Deeeeeppp Trouble!

[eslai]

Originally Posted by TriGem2k

I just got off the phone with a gentleman by the name of Mark from www.traffic-ticket-attorney.com. That law office is asking $4,000.00 flat rate to fight the ticket for me. According to him they have a 90% chance of winning the whole thing.

What do you guys think? Is $4k a little too much? Should I try and negotiate with them? They seem very helpful and he even said that if I decide not to go with them that he is more than willing to answer any question I may have free of charge.

@Perfectlap - You got me there. As soon as I saw the Highway Patrol Officer pull out of the dirt road I thought to myself WHERE IS THAT DAMN RADAR DECTOR WHEN I NEED IT MOST!

@dharrisonwu - I was cited in Banning, CA, that’s just 15 or so miles from Palm Desert.

~James

I think Mark must be Sherman's partner or something--he's the guy I talked to the one time I had some inquiries. He was very nice and helpful, but in the end I didn't need to go with them.

$4000 is a lot of money. Unfortunately I can't weigh the cost/benefit for you.

[TriGem2k]

Originally Posted by eslai

I think Mark must be Sherman's partner or something--he's the guy I talked to the one time I had some inquiries. He was very nice and helpful, but in the end I didn't need to go with them.

$4000 is a lot of money. Unfortunately I can't weigh the cost/benefit for you.

Eslai,

What is the reason you decided not to go with them?

How much $ did they ask you to fight your ticket?

What was your ticket for?

~James

Trigem,


Considering the potential for raised insurance costs, traffic school cost and fines, four thousand might be a wash. Have you considered offering him $3,500.00 ? Seems to me the four grand although harsh, is probably the way to go. Just don't think about what you could have put on the car for four large and you'll be OK.

[Perfectlap]

well me thinks that you are looking at least $1000 in penalties and surcharges for this year if you go it alone. Then you'll have increases in your insurance for several years to come as well. By the end of it all it could end up costing you about the same as hiring this lawyer or more if you lose. It's a gamble for sure.

I know here in NJ an under 25 year old driver in a home with a Porsche in the garage will jack up everyones insurance in the house if there is a suspension.
If you are forced to insure on your own you would pay about $5K a year here in NJ with a suspension. I had a $500 increase because I failed to pay a $30 parking ticket within 60 days and the state DMV allowed this township to suspend my license over this one ticket! No points or accidents in 15 years and they still jacked up my insurance $500. Amazing... I don't know if CA has similarly high rates these days.

What do you pay if they throw the book at you in court? Still on the hook for the $4K?

I'd plead poverty since you are trying to do this without your folks footing the bill.
Maybe Perry Mason will drop a few bucks off the price.

[Grizzly]

Though the $4,000 sounds like a lot, in the long run this little lapse in judgement will likely cost you more than that in fines and increased insurance costs.

I do have questions, though. How does Super Attorney expect to get you off completely on 154mph, as clocked by radar? What guarantee does he give you that he'll be successful? Does he take a drastically reduced rate if he fails? I ask because I suspect that you'll be one of his 10% who are found guilty.

There are not a lot of variables in your case. You can't attempt to place blame on the BMW or the matter of being involved in a speed contest becomes an issue. Terrain doesn't seem to be an issue based on where you were. If the citation itself was filled out correctly, that leaves the calibration of the Officer's radar or laser device. If the Officer produces his latest calibration card, you're sunk at trial.

Is he planning to cut a deal before going to trial? To me, that seems like your best chance. You should find out his whole strategy before forking over the four grand.

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Though the $4,000 sounds like a lot, in the long run this little lapse in judgement will likely cost you more than that in fines and increased insurance costs.

I do have questions, though. How does Super Attorney expect to get you off completely on 154mph, as clocked by radar? What guarantee does he give you that he'll be successful? Does he take a drastically reduced rate if he fails? I ask because I suspect that you'll be one of his 10% who are found guilty.

There are not a lot of variables in your case. You can't attempt to place blame on the BMW or the matter of being involved in a speed contest becomes an issue. Terrain doesn't seem to be an issue based on where you were. If the citation itself was filled out correctly, that leaves the calibration of the Officer's radar or laser device. If the Officer produces his latest calibration card, you're sunk at trial.

Is he planning to cut a deal before going to trial? To me, that seems like your best chance. You should find out his whole strategy before forking over the four grand.

Connections, collected favors, reltationships which profit both parties, in short, the American court system.

[cfos]

"Connections, collected favors, reltationships which profit both parties, in short, the American court system."

Paul Wolfowitz is a judge, too? *L* Such knowledge of medicine, policing and the legal system! That must be a big family -- D Wade has a better chance of getting into Sir Charles's 5, than your network.

I, too am curious as to the super attorney's power. You'd think that an experienced lawyer would have a great deal of experience in trying similar cases, so you aren't forking over a lot of money for the attorney to do research. My guess is his argument would be similar to any number of cases he has already handled, right? 85% dismissal rate... a solid B, not exactly, "most every case"... wait, he does "consider himself" to be the best traffic ticket guy... So, you are paying by the hour... It's California, right? Probably $1k to park near the court... Not sure if California has to have a jury seated for this or whether you plead before a judge, so... is it about $1.5-2k/hr? Not a bad life. Of course, if you lose, you are looking into $4k plus fines, etc. If you haven't already, suck it up and talk to your dad (as suggested by many others in this thread) about the choices (especially if it is HIS policy that will be in question) rather than strangers on the internet.

Originally Posted by cfos

"Connections, collected favors, reltationships which profit both parties, in short, the American court system."

Paul Wolfowitz is a judge, too? *L* Such knowledge of medicine, policing and the legal system! That must be a big family -- D Wade has a better chance of getting into Sir Charles's 5, than your network.
I, too am curious as to the super attorney's power. You'd think that an experienced lawyer would have a great deal of experience in trying similar cases, so you aren't forking over a lot of money for the attorney to do research. My guess is his argument would be similar to any number of cases he has already handled, right? 85% dismissal rate... a solid B, not exactly, "most every case"... wait, he does "consider himself" to be the best traffic ticket guy... So, you are paying by the hour... It's California, right? Probably $1k to park near the court... Not sure if California has to have a jury seated for this or whether you plead before a judge, so... is it about $1.5-2k/hr? Not a bad life. Of course, if you lose, you are looking into $4k plus fines, etc. If you haven't already, suck it up and talk to your dad (as suggested by many others in this thread) about the choices (especially if it is HIS policy that will be in question) rather than strangers on the internet.

What a bunch of jealous GUYS on this BB. Not that it matters but my dad worked in the county court system for 30 years, during that time I was exposed to numerous judges and their "off record" opinions. You would clearly be surprised at what they truly believe and how situations like this are handled. Unlike you I respect your right to your own thoughts, btw no need to worry about my Radiology abilites, you just worry about you and your job OK? Jesus, no wonder people think Porsche owners are pretentious nitwits, apparently some are.

[Dr. Kill]

You could try telling the judge that you are a mob boss and then threaten his family. That can't do anything but help you in this situation.

[cfos]

jealous? of what? That I haven't gotten a ticket for doin' 124? Or than D Wade doesn't want to be in my 5? *L* Easy. You need to re-read your own posts before you condem everyone else's opinion. You make blanket statements (e.g. about the judicial system) and get offended by another's opinion? Maybe, I happen to be in law... maybe the police... what do you know (aside from "more" than me, right?) maybe I'm a judge suing for $65 mil over a misplaced pair of pants. As for the prententious comment, are you sure you know what that word means?

Originally Posted by cfos

jealous? of what? That I haven't gotten a ticket for doin' 124? Or than D Wade doesn't want to be in my 5? *L* Easy. You need to re-read your own posts before you condem everyone else's opinion. You make blanket statements (e.g. about the judicial system) and get offended by another's opinion? Maybe, I happen to be in law... maybe the police... what do you know (aside from "more" than me, right?) maybe I'm a judge suing for $65 mil over a misplaced pair of pants. As for the prententious comment, are you sure you know what that word means?

I don't care what you do, have a nice day...

[cfos]

Aw, how sweet. Thank you.

That aside, I still am curious and hope to hear what supa-lawya has to say.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by cfos

maybe I'm a judge suing for $65 mil over a misplaced pair of pants.

cfos, in all fairness, if you are the judge who is doing that, then all of us should be berating you.

[Grizzly]

Jeez, all I did was drive home from the office and this thread took a hard left and turned into a pissing contest. Cool.

I do take exception to the over-generalization that we're a bunch of dicks, when only two guys seem to be having a disagreement and the rest of us are just trying our best to help a kid who got himself in a jam.

How many dicks constitute a bunch anyway? Is it like six dicks is a bunch, or maybe twelve dicks? Do the dicks come in a paper sack like baguettes and you carry them home from the store with all the dicks sticking out the top of the bag?

C'mon ya pretentious nitwits, lighten up.

[cfos]

@ Dr. Kill: True. No, I am not that judge. Likewise, not all judges are him, are corrupt, etc.

@Grizzly: Funny thing is, "prick" is the more commonly used term in the Northeast, and though I'm not up on my "Team America" speech, there are two other body parts included.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by cfos

@Grizzly: Funny thing is, "prick" is the more commonly used term in the Northeast, and though I'm not up on my "Team America" speech, there are two other body parts included.

Sad to say, I've never seen Team America. I keep meaning to. If my account was off, forgive me, I'm just repeating the bunch of pricks I work with.

[Perfectlap]

That judge is THE MAN!!! My dry cleaner lost my favorite shirt of all time and then yelled at me for liking it so much while he blew smoke circles in my face.
I could do nothing but meekly protest that I would never bring another article of clothing to him again...while he laughed at me some more and the other patrons pretended not to know me.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Sad to say, I've never seen Team America. I keep meaning to.

Oh, that is a good one. Very funny. We even bought the soundtrack.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

That judge is THE MAN!!! My dry cleaner lost my favorite shirt of all time and then yelled at me for liking it so much while he blew smoke circles in my face.
I could do nothing but meekly protest that I would never bring another article of clothing to him again...while he laughed at me some more and the other patrons pretended not to know me.

hmm, it sounds like we might use the same dry cleaner.

[cfos]

I'm not fond of dry cleaners, although the current one we use is ok. From what I know of the story of the judge, the dry cleaners did find his pants 2 weeks later, offered him $12k and was rejected.

Team America is worth the rental, if only for that speech.