How many of you have ever received a traffic ticket? Most of you I'm sure. Let's be honest. I'm sure most of you were guilty - at least on a technicality. But were you treated fairly? No way! If you bothered to go to court to contest it, what happened? You basically told your story about how you are innocent. Then the cop told his story about how you're guilty. Usually without even taking time to think about it, the judge bangs his gavel and finds you guilty. Then he fines you. End of story.
You ask yourself, "Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? That cop had no evidence, just his word against mine."
Technically, the concept of innocent until proven guilty was followed. However, in traffic court, like in civil court, it's not innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt like with felonies and misdemeanors. It's by the preponderance of evidence. With felonies, they have to prove you 100% or near 100% guilty. With preponderance of evidence, it's only 51% guilty to convict you. Testimony is evidence. The judge decides who to believe by asking himself, "Who has a reason to lie to me?" Is it the cop? Theoretically, no, because it shouldn't mean anything to him personally whether you're convicted or not. But you do have a reason to lie. You don't want to pay a fine and have your insurance premiums raised as well, or waste a perfectly good Saturday sitting in some stupid traffic school. So the judge will almost always believe the cop. Your only hope is to get off on some technicality. Easier said than done unless you're an attorney, right? Not any longer!
Sunday evening, I heard a story on Fox News about a website that helps people find legal ways of beating traffic tickets. It's www.helpigotaticket.com I went there, and it's just chock full of useful information and techniques we can use to beat this crooked system whose true purpose is wring more money out of the people to help fill the state's sagging treasury.
It's tells you how to file a motion with the judge in writing, how to request a trial by declaration, motion to dismiss, change a venue, and many other things. It also has downloadable forms for these things, and explains how to fill them out and who and where to send them.
If you use this website properly, you'll be able to beat most any ticket you receive.
Now I should tell you that this site was designed to help Californians, and the laws talked about there are from the California Vehicle Code, but using internet resources, you can find the equivalent vehicle codes in any state, so it should work for everybody. It just means a little extra effort for non-Californians.
Let me ask you this. Are you going to say, "This is too much trouble. I don't have the time to be bothered."? If that's they way you feel, then just bend over and take it from the state. In other words, just pay the fine, no matter how outrageously high it is and don't complain. In California, just five miles an hour over the speed limit can range from $300 - $500 dollars depending on the jurisdiction in which you are cited, and any previous tickets on your record. Don't forget your insurance rates may skyrocket - especially if you already have one or more tickets on your record.
As to you truck drivers, if you're an owner-operator, you know how much insurance is with a clean record. Do you need increased premiums to eat away at what little profit you retain? As to company drivers, you know that two or three tickets on your record may get you fired. Anyone else who needs his vehicle to make a living will find this site extremely useful such as myself. As a part time maintenance man and part time handyman, I need my pickup for my job. If I can't drive, I can't work. Besides, it's a matter of principle. The traffic courts couldn't care less about justice. It's all about generating revenue for the state.
Well, I'm not willingly going to contribute any more than I have to. This site gives me the resources I need to have a reasonable chance to beat them at their own game. I strongly suggest that you all pay this site a visit. www.helpigotaticket.com
BTW, I am in no way connected to this site, and I profit in no way by directing people there. I'm just trying to help my comrades find any little way they can to fight this rotten system that is designed to take as much of our hard earned money as it can.
Thanks! Couldn't have come at a better time. I just got nailed for 35 in a 25 zone. I'm going to try and fight it. I'm unemployed and can't afford a fine. I have the time, so I figure I have nothing to lose by trying.
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