Got my first ticket...

[agp423]

I was on my way to vacationing Thursday, and got pulled over by the cops. I got a ticket for "Unclear Plates" because my license plate frame covered the bottom part of the plate that says "New Jersey." I have no idea how this ticket system works... but I went online and paid the charged amount, do I still have to go to court? The ticket sdoesn't have "Court Appearance Required" checked, but does have a court date... Some help

[Murr1525]

Re: Got my first ticket...

Perhaps best to call and ask.

[dragonballz]

Re: Got my first ticket...

The cop wrote such a stupid ticket so you will appeal it. They get overtime when you appeal it. Same reason why cops ticket you for going 1 MPH over the limit and why some have gotten tickets for illegal aftermarket exhaust when it was in fact the factory exhaust.

[agp423]

Re: Got my first ticket...

Do these things increase my insurance costs? If not I don't want to bother going through all these trouble...

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Got my first ticket...

It is just a fix it ticket. You should be fine.

In the future, if you go to court the judge will almost certainly reduce the fine just for you showing up. On a ticket that absurd, they may even toss it out.

[agp423]

Re: Got my first ticket...

I already paid the ticket, because this court place is far from where I live (on the way to my vacation spot, which is 3 hours away). But good to know, since I already paid, I'll just eat the ticket this time, next time I'll appeal.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Got my first ticket...

I already paid the ticket, because this court place is far from where I live (on the way to my vacation spot, which is 3 hours away). But good to know, since I already paid, I'll just eat the ticket this time, next time I'll appeal.

That's a bit ridiculous...I mean if the plate can be read???

How much is the fine for this?

[agp423]

Re: Got my first ticket...

The fine is $56... which isn't really that much at all, but I'm just concerned that it may affect my insurance. If it does, then that mean I'll be paying way more than that given the years to come. I'll have to make some phone calls tomorrow and ask.

[john m.]

Re: Got my first ticket...

Ive only gotten one ticket suprisingly the one ticket ive gotten was bs though. In this one area we have an extra long intersection because of the wat the street is formed. While I was going the light turned yellow, and my options from where I was, was to slam on my brakes and risk stopping in the middle part of the intersection or just go for it, so I went for it not even seeing the cop and he came after me like I was a bank robber! (cops round here are mostly jerks) He wouldnt even come all the way to my window! Stood by the back part of my car holding his light in my eyes and started searching through my windows! Gave me a ticket for running even after explaining what happened. However, for me I could take defensive driving and keep it off record, there was one other time I had a run in with some cops but it is a long long story and ended with a guy going to jail. Talked my way out of it with my smooth moves (didnt do anything illegal just was in the wrong place when some idiot white smoked it next to me trying to race)

end rant

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Got my first ticket...

Usually only moving violations and insurance claims affect the insurance rate. ( they say comp claims have no effect. They lie. Why do they always bring it up when shopping for rates.) So since this is a non-moving violation you should be okay. However I would still call and ask around.

[Deaner5]

Re: Got my first ticket...

I figured I was the one who was going to get a ticket following our radar detector thread a week or two back. Sorry to hear about the ticket, got to try to stay legal with everything and not give them a reason to stop you.

[ColonelCash]

Re: Got my first ticket...

Does the "if the cop doesn't show to court, the ticket is thrown out" rule apply to all states? It works in TN, I usually try to reschedule my court date for a cops day off...that way they either come in just for that, or you usually go free.

Note: I don't do this often, I'd prefer to avoid getting tickets in the first place.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Got my first ticket...

'Traffic Cops'....Even Cops don't like traffic cops..

That must be one reason why they're so mean.......nobody likes 'em.

[MarkH]

Re: Got my first ticket...

The court date listed is usually your opportunity to contest the ticket. If you paid it you shouldn't have to appear. Wouldn't hurt to call and make sure though.

Your insurance shouldn't go up this isn't a moving violation or anything.

Sometimes I think cops hand out silly tickets just because they can. I once got a ticket because the 2 little lights on my rear license plate were "too dim." It was late on a Friday night and I think the cop was fishing for DUI's by pulling people over for anything he could.

[dope92cc]

Re: Got my first ticket...

That's rediculous. state name is covered?
Your cops need to move here. I always see people with: ONE break light, highbeams/wrong bulbs, covered plates, trashbag windows, idiots that cross intersetion lines(w/ their back tires), and of course idiots that never yeild.