my first ticket.

[bluelespaul]

so today a dickhead cop pulled me over for doing 45 in a 35. i was following with the flow of traffic about 5 seconds behind the car infront of me, and there was another biker on my left side. the lights came on, i pulled over and the other guy (ZX-6) took off. it ended up being 100$. im not too thrilled, neither were the `rents

but really my only concerns are:

will my first ticket raise mt insurance at all?
will this ticket effect me being able to get my license after i take the msf this weekend?

[FearedGS500]

well you where breaking the law . they can only pull over one person at a time . most the time . you should have tryed to see if they would let you take the MSF course and get the ticket taken off .... but seeing how you dont have a  the right endorsement to  be riding on the road . i'm suprised you did not end up paying more .

[ops_south]

What exactly did you get cited for then?  No endorsement, speeding, ?

[bluelespaul]

got cited for speeding. i have my bike permit so it is legal for me to ride on the streets.

[spc]

If you got cited for 10 over or anything under 14 over it SHOULDN'T affect your insurance as it normally won't result in points..............call the DA in a few days about it and see if he'll let you off if you take the MSF..........they go for it on occasion

[bluelespaul]

let me off like not have to pay for it? that would be so amazing

[spc]

Yeah, or reduce the fine..........they have more authority than they will let you know.

[yamahonkawazuki]

usually if youve got only the permit dont you have to be riding in a group with an endorsed rider or such?

[spc]

In GA the only restriction on permits is no nights or highways

[bluelespaul]

what do i say to the DA? haha, i dont wanna pay this ticket, can i just take the msf instead? i wonder if he would fall for that one.

and in MA the only restrictions on having a permit are no nights, highways or riding 2 up.

[VSG]

You're in MA?

If so, you don't talk to the DA.  There is likely no option to take the MSF to get the ticket reduced.

However, there should be an option on the ticket to request a hearing instead of paying it.  Do that.  In a couple of months you'll get a date for a hearing where there will be a state cop and a magistrate.  Basically, just ask for a break.  They're usually pretty fair.

Since it's only 10 mph and your first offense, you should be able to get the ticket thrown out.  Bring up the point that since then you have taken the MSF and are more used to riding and judging how fast you're going.  It'll also be a good idea to not get anymore tickets at least until the hearing.

[Jake D]

Just call a lawyer.  It will probably cost you $300 total, but you can get it reduced to a non-moving violation and that is the only way to be 100% sure it won't effect your insurance.  You see, every state has different laws, so unless one of the people that posted in this thread is a lawyer that is licensed in your state, you should take their advice with a grain of salt. 

[VSG]

Just checked his profile and it does say he's in MA.

You do NOT need a lawyer in MA for a speeding ticket.  If it were reckless driving or worse, it would be a good idea.  But this is just a simple speeding ticket.  As I mentioned before, it won't be difficult to get this reduced or thrown out.

[bluelespaul]

my only problem with taking it to court is the 50$ court fee, then i have to take time off of work, then i have to pay for the gas to get there, so in the end itll just be like paying the 100$, just going to different people. if the ticket was for over 200$ i would but if i dont have anything to gain i dont really see a point ya know?

[VSG]

Is there a court fee?  I got a ticket a few months ago and there was no court fee.  The fee may apply only if you're found "responsible" and have to pay the full amount of the ticket.

I agree it is a pain in the ass to take it to court.  But, in my opinion it's a good idea to go and try to get it reduced/eliminated.  Your car insurance may increase otherwise (or it might take a couple of years longer to start getting safe driver discounts - either way I'm pretty sure the first ticket isn't "free" insurance-wise).  If it does, it would have been worth it to take it to court.

Also, it's nice to have a clean driving record.  If you get a ticket a few years from now and take it to court they may say "well, he has no prior speeding tickets, we'll let this one go."

[FearedGS500]

this is why i like texas if you get cought speeing and its 10 mph or less you can have the ticket dissmissed. i.e. i was doing 10 over got a ticket i went in to the court and asked them if i could take DD they said yes as long as i have not had it in the last year . on a motorcycle in Texas if you get a ticket and want to take a DD course you have to take one of the MSF courses. as simple as that . you pay the court cost and  the MSF cost and it never shows up on your driving report.  ... so your insurence never gose up.

[bluelespaul]

who would be the one to talk to about my insurance going up and it getting taken at least off my record from msf. the RMV or MSF or the DA or my insurance company?

[spc]

DON'T SAY shaZam! TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY!!!!  Talk to the DA and the MSF instructor.......those are the people that need to work together.

[VSG]

Call the insurance company and ask them to explain what happens when you get your first ticket. Just don't give them your name!

The only way you can get it taken off your record is to request a hearing for the ticket.  And it's not the DA.  It would be a court magistrate who makes the decision.

It couldn't hurt to give the MSF people a call.  I wouldn't imagine getting a ticket will prevent you from getting your motorcycle license, but I could be wrong.

[spc]

The magistrate only deals with the intake of money...........they don't have the authority to actually drop the charge only to reduce the fine........ The DA has the authority to drop the charge and thus no fine would be imposed