[midwesterner]

I was out last night and got a speeding ticket in cook county. Officer clocked me at 15 miles over the limit on a local road which serves as a two lane highway. I was going with the flow of traffic, but as is generally the case in these situations, wrong place at the wrong time.

I have been driving for over 15 years with out any moving violations on my record and I'd prefer to keep it that way to ensure my insurance rates are low.

The citations provides three options: 1) pay the ticket and admit guilt; 2) pay the ticket, admit guilt, and attend traffic school. This apparently does not get reported to your insurance company; 3) Plead not guilty and send in form for a court date.

Since my record is clean, I contemplating option 3 and hoping that the court may honor "Supervision." Basically, this option is a double or nothing deal. The court will drop the ticket if you do not receive another citations in 6 months. However, you still have to pay the ticket and all court costs (not a big deal to me). Under the supervision deal, the court may also require traffic safety school. It appears that Court Supervision may essentially be the same outcome as Option 2 above, however I would have to go to Court. On the other hand, Option 2 requires the admission of guilt, where as Court Supervision may not (I am not certain)....

Just curious if anyone from Chicagoland has experience with these situations. I am hoping to make the most informed decision. Thanks in advance.

[Mr. Nice]

Get a lawyer, definitely your best bet

[///M3NACE]

dont get a lawyer. do option one and u still get supervision. I think just going to court is like 200+ dollars w/out the fine. This had happened to me and i got supervision. just dont get pulled over for a few months.

[scribbler11]

A few years back I got a speeding ticket and called everyone I knew for attorney referrals.

I spoke to two attorneys who to my surprise both recommended I save my money on legal counsel and represent myself and ask for supervision.

I am originally from Miami where there are $69 - $99 traffic attorneys who guaranty no points or court fees. Even though it's a different game up here in Crook County, I was shocked that attorney's were turning down an opportunity to make $$$.

I went to court, paid some fees, went in front of judge, was granted supervision and that was it.

Good luck.

[Ricer X]

sigh...

NEVER admit guilt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OP said $ not a problem. Solution then is simple. Get atty. Get court date. Best case is atty magic or officer doesn't show. Worst cas is supervision and you are out $.

[Eeighty8]

I've done option 2 and 3 on separate occasions.

2 will save you the most time. You end up doing the traffic school online if you like. Takes a couple of hours but is pretty easy.

I did 3 once because I was banking on the cop not showing up and having the ticket thrown out. Well he did show, I entered 'not guilty' as my plea, the judge ruled against me as guilty, and I lost a half day of my life. Although the judge lowered the fine as I asked for leniency, I think I still paid court costs and it ended up costing me the same as option 2.

The ironic thing was that I really wasn't guilty, and did it for the principal of it. But without evidence, you will probably be found guilty anyway.

Good luck.

[Mr. Nice]

My last ticket I paid my lawyer $100 and he got it dropped

[midwesterner]

Originally Posted by Mr. Nice

My last ticket I paid my lawyer $100 and he got it dropped

Can you PM me his/her name?

Thanks!

[///M3NACE]

Yes can you pm me also just for future use

[midwesterner]

Did we meet at Saif's wedding. Your ride was sick. PM me your contact info so I can get the details about your run in with the police.

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

Yes can you pm me also just for future use

[Ricer X]

Originally Posted by Eeighty8

I've done option 2 and 3 on separate occasions.

2 will save you the most time. You end up doing the traffic school online if you like. Takes a couple of hours but is pretty easy.

I did 3 once because I was banking on the cop not showing up and having the ticket thrown out. Well he did show, I entered 'not guilty' as my plea, the judge ruled against me as guilty, and I lost a half day of my life. Although the judge lowered the fine as I asked for leniency, I think I still paid court costs and it ended up costing me the same as option 2.

The ironic thing was that I really wasn't guilty, and did it for the principal of it. But without evidence, you will probably be found guilty anyway.

Good luck.

Did you bring an atty? If you would have you likely would have gotten off with supervision and $ at worst, so you'd be no worse off than 2 and still have a chance.

[Concentric190]

go to court, plead guilty ask for supervision, done deal.

You sometimes have an option now a days to request supervision via mailing your ticket in, see if you have that option on yours (I believe dupage co may offer this). That saves you court costs.

No need for a lawyer on this, your record is clean.

[Ricer X]

I understand what everyone is saying, but consider that OP said $ was not an issue. That being the case, why not get the best professional help possible? In fact, I think it quite foolish not to do so in this case.

[cipher5]

The officer has always told me I can ask for supervision on the ticket payment form. Otherwise you can go in to pay the ticket and ask for supervision. You can be denied but with your clean record I honestly don't think you would get denied. If you want absolute guarantee that you will get it, then sure get a lawyer, and the lawyer will basically say that this is a infraction after a clean record and you ask for supervision, the state will say ok and you pay and go along your way. I'm sure you could do this yourself as well. Good luck!

[mkPOTO]

Originally Posted by midwesterner

I was out last night and got a speeding ticket in cook county. Officer clocked me at 15 miles over the limit on a local road which serves as a two lane highway. I was going with the flow of traffic, but as is generally the case in these situations, wrong place at the wrong time.

I have been driving for over 15 years with out any moving violations on my record and I'd prefer to keep it that way to ensure my insurance rates are low.

The citations provides three options: 1) pay the ticket and admit guilt; 2) pay the ticket, admit guilt, and attend traffic school. This apparently does not get reported to your insurance company; 3) Plead not guilty and send in form for a court date.

Since my record is clean, I contemplating option 3 and hoping that the court may honor "Supervision." Basically, this option is a double or nothing deal. The court will drop the ticket if you do not receive another citations in 6 months. However, you still have to pay the ticket and all court costs (not a big deal to me). Under the supervision deal, the court may also require traffic safety school. It appears that Court Supervision may essentially be the same outcome as Option 2 above, however I would have to go to Court. On the other hand, Option 2 requires the admission of guilt, where as Court Supervision may not (I am not certain)....

Just curious if anyone from Chicagoland has experience with these situations. I am hoping to make the most informed decision. Thanks in advance.

If you go with option 3 you will need a lawyer, this could cost anywhere from 500-600, then you have to factor in the court fees which is about 200ish (they do take what you paid for on the ticket out of the costs) you will be looking at more then what you will be looking to pay if you went with option 3. Its about 3xxish and you dont have to deal with possibly having a lawyer who wont give you court supervision

[Ricer X]

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

If you go with option 3 you will need a lawyer, this could cost anywhere from 500-600, then you have to factor in the court fees which is about 200ish (they do take what you paid for on the ticket out of the costs) you will be looking at more then what you will be looking to pay if you went with option 3. Its about 3xxish and you dont have to deal with possibly having a lawyer who wont give you court supervision

But with the atty you have a chance, albeit a small one that you can get it dismissed without supervision.

[Silver3s]

Its interesting that you are willing to pay $200+ (court cost & maybe lawyer) but not willing to pay if your insurance increases. I had my first ticket in 4 years and my annual insurance premium only increased by $28 and the ticket was clearly displayed on my policy paperwork.

[Ricer X]

That's a valid point, but in reality in my case, I know that I would not be changing my driving habits and the insurance issue is cumulative over a few years.

[mashen6ka]

if you decide to get a lawyer, i have a great one that does cook county.

[Concentric190]

Originally Posted by Ricer X

That's a valid point, but in reality in my case, I know that I would not be changing my driving habits and the insurance issue is cumulative over a few years.

The only thing a lawyer helps you to get is supervision. if you have a clean record you will get supervision basically automatically. I've had probably 20+ speeding tickets, 4 of which were in just 1 year, and only 1 has ever shown up on my insurance record. you don't need a lawyer for a basic ticket with a clean record, its a waste of money. I use my lawyer every time though.

[Spazdoc]

I am not surprised that someone could not get a lawyer for a minor speeding ticket, probably not worth the time ($100 for hanging out an hour is not worth it for a lawyer or other professionals).

My last ticket, I was charged with 110 in a 55. Lawyer charged me $500 for the 20 mins it took to get it done, I paid $100 court fee, no supervision. My friends and family have used the same lawyer repeatedly for other issues, similar results.

[nick 55]

Look up Ernie Blomquist. He's a very good attorney that practices in Cook County. Some of the prices you guys are quoting seem high. A simple speeding ticket should cost about $150-225 for representation, tack on wreckless driving or misdemeanor speeding(24+, I believe) and that quickly escalates. Unless you have a personal friend or family member that is an attorney, misdemeanors start at about $1500, but that can usually keep you out of jail(which is a real possibility for anything close to double the speed limit).

http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/60004-...t-1189242.html

Nick