I got a speeding ticket for going 15 over. Should I just pay it or fight it in court? What are my options?
Whether to fight a ticket depends on the potential consequences beyond the fine. A speeding ticket adds points to your license (varies by state, typically 2 to 4 points for 15 over), increases your insurance rates by 15 to 30 percent for 3 to 5 years, and stays on your driving record. The total cost including insurance increases is often 1,000 to 3,000 dollars over time — far more than the face value of the ticket. Your options include paying the fine and accepting the points, attending traffic school (if available in your state) to dismiss the ticket or reduce points, requesting a plea bargain by going to court and asking the prosecutor to reduce the charge to a non-moving violation with no points, or fighting the ticket at trial by arguing the officer made an error or the speed detection method was flawed. For most people, the best option is requesting a court date and negotiating with the prosecutor before trial. Many prosecutors will reduce a 15-over to a non-moving violation in exchange for paying a slightly higher fine but avoiding points. This keeps your insurance from increasing. A traffic attorney can handle this for 150 to 300 dollars and is often worth the investment given the insurance savings.
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