Got caught speeding on NJTP

RE: Got caught speeding on NJTP

Steve,

I am glad you we able to have the charges reduced.

Alexander
Board of Directors
Lincolns of Distinction
 
RE: Got caught speeding on NJTP

Sharon, it's usually a simple case of familiarity. The lawyer is usually in that courtroom, month after month, and the judge (and trooper)simply knows the lawyer, and trust his\her judgement of their client. The lawyer will give the "he a fine upstanding citizen of the community" speech, cuts to the chase and starts deal making. Both the judge and the trooper want to expedite the case (and all the cases)and are willing to deal if there is no prior traffic citations that might raise a concern. You are, in effect, being "judged" by your attorney, whose opinion, as a fellow member of the bar, is respected by the judge.

Additionally, if it's a difficult case, there will be some broader deals made. Either a "scratch my back(on this case), I'll scratch yours(on another), or favors given like tickets to this week's ballgame, etc.

If you go it alone, you will indeed, be "judged" by the judge. The trooper, as an officer of the law, will win any arguement, unless you have your facts together and can back it up. You are in the hole from the beginning, and have to climb the ladder of respect, to win anything. As stated earlier, all parties want the case expedited, do not jerk the judge around, be respectful, be brief (do not waste the judge's time), and you will usually get at least a token reduction, unless you have a history.
 
RE: Got caught speeding on NJTP

Pretty reasonable considering the possible consequences... Good move on the lawyer and his apparent connections. Whew!!! Must be a relief to have it behind you...
 
RE: Got caught speeding on NJTP

Sharon, to answer your question, I am not sure. I have very little experience in traffic court. Most of my cases are felony cases. The impression I have from other officers I work with is that you just spent a bunch of money on an attorney, plus now you are paying for the ticket as well. Unless you are very wealthy, all that money spent is a lesson well learned. The few times I have delt with lawyers in traffic court, They have known the right things to say. They explain their clients issue and bring a full driving history as well. Its not as simple as some may think as there are many variables. In my entire career I have never been offered any money or gifts. If I was, I would report them to the BAR. I have never seen it and never even heard of it. I am sure there have been rare isolated cases of payoff's happening, but most of the stories I have heard involve a friend of a friend and you know how the rest goes.

Also, alot of cops are willing to deal with the person directly. The problem is that you dont know which ones they are and what kind of day they are having. If you find out the cop wont talk to you, it will be too late to do anything but beg the judge for forgiveness. That is the main reason it is better just to have the lawyer in the first place. I myself always look for the person who had the ticket to find out why they are fighting it. Many times they tell me that the clerk of the court told them they had to show up, or that they needed an extension to pay the fines.

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
 
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