I was pulled over recently for speeding in Missouri, for 25+ mph over speed. Now I have to appear in court. This is my first speeding ticket or any traffic violation. What are my options and what is the best and worst case scenario for me?
Missouri appears to have a careless and imprudent speeding law. Missouri’s Careless and Imprudent (Reckless) Driving Laws and Penalties | DrivingLaws.org This is a Class B misdemeanor and has penalties that can include 6 months in jail and $1000 fines. This can be applied to any speeding 20mph and over.That you have a mandatory court date, you probably have been charged with a Class B misdemeanor. But, I can’t see your ticket and I don’t know about the particulars in Missouri, but an attorney there would know.My advice to you is to at least consult with an attorney BEFORE you go to court. Best case is that you allow an attorney to represent you in court. Today would be a really good day to make that appointment. You need an attorney who practices in the district where you have to appear in court and deals with traffic cases. She should be familiar with the court system and the judges there.If you are convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, you may not be able to hold a job that requires a driver’s license! Yes, the attorney will cost you, but a conviction on a misdemeanor charge may affect your employment possibilities. Plus, you really want to avoid jail.
I got caught driving more than 20 mph over the speed limit in Illinois. It's my first time and I don't want it to be on my record. What should I do?
Speeding more than 20 mph but less than 30 mph over the speed limit in Illinois requires a mandatory court appearance: you must appear before the traffic court judge even if you intend to plead guilty. In most situations, court supervision is an option for offenses of this nature. If you ask for and receive court supervision, and you comply with the terms of court supervision, the offense will be discharged (typically after four months, although this may vary depending on where you are in the state) and will not appear on your driving record. Expect to pay significant fines, probably in the neighborhood of $500 once all costs are added in, and you will almost certainly be required to attend traffic school.If you were more than 30 mph over the speed limit, court supervision is most probably not an option. Speeding over 30 mph is a serious traffic offense and may, at the prosecutor's discretion, be prosecuted as a misdemeanor for which you may be sentenced to jail (although the court would likely suspend any such sentence on a first offender). If you are in this situation, you're going to want an attorney.Really, for any offense other than a minor offense for which a court appearance is not required, you probably want an attorney who specializes in traffic cases to get advice specific to your situation. There may be ways to get the offense reduced (e.g. amending it to an "equipment violation" as suggested by Christopher Hawk) that the prosecutor has the option to agree to, but the chances of making this happen are a lot higher if you have an attorney handling the case who is familiar with the court and the prosecutor, than if you try to go it by yourself. The attorney fees will be worth it just in the long-term insurance premium savings: the average increase in insurance premiums, over time, due to a single speeding ticket in Illinois is $744.
How much over the speed limit do most officers let you go before pulling you over?
I have always heard that as a rule 5mph over the limit but that is totally up to the officer. One day I was driving on Rt. 80 and I always drive 5mph over the speed limit and no more than that. While driving a state trooper approached the highway coming up the entrance ramp. What do all the idiots on the road do? They all slam on their brakes though the trooper was doing under the speed limit. Not me, I continued on my way at 5mph over the limit. With everyone else slowing down, this made me the fastest traveling car on the highway. It wasn’t long before the trooper was right behind me. After a bit he came up and rode along side of me. I just pretended he wasn’t there. Soon he got behind me and his lights went on and I pulled over. When he came up to my window he said, “Didn’t you see me along side you?” I said, “I sure did Sir.” The officer said, “Then why didn’t you slow down?” I said, “Sir, I was driving at 5mph over the speed limit which as a rule seems to be acceptable. I am not trying to be a smart ass but when I see a police officer, I do not get intimidated. I drive 5mph over the limit whether an officer is present or not present and never more than that. I am not like all the idiots that slammed their brakes on as you entered the highway and slowed down to under the speed limit yet when you are not around most are driving at 90mph.” The officer thanked me for my honesty and went on his way.
What is the michigan age requirement to drive a moped?
15. "License Requirements If you do not have a valid operator or chauffeur license and are at least age 15, you may apply for a special moped license. You are not eligible for a moped license if your operator or chauffeur license is suspended, revoked or denied unless the suspension is for a medical reason. You must meet ID requirements, pass a vision, knowledge and traffic sign test to obtain a moped license. You do not have to pass a driver education course or a road skills test. Check with a local Secretary of State branch office for the vision standards, which differ from those required for a regular operator license. If you are under age 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your license application. You must give up your moped license if you obtain a regular operator or chauffeur license. The original moped license fee is $7.50. Applicants who are under 20 years, 6 months old receive a moped license valid until their 21st birthday. Any other moped license expires four years from the applicant's last birthday. The four-year renewal fee is $6."
What are the chances of a first time felony offender going to jail?
It is going to depend on a number of things: the type of crime, the way in which the crime was committed, the circumstances of the crime, and the offender's past criminal history. Let's say you broke into someone's home and stole over $250 worth of their belongings (that makes it a felony). If you did it because a bully said he would hurt your mother if you didn't get him the stuff is a more compelling reason than if you did it to get money to buy more video games for yourself and some good weed. If this was your 3rd time getting caught doing this type of thing, that ups your chances at serving time. If you broke into someone's home and found there were some kids in it with a babysitter and you terrorized everyone, that's not going to go well in court. So you see your intentions and your actions, along with your past criminal history, will be the deciding factor on whether the judge sees jail in your future. You get points on a sentencing sheet for all these different things. Rack up so many points and it's off to the slammer for you. A sentence of under a year is served in the county jail. A sentence of over a year is served in a state prison. Generally. Every state has their own rules, but that's the way it usually goes. Some crimes have a jail sentence no matter what. Gun laws in Massachusetts for example have an automatic, no getting out of it, jail sentence if the crime was committed with a gun. First time offenders that committed a non violent crime and have no past criminal history will most likely get a suspended sentence, probation and fines. Suspended means you don't have to serve the jail time as long as you do your probation and pay the fines. If you screw up, you will be put in jail to serve the original sentence.