Speeding Ticket Help!

Updated on January 04, 2012
T.R. asks from Saint Louis, MO
5 answers

I recently moved to St. Louis and just got my first ever speeding ticket for going 32mph in a 20mph in Breckenridge Hills. $150... ouch. I admit I was speeding, I'm not trying to get out of paying the ticket... unless it's possible... :)

I'm not familiar with the system here, I've googled it but found nothing helpful. Can anyone give me advice on what to do? Just pay and be done? Go to traffic school online? If I do that, do I avoid paying the $150 ticket fee?

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More Answers

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Go to court. Talk to the district attorney and admit you were wrong. She'll likely ask you why you were in such a hurry, and you can admit to something like not noticing the speed limit or being unfamiliar with the surroundings since you just moved or you were on your way to an important meeting or you were distracted by your kids in the car. Keep it as truthful as you can.

If you can do that, just showing up and being honest and taking responsibility means that the DA will probably reduce your ticket fee. I had mine reduced from nearly $300 to $76. I had a screaming toddler in the back seat who was toilet training and needed to use the toilet and I told the DA as much, and also stated that while I was aware I was over the 65MPH limit I wasn't aware that I was so much over. She took pity on me and warned me to never speed like that again.

1 mom found this helpful

A.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Call Pre-Paid Legal Services, they may help you Toll-Free 1-800-475-7552 and Local is ###-###-####. Call them! You have to be a member (cheap, don't worry) They can help you with different situations not just tickets.
Good Luck!

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

I would not just pay that ticket. Get a lawyer and try to get some help. If this is one of the states that reports tickets to your insurance company, you'll spend over a thousand dollars for that ticket over 3 years of higher premiums.

A lawyer is expensive, but can get your ticket down to less than 5 miles above the limit, which will make a big difference in your insurance premiums.

Good luck,
Dawn

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

You can probably get it adjusted to a "faulty equipment" ticket in MO. You will have to have a lawyer to get this done. Bad news = you will have to pay the lawyer & court fees, good news = you won't have any increase in your insurance rates. Google "traffic ticket attorneys" + your zip code. I am sure there are tons of them in your area.

Also, you might check with your insurance to see if one ticket (meaning you plead guilty) would raise your rates. If your insurance company forgives one ticket, it might be worth just paying it.

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Regardless of what you do you will pay the 150. There is no way of getting out of that. If you do the traffic school you will get out of the points so your insurance won't go up.

Trust me if I am driving I am speeding and I know the system. They pull you over because they want the money, they will not let you out of the fine.

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