Deeeeeppp Trouble!
 

Before I explain what happened to me yesterday I need everyone to know I haven't had a Speeding Ticket in almost 2 years. Also don't reply to the this thread if your just going to tell me how stupid I am for what I did blah blah blah. I know it was STUPID.

A friend of mine was having a birthday party and the JW Marriot in Palm Desert yesterday so I decided to just drive for the day rather than stay the whole weekend because I had too much going on to be gone all weekend. Left my house at about 5am and had a smooth drive down to traffic nothing.

On the way back home I was traveling between 70-90mph....just cursing. I look in the rear view mirror and there is a BMW 745LI coming up behind me fast so I gradually increase speed. Driver looks at me and gave me a nod but wouldn't pass me, he just stayed with me. I began to speed up and so did he. We got to about 154mph on a downhill slop of the 10west highway, as I began to slow down BAMMMM highway patrol sitting on the side of the road just shoots out. The BMW continues and I begin to pull to the right hoping the Patrol Office sees that the BMW is continuing and doesn't come after me. Sure enough I look back and lights and sounds all up the rear of my car. Took the first exit off the highway, Officer comes out and threatens to take the car and take me in. He asks me a good reason not to take me and I had nothing to say at all. HE HAD ME ON RADAR AT 124MPH. I gave him all the information he asked for. He went back to his patrol car and wrote up at ticket for speed and listed 124mph as the approx speed. The Code violation listed is 22348(b). I'M SCREWED.

In posting this I am hoping someone here has knowledge of what I can expect when I receive the notice in the mail. I don't want to show up to the court as I have NO IDEA what I would say to the judge to explain that speed. Is it possible to just pay the fine and get it over with?

I know there are a few people on this forum that do serve as Police Officers in their respected areas. Are there any CHP officers on this forum?

Any HELP you guys can provide is much much much appreciated!

Oh ya and I CAN'T tell the parents! They would flip when they see the posted Speed.

~James

ouch!
someone needs a V-1

I don't know about anything else, but I'd keep my yap shut about the bimmer. You could have easily been busted for engaging in a speed contest.
Consulting an attorney might be your best bet.

I'd say your goose is cooked.

You MIGHT be able to get off with a hefty fine... but that much over the speed limit, in most states, is 'Reckless Driving', and can result in suspension of your driver's license.


If you're gonna haul ass, you need a radar detector. You should have let that beemer fly on by you and kept going about your biniss.

I'm pretty sure you can just pay the fine via mail or even internet now days. There is no way out of this type of ticket. Just pray your insurance company doesn't drop you. It will most likely go up in cost if they don't. Ohter than that you should be fine. Try not to get any more tickets. And slow down.

I'd rather look good going slow than look bad going fast. ;)

Quoted for truth :cool:

Anyway, there really isn't much you can do to "get out" of that ticket. I assume it was a 65mph zone and you were doing, basically, double the speed limit. Maybe you can find a way to argue it down to something in the 100mph range? Ask for the calibration records on the RADAR gun and to see the gun to make sure it's accurate.

edit
 

You should get a lawyer. From the sounds of it you're not for want of money. You need a lawyer and here's why.

In most states the speed you were going is considered reckless driving. For example going certain amount over the posted speed limit is considered reckless per se (as a matter of law).

Please carefully read the ticket he gave you. It should say what the officer cited you for. The citation will also tell you if it was either a civil infraction or a misdemeanor. If he cited you for a civil infraction, there's still the possibility that the officer gave his report the district attorney for review as a criminal case, considering your speed and the car you were "racing" with. [Racing and/or drag racing is a criminal offense in most states.]

If I were your attorney and the ticket was only for civil infraction I would simply pay it, admit responsibilty, with no questions asked, just so it doesnt enter the realm of a criminal case. (My rationale is If I were the prosecutor and saw this case I would charge you with reckless driving, considering your speed and the person you were driving against; OH yeah, and YOU WERE DRIVING A PORSCHE!! They really would want to make an example of you.) Of course you live in CA and a bunch of crazy things happen there. If this turns into a criminal case you are looking at the possibiility of jail, forfieture of the car (depending on state law), license suspension, fines, court costs, and community service.

You need not tell your parents and they have no right to know about your driving issues if you are over 18 years old. Are you? If they're paying the insurance tab they yolu'll have to fess up at some point.


Best of luck and I hope this helps./

yeah sounds like you'd be smart to get a lawyer who is chummy with the municipal court prosecutor. I dunno but based on prior experiences of others I woud think that doing twice the speed limit will most likely get you a suspension. Twice the speed limit and an attempted get away definitely requires a lawyer visit. So I don't think its just a matter of paying the ticket.

Although I never got busted going warp speed like you :D
I was in fact a fixture in the courts in my formative (young and dumb) years. Rather than paying for the fines, (which would have been the biggest mistake I ever could have made in the state with the highest insurance prices) I instead went to court and before the hearing I would beg mercy from the prosecutor. I lucked out because the jurisdictions wanted cash. "ok we'll trade you that doing 25 over the limit and make it a no seat belt, impeding traffic and a fine of mmmm how about $200? and ZERO points" my reply: "deal!"

p.s.
is your insurance under your name and are you under 25?

Tough one. I really don't think you can do much about it. You must contact an Attorney.

I know this may mean that you need to talk to your parents to do this and that this will be tough, but as a father of 20 plus year old kids I would to tell you that I would rather hear about this kind of thing quickly so that I can help.

If you show up in court unprepared and the Judge “Throws the Book at you” it will be impossible to undo anything, and your parents will find out!

Get an Attorney!

Ouch! I am very sorry to hear what happened to you. Yes it was stupid but I can't say I would not have let my competitive spirit get the better of me in a situation like that and done the same thing. It's just a guy thing to do. Just pray you don't get a woman judge. Here is my advice:

1. Get a lawyer for this one and plea bargain it down as much as possible.
2. Get a Valentine 1

P.S. Last month a couple of guys driving Ferarri's were nailed for doing 140 MPH on Ocean Parkway on there way to the weekly Sunday cars guys meet-up at Long Islands CapTree State Park. So these guys were smart enough to make enough money to own Ferarri's but just as smart as you when it came to speeding.

Check this web site:

http://helpigotaticket.com/speed/ptbypt.html

First Offense?
 

Not knowing what your citation reads (civil or worse). I think your money would be well spent on legal representation here. I have seen in CA it going both ways for 100mph plus. Certainly, if the officer thought you racing, my bet would be on a more severe charge. hence the importance of getting a lawyer, experience in this kind of infraction. Good luck.

Damn dude,good luck!

sounds like you should give this guy a call he sits as a traffic court judge as well as being an attorney!
local news clip :
http://www.traffic-ticket-attorney.com/video.html
http://www.traffic-ticket-attorney.com/victory.asp

Thanks for all the reply. I thought surely I would be bashed for posting about my speeding violation.

I know I was wrong and that’s why I have no intentions on actually contending the ticket. My biggest worry is having my driver’s license suspended.

I have attached a copy of the ticket here if anyone is interested in looking at it. Both front and back sides are there.

I was circled as an Infraction so I hope that plays in my favor. I looked up the California violation code and it states the following:

"22348. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 22351, a person shall not drive a vehicle upon a highway with a speed limit established pursuant to Section 22349 or 22356 at a speed greater than that speed limit.
(b) A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than 100 miles per hour is guilty of an infraction punishable, as follows:

(1) Upon a first conviction of a violation of this subdivision, by a fine of not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). The court may also suspend the privilege of the person to operate a motor vehicle for a period not to exceed 30 days pursuant to Section 13200.5. "

From my understanding of that paragraph the MAXIMUM punishment is a $500 Fine and 30 day license suspension.

I have no problem paying the fine; I just can't live without driving as I drive about 30miles a day to Work, Work, & some more Work.....and then the gym.

Is an attorney for a Traffic Ticket really necessary?

@Perfectlap - I am under my parents insurance policy with everyone else in the family and the car is listed under a LLC.

Oh and the posted Speed Limit in the area was 70MPH not 65MPH. Not that 5MPH would really help me out much.



EDIT: Ticket Copy Removed.

If you want a bashing, I would be happy to give you one.

Is "Traffic School" an option for you? You may avoid points and the insurance company finding out, although I'm not sure if this is so in your case due to the specific charges.

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/traffic/

This site will be of some help.,

did you listen watch the clip that lawyer has dismissed a few cases at over 100mph. ? Says in some instances you have two chances to dismiss the case if 1-the cop fails to respond in writing to your request for a trial and 2-cop fails to appear. If you get the 30 day suspension no doubt your insurance rates will sky rocket and I'm sure your folks will notice that when they renew coverage. If you are forced out on your own insurance you will pay dearly.

semi-related, I saw this in person once. I was in traffic court for my latest ticket and bumped into a good friend of mine who is a cop.
Oh yeah and she's about a 9 in the looks department, she was working the undercover detail as a hooker --I kid you not. She busted about 7 or 8 guys(one of which we went to high school with! LOL) who were all sitting in the court room waiting for the judge. These guys were all sweating bullets, can you imagine the humiliation? Court room was packed!
As it turns out her partner failed to appear due to some mix up on receiving the subpoenas. And it wasn't the first time it happened. Defense lawyers protested and the Judge interrupted them mid sentece "DISMISSED! NEXT!".
She's FBI I nowadays.

James how did the Boxster feel at 154mph?

James,

Personally, I would take that picture of the ticket down, it has a lot of personal info.

I REFUSE TO ANSWER IT!

:lol: Glad you had fun, James.

Just like HiFi said, I would take down the pictures of your tickets, or at least blur out your personal information. You don't want us ratting you out to your father, now do ya? ;)

Hi,

These threads always amaze me. Some owner breaks the Sound Barrier, gets caught, and is instantly hit with the reality of their actions. What did you think would happen?

I guess part of me wants to see the book thrown at you. At least that would be my leaning if I heard a news report of some kid driving a Sports Car in excess of 100 MPH on a public street. People doing what you did kill and maim other people every day and they never thought it could happen to them either, until it does.

But, because we know you, we're all supposed to sympathize with your situation and give you all kinds of advice on how to get out of it.

It's interesting that you seem more concerned with your Parents finding out than you are with the legal ramifications of what you've done. Maybe they're a system which can't be beat.

While it isn't going down all that smoothly, I do hope you come out of this OK. And also, that you learned to confine your 70+ MPH activity to the Track where it belongs and appreciate the meaning of Impulse Control the next time you get the urge to take a speed challenge...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

No Thanks Bruce. I will surely receive plenty from my parents as soon as they find out. I do appreciate your offer though.

I know how much you hate and discourage speeding and I really was contemplating whether or not I should post it on the forum or not.

I'm a young guy who screwed up and am looking for some type of guidance.

I’ll tell you one thing when I got into my daily driver this morning to go to work I was in the far right lane doing about 55MPH with the trucks on the highway.

My bubble has officially been busted. Speed is a thing of the past.

Go with a lawyer! At least he will reduce the exposure you have now. Plead diminished capacity throw in Your Honor I was possesed by Hans Stuck. Just messing good luck :)

Slightly different scenario:

I was going 95+ in a 25 zone @ 4AM one morning about 15 years ago (younger-dumber days) got caught on radar for 96mph. Lost my license for 6 months. Paid $800+ for fines. But like I said, different scenario. Go to court and ask the clerk if you need representation, they will most likely know. Good luck man.

________________________________

If suspension is your only issue, that means if you admit responsibility to the ticket, then you leave the issue of your suspension up to the judge. Are you willing to leave the facts up to the judge not to suspend your license? If you were the judge, what would you do if a 21 year old kid in a Porsche was "racing" with a BMW, clocked at 124 mph on a 70 MPH limited access highway? Huh.

I say again, you need a lawyer to eliminate the possibility of suspension out of the equation, if possible.

usually the car that gets pulled over is the one that is the colosest to the cop car, in this case being you.
also, when you see a little sports car and a big luxury car trveling the same speed, or even the bmw going faster, you always look much faster so hence you getting pulled over.
sorry to hear about that tho man, please Do post what happens if anyone else should find themselves in such situation, as weird as that sounds that im trying to help someone who went that fast, but it never hurts to know.

WAYY different Scenario. You did close to 4 times the posted speed limit.

From what I've read and learned so far is that MAXIMUM suspension would be 30days.

I'm crossing my fingers and praying for a FINE.

_________________________________
Forgive me, but I don't see a copy of your ticket on the site. I'd like to take a look at it to see exactly what it says. If you removed it because of the personal information, then PM it to me. Or your don't have to. Best of luck either way.

if I'm not mistaken the male brain doesn't finish developing until the age of 25(frontal lobe?). The part of the brain that manages risk and its consequences.
Another reason why I don't buy cars from women (all) or young drivers(most).
Its either a case of a car that has been neglected or raced.

TriGem..I can't give any of my $.02 about the topic but all i could say is...i know it took a lot of guts and thinking when you post this thread. i give you props on that one...
At least, you learned you're lesson and could still hang out in this forum..plus it makes me comfortable to think that, when in the future i have some question non car related, our members here wil chime in :cheers:

I'm 42. You mean this is as smart as I'm gonna get? Bummer.


The one good decision you made was to stop. You think the BMW got away, but perhaps he didn't. As they say, you can't out run a Motorola. If CHP got that BMW somewhere down the road, he's in a bunch more trouble than you are. On top of speeding, reckless and everything else they could think of, he would likely also be arrested for fleeing and alluding. It doesn't feel like a break right now, but if all you received was a speeding ticket, you got away light. Personally, I wouldn't make too many waves. A prosecutor might realize how many charges the Officer missed and tack them on as a special parting gift.

I do strongly suggest that you NOT mention the other car. There are several sections in the CA code dealing with SPEED CONTESTS. You do not want to go there!

Good luck.

I had my license suspended for 14 days in PA. I was doing 86 in a 55 (31mph over, the exact minimum enough to suspend my license without any prior points.) :mad: But I was able to get a temporary work license for those 14 days that allowed me to drive to only work and school. I would see if CA does anything similar.

"if I'm not mistaken the male brain doesn't finish developing until the age of 25(frontal lobe?). The part of the brain that manages risk and its consequences."

*L* Thank you, that overgeneralization just made my day. For the record, I believe you are referencing the completion of mylenation of the axon sheaths, but perhaps, I'll submit legislation to increase the driving age to 25 -- just to be safe. Maybe I should also push to have an extra line added on to the "yellow" sheet to prevent the sale of firearms to people that can't manage risk and consequences. *LOL* Hew, boy! Thanks again. I'm still laughing.

Sorry to hear about your trouble. No you shouldn’t have done it, but I cannot imagine there is any one of us here who has not done at least one very stupid thing in our younger years. Personally, I am guilty of having done several things of this caliber and I am just thankful that I didn’t hurt anyone or wind up in jail. But, this is about you, not me.

I think your first step is to tell your Dad. Yes he is going to be angry, but he is probably the best first stop in getting this behind you. He is probably going to find out anyway, and the sooner the better. I am 33 and I still call my Dad to get his advice when I run into difficult sitatuations. A good lawyer is probably the next good step after that.

Bottom line, you were lucky - learn from this – don’t do it again. It probably seems terrible right now, but in the grand scheme of things, it will all be OK. This will pass with time.

Good Luck
 

We all have made mistakes. Thanks for sharing this. It should give all of us reason to pause. You may have even saved a few lives, or at least someone else going through the same deal.

Trigem, get a lawyer, preferably one from the district or county in which the infraction occured . I wouldn't go to court alone, you have no story to justify this. In NY the additional reckless fine would be $750.00 along with about 250 in regular fines, that doesn't include the ass reaming the insurance company will give you when they find out. Get a lawyer, (did I say get a lawyer?). If you get the right one you might get a "no point" reduction, considering your speed, it's likely you will get points, better for them to be few. Then you can take the blood on the highway class and get them reduced, probably another 300 bucks.

Finally, I truly feel bad for you, I just had this happen last month at 90MPH and that was bad enough. It makes me wonder why any magazine can write that the 2.5 is slow, jeez 90 is barely into the power band...