Whoa - driving the Audi A4 Avant the other evening normally with kids in car - was not paying attention and got popped in a known speed trap. It was totally foggy and as soon as the V1 went off it was too late. As this is my first ticket since the mid 80s - I plan to go to court. Question - is it better to plead guilty on ticket and go to court or just wait till the court case is issued. This is for Baltimore County, Maryland.

 

How much over the limit? If it's more than 20 over, I'd not go to court without a lawyer. The judge could pitch a real fit because of the weather conditions and kids in the car... Va. is even worse...

Mike

 

it was 20 over - in Maryland they usually give you PBJ based on your record

 

in maryland if you are fighting the ticket (which you need to do) you do nothing, just let them send you the court date. do not send in the fine as doing this will get you points

 

Exactly, PBJ in b-more county is pretty common, even common to the point they hand it out for first time DUI offenders. No ticket in 20+ years you will be fine. If you really want the piece of mind get a lawyer but I wouldn't say its required. Just dress nice, kiss *** and fess up, apologize profusely and you will get off.

 

PBJ is a good deal (the judge will look at your record before offering it) if you can get it. Some Md. judges don't offer it (its up to the judge). Dress in a suit and avoid BS lame excuses (not saying you were planning on it... it just irks the judges).

I stepped up... admitted that my speed may have wandered a bit and asked the judge to consider my otherwise excellent driving record and asked for PBJ.

Good luck!

 

Just go and get PBJ. they can/will look at your pristine driving record and a suit is a must. good luck, at least you werent driving the porsche, they tend not to like that too much.

 

Appreciate the advice -that is what I thought - suit, confess my guilt - no bs, my record should help and ask for PBJ. Glad it was the Audi and not the Turbo

 

My advice is to get a lawyer. It is worth it especially seeing that you are 20+ even though you haven't had a ticket in over two decades. Lately the police have been really looking for these excessive cases of speed and cracking down. Get a good lawyer (you may have time to find one if your court date is not for a while). Ask around as to who is the best one (mine in VA was a FFX cop once, used to be the prosecutor and still trains the cadettes at the academy). He also represents the entire Easterns Automotive Group Family. Dependent on how the courts are in Baltimore County, your lawyer may recommend you have your speedometer calibrated. Because it may be "OFF" by a few points. Anyway, just my advice. G/L.

B-

 

while I think Berks advice is ^^^good for VA, I think the climate is a little less **** in MD. They will bend you over any chance they get in va, but in MD (aside from Mont county) they tend to be a little less worried about speed (due to our crime rates perhaps???).

FWIW ....I went to court for excessive speed and improper lane change in annapolis where the cop dogged me and exagerated about the incident. Got off with dropping the excessive speed(no radar - bs ticket anyway) and a pbj for the lane change. I also had a ticket less than 2 years ago on my record.....

 

Can't you guys in MD do something to influence our VA cops here.

 

I did talk to my lawyer already -bottomline - he echoed what the MD board members said. However - he has a very reasonable rate and I can afford the insurance policy - I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Berk - I got raped more than enough during my HS/College years so I am very familiar with VA traffic court. I had up to 18 points at the peak of my career, god I was a dumbass...

 

HOLY "S". Good to see you're still driving in the state. So that's why you live in MD now. Did you get banned from VA. I'm on my way myself I'm sure.

 

Received court date in March - lawyers set - the wait is NOT killing me