Always Fight Your Tickets!
Next time you get pulled over for speeding or for a rolling stop or for an
improper turn or for ANY MOVING VIOLATION remember these rules:
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Be very obedient and answer the officer's questions with short and simple
yes/no answers whenever possible.
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Don't argue with him/her.
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Try to get a good look at him/her and remember his/her face, stature, hair,
etc.
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Once you get the notice in the mail, take note of the date of the FINAL DAY
THAT YOU CAN ACT on the notice (I am referring to the final date that you may
plead guilty and pay the fine or plead not guilty, etc.)
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The DAY BEFORE the last day possible to act on it, go to the courthouse and
plead NOT GUILTY to whatever it is and pay the bail (which is usually the
fine).
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While you're still there in front of the window of the court employee,
and she starts looking at her calendar to give you a date, try to get her
to give you as late a date as possible ("I'm out of town that month, can you
make it the next one?"). Go home with your paperwork and record the date in
your calendar.
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Here in California, you are allowed to change your court date ONCE and ONLY
ONCE and you must do it AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE ORIGINAL COURT DATE. To be
safe, go to the courthouse 11 or 12 days before this date, and request a change
of date. Again, beg and plead to get it as late as you possibly can.
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By now, your court date should be at least six months after the time you were
pulled over. In some cases it can be a year. You now stand a good chance that
the officer won't show up for the trial, in which case your case will be thrown
out and your money refunded. If the officer DOES show (look for him/her in the
court room), ask him/her if there is any way to plead to a lesser charge,
otherwise, just request Traffic School from the judge. At least you tried.
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE, ASIDE FROM SOME TIME IN LINE-UPS AT THE COURTHOUSE. I
PROMISE YOU THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR AT LEAST 60% OF YOUR TICKETS IF
YOU FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS.
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