So I got a ticket. .

[Perfectlap]

ALWAYS fight your tickets. Wish I knew this when I was an under 25 driver.
Go to court, try and find the apathetic prosecutor who just wants some revenue and make a deal "I'll trade you this 55 in a 35 for a no seat belt, no front plate and I'll throw in double parking"

Your Cop had a quota, 'round here I notice the speed traps go up around the end of the month on the local roads. So I avoid getting off the highways at all costs.
My lady friend just moved to a town notorious for your type of tickets, I'm already planning escape roads. The only thing worse then getting a ticekt by these small town cops is sitting through the half hour stop (which always involves at least two police cars). They always try and convince me they are doing me a favor by only giving me a $180 non-points ticket. Gee thanks.

p.s.
I will never understand why cops don't wear body armor. When I was in Puerto Rico on vacation even the traffic cops wore vests.

[CJ_Boxster]

They do, Every ride along i went on, they gave me a new pinnacle brand vest. They wear them also.

[Perfectlap]

really? I've yet to see one here in Jersey. Scary to think local cops would get them before the guys in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[70Sixter]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

really? I've yet to see one here in Jersey. Scary to think local cops would get them before the guys in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pinnacle Armor make a pretty wide variety of gear - not all suited to military. But the new SOV body armor looks very promising. Expensive starting at around $4500 per.

[dharrisonwu]

You should contest your ticket if you believe that there is a legitimate ground to do so. When the judge is deciding your case, they will make sure that the government (i.e., the police officer) has satisfied the burden of proof. If not, the case is dismissed, simple as that. A simple radar guy readout on record does not mean that they will win - - out from where I'm from, the police officer needs to provide records of calibration and the such during trial. Although many of you may think that it's always their word against yours, it's not as simple as that. Oftentimes, the Judge will use a checklist to make sure the government has met all the elements of the offense. In presenting a defense, excuses such as "I didn't know I was going that fast" or "I didn't see the sign" etc., does not hold water. Make sure you know what the elements of the offense you've been charged are, and then raise the fact that as a matter of law, the government did not prove its case. That, will get you off - - unless, the government did satisfy its burden of proof.

By the way, police officers are required to go to court and it is not a good thing if they do not show. Also, they are paid to go.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by 70Sixter

Expensive starting at around $4500 per.

Speaking from the perspective of someone who's caught a couple of rounds, $4,500 seems like small price to pay.

[z12358]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Speaking from the perspective of someone who's caught a couple of rounds, $4,500 seems like small price to pay.

I think even a $50k price tag would be a no-brainer for me. Let's see, which do I like more, my car or my life? Btw, it should be provided by the employer.

It is absolutely (and literally) unbelievable that US soldiers are sent to BATTLE anywhere without body vests. Unbelievable. Not providing ALL available protection should be a crime, just like selling a car without brakes is.

Z.

[z12358]

Nice site on whether and how to fight traffic tickets:

http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/ObjectID/35DA00C9-1662-4DC8-8280B197AB0C4CA9/catID/CF015A63-6B69-4EED-A34B6F4035C8BE0E/104/263/ART/