First traffic ticket

Made a u-turn when there were signs saying I shouldn't have and I didn't see them, so I got a ticket. It's my first one and I'm not too sure exactly what I'm supposed to do. From my understanding, I need to call the court asap so I can pay the fee, and if the violation affects my driving record (which affects my insurance), then I can request traffic school to remove the violation.

I feel like crap right now so if anyone's got some good advice on what to do, that would be great.

Bleh, tickets suck. I always pay mines asap before things get nasty. And if you do traffic school (usually) it won't look bad on license / insurance.

I'm not sure if this is just for my state, but if you attend a court hearing (essentially saying I know where I faulted and I'm sorry for my actions), you'd be cut half the penalty fee and probably get put on probation. It could get cleared after a year of clean driving record.

Well that's why I'm confused, because there's a court date, but it says I can forfeit the court and just pay the fee. The court thing is in like 2-3 months though.

Based on similar offenses, it should be about $200-$225. This is cali btw.

Well that's why I'm confused, because there's a court date, but it says I can forfeit the court and just pay the fee. The court thing is in like 2-3 months though.

Based on similar offenses, it should be about $200-$225. This is cali btw.

Forfeiting court is essentially admitting guilt btw. Go to the court. Just do it.

$200 for an illegal u-turn? Damn! I was only fined $110 for going 13 over on the highway a couple years ago.

I've only gotten caught on the highway going 80 in a 55. Got off with warning.

Try a $580 fine for swerving into the carpool lane to avoid hitting someone who cut you off and getting a riding solo in the carpool lane violation.

Also, there's no reason to go to court if your intention is to just pay the fine. They may reduce your fine, and the officer might no-show and you'll walk away scotch free, but it's also going to take up a few hours going there and getting it dealt with. The quick and painless scenario would be to just pay it online and be done with it.

Try a $580 fine for swerving into the carpool lane to avoid hitting someone who cut you off and getting a riding solo in the carpool lane violation.

Also, there's no reason to go to court if your intention is to just pay the fine. They may reduce your fine, and the officer might no-show and you'll walk away scotch free, but it's also going to take up a few hours going there and getting it dealt with. The quick and painless scenario would be to just pay it online and be done with it.

Don't you live in California? Haha I hear the traffic people there are like top 5 worst, right behind NY. Don't they teach you to drive offensively, assuming you live near L/A?

I've only gotten caught on the highway going 80 in a 55. Got off with warning.

Jesus @_@. I don't know if that's lucky where you live or officers are just nice.

Forfeiting court is essentially admitting guilt btw. Go to the court. Just do it.

What would be the benefit? Unless I get a different job, I can make my court date even though it's at 8am and I could spend all day there if I had to.

I got pulled over for going into the left turn lane too early and got popped. I called and got a court date cause I was fighting the ticket. They made a plea deal with me. Instead of 4 points and a $200 fine I got 0-5 mph over and 0 points and $115 ticket. I'll take that lol.

Just call and see if you can work out some sort of deal with them. Usually they don't have the time to screw around in court over silly traffic tickets.

At least your police officers aren't assholes and catch people speeding on the DOWNHILL SLOPE of a long mountain hill. Or the opposite and ticket drivers after they come over the hill.

The first is ridiculous only because you have to slow the entire car, which is like 2 tons of steel, after a hill with a grade a little less steep than those of San Francisco's streets.

The other is equally ridiculous because you have to propel the said 2 ton car UP the same damned hill. Either way, you're probably going to be just above the speed limit unless you : ride you brakes down the hill OR slowly trudge your way up the mountain and hope your wheels aren't made of fail.