Anyone Successfully Fought or Reduced a "roll through a stop sign" ticket?

[D-Rock]

Today, I got a ticket for supposedly rolling through a stop sign. Any suggestions on fighting it or at least reducing the $120 fine?

 

[barfo]

A few decades ago, I did that. Tried to show that the stop sign wasn't regulation height, was obscured by trees, was too far from the road, etc. etc.

The judge basically said "I don't give a shit about any of that, you are guilty. But I think it's kind of cute that you did all that research, so I'll reduce the fine."

Most likely he would have reduced the fine the same amount if I'd just said 'guilty, your honor', though.

barfo

 

[ripcityboy]

Today, I got a ticket for supposedly rolling through a stop sign. Any suggestions on fighting it or at least reducing the $120 fine?

Be careful to note that the MOOD of the traffic court judge you see will effect your outcome. When I went in to plead my ticket, I had no idea that guy ahead of me was the local Steve McQueen wannabe who'd broken every traffic law in Clackamas County with a suspended license. The judge had smoke coming out of his ears BEFORE he even got to me...... I didn't say shit, paid the fine and left!

 

[Further]

I got a speeding ticket reduced recently down from 100+ (can't exactly recall) to $50 by going to see the judge and when he asked how I plead, I just said I'm guilty your honor, I was totally in the wrong and deserve the ticket, but am having financial difficulties and would appreciate a reduction. He said "sure thing, is $50 doable?" I said yes and that was that. I have no idea what would have happened if I had asked for more.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Take responsibility for your actions. Baretta said it best. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time

 

[Denny Crane]

A few decades ago, I did that. Tried to show that the stop sign wasn't regulation height, was obscured by trees, was too far from the road, etc. etc.

The judge basically said "I don't give a shit about any of that, you are guilty. But I think it's kind of cute that you did all that research, so I'll reduce the fine."

Most likely he would have reduced the fine the same amount if I'd just said 'guilty, your honor', though.

barfo

You unbuttoned your shirt and showed a lot of leg, too.

 

[blue32]

Today, I got a ticket for supposedly rolling through a stop sign. Any suggestions on fighting it or at least reducing the $120 fine?

You're fucked. You're pretty much guilty until proven innocent when it comes to dealing with traffic fines (which is bullshit). Never (Unless there is a technicality) will you get it dismissed or beaten. I mean you could probably hire a lawyer and try to game it, but at 120.00, a lawyer will cost you more and may end up not even getting it dismissed.

 

[Denny Crane]

If it's your word against the cop's, the judge will almost always take the cop's side. Why would the cop lie? That's their reasoning.

If the stop sign is obscured, go take pictures and show those in court.

If the line where you're supposed to stop is too faint to see, again, take pictures. You might claim you stopped a bit before the line.

I knew an ex cop who would lie in a ditch next to stop signs with a radar gun to bust people rolling through. Thankfully, he wasn't a cop for long. He ended up a security guard

If you had someone in the car with you and they testify you stopped, it could help.

Also make sure the cop actually shows up. If not, ask for the charges to be dropped because you do not get to face your accuser.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Just set a court date and show up. If the cop doesnt show it will be dismissed. Or the judge will probably cut it for you.

Or, you can just ask the clerk how much it would be if you paid it now. When i did that three years ago it was cut in half. Becausr i hadnt had a ticket before that for like 9 years.

 

[Sedatedfork]

Just write a respectful letter. It is such a waste of time to go to traffic court. I had all my arguments ready, but the docket is exhausting. I finally decided my time was more valuable than sitting in the peanut gallery to fight a $150 ticket.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Today, I got a ticket for supposedly rolling through a stop sign. Any suggestions on fighting it or at least reducing the $120 fine?

I'm friends with a Multnomah county judge. For $200 I can get your ticket dismissed.

 

[MarAzul]

A few decades ago, I did that. Tried to show that the stop sign wasn't regulation height, was obscured by trees, was too far from the road, etc. etc.

The judge basically said "I don't give a shit about any of that, you are guilty. But I think it's kind of cute that you did all that research, so I'll reduce the fine."

Most likely he would have reduced the fine the same amount if I'd just said 'guilty, your honor', though.

barfo

Did you go to court in your Clown suite or Pirate gear?

 

[Sedatedfork]

Just say "Denny Crane" a bunch during your hearing.

 

[Denny Crane]

 

[Denny Crane]

Did you go to court in your Clown suite or Pirate gear?

Always clown, sometimes clown wearing pirate gear.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

As for as many postponements/continuances as you can get away with. You can get an actual court date put off for months. Eventually the cop will figure it isn't worth it and by the time you actually go to court, he likely won't show. You might also ask for evidence, like did he catch you rolling through on his dash cam?

I got a speeding ticket (along with one for failing to use my turn signals while changing lanes) a few years back at 6 am on Thanksgiving Day while on my way to work. There was almost no one else on the freeway, he had me pegged for almost 10 mph more than I was actually doing (claiming he clocked me both on radar and by "pacing" me....all the while hauling ass on his motorcycle on a dark, rainy morning) and there was no need for turn signals when there were no other cars within at least half a mile. I requested several postponements and sent the OSP a respectful letter asking for the model number of his radar device, what the training and calibration requirements were for the device, when it had last been calibrated and when he had last been trained on it, whether his motorcycle speedometer had ever been verified and/or calibrated, yada, yada, yada. They were unable to provide me with any of the info other than what the actual radar unit was. When I finally went to court, the officer met me before hand and made me his best offer; he would drop the speeding ticket ($262) if I pleaded guilty on the turn signal citation ($120). I took the deal, though I strongly believe I'd have gotten off scott free had I gone to court. I believe the officer knew this also, hence the offer he made me. But all I cared about was that the speeding ticket didn't go on my record. Either way, if you believe strongly enough that you got screwed, it can be worth fighting for. It never hurts to try......

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Next time a cop pulls you over ask him what you did wrong immediately and ask very nicely if you can go to traffic school. A lot of times they oblige.

 

[D-Rock]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll consider my options. I think I'm mostly annoyed that the two motorcycle cops sitting there pulling people over left and right have nothing better to do. It's not even that busy of an intersection. There's a stop light few blocks away that people run reds at all the time. I'd much prefer them Pulling those people over than pulling people over for not going from 1-2 mph to 0. Oh well...

 

[stampedehero]

Cops always win in these situations when they have a dash cam on you or they had a bad breakfast or a piss off contest with the wife. I'll bet you got your ticket either at the beginning or end of the month for the quota. If he is a Twp. cop, they use fines for the budget. The chances or reduction can be used if you simply ask and did not have a nine year history of traffic violations.
Always stop if you carry illegals in your semi trailer

 

[rasheedfan2005]

My buddy did. He took pictures from the cops perspective and proved that the cop couldnt see his vehicle behind a semi at the time.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll consider my options. I think I'm mostly annoyed that the two motorcycle cops sitting there pulling people over left and right have nothing better to do. It's not even that busy of an intersection. There's a stop light few blocks away that people run reds at all the time. I'd much prefer them Pulling those people over than pulling people over for not going from 1-2 mph to 0. Oh well...

There is a no u turn sign at an intersection by a local walmart. It is just like every other spot in town where a u is legal except there is a sign.

They run motorcycle cop stings there all the time. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

I wonder if they didn't post the sign just to make money. There are two righf hand turn lanes adjacent that are no turn on red so that might be the reason, but I never make a u there.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

They see me rollin
They hatin
Patrolling they tryin to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin to catch me ridin' dirty