vyfxdotcom
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Jersey
Last week I was on the Parkway here in NJ and was (very stupidly) driving 88MPH in a 65MPH zone.. traffic was moving at about 80MPH steadily, which is no excuse, but I wasn't otherwise recklessly driving, etc.
I came around a bend and a State Trooper nailed me for speeding and pulled me over. He was very nice and asked about my prior record. Given that I had no points and was honest and upfront about speeding, he cut me a huge break and instead gave me a 2-point ticket for going "74 in a 65" (a 9-over-the-limit ticket). In NJ that means 2 points and a $85 fine vs. 5 points and a $500 fine.
He let me go with no reckless/careless driving, no mandatory court appearance, etc.. now is where ethics comes into play. Should I still plead Not Guilty and try to get the prosecutor to lessen the offense to prevent the points from going on my record?
I have never had a moving violation since I began driving 10 years ago. I don't know if pleading Not Guilty will be offensive to the trooper, or if the prosecutor will be able to tell I was going 88? The ticket itself had no notes on it, just "74 in a 65". What I don't want is to go to court and have the trooper recant his break and tell the judge my true speed.
Any advice? First time fighting a moving violation. Thanks.
Last week I was on the Parkway here in NJ and was (very stupidly) driving 88MPH in a 65MPH zone.. traffic was moving at about 80MPH steadily, which is no excuse, but I wasn't otherwise recklessly driving, etc.
I came around a bend and a State Trooper nailed me for speeding and pulled me over. He was very nice and asked about my prior record. Given that I had no points and was honest and upfront about speeding, he cut me a huge break and instead gave me a 2-point ticket for going "74 in a 65" (a 9-over-the-limit ticket). In NJ that means 2 points and a $85 fine vs. 5 points and a $500 fine.
He let me go with no reckless/careless driving, no mandatory court appearance, etc.. now is where ethics comes into play. Should I still plead Not Guilty and try to get the prosecutor to lessen the offense to prevent the points from going on my record?
I have never had a moving violation since I began driving 10 years ago. I don't know if pleading Not Guilty will be offensive to the trooper, or if the prosecutor will be able to tell I was going 88? The ticket itself had no notes on it, just "74 in a 65". What I don't want is to go to court and have the trooper recant his break and tell the judge my true speed.
Any advice? First time fighting a moving violation. Thanks.