Question regarding traffic citations

[carrbowl]

Originally Posted by JohnT

I'll check into the DD since it would likely be a lot cheaper than the ticket. Thanks for the idea.

I looked up the prices of DD on line....I was shocked to see some were on ly $25....They definitely weren't that cheap when I took them a few years ago...

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Howard Barlow

you will get to ride in the back seat of a real police car. They will even let you wear cop bling.

I had that honor once when I was 19. That was enough, thank you. LOL

[gmarblestone]

i did this and it was great.... look into it.

Originally Posted by Shaggysnack

Or you could go to the judge and ask for deferred adjudification. This just means you pay the ticket and it stays off your record as long as you do not get another moving violation foe a specified period of time, usually 6-12 months. Most judges will allow it as long as you are not a repeat offender.

[C!LLY]

I got a ticket for doing 22 over the limit and my fine was $160-ish. The fine for the DD and the cost of the DD was about $120 (if you opt to take this route then you dont have to pay whatever the ticket fine is-so instead of paying $160 for the ticket, I payed $100 to the court for the privilege to take the class and $20 for the class with free pizza). I did the DD and my insurance came down a good $15 a month as well.

[kenw]

All told the defensive driving isn't a LOT cheaper, but you can use the same course to get the insurance discount AND it keeps the ticket (certain types) off the record.

I took it online at:
http://www.texasdrivesafe.com/

personally, since the card came in the mail a few days after the ticket, AND both are in Sugar Land, I smell something......

[fstops]

Originally Posted by JohnT

Yeah, I think I'll just show up and pay it. I haven't had a ticket in probably 20 years so I figure I was due. LOL

if you don't have any ticket in 20 years, you can ask for defensive driving this will keep the ticket out of your record.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by kenw

I took it online at:
http://www.texasdrivesafe.com/

Cool. I'm going to do this. $230 vs. $25 and complete dismissal is a no-brainer.

Thanks for the link, Ken!

[kenw]

but you'll still pay court costs and a waiver "fee".

Trust me, they'll get their pound of flesh, guilty or not.

[srwatters]

That's why it's often referred to as "revenue enhancement" by the State Troopers

[CaptainTom]

I live in a section of Ft. Worth where I have to go through River Oaks, or Westworth Village in order to come and go. I have had tickets in both of these "burgs". They set radar traps, seat belt monitoring, and I have had a ticket for "failur to come to a full and complete stop" even though my wheels stopped completely, but not for a "sufficient" period according to the officer. It was 11pm. Each time I went to the ticket window and requested deferred adjudication and paid the ticket fine. "Don't get a ticket in our city in 60 days and this will not go on your record". I helped build the new City Hall in Westworth Village., and helped pay for a new fire truck in River Oaks. Neither of these cities will respond to my house if I have an emergency. There was a grass fire yesterday and the Carswell FD arrived before the City of Ft. Worth got there.

[Debbi]

Westworth Village is the WORST for radar traps and such! Used to drive thru there daily and certainly had my share of tickets way back when. Godspeed to you, Tom!

John, if you haven't had a ticket "in 20 years" why not just pay the ticket? It generally takes more than 1 traffic citation to raise insurance rates. DD is a pain the behind.

[Paulo]

John, since your record has been clear for such a long time, it would't hurt to request "deferred adjudification". If the judge decides no, then you still have the option of DD. Either way, you're going to be paying some sort of court fee (at least from my own experience around Houston-Harris County). The "deferred adjudification" option gives you the opportunity to keep the ticket off your record without having to take a DD class. It depends on the judge whether he grants DA or DD but you don't get penalized or a harsher punishment for asking.

[Paulo]

Originally Posted by Debbi

...
John, if you haven't had a ticket "in 20 years" why not just pay the ticket? It generally takes more than 1 traffic citation to raise insurance rates. DD is a pain the behind.

This is a faster way to be done with it but the ticket will sit on your driving record for 3 years (or is it 5?). One ticket on a record may not necessarily affect your insurance but another one obtained with those 3 years could. There's no guarantee when one will get another ticket, if ever again. DD just acts like a 'safety net' just in case. The online class can be done in your spare time as long as it's done within a certain number of months from when it was approved to take by the court. So one's no longer bound to spend 6 hours in a classroom. You have other options.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by kenw

All told the defensive driving isn't a LOT cheaper, but you can use the same course to get the insurance discount AND it keeps the ticket (certain types) off the record.

I took it online at:
http://www.texasdrivesafe.com/

personally, since the card came in the mail a few days after the ticket, AND both are in Sugar Land, I smell something......

Nothing illegal about it. Some of the DD vendors buy the ticket list. Aren't you happy they made you aware of another option?

[JohnT]

I was nailed for 75 in a 60 on 161 north between Walnut Hill and the toll plaza. Everyone behind me in the left lane was keeping up with me, and the people in the right lane were going about 70. I just happened to be the one who got clocked. The officer said that he appreciated my courtesy but obviously not enough to knock a few miles off the citation. LOL

They probably work that area pretty heavily so be careful if you're ever passing through there.