Author Topic: Upstate NY Speeding Ticket Cost? (Read 173 times)

jack · « **on:** September 05, 2006, 09:47:41 AM »

I couldn't find a ballpark estimate for an 82 in a 65 for Owego NY (State Trooper on 17/86) anywhere on the web, so I figured I'd ask here.

Thanks,
Jack

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2006, 06:32:48 PM »

My suggestion would be to hire an attorney who specializes in moving traffic violations in the county in which the infraction occurred.

pace · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2006, 06:55:00 PM »

About 10 years ago, my father got similar violation on the I-90 stretch between Utica & Syracuse.... He contested, and when he showed up for court, he was first on the roster~ the judge saw how far he travelled (325mi), and dismissed the charge right there!

Bradley Young · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2006, 09:29:55 AM »

Dave's suggestion is right on.

I know a good traffic lawyer in Seattle, she got one of my Sunday School students out of a 118 in a 60.

Bradley

tbrannon · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2006, 12:48:23 PM »

Jack,

I'm pretty sure you can just call the law enforcement agency who issued the ticket. Most tickets I've ever received had the cost of the violation on the ticket or at least provided a phone number for inquiries.

jack · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2006, 01:01:51 PM »

Thanks for the replies. Near as I can figure, a lawyer would be about 300 clams, and I gotta figure the ticket would be less than that. Plus, fairly recently NY enacted a 'no pleading' rule, where they can't plea down a moving violation- you're either guilty or not.

No number on the ticket, no nothing but a place to mail the plea. The cop, of course, wouldn't tell me; he was about as honest when he said I have no idea how much as I was when I said, No, sir, I had no idea I was going that fast. You see there was this semi riding my rear and yada yada yada.... At least he didn't have a dog's nose...

Anyway, maybe I'll call some law offices in the area and see if I can get some free, unbiased info. It's not like my license is near suspension or I'm a commercial driver or anything, so I'll probably just pay the darn thing.

I'll keep y'all posted (lame pun intended).

-Jack

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2006, 01:34:18 PM »

Jack:

If you send me the section of the code you are accused of violating (I still believe in innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt - even if many courts and others in this country don't), I may be able to look it up online for you and give you an idea of what you are facing. And I won't charge you $300, maybe just a lunch if you ever make it out this way for an Alembic factory visit. If you want to do your own research, I'd suggest calling the court clerk's office, traffic division, rather than the cops. Additionaly, there is a marvelous book called Beat Your Ticket put out by Nolo Press, Berkeley, CA. Nolo is a great resource for self-help legal books. Here's a link:

http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/CF015A63-6B69-4EED-A34B6F4035C8BE0E/104/263/

Good luck!

Bill, tgo, Esq.

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2006, 03:26:51 PM »

82 in a 65.

In my state, I think it is the case (though on something this important I wouldn't trust my memory) that if you are guilty of exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph or more, than can take your license. I don't know about New York; but if losing your license is a possibility, then $300 for a lawyer is nothing.

Also, in addition to the cost of the fine, there will be, if you are plead or are found guilty, most likely a substantial increase in your automobile insurance premiums, not only for this year but for the next several years. You may want to call your insurance agent and find out for sure. My guess is that the increase in premiums will greatly exceed a reasonable attorney's fee.

But I'm not an attorney and I don't know anything about New York laws, so my comments may not be of much help.

jack · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2006, 03:53:03 PM »

Thanks again, everyone. And Bill, very generous offer, I appreciate it, and when I make it to Santa Rosa, I'll be sure to let you know.

I called a lawyer up there. He said 350 is the max, 150 is average. How do they calculate it? I asked. They roll dice. It sounded like this lawyer was out at a bar, can't say I blame him. Anyway, about 500 bucks to represent me, though I haven't looked anywhere more local to that area.

Bottom line is I'm going to let the man win this one outright, as it'd cost me more in the long run no matter what. Wasn't my car, wasn't my insurance, so no worries there. And NY and CT have no reciprocity with licenses, although NY does with MA and NJ, interestingly enough.

So again, thanks all, but I'm guilty as charged sir. Hell, I managed to haul it down from 95 when I saw the nose of the Crown Vic pointing out through the trees, so I'm already ahead.

Shoulda factored that into the payment for that gig in Buffalo, eh?

Thanks all, I'll let you know what the damage is when I receive notice.

-Jack

bsee · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2006, 04:00:23 PM »

Some NYS speeding FAQ I read said that the fines for between 10-30 over had a minimum of $180 and a max of $300. Maybe you can claim your way down to 10 over and pay a lesser penalty?

jack · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2006, 05:01:46 PM »

Drumroll please.......

125.00 Fine + 55.00 Surcharge + 3.5% Pay online charge = 186.30.

No points, no insurance, I guess I'm getting off easy. At least I didn't have to skip work to go to court or anything.

Thanks again everyone for all the advice and offers to help.

-Jack

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2006, 07:06:49 PM »

Congrats! Sounds like a good outcome.