Speeding ticket
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 0
C300 Sport/Palladium Silver on Black/P2
Was your court date listed for like 2 months ahead? If so in the next 4 weeks you'll get a notice telling you the amount and if you can go to traffic school. If you don't get a notice, obviously you should contact the court yourself, but it can take a while to get it, again like 1 month if the court date is 2 months away on ticket.
Ok, that ticket probably won't be too crazy. I'd guess under $300, but again I'm no expert.
Here is the deal...have you went to driving school in the past 18 months?
If not, you can pay the higher price of ticket (they will give the traffic school amount too). Then before you pay, go to an easy online traffic school on the approved list like the Improv Comedy Traffic school. You can finish quick. Then wait on your certificate, mail that in and the fees, and then it disappears. It doesn't make your insurance go up then. Traffic school doesn't save you money, indeed it costs more, more to the court and the small fee to the school, but it keeps it off your record.
If you already had traffic school in past 18 months, you might want to do trial by declaration (written) since you have not much to lose.
by the way, only 10 MPH over. That sucks a bit too. They must really be wanting to make income. Do you think it was legitimate reading?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 2
From: Toronto
2008 C300 Sport 4matic
Isn't the amount of the fine printed on the ticket?
I thought you could simply send in a check or pay by credit card by phone/website within 14 days, if you accept the violation.
A court date should be written on the ticket if you decide to fight it.
I got caught in Iowa by aircraft doing 80mph in a 70mph zone, and my ticket was $115 if I paid on time. I guess fines vary from state to state, CA must be stricter.
I thought you could simply send in a check or pay by credit card by phone/website within 14 days, if you accept the violation.
A court date should be written on the ticket if you decide to fight it.
I got caught in Iowa by aircraft doing 80mph in a 70mph zone, and my ticket was $115 if I paid on time. I guess fines vary from state to state, CA must be stricter.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA
2009 C350
The amount of fine was not printed on the ticket, it only has a court date which is two weeks from now. Wonder if I could just pay the fine and go to traffic school without going to court.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 55
From: LA LA Land
'08 C300 MM Pano
How did the officer measure your speed? Did he/she use Radar/Lidar/ or did he/she pace?
Trending Topics
Guest
Posts: n/a
If u are going to fight the ticket, remember that all you need to do is prove that you were doing it safely. For example, I was caught doing 74 in a 50 which is 21 over. I got the ticket and went to court. I explained to the judge that it was 6 in the morning, no traffic whatsoever, it was a clear day and a four lane highway. The judge rules in my favor and now everytime I go to court, I focus on proving that I was driving safely rather than prove that I wasn't speeding
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 55
From: LA LA Land
'08 C300 MM Pano
You would be better off doing a Trial By Declaration, if you lose, you can request a copy of the officer's declaration, review it for possible defenses and go for a new trial (Trial De Novo).
If u are going to fight the ticket, remember that all you need to do is prove that you were doing it safely. For example, I was caught doing 74 in a 50 which is 21 over. I got the ticket and went to court. I explained to the judge that it was 6 in the morning, no traffic whatsoever, it was a clear day and a four lane highway. The judge rules in my favor and now everytime I go to court, I focus on proving that I was driving safely rather than prove that I wasn't speeding
It all depends on how much work you're willing to do to attempt to get a dismissal.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 55
From: LA LA Land
'08 C300 MM Pano
So if you choose the traffic school option, you'll have to pay the $211 (approx.) PLUS the court administrative fee for traffic school ($49 - $69 depending on which county this is in) PLUS the enrollment fee to the traffic school.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
c300
Actually, you'll still have to pay the fine even if you opt to go to traffic school.
So if you choose the traffic school option, you'll have to pay the $211 (approx.) PLUS the court administrative fee for traffic school ($49 - $69 depending on which county this is in) PLUS the enrollment fee to the traffic school.
So if you choose the traffic school option, you'll have to pay the $211 (approx.) PLUS the court administrative fee for traffic school ($49 - $69 depending on which county this is in) PLUS the enrollment fee to the traffic school.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA
2009 C350
Will I be getting the actual citation from mail that shows the fine and do I have the choice of just paying the fine and not showing up in court?
Last edited by Kenc1103; Sep 4, 2010 at 04:45 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 55
From: LA LA Land
'08 C300 MM Pano
You've already received the "actual citation" but you should be receiving a "letter" from the court detailing the fine amount, the due date and payment options.
Yes, you should be able to just pay the fine... No need to go to court. You may even be able to pay the fine over the phone (phone number should be on your citation) or online on the court's website. If you do send it by mail, make sure you send it certified mail/return receipt requested so you'll have some sort of proof that it was received by the court.
Yes, you should be able to just pay the fine... No need to go to court. You may even be able to pay the fine over the phone (phone number should be on your citation) or online on the court's website. If you do send it by mail, make sure you send it certified mail/return receipt requested so you'll have some sort of proof that it was received by the court.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA
2009 C350
You've already received the "actual citation" but you should be receiving a "letter" from the court detailing the fine amount, the due date and payment options.
Yes, you should be able to just pay the fine... No need to go to court. You may even be able to pay the fine over the phone (phone number should be on your citation) or online on the court's website. If you do send it by mail, make sure you send it certified mail/return receipt requested so you'll have some sort of proof that it was received by the court.
Yes, you should be able to just pay the fine... No need to go to court. You may even be able to pay the fine over the phone (phone number should be on your citation) or online on the court's website. If you do send it by mail, make sure you send it certified mail/return receipt requested so you'll have some sort of proof that it was received by the court.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA
2009 C350
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
2009 C300 Sport 4Matic, 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
Similar question, relating to insurance. I got a pretty bad ticket last year, going 100 in a 55. Got a lawyer, went to court, got supervision and paid a hefty fine. Insurance is in my dad's name, so he hasn't said anything to me about the rates going up. Past weekend, I got a ticket in Wisconsin driving back to Chicago. 83 in a 65. No option to get drivers school or anything since I'm out of state, I can either pay or not pay. Once I pay, I think it will come back to IL. If that's the case, I'm assuming my insurance finds out about it. If they run a report on me, can they find that 100 mph ticket too?
