Hey guys,
My dumbass got a speeding ticket (CHP got me doing 90 in a 65) on 280 in Daly City a week ago. Traffic school is out as I already used it 9 months ago, so this will be my first point (or is it 2 points) on my record.
Now here's my dilemma:
I have a friend who has a lawyer that will take care of the ticket and keep it off my record. It'll cost me $1000 for his fee plus any court fees (~$100-200).

I'm hoping some of you might have some incite as to what I can expect.
1. Any idea what my ticket might cost me?
2. How much do you think my insurance would go up with one speeding ticket on my record?
3. Am I better off hiring the lawyer and keeping my record clean or should I just taking the ticket hit.

Now to me, $1000-$1200 to keep a speeding ticket this off my record seem kinda high.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

1. http://www.medinamunicipalcourt.org/speed_calc.htm
2. I don't know.
3. In the long run both will end up costing you money. I rather pay more to keep it off my record, but that's just me.

Good luck.

 

2. How much do you think my insurance would go up with one speeding ticket on my record?

Theoretically, it can go up as high as 25%. Mine rates didn't change though, but my sister went up 15% or so...

 

also, you dont want it on your record... as you can see, you got caught before the 18 months were up. so, if you were to chance it again, with it already on your record... might be trouble. just my thoughts anyway =)

 

I just check with my insurance on-line quote, first speeding ticket, it will only go up about 35 bucks per months, but second one would jump from 115 to 267 a month , I need to watch my speed.

So I would just pay the first one, if you got another one in next 18 months? then I would hire a lawyer.

 

that ticket might be more than 500 bucks... IIRC, my last CA speeding ticket was 80 in 65 and that was like 550 with traffic school... i would pay the 1000 to 1200 to keep it off my record, that is if its not on top of the ticket... talk to a few lawyers and see what they say

 

Just because your cousin's, bother-in-law's, ex-roomate who once knew this lawyer guy around the corner doesn't automatically mean the ticket will majically disappear. If you hire a lawyer and contest the ticket in court, you will be scheduled for the attorney calender in which someone from the D/A's office will appear with the officer. The only way the ticket will stay off of your record is if you win in court and are found, not guilty. If you don't want to have the ticket on your record, either take it to court, or ask the judge for level 2 traffic school. It's all weekend long, but it should keep the point off of your record. On your DMV print out it will say you have a prior conviction for 22349(a) VC, but there won't be a point count. It will count as a prior if you get caught again for determining fine amounts though.

 

Thanks for all the input you guys. I really appreciate it. I think I'm going to pass on the lawyer and try for Level 2 Traffic School that g35 chippie suggested.
chippie, will they allow me to take Level 2 Traffic School even though I had regular traffic school less than 18 months ago.

Thanks again everyone.

Dave

 

The judge is the ultimate deciding factor on whether you can attend level 2 traffic school. The purpose of level 2 traffic school is if you already attended traffic school previously. I think it's a 12 hour class spread over 2 days. At least in Santa Clara County it is if I'm not mistaken. Maybe someone on this board has a little more experience on that (I hope not!). I'm only telling you what I've seen go on in court. Remember checks and balances from government class? I don't make up the punishment, I just observe and document. San Mateo County might be a little different so check with the court clerk.

 

Will do. Thanks again.

Dave

 

Yup...I went to level 2 traffic school in Santa Clara County not too long ago (earlier this year) and the instructor (SJPD I believe) told us the same thing. The 18 month "rule" isn't really a rule. Like G35 Chippie stated above, it's up to the judge.

 

Unless there is something going on over there that I dont know about, your ticket will be $365.00 maybe less... I got a 95 in a 65 on 80 almost a year ago... Hope that helps... My premium went up $64.00 so thats $8.00 additional per month...

 

Haha...mine was pretty similar...98 in a 65 on 880 almost a year ago. Same ticket of $365. But I went to court to ask for traffic school and the judge reduced the fine to about $150. In the end, I paid around $200 in total ($150 for the "court fees" or fine or whatever I paid it for plus around $50 for Level 2 Traffic School) so I "saved" about $165 and it didn't affect my insurance.

 

Great, thanks for the additional info. I have passed on the Lawyer and will handle it myself.

 

So traffice school is 12 hours now? Back in the days it was supposed to be 8 hours only. Times have changed. Can we still do traffic school on-line?

Working on the day of the Monterey drive.....