · 03-31-2006, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by officerbrat

Allowing the fine to be dropped or the speed is going to be up to the judge, agency att. and the officer who wrote the citation.

Hate to say this but if i would have been the one to write the citation for 17 over the only thing i would say yes to would be a diversion. I have had "cousins" of police officers attempt to have the family L.E.O. call and ask me to drop it. All that did was cause me to be disappointed in the officer that called.

I dont want my insurance to go up anymore then the next person but if i was caught going that fast i would pay up if a diversion was not granted.

However, just like every state, every agency operates differently. The city/district att. may not consult the officer and just reduce it. You can try it and see but dont be suprised if they done reduce the speed on the violation.

Our ASA's will sometimes consult the officer on what they want to do, and most of our judges will ask the officer about the defendants attitude during the stop.

I would be disappointed too if I got a call from a fellow officer saying "my cousin got a ticket can you help him out"

modette · 03-31-2006, 09:20 AM

Yeah never trust Cop friends to help you out. Mine was a ticket in my SUV, cop was a rookie and an ass. I had one of the Flint boys call and find out the cop was a Rookie and was his first time out without the training officer, cop buddy got ahold of the Rookie and the Rookie said he would drop it to a no pointer in court (recommend to the Judge). I went to court and the prick acted like he did not know me, was not dressed how all the other cops were dresses..baggy pants and just looked like ass. Was a poor speaker, and when the Judge asked him what fine he thought I should get, the Rookie just stood there with a blank look on his face and then said "I dunno"...LOL

I was thinking, "you got to be kidding me". After waiting 5 mins or so for the Rookie to speak and the Judge kept asking him what fine I should get I spoke up and said well "your honor, the cop said he would drop it to a no-pointer" outside the court room". Judge looked at him and said "you did", and then asked the cop "do you think it should be dropped", and then the little prick says, "I dunno, I don't think so".

I looked at that little prick pretty pissed off and I said umm that is funny you told me it would be dropped to a no-pointer. Judge then gave me a lecture how SHE makes the final call and I said "I know, but it is disappointing the officer is lying". She ended up drooping it from 10 to 5mph.

I never saw that Rookie again out patrolling. I have a feeling he did not make the cut, and I should of just applied for a Jury Trial...if I am right about the Rookie he would of been long gone and the DA would of dropped the case probably.

Oh, the DA was in the courtroom that day too...however for getting a speeding ticket. He even walked up to the Judge cutting in line and she told him to go have a seat, and wait his turn...hehehehe She told him "Today your are a civilian in my court".

XB12R · 03-31-2006, 10:34 AM

I called the court to ask about diversion initially, and they said that they don't do diversions for speeding, but if the DA was cool with it I could pay double and have it dropped to a non-moving violation. I'm not expecting anything, nor am I trying to say that I didn't deserve to get a ticket for doing 17 over. The only part that pissed me off about the ticket was that he picked my out of a group of 5-6 other cars all going about the same speed. It's been 4-5 years since I've had a moving violation, and I'm always very respectfull when I have to speak to a police officer, so all I'm hoping for is that they will look at my record and help me out a little. I'm not a kiss ass or anything like that, but I've always thought that if you are talking to a cop anyway there is no use in being a dick and making it worse even if he is being an asshole. I've found that my attitude towards police usually even has the jerks on a power trip a lot nicer by the time they send me on my way. I've met a lot of pretty cool cops since I've been driving and out at various places, but some of them are just guys that got picked on their entire lives, so they went to be a cop so they can take it out on the people that remind them of the guys that gave them a hard time. If they don't want to help me out, that's cool I'll just pay the ticket.

officerbrat · 04-01-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XB12R

I called the court to ask about diversion initially, and they said that they don't do diversions for speeding, but if the DA was cool with it I could pay double and have it dropped to a non-moving violation. I'm not expecting anything, nor am I trying to say that I didn't deserve to get a ticket for doing 17 over. The only part that pissed me off about the ticket was that he picked my out of a group of 5-6 other cars all going about the same speed. It's been 4-5 years since I've had a moving violation, and I'm always very respectfull when I have to speak to a police officer, so all I'm hoping for is that they will look at my record and help me out a little. I'm not a kiss ass or anything like that, but I've always thought that if you are talking to a cop anyway there is no use in being a dick and making it worse even if he is being an asshole. I've found that my attitude towards police usually even has the jerks on a power trip a lot nicer by the time they send me on my way. I've met a lot of pretty cool cops since I've been driving and out at various places, but some of them are just guys that got picked on their entire lives, so they went to be a cop so they can take it out on the people that remind them of the guys that gave them a hard time. If they don't want to help me out, that's cool I'll just pay the ticket.

If they don't give diversions for speeding then they may be willing to drop it down. I only know how our city is and they will give diversions for certain speed. I have seen them give the violator an option of inattentive driving or the speeding. However, inattentive driving is a misdemeanor and the speeding is a traffic infraction. I would much rather have the infraction. Thats just me though. Most officers I know are willing to be cool with some one as long as they are cool with them. Every work place has its asshole and ours is no exception. Trust me I was pulled over by one and told that the music coming from my 1989 ford escorts stock stereo was to loud.