Speeding Ticket, pleading guilty and N400

H

havefun

Registered Users (C)
This is NOT my proud moment but hours ago, I got speeding ticket. I have been charged with driving at 55 mph in the zone of 35 mph. The question I have to you gurus is whether to plead guilty and pay fine OR plead NOT guilty and contest it? I don't know whether police officer had video recording of my speeding or not? But he does not then in the court, it will be his words vs my words. I am also assuming that due to lack of experience in court proceedings, I will not be able to defend myself clearly and judge will more likely to believe the police than me. I am not looking to hire attorney. I am not sure whether it is good idea or not. I have been asked to plead guilty and pay a fine of $70.00.

I will be filing N-400 early next year.

Any opinions/suggestion is very welcome.

Thanks.
 
I tried to contest a ticket once in California and lost. also all the people before me lost too. If it comes to your word against the cop's word it's ALWAYS the copper who is going to win. Cops and judges go hand in hand. Also a judge in North Carolina recently told someone in front of me who tried to contest her ticket that her chances are slim. Judges know that most people speed. It is enough to go on the highway and see more than half of the people going over the speed limit to some extent. the judge said she also goes over the speed limit sometimes but when she gets caught she pays the fine.
It is one of the best revenue generating methods for the state and judges won't be sitting there with their fat salaries if coppers were not brining in speeders. So why on earth would they go against these cops???

There are of course ways to win a ticket but I don't know how. One way to do it is hire a good attorney which MAY be able to do something. however, I don't think it's worth the time, money and energy spent on it. Most counties/states reduce the speed or let you take a defensive driving course to avoid the points from going on your insurance.

As for your naturalization you should be fine. just bring proof of payment of the ticket with you to the interview. In some instances interviewers want to make sure you paid all your outstanding tickets (non-criminal) before granting you naturalization. If you decide to contest the ticket and get an interview before the matter is over there is a very slim chance of some delay in your naturalization.
 
havefun said:
This is NOT my proud moment but hours ago, I got speeding ticket. I have been charged with driving at 55 mph in the zone of 35 mph. The question I have to you gurus is whether to plead guilty and pay fine OR plead NOT guilty and contest it? I don't know whether police officer had video recording of my speeding or not? But he does not then in the court, it will be his words vs my words. I am also assuming that due to lack of experience in court proceedings, I will not be able to defend myself clearly and judge will more likely to believe the police than me. I am not looking to hire attorney. I am not sure whether it is good idea or not. I have been asked to plead guilty and pay a fine of $70.00.

I will be filing N-400 early next year.

Any opinions/suggestion is very welcome.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

You can go to the court, and if the Cop does not show, the ticket will get dismissed immidiately. If the Cop shows up, just plead guilty and pay the fine. It is vey hard to contest a speeding ticket and not worth the cost.

BTW: I am not an attorney and nor do I pretend to be one
 
be careful with just going to court as it depends on your state/county.

In some counties in north carolina for example you can get the speed reduced by the DA to 9 ove the speed limit or ask the judge for preferred judgement so that it won't show on your insurance. If you choose instead to go to court even if you decide eventually to plead guilty your ticket will not be reduced and you'll have to pay more insurance.
Not sure where you live or how it is in your state/county.
 
havefun said:
I will be filing N-400 early next year.

Any opinions/suggestion is very welcome.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

A single moving violation/citation should have no impact on your N-400 if you pay the fine and tell the truth. It doesn't sound like you were arrested or commited any felony (like DUI, etc.)

But, if it's about the money, then I know several colleagues who went to court to contest the ticket... in some cases the officer didn't show and the ticket was dismissed, in other cases the judge reduced the fine(s) but I am not sure why.
 
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