Received first ticket

Poppy6985 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-08-2003, 11:50 AM

Well got my first ticket last night at approximately one am, i am seventeen years old. Cop ended up giving me a ticket for not having my license on me, and ticket for no seat belt. Well i know the license ticket i can get rid of since ill just make a photo copy of my license and send it to the police station but the seatbelt one im not sure of. See the story with the seat belt is that i had it on the whole time but when the cop pulled me over i was really nervous and it was the first time i have ever been pulled over so i took it off ( i dont know why). Yea my firend was with me in the passenger seat can i take him to court with me and use him as a witness? Also, what is the max penalty for no seat belt?

Thanx alot.

Tom · #2 (**permalink**) 02-08-2003, 12:09 PM

I would think if this is your first ticket ever you might be able to go to court with you friend as a witness and get it waived. not sure what the penalty is. I know that some of my friends have asked to pay a donation to the court in return to waive the ticket but this only works if this is the first ticket you have ever gotten or it has been i think at least 5-7years since the last ticket so you have no ticket on your record.
Good Luck.

Poppy6985 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2003, 12:10 PM

Yeah this is my first ticket ever.

By the way, how much is the donation?

Tom · #4 (**permalink**) 02-08-2003, 12:37 PM

I think they paid any where from $30 to $100. but it beats getting points on your license and then your insurance going up.

Poppy6985 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-08-2003, 12:41 PM

Thanx man.

BlackCell · #6 (**permalink**) 02-08-2003, 03:26 PM

ive recieved a few tickets, but ive also dodged, evaded and avoided more than ive gotten

Avoid the point or drivers school...save that for when you 'cant' avoid it....go to court with your friend....dress nicely, and look clean shaven...stand up straight, look everyone in the eye and act respectfull, humble and appologetic.
Tell the judge that you 'just recently' got your license or whatever...or that it was your first time getting pulled over...
tell him that when the cop pulled you over you were scared and worried...tell him 'the cop took a long time to get out of the car, and you werent sure if you should get out or what....(did he have the spotlight on you?) you can say you took your seatbelt off in anticipation of getting out of the car, cause youre not sure what he wanted or what you were supposed to do.
That should work.
And as to the not having the license? Well i dont know about in NY, but in California and other states, its a fix it ticket....you just show proof that you have one...
you want to go for the 'im young, innocent, and naieve'
but also remember that they can see through a lie...so be sincere...
good luck. i hope it works out.