dlaio

Gah. Got a ticket driving up to Syracuse last night. Was in a rental, ticket was for 78 in a 65 (It was 11:30 pm and there was no-one else on the road).

Really strange, Younger guy, he was on the other side of the highway and must have really wanted me, as he did a U-turn on the highway, hopped the grass divider (pretty sure he got the cruiser airborne doing it, and came up behind me). When I saw him do it, I didn't actually think he was coming after me (I mean 78 IS speeding, but really?) figured he just got a "calling all cars" radio call.

Anyways, pulls me over (I'm expecting the "Hey buddy, some guy in a blue SUV just robbed a bank, show me your hands), but he just give me the ticket, and he's off. Strange thing is, there is no fine on the ticket. It's just a form to indicate if I am guilty/not-guilty, that I guess I have to send in to NY and wait for them to either send me a summons, or send me a bill. I am a little hesitant to simply check "guilty" and see what kind of bill shows up in the mail. I have no idea what I am pleading guilty to, simple speeding? I fear Im going to see the "You were going 78 in a school zone on Wednesday, driving a blue SUV, where there are cows, so here is your 10^6 dollar fine and give us your lic.) I mean, NY state is really hurting for cash right?

So what do I do? Hire one of those $150 a ticket lawyers, just go to the hearing myself, or just check guilty and see what happens.

Bass

hey Joe - best bet is to post this in upstate for advise

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showforum=67

figure these guys know the system better than we do ie no amount on the ticket

CTMechE

Joe, I talked to my lawyer brother, and he says to check the ticket to see what court will have the ticket on file. Usually at the top, it'll say "In the ___ court of ___" and the cop would have filled in the blanks with the court name.

Apparently, many courts have a web site or at least a phone number, where you can find the cost of tickets. And beware of hidden "court costs" too.

daktruckie99

Last NY ticket I has was for 92 in a 55. Pled guilty, wrote a note in there. Got a bill for $100. The amount depends on the magistrate and their mood.

Good thing about NY is that it won't hit your insurance.

drhess06259

I got one in ny about 2 years ago same thing guilty for 82 in 65 was 120 bucks so guess it depends on if u feel like going back to fight it or not

s2kbrit

Had one for 87 in a 55 in NY in the fishkill area... cost me $150 and doesn't go on insurance... i wouldn't worry too much about the cost of it. HOWEVER, i proceeded to get another ticket in NY a few months later and was slammed with a $600 fine on top of the 2 tickets. The letter that came with it tells me that 2 moving violations (of any kind) within an 18 month period will cause you to get this fine. So 2 tickets cost me $900 :/