Last night, I got pulled over and issued a speeding ticket for doing in excess of 120mph. The issuing officer wrote "paced 120+.." on the ticket. He said he paced me for a 1.5 miles, but I doubt it. I was constantly checking my mirrors and for the whole time (30secs) I was at that speed and when he lit me up, he was moving from the #2 lane to the fast lane. In any case, I have a clean driving record so no other speeding tickets or moving violations. What can I expect as far as fines, court appearance required, insurance rates, etc?
*Update* Ticket finally processed and mailed to me, a mandatory court appearance is required. I haven't decided yet whether I'll get a lawyer or not. Court appearance will be in the next couple weeks.
**Update** The arraignment was Friday. I had not come to terms with counsel and decided at least for the arraignment, I could satisfactorily represent myself. I explained a little of my case to the judge and was granted a continuance of arraignment and a change of court house (from asking around I had heard the court I was assigned to was notoriously strict). However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this approach. To give your attorney every opportunity to earn a favorable ruling for you, hire a good one up front. If I wasn't granted the continuance, I would've plead not guilty and then had a more difficult time getting the trial set up on my terms. A trial by written declaration can be a good way to go (you will absolutely lose), but you can learn what the officer's knowledge of the case is, and then proceed with a trial by novo and be better informed of the other sides arguments. If you want to represent yourself, dress professionally, do your research, listen attentively to pleas of others that go before you and assess the judge, be familiar with law terms, and always use "Your Honor."
To a point mentioned in this thread, my insurance carrier is State Farm; I have one point on my record, and my rep ran a what-if scenario if this ticket were to go on my record. He came back and said I would be refused coverage. In addition, like others have said, the fines for this kind of ticket (22348b) in CA are around $1500 plus suspension of license for 30 days.
**Final Update**After talking to a dozen or so attorneys , I decided to skip counsel and represent myself. The cost of counsel vs the likelihood of getting the ticket reduced seemed skewed the wrong way.
At the arraignment, I asked the judge if he could read the penalties of my citation before entering a plea which he did. $2700 fees, 2 points, 30 license suspended. Then I asked for permission to speak, which he granted. He listened intently as I shared my side and story of the case. The judge spoke privately with the clerk asked the bailiff a copy of my registration, and then asked how I wanted to plea. I plead guilty and sentenced 2 points, 30 day license suspension, and $650 fee, case closed, lesson learned.
*Update* Ticket finally processed and mailed to me, a mandatory court appearance is required. I haven't decided yet whether I'll get a lawyer or not. Court appearance will be in the next couple weeks.
**Update** The arraignment was Friday. I had not come to terms with counsel and decided at least for the arraignment, I could satisfactorily represent myself. I explained a little of my case to the judge and was granted a continuance of arraignment and a change of court house (from asking around I had heard the court I was assigned to was notoriously strict). However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this approach. To give your attorney every opportunity to earn a favorable ruling for you, hire a good one up front. If I wasn't granted the continuance, I would've plead not guilty and then had a more difficult time getting the trial set up on my terms. A trial by written declaration can be a good way to go (you will absolutely lose), but you can learn what the officer's knowledge of the case is, and then proceed with a trial by novo and be better informed of the other sides arguments. If you want to represent yourself, dress professionally, do your research, listen attentively to pleas of others that go before you and assess the judge, be familiar with law terms, and always use "Your Honor."
To a point mentioned in this thread, my insurance carrier is State Farm; I have one point on my record, and my rep ran a what-if scenario if this ticket were to go on my record. He came back and said I would be refused coverage. In addition, like others have said, the fines for this kind of ticket (22348b) in CA are around $1500 plus suspension of license for 30 days.
**Final Update**After talking to a dozen or so attorneys , I decided to skip counsel and represent myself. The cost of counsel vs the likelihood of getting the ticket reduced seemed skewed the wrong way.
At the arraignment, I asked the judge if he could read the penalties of my citation before entering a plea which he did. $2700 fees, 2 points, 30 license suspended. Then I asked for permission to speak, which he granted. He listened intently as I shared my side and story of the case. The judge spoke privately with the clerk asked the bailiff a copy of my registration, and then asked how I wanted to plea. I plead guilty and sentenced 2 points, 30 day license suspension, and $650 fee, case closed, lesson learned.
Last edited:
