I gave my GF a ride to her condo and I was comming back to my apartment last night(Thanksgivingday). I was driving alone... and my dog, Taro(8 months, Shih Tzu), was sitting on the passenger seat. Taro is a small dog and not habituate himself to ride in the car. In fact, it was the second time that he was riding in the car so it seemed to me that he was little sick and uneasy.

I did not wanted to open passenger side window 'cause, it's out of my reach and he could jump out of the window(unlikely but...).

So I opened driver's side window and I let my dog on my thigh.
And then, we drove like 2 minutes. I was gonna drive through the highway ramp(Kennedy & 401) so I let my dog sit on the passenger's seat again.

As soon as I let dog go, I notice police car was approaching to my car very quickly and made me pull over.

The officer said he saw my dogs on my thigh and it was very dangerous. Ok. I understood and I kept apologyging.He went back to his cruise and came back to me after !!! 30 minutes !!! with a ticket.
----------------------------------
CARELESS DRIVING.
$265 + Tax.

Holy... 6 points!

He said he was gonna give me some minor ticket but there's no clause relating my case so he could not help but give me careless driving ticket.

What do I have to do now?
Go to the court?
What should I tell the judge?
Is there any chance that I could reduce my charge?

I'm in serious panic.....
Help me...

 

Christ, this is why I generally dislike cops so much. Sorry to hear about your problem, I would definitely contest the ticket at the very least. After you do that, the court date takes forever to set anyways, so you have time to prepare for the hearing. I mean, I see people with huge dogs in the car that aren't restrained in any way all the time.

Even if you can't get the whole ticket thrown out, I'm sure either the actual amount and/or points can be reduced. Sorry I don't have any actual legal advice on what to do at the trial though...

 

was ur driving affeced in any way? for you to have been charged with careless driving, your driving would have had to be erratic in some way or form, but if you were driving pefectly normally and only had a dog in your lap then there is no foundation to the charge. Take it to court, or have someone do it for you if you are not comfortable.

G35 M6 - Sliverstone -

 

Bad luck bro. The number of times my pooches have gotten on my lap or wanted to sniff out my window. That could've been me many times over.
If it were me, I'd contact 'POINTTS', or 'POI ticket defense' and let them get it reduced. I've had good luck with them and they guarantee their work. Their local office phone # will be in the phone book.
Good luck bro. Let us know how you do.

<font color=red>GSM</font color=red> <font color=black>Silverstone Coupe</font color=black>

 

Damn Terry, sorry to hear that. I have personally delt with "The Ticket Fighters" located at Midland and Finch. There number is 416-291-7756. I have no relation with this company, but they helped me fight at traffic ticket before. Got the thing completely wiped because the case took too long (was over a year) until trial date. I suggest you to fight it right away. If anything the points will be reduced to 3-4 and the dollar value of the ticket will be lesser also. FIGHT IT!


It's still a G thang!!

 

careless driving will raise your insurance a whole helluva lot, you got nothing to lose if you fight it and getting a lawyer is well worth the money .....and if your lucky the cop might not show up and your off the hook

2003 Black , sunroof, leather,
splashguards, 8 wire Hypergrounding kit, 350Z intake duct, K&N filter.

 

Concur with all posts- fight it; get POINTs or ticket fighters or whoever to help- If you don't fight it, you are looking at over $5000 difference in your insurance over the next 5 years if you are over 25 and perfect record- more if you are under 25. I know, I just successfully defended myself on a bogus left turn infraction that was only 2 points, and that's the difference I was quoted by my agent.

DB

 

Sorry to hear about your luck. You really should fight the ticket. I was recently in traffic court and could not believe the number of careless charges pled down to a much lesser charge.

 

My 2 cents. This is the worst possible ticket after dangerous driving. Although careless driving is not a criminal offence, it will probably force you into facility insurance which could double or more your rates. Hire a lawyer and fight this with your life. And trust me, I know what I am talking about.

Where's the Tylenol