Speeding in Georgia

[rangt95]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Georgia

Facts:
My son resides in Florida and received a speeding ticket from GA State Patrol for doing 90 in a 70.
His fine is $215.
His court date is set for the end of June.
GA offers an additional ticket (Super Speeder) for anything 15+ mph over the posted speed limit.

What are his options?
1. Does he go to court and plead his case? He has never done defensive driving course and I remember growing up that I was able to get out of a ticket or two by going to dds.
2. Does he pay the ticket before he goes to court? Or does he wait until the day of court?

Please help.

 

[FlyingRon]

Unless the ticket says otherwise, he can pay the ticket before the date stated on the ticket (which is two weeks before the court date) PLUS he needs to file the superspeeder fee ($200 additional) with the DDS.

What he can get going to court depends on the court. THere's no state wide policy on this. It's possible the judge will reduce it out of the superspeeder range, but then again maybe not. Driving school is usually done to reduce points rather than avoiding convinction in Georgia courts. That's not going to help him on a Florida license. Similarly nolo pleas won't help him either.

 

[rangt95]

So...What does he need to do? Pay the ticket BEFORE going to court and then plead to the judge to reduce it out of super speeder range (less than 15 over)?

 

[Zigner]

Maybe your son needs to feel the pain a bit. Maybe he needs to understand that 90 in a 70 is idiotic.

 

[rangt95]

Completely understand, but as a college student, he earns some of his money while I foot the rest of the bill. If he was graduated and on his own, I would agree with you. BUT, since I am still supporting him, I need this to reduce in pain, otherwise, it will be my pain to feel.

And before you say something about taking his car away, I work overseas and we live in a different country, so he needs the car to get around and work.

 

[Zigner]

Completely understand, but as a college student, he earns some of his money while I foot the rest of the bill. If he was graduated and on his own, I would agree with you. BUT, since I am still supporting him, I need this to reduce in pain, otherwise, it will be my pain to feel.

And before you say something about taking his car away, I work overseas and we live in a different country, so he needs the car to get around and work.

All the more reason for him to deal with this. In fact, I'd suggest that HE research this matter, not you. You really need to cut the proverbial apron strings here...

 

[HighwayMan]

So...What does he need to do? Pay the ticket BEFORE going to court and then plead to the judge to reduce it out of super speeder range (less than 15 over)?

I'm pretty sure that, as in most places, that would be a plea of guilty.

If he wants to give a court appearance a shot he should show up that day and throw himself on the mercy of the court.

 

[rangt95]

I'm pretty sure that, as in most places, that would be a plea of guilty.

If he wants to give a court appearance a shot he should show up that day and throw himself on the mercy of the court.

So don't pay the ticket until after the court appearance?

 

[HighwayMan]

So don't pay the ticket until after the court appearance?

I don't understand why anyone would pay a ticket that they are pleading not guilty to. That is a contradiction.