I received a citation today going 75 on 65 on Texas-6 going toward Houston. Grimes County is the worst ever. Now here's the twist, I don't believe I was going 75. I saw the cop from pretty far away, and I immediately looked at my speedometer and it was between 65 and 70, and still I hit the breaks and brought it down the 60 way before I got to him. The other thing is, There was a girl in the right lane trying to get over, so she was going faster than I was. The cop pulled both of us over. So I'm wondering how in god's name was he able to record my speed and then her speed and pull us both over. Good thing is, I haven't taken defensive driving in a year, so I can take it and get rid of the ticket. But I'm really ticked off because it's complete B.S, and I shouldn't have gotten that ticket. So I'm seriously considering going to court. Here are my questions: -how much does an attorney usual cost? and what's the success rate? -how often do they NOT show up? the guy was a state trooper on a freeway in the middle of nowhere. You think he'll show up? -if he does show up, what are my chances of being able to defend myself (without an attorney). I think I have a pretty good case. Do you guys have any experience doing that? was it successful? and do you think I have a case here? any advice would be appreciated.
mine charges the cost of the ticket + $20. I've never regretted the expense. He only does HPD issues though.
He could have easily clocked one of you guys and if one was speeding and the other is going the same speed or faster than the other one pull both you guys over for speeding. Your word against his word, and if he shows up, you most likely lose unless you can prove you were not speeding. (SOMEHOW)
Because this isn't a large metroplex like Houston where HPD probably won't show up/bigger fish to fry, I would advise against going to court. Even more if you don't speak with a southern accent, are not Caucasian, appear to be well-off, etc. Oh and Williamson County (north of Austin/Round Rock) is the worst in Texas, not Grimes.
If you want you cans till go to the court at the date and then schedule a hearing and during the next court date hopefully the officer does not show and it can be dismissed or you can just plead guilt but keep it off your record by taking the defensive driving. If the officer shows I do not see you winning though. Good luck.
Go to your court date and plead not guilty and trial by judge. If the officer shows up at your hearing, plead NO CONTEST and you will get deferred adjudication. You will get three months probation and as long as you don't get a ticket in that time span, it'll be dismissed. Never plead guilty. Always no contest.
But if he thinks he is 100% innocent, then he should hire an attorney. Besides, you can only take defensive driving once very year and I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to waste it or his time doing it if he knows he is innocent. PointFoward, I say, Fight the Power!
Just plead nolo contendre on the tickets (no contest) and avoid defensive driving, just don't speed for the aforementioned 3 months and it shouldn't be on your insurance record (all speeding tickets are kept on a police record ) I'm not sure if the tickets in Houston give the option since I've only gotten 2 speeding tickets in my life, once in Houston and once in Round Rock driving to Austin. On a side note you do have to be over 25 for this to work I think.
Wouldn't hiring an attorney end up costing way more than necessary? Defensive driving is like 20 bucks or something, right? Or is this a matter of principle kinda thing? Most of the attorneys I've used were big pieces of douches on discount anyways.
