Speeding ticket letter to judge? Tips, advice welcomed?

by **werner72** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 4:53 am

Below is the letter I want to send in. Any tips or advice? Please let me know! I know everyone says judges don't read them but I was advised to by the clerk and I live in a VERY small town so he may read it. It's the least I could do because I cannot make my court date. Thanks guys! :)

Dear Honorable Judge,

I am writing this letter to you today as I have received my very first traffic violation on January 8th 2012. I was on my way into _____ , California from _____ California when I was stopped kindly by Officer Powers for doing 65 in a 55.

Please understand that it is not a habit of mine to speed or break the law. I have held my license for three years without a ticket. I was joyfully and too quickly, entering _____ to see my family for the first time in five months which is a long time when you are not used to being away from home. I was unfamiliar with the speed limits as I had not driven the road for some time. I understand this gives me no reason to be unaware of the posted signs. I can assure you that this will never happen again.
This will be my first mark on my license and will be the last. As a young driver, my parents are gracious enough to put me on their insurance plan. What this ticket will do to their insurance is completely unfair to them. I called our insurance company to be responsible and found it will raise the insurance 30%.
I have been scheduled for court on February 9th at 8 A.M. but as I am a full time student at California State University, ____ I cannot attend due to class at this time. I am not working right now due to my heavy course load at school and I think it would be completely rude to ask my parents, who do so much for me, to pay for something they are not responsible for. I am willing to do Traffic School or Defensive Driving Courses or anything that will drop the point from my record or lower the fine even if just a little. I am also willing to reschedule a court date if need be. My citation number is 35788. If there is anything that can be done on this matter it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to look at my situation.

Sincerely ______

by **lalla3** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 4:59 am

Nice letter-it hits all the points you need to address in court. Most likely the judge will re-set your case and let you take traffic school.

BTW-If your rates jump 30% it's your fault-not the judge's. You-not the judge-broke the law. Therefore you-not the court-are responsible for any rate hike.

by **mads** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:05 am

Couldn't hurt to try, the letter seems well done and polite enough. Good luck

by **torran** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:18 am

" I have held my license for three years without a ticket "

so this is the first time we caught you speeding

" I was unfamiliar with the speed limits as I had not driven the road for some time "

Prove there were no posted speed limit signs and that might be relevant

" I can assure you that this will never happen again.
This will be my first mark on my license and will be the last. As a young driver, my parents are gracious enough to put me on their insurance plan. What this ticket will do to their insurance is completely unfair to them. I called our insurance company to be responsible and found it will raise the insurance 30%. "

all Bull S H I T the judge has heard this whining and sniveling hundreds of times before did not believe it then and will not believe it from you

" I have been scheduled for court on February 9th at 8 A.M. but as I am a full time student at California State University, ____ I cannot attend due to class at this time. "

that will really get you into trouble Chump it coveys the attitude that the courts are unimportant compared to your worthless education. that statement can really irritate the judge and double any fines. the only way you will not have to appear is if you pay the traffic ticket beforehand . how it effects your parent's insurance is their problem for trusting a kid with their automobile Insurance.

if you don't attend the Judge can issue a bench warrant . now what would be worse missing a few classes or having the police pull you out of a class in Handcuffs?

" I am willing to do Traffic School or Defensive Driving Courses or anything that will drop the point from my record or lower the fine even if just a little. "

the only part that will help you in the least

Man up and face the consequences boy.

by **juanito** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:22 am

don't do it!,you have claimed ignorance of the law and that wont fly.YOU could throw yourself on the mercies of the court

by **choviohoya** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:41 am

nice letter but a waste of time, the judge doesn't care, everyone has a sob story.

by **salvadore94** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:45 am

nice letter but a waste of time, the judge doesn't care, everyone has a sob story.

I agree with the others who say this will be a waste of time. In fact, since judges are ethically prohibited from considering ex parte communications (those made in the absence of an attorney for the other side), the judge will probably not read the letter at all.

If you are under 18, and in a county which has a juvenile traffic court, you are simply going to have to attend court with a parent, but you will probably be allowed to go to traffic school to avoid the DMV point, and the fine may be lower than if you were an adult.

If you are over 18 (which I guess you are if you have been licensed for three years), or in a county which does not have a juvenile traffic court, you will be able to take care of everything--paying the fine, paying for traffic school, and going to traffic school--on line. Traffic school does not lower the fine (which will be about $235), it adds $50 plus the cost of the school, but it does avoid the DMV point and any insurance consequence. If you want to try to talk the judge into giving you a lower fine than is charged online, you will be able to do that only in person.

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