Just got pulled over -Go to court or just pay?

Rickpatbrown · Apr 18, 2011

I just took the bike out after washing it and wanted to get some good wind velocity to get the water off. The Maryland State Police aparently don't approve of this drying method.

He claims I was doing 91 mph in a 50 mph zone and that I changed lanes without signaling.

He cut me a break, and only wrote the ticket for an unsafe lane change.

Should I go to court to try to not get any points on my license, or do they hate sportbike riders and I should just be grateful I didn't get a $500 fine and a bunch of points?

My father is an attorney, but I don't want to tell him. My parents hate the bike.

600k2 · Apr 18, 2011

is that a points ticket? if it is not (you said it was) then i would just pay the fine.

if you are going to get points show up on the court date and expect to pay more when you talk to the prosecutor before court begins.

TheGeek · Apr 18, 2011

Pay the unsafe lane change ticket and count your blessings. He cut you a big break!

DurtyB · Apr 18, 2011

Definatley go to court if its a points ticket....they will drop the points down or the ticket will get dropped if the the officer doesn't show up. You might have to pay a few bucks extra for "court costs" but thats better then having your insurance go up due to the points.

gixrdeb · Apr 18, 2011

Well...were you speeding and did you make a lane change without signaling? If so, just pay it and be done with it. Nothing pisses a judge off more when someone goes into the court room to say "yes I did it but I dont think it's right I got a ticket", etc. You'd be wasting the courts time, officers time and the judges time which all amounts to you wasting the state and taxpayers money. It will only piss the judge off more and chances are it will increase your fine for the time and money you just wasted. Pay it and get it over with.

njracer · Apr 18, 2011

Rickpatbrown said:
He cut me a break, and only wrote the ticket for an unsafe lane change.

And if you go to court, he will make sure the judge or DA knows you already got a break.

I say pay it and move on.

02ylo_gsxr6 · Apr 18, 2011

I'm with geek, why be greedy about it? You're lucky he didn't screw you with that speeding ticket; going to court is just ungrateful in this case.

txoutlawgsxr · Apr 18, 2011

+ 10000 pay it and go to the 99 cent store and pick up a towel.

Just be happy you didnt get a reckless driving charge and toss you in jail and tow your bike.

Thrusterboost · Apr 18, 2011

At least is the bike dry ?

pearljam724 · Apr 18, 2011

You got off easy as hell. He could have stuck it in your ass big time. Pay the fine and plead guilty to the small lane infraction. It's a small fine and a few points, big deal. You're considering showing up in court and trying to fight the break you were given ? That's pretty much like spitting in somone's face after they have helped you. You have got to be kidding me ? 91 mhp to dry the bike off. What a retard. :suicide

bizak · Apr 18, 2011

Unsafe lane change it doesn't sound as a point ticket to me. By the way you are lucky he only gave you one ticket. I got pulled over in Cleveland, Ohio for not using my turning signal and I was put behind a police car for 30min while they made sure my motorcycle wasn't stolen and all the vin numbers were correct. Even though I told them I have my turn signals integrated in my tail light. :banghead

Wally Beast · Apr 18, 2011

:facepalm Count your blessings and just pay the damn ticket. AFter catching a break like that I can't even believe you'd ask the question.

And like NJ said, the judge will know all of the details if you decide to fight it and he/she will make sure you get thumped pretty fierce for wasting his/her time.

boomboom929 · Apr 18, 2011

The guy cut you slack, don't spit in his face over it. Unsafe lane change IS a points offense in Md. He could have impounded your bike and made it very difficult for you. I'd say pay and lick your wounds.

Jimmy Jam · Apr 18, 2011

njracer said:
And if you go to court, he will make sure the judge or DA knows you already got a break.

I say pay it and move on.

:thumbup

btech734 · Apr 18, 2011

here in Michigan anything over 20 is reckless driving 6 points, take the unsafe lane change

Mr645 · Apr 18, 2011

They don;t hate sportbikes, they hate vehicles moving 91mph in a 50mph limit zone.

fiftyfive · Apr 18, 2011

Thrusterboost said:
At least is the bike dry ?

+1 :twitch

pearljam724 · Apr 18, 2011

In pa, if you drive 17mph over the speed limit. It qualifies for automatic suspension of your license for a year. Plus the fine for that is rediculous. Not to mention what your insurance rates would go up to. If your lucky enough to find a company that will insure you after that suspension. Could have easily had your bike impounded on top of all that.

Rickpatbrown · Apr 18, 2011

My thought was in line with most of yours. I fell the judge and officer would not be happy to see me in court. I realize how lucky I am to get off with that lesser charge.

pearljam724- I'm just gonna ignore the retard comment.

obc · Apr 18, 2011

its your call.
waste your day at court to lower the cost of the lane change, or accept the ticket and slow down.

Just got pulled over -Go to court or just pay?

Rickpatbrown

600k2

TheGeek

DurtyB

gixrdeb

njracer

02ylo_gsxr6

txoutlawgsxr

Thrusterboost

pearljam724

bizak

Wally Beast

boomboom929

Jimmy Jam

btech734

Mr645

fiftyfive

pearljam724

Rickpatbrown

obc

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