Tickets: Do I need a lawyer?

[sr71blackbird]

I got three tickets 2 months ago on the same traffic stop.
One speeding (70 in a 55), one for failing to stay in my lane, and one for not producing a current insurance card.
I got the letter from my insurance company that shows I was covered, so thats okay.
I have to go next week to court.
Some people have advised me to bring a lawyer. Is it really necessary, or should I try it on my own? I see the value of having a traffic lawyer, but wonder if others have gotten off without one.

[Don Stugots]

i have never fought a speeding ticket, only parking, i have always just paid them.

[instrument]

You won't "get off" they will most likely drop the lane change if you plead to a reduced speeding charge.

[CHUCKWAGONCOOK]

Call your family and pack your stuff up. Your going to the CAN.

[ToiletCrusher]

Plea not guilty on any ticket. You might end up paying a bit more for the fines up front but you will avoid any possible increases in insurance fees.

[west milly Tom]

Get a PBA card for heavens sake.

[harvey_birdman]

If you want to win, hire an attorney. If you're hoping the cop and judge will show some discretion and have pity on you then go ahead by yourself.

If your license is at all in jeopardy of being revoked or suspended then you must absolutely get an attorney.

[zildjian361]

If you want to win, hire an attorney. If you're hoping the cop and judge will show some discretion and have pity on you then go ahead by yourself.

If your license is at all in jeopardy of being revoked or suspended then you must absolutely get an attorney.

well said and you'll be the first or second case called. not sitting ther like a moron all day, a good chance your lawyer will know the prosecuter and deal before you even stand in front of the judge. iv'e been there good luck.

[sr71blackbird]

Thanks everyone! I'll get a lawyer. Now, how do I pick one? I am in Nassau county on Long Island, anyone know one? Do I just look one up in the phone book? I searched and found several online, but how do I know if they are what I need or do I look for certain things? This one I see has a former cop and a former prosecutor listed as being on the books.

[lleeder]

I got three tickets 2 months ago

I love that Eddie Money song.

[zildjian361]

Thanks everyone! I'll get a lawyer. Now, how do I pick one? I am in Nassau county on Long Island, anyone know one? Do I just look one up in the phone book? I searched and found several online, but how do I know if they are what I need or do I look for certain things? This one I see has a former cop and a former prosecutor listed as being on the books.

defenitly find one close to home, probaly a Dwi lawyer would be the best ,they know everyone in your county.

[sr71blackbird]

I contacted a lawyer I found locally online. He said he would defend me for $650.00 and I wouldnt even have to come down to court, that he would do everything for me. He says he knows a lot of prosecutors and judges and will make sure he appeals to them. Does this sound normal or a good idea? Otherwise I need to take a day off work, or do it myself, and who knows if I would handle it right? Should I keep shopping? I didnt give him anything, but I need to move on this because I have till tuesday next week.

[IamFogHat]

I contacted a lawyer I found locally online. He said he would defend me for $650.00 and I wouldnt even have to come down to court, that he would do everything for me. He says he knows a lot of prosecutors and judges and will make sure he appeals to them. Does this sound normal or a good idea? Otherwise I need to take a day off work, or do it myself, and who knows if I would handle it right? Should I keep shopping? I didnt give him anything, but I need to move on this because I have till tuesday next week.

The only advice I ever give is totally useless cause I assume it was based on that judge on that day. I had a reckless driving against me and I went to court, and this judge, who by the way seemed to be in a pissed off mood the entire morning, gave every single person in front of me a reduced sentence and/or fine no matter what they said. So when I got up there I was a good boy and plead no contest with a reason, which was some bull shit about being worried about final exams (in reality I was thinking about doing **** and fucking my ex girlfriend to the Journey song "any way you want it that's the way you need it"), and he dropped me down to a regular speeding ticket, reduced my fine, and awarded no points off my license. That guy must have gotten blown by his old lady that morning, or some such shit, cause he literally went flacid soft on everyone no matter what their excuse, and yet he delivered it in a pissed off tough guy delivery. So, I guess just be honest and contrite, maybe you'll get a judge who just got head. Who knows?

[Thebazile78]

I contacted a lawyer I found locally online. He said he would defend me for $650.00 and I wouldnt even have to come down to court, that he would do everything for me. He says he knows a lot of prosecutors and judges and will make sure he appeals to them. Does this sound normal or a good idea? Otherwise I need to take a day off work, or do it myself, and who knows if I would handle it right? Should I keep shopping? I didnt give him anything, but I need to move on this because I have till tuesday next week.

What kind of online search service did you use? Something like Lawyers.com? Or your local ABA (American Bar Association) directory? Or just Google or yellow pages?

You get different information from each.

Personally, I'd run this by a practicing lawyer, but that's just me. Oh, and I know a bunch of lawyers, both personally and professionally. (And a judge. But he presides over family court in Camden County, so that's probably no help to you.)

[sr71blackbird]

I did a Google search for ''traffic attorney nassau county ny'' and several came up. Since I do not know anyone who is or uses lawyers, I have no way to know. I got 50/50 from people where I work. Half said use a lawyer, half said no need to. But the second part if of $650 is reasonable. He said it was a flat fee, and if he had to go several times, the charge is the same. What kind of appeals to me is not having to go down there. I have absolutely no experience with this stuff.

[sr71blackbird]

I have retained legal counsel

[zildjian361]

I did a Google search for ''traffic attorney nassau county ny'' and several came up. Since I do not know anyone who is or uses lawyers, I have no way to know. I got 50/50 from people where I work. Half said use a lawyer, half said no need to. But the second part if of $650 is reasonable. He said it was a flat fee, and if he had to go several times, the charge is the same. What kind of appeals to me is not having to go down there. I have absolutely no experience with this stuff.

definetly meet him $650 ain't bad but DEFINETLY go in person to see who is representing you.

[mudflap170]

Blackbird. Being a truck driver who is dependent on my license to make a living, I always get a lawyer to fight a ticket. The only time I didn't get a lawyer my ass got fried. I recently just spent $1500.00 to hire a lawyer to fight a $130.00 ticket, and was found not guilty. I think that's the best way to go considering one ticket might cost you a shit load of money in the long run.

[zildjian361]

you want to make shure he has a Law Office . and not a .com site where you will be waisting your money and he never shows in court :lol:

[high fly]

In the future I'd suggest looking up your local Legal Aid outfit (the proper name might be Legal Aid Society, I'm not sure). Often one can go in and disuss a case just to see if it is worth having a lawyer and if you're poor enough, they'll represent you free of charge.
Call the clerk of the court or the local bar association and they'll know who to put you in touch with if Legal Aid is not in the phone book...

[zildjian361]

In the future I'd suggest looking up your local Legal Aid outfit (the proper name might be Legal Aid Society, I'm not sure). Often one can go in and disuss a case just to see if it is worth having a lawyer and if you're poor enough, they'll represent you free of charge.
Call the clerk of the court or the local bar association and they'll know who to put you in touch with if Legal Aid is not in the phone book...

fuck legal aid this aint the future this is now. and dont steal my line, and they ask me why i drink:nono:

[sr71blackbird]

you want to make shure he has a Law Office . and not a .com site where you will be waisting your money and he never shows in court :lol:

I went to his office and met him. He was a youngish guy and seemed to be a partner, his name was on the directory in the lobby and on the office door, etc. It was right across from the county courthouses in Mineola. He said he represents all manner of cases, from simple traffic tickets up to murder (I mimicked Norton when he said this and said "Muuurder!" and he laughed. We discussed the situation and he asked me questions about my driving record and I gave him copies of all my tickets and letters, and showed him my driving abstract. I have a commercial license, though I no longer drive professionally. He said what he will do is go down to the court and find out who the judge is and if he is not one he knows, he will postpone and reschedule until certain judges come up and he will go in and fight for me. He says it may take some time, like weeks or a month until he gets what s best for me, and that I do not need to even go down to court, he handles it all and will call me when its over. If I get any fines, he says I can pay by credit card over the phone to the court, but he doesnt think it will be any problem (though he cannot guarantee any outcome), he feels that these things are settled usually with no points and a small fine (hopefully!). Wish me luck. If this works out I will be happy.

[high fly]

fuck legal aid this aint the future this is now. and dont steal my line, and they ask me why i drink:nono:

In the present, he already said he has an attorney.
So the future is what remains to be dealt with.

And sorry, I had the line "...and they ask me why I drink" as a sig here for the last 6 years.
You haven't.




Take your toughguy act elsewhere.
I am not impressed.

[Suspect Chin]

Any updates on the case?