I need a Lawyer......Groan [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

booster11373

11-27-2006, 12:25 PM

First off I hate North CarolinaOf the many reasons why I hate North Carolina here's the newest.Over the Holiday I decided to travel and seem some distant cousins who have recently moved to this hell hole of a state.Long story short I get a speeding ticket, 75 in a 55 fine you caught me I admit I was speeding all thought I just got off stretch that was 70mph, whatever that's not the point.The ticket and the officer who gave it to me say I have to appear in court  All I want to do is pay the damn thing and be done, I call the local DA, after much phone ping pong, they tell me there is no way to just take my money, I have to appear or GET A LAWYER to appear for me.I cant go back there to appear, its the day I'm going over seas for the holidays and its 4 hours from where I liveI dont know anyone in the area to recommend a Lawyer to me, All my life I have feared having anything to do with Lawyers (my family had a bad experience with some lawyers)I cant believe that now on top of the expense of the ticket I will have to fork out for a lawyerWhat do I do?

booster11373

11-27-2006, 12:26 PM

This is making me a nervous wreck.........let me say it again I hate North Carolina

cupcakelove

11-27-2006, 12:31 PM

I just want to say I also hate North Carolina.  Its never done anything to me, but I've driven through it a few times and I've always hated it for some reason.

Don Stugots

11-27-2006, 12:31 PM

holy shit.  i feel for you.  what if you just send them a check?

outlawfrank

11-27-2006, 12:39 PM

What happens if you don't show up, miss the court date.  Or just send a check like Stugots said.  I can't imagine that North Carolina will put you on the chain gang.  Maybe they can postpone the court date.  I had something similar to this happen to me in Nevada years ago.  I told them I wanted to spend the night in their jail so I could go to court the next morning.  Good luck bro.

feralBoy

11-27-2006, 12:47 PM

Something similar happened to me.  I was driving 85 in a 55 in Prince William County, VA.  The officer pulls me over, telling me that he caught me doing 85, and 85+ is wreckless driving.  I thought he was doing to give me the ticket for 84 and just pay a fine.  The guy gave it to me for 85 and told me that I had to appear in court because it was wreckless driving, not speeding.  I live in NY, so I would have had to drive back to VA to appear in court.  I found out that I was able to write in a plea of guilty.  That's what I did.  They sent me a fine for like 100 something bucks.You may want to see if you can write in a plea.

Tenbatsuzen

11-27-2006, 12:47 PM

Correct.  I believe you can postpone the court date, but I would seriously investigate the matter to see what you can do about appearances. I'm sure you can probably hire a local yokel in the town you got busted for a couple of hundred bucks, worst case scenario.  Don't hire Johnny Cochran - mainly because he's dead - but you don't need LA Law for a traffic ticket.

booster11373

11-27-2006, 12:51 PM

See I all ready spent the better part of 2 hours on the phone with the local DA's office and county clerk of courts and the both said either show up or get a lawyer. There seems to be no way around getting a lawyer

EliSnow

11-27-2006, 01:03 PM

booster11373 wrote: See I all ready spent the better part of 2 hours on the phone with the local DA's office and county clerk of courts and the both said either show up or get a lawyer. There seems to be no way around getting a lawyer My brother had the same problem in Spring Lake, New Jersey, when I was in law school.  We had to get a lawyer, who got the fine reduced, but with his fee, we were no better off.You'll have to just bite the bullet and get a lawyer in North Carolina.  Unfortunately, I don't have any contacts down there.  Did you ask the DA's office if they could recommend any local attorneys?

booster11373

11-27-2006, 01:26 PM

I got the names and numbers for 4 lawyers from the town where I have to appear.Their ads all say the specialize in traffic court Should I ask any thing specific? or just take the one who sounds the best on the phoneDo they get paid by the hour in a case like this?any advice would be much appreciated

EliSnow

11-27-2006, 01:30 PM

booster11373 wrote: I got the names and numbers for 4 lawyers from the town where I have to appear.Their ads all say the specialize in traffic court Should I ask any thing specific? or just take the one who sounds the best on the phoneDo they get paid by the hour in a case like this?any advice would be much appreciatedThey should just charge a flat fee for this.  Yes, they get charged by the hour, but they should know exactly how long it's going to take them to resolve this issue.  I'd explain the situation, ask what their rates are, and if they think that they can get the fine lowered, etc.  After that, go with your gut.  It's a simple traffic issue, and you're willing to pay the fine, so it's not like you need Perry Mason, or Mikeyboy.

lleeder

11-27-2006, 01:41 PM

You can fill out the back and put in for a different date or you can just do the honorable thing, don't show up and you'll have a warrant in North Carolina. Then you never have to go back there and your excuse is I can't go sorry I have a warrant in North Carolina.

feralBoy

11-27-2006, 01:48 PM

lleeder wrote: You can fill out the back and put in for a different date or you can just do the honorable thing, don't show up and you'll have a warrant in North Carolina. Then you never have to go back there and your excuse is I can't go sorry I have a warrant in North Carolina. My dad did that in maryland, and they sent 2 maryland state troopers to our house, and then started garnishing his paycheck.

mendyweiss

11-27-2006, 01:48 PM

I'm guessing 1500 for the lawyer, reduce it from reckless driving to speeding

SouthSideJohnny

11-27-2006, 02:01 PM

Booster - It sucks, but getting a lawyer will be the best thing to put this behind you. Whatever you do, don't ignore it and not show up.  They will issue a warrant and it will eventually cost you a lot more to resolve that than it would to deal with the ticket.  Get a lawyer that specializes in traffic issues and in that area.  If you have a few names already, check them out and find out how many tickets they handle annually.  You want someone with alot of experience, preferably in the local courthouse where you have to appear.Where I'm at, the routine is usually to plead not guilty through the lawyer.  Then, the lawyer appears at the pre-trial haring and changes a plea to no-contest.  If your driving record isn't too bad, you can get a withheld adjudication and court costs.  Those costs, with the lawyer's fees, will probably equal the ticket but you're done with it and hopefully without any points on your license.  The practice varies from place to place, and I don't know anything about NC law.  Your definitely want someone local to help you get through it. Some states now have mandatory / must appear tickets for exceeding the speed limit by a certain amount (e.g. 20 mph).  It sounds like you might have one of those.  Good luck!

booster11373

11-27-2006, 02:03 PM

mendyweiss wrote: I'm guessing 1500 for the lawyer, reduce it from reckless driving to speeding If that is the price I might as well cancel my trip and go to jail because I wont be able to afford that rate

lleeder

11-27-2006, 02:09 PM

feralBoy wrote: lleeder wrote: You can fill out the back and put in for a different date or you can just do the honorable thing, don't show up and you'll have a warrant in North Carolina. Then you never have to go back there and your excuse is I can't go sorry I have a warrant in North Carolina. My dad did that in maryland, and they sent 2 maryland state troopers to our house, and then started garnishing his paycheck. mmmm...paycheck garnish.<img src="http://turbomirage.phpwebhosting.com/pics/misc/homer_drool.gif" border="0" width="346" height="331" />

mendyweiss

11-27-2006, 02:29 PM

booster11373 wrote: mendyweiss wrote: I'm guessing 1500 for the lawyer, reduce it from reckless driving to speeding If that is the price I might as well cancel my trip and go to jail because I wont be able to afford that ratebooster, just guessing on my part, butMy wife got aticket in Virginia going 79 in a 55.The cop sais she had to go to court, and we live in Maryland. We spoke to a few people and some said get a lawyer some said no need for traffic violation. She went before a judge, pled guilty he reduced it to speeding from recjkless driving. Had to pay around 300 whicjh included court cost.No lawyer , but talking to some people in the court waiting room, they said it was around 1500 for a lawyer.  Good luck

blakjeezis

11-27-2006, 06:30 PM

My wife got aticket in Virginia going 79 in a 55. Wait a Goddamn second here! Mendy, you're a dude? Ah geez ... Is it gay if you didn't know? 

This message was edited by blakjeezis on 11-27-06 @ 10:31 PM

nevnut

11-27-2006, 06:42 PM

outlawfrank wrote: What happens if you don't show up, miss the court date.  Or just send a check like Stugots said.  I can't imagine that North Carolina will put you on the chain gang.  Maybe they can postpone the court date.  I had something similar to this happen to me in Nevada years ago.  I told them I wanted to spend the night in their jail so I could go to court the next morning.  Good luck bro. Callin' bullshit. I've lived in Nevada all my live and never have had to appear for a traffic ticket, and I've had my fair share.

KC2OSO

11-27-2006, 06:51 PM

blakjeezis wrote:  My wife got aticket in Virginia going 79 in a 55. Wait a Goddamn second here! Mendy, you're a dude? Ah geez ... Is it gay if you didn't know?  Holy fuck - the same thought just <strike>ran</strike> <strike>tumbled</strike> went through my mind.

TokeOne

11-27-2006, 07:37 PM

I am a criminal defense attorney in Florida and I went to undergrad at Carolina and I had my fair share of traffic tickets in North Carolina. If you want to message me the county I might be able to recommend local counsel, but expect to pay about 250-300 dollars for everything, lawyer and court costs. In North Carolina you might be eligible for a P.J.C. which is a "Prayer for Justice Continued" where they basically keep the case open for a period of time and then drop it completely if you stay out of traffic trouble. Or, and probably better, most North Carolina judges will plea bargain a speeding ticket to an 'improper equipment' non moving violation which won't add points to your license or hurt your insurance. North Carolina does have a mandatory court appearance for speeding over 15 mph, every state is different Nevada Guy. Funny thing is, in Miami, a ticket like that you can get a lawyer for 65 dollars or just pay by mail and eat the points and insurance hike.

TokeOne

11-27-2006, 07:38 PM

mendyweiss wrote: I'm guessing 1500 for the lawyer, reduce it from reckless driving to speeding He never said it was a reckless, just 20 over. Reckless in NC is a criminal charge that has added elements on top of the high rate of speed.

TokeOne

11-27-2006, 07:41 PM

nevnut wrote: Callin' bullshit. I've lived in Nevada all my live and never have had to appear for a traffic ticket, and I've had my fair share.Different states, different laws buddy.

Justice4all

11-27-2006, 07:53 PM

I had the same thing happen to me too. But I did nothing about it so I now have to take a trip NC also. I have family in NC and can find a good lawyer if you would like me to.PM me if you need any help.

nevnut

11-27-2006, 07:55 PM

TokeOne wrote: nevnut wrote: Callin' bullshit. I've lived in Nevada all my live and never have had to appear for a traffic ticket, and I've had my fair share.Different states, different laws buddy. You didn't read the post, he said the same thing happened to him in Nv, or I misread.

TokeOne

11-27-2006, 07:59 PM

nevnut wrote: TokeOne wrote: nevnut wrote: Callin' bullshit. I've lived in Nevada all my live and never have had to appear for a traffic ticket, and I've had my fair share.Different states, different laws buddy. You didn't read the post, he said the same thing happened to him in Nv, or I misread.Looking back a different guy said it happened to him in Nevada, my fault, I thought you were responding to the original poster.

PapaBear

11-27-2006, 08:00 PM

I am a criminal defense attorney...               +<img src="http://www.ronfez.net/messageboard/images/member_avatars/t25803.gif" border="0" width="120" height="200" />               =<img src="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/movies/10741/10741_af.jpg" border="0" width="288" height="432" /><img src="/messageboard/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/clap.gif" border="0" width="28" height="30" />

TokeOne

11-27-2006, 08:11 PM

PapaBear wrote: I am a criminal defense attorney...               +<img src="http://www.ronfez.net/messageboard/images/member_avatars/t25803.gif" border="0" width="120" height="200" />               =<img src="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/movies/10741/10741_af.jpg" border="0" width="288" height="432" /><img src="/messageboard/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/clap.gif" border="0" width="28" height="30" />           What movie is that from?I am kinda like Sean Penn in Carlito's Way I think.

PapaBear

11-27-2006, 08:31 PM

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas. Great flick.Same characture (Carl Lazlo Esq.) is played by Peter Boyle, in Where The Buffalo Roam.

This message was edited by PapaBear on 11-28-06 @ 12:32 AM

UnknownPD

11-27-2006, 08:33 PM

Don't freak until you talk to a lawyer. Prolly be 200 for the lawyer and the cost of the ticket. This shit is pretty routine. I'm surprised you can't get an adjournment. But its not really a big deal. Do not ignore it. I have a buddy that recently spent the night at Queens County Central Bookling because Alabama notified NY of his failure to pay fine and license was suspended. Besides with the Patriot Act and shit you have no idea who is sharing warrant info with who. You'll wind up in some shit ass jail while they try to decide you're not a suicide bomber.

mendyweiss

11-28-2006, 04:59 AM

blakjeezis wrote:  My wife got aticket in Virginia going 79 in a 55.  Wait a Goddamn second here! Mendy, you're a dude? Ah geez ... Is it gay if you didn't know?This message was edited by blakjeezis on 11-27-06 @ 10:31 PM Wow, people thought I was a chick all this time ? I got to make my posts more manly from now on !!

mendyweiss

11-28-2006, 05:26 AM

<img src="http://www.findagrave.com/photos/2001/222/weissemanuel2" border="0" width="500" height="328" />Emanuel "Mendy" Weiss

EliSnow

11-28-2006, 05:59 AM

This message was edited by EliSnow on 11-28-06 @ 10:02 AM

booster11373

11-28-2006, 10:01 AM

mendyweiss wrote: blakjeezis wrote:  My wife got aticket in Virginia going 79 in a 55.  Wait a Goddamn second here! Mendy, you're a dude? Ah geez ... Is it gay if you didn't know?This message was edited by blakjeezis on 11-27-06 @ 10:31 PM Wow, people thought I was a chick all this time ? I got to make my posts more manly from now on !!I had the same problem one night in the chat room people thought I was a chick because of my mod quote

Marc with a c

11-28-2006, 10:03 AM

booster11373 wrote: mendyweiss wrote: blakjeezis wrote:  My wife got aticket in Virginia going 79 in a 55.  Wait a Goddamn second here! Mendy, you're a dude? Ah geez ... Is it gay if you didn't know?This message was edited by blakjeezis on 11-27-06 @ 10:31 PM Wow, people thought I was a chick all this time ? I got to make my posts more manly from now on !!I had the same problem one night in the chat room people thought I was a chick because of my mod quote I remember that.  I thought you were really funny, then I found out you weren't a girl.  Now you're just regular.