Moral dilemma -- What would you do?

[Hairy_Potr]

I spent a good 3 hours screwing around with a traffic ticket. Here's the deal (Q - what would you do?):

I had a speeding ticket. I hadn't paid it on time, which, unbeknownst to me, resulted in my license being suspended (It sounds like a big deal, but it's more of a "gotcha" citation here -- $$). I get pulled over for not having permanent tags on my new car (hadn't rec'd them yet), and the officer looks at my vehicle purchase paperwork, and says, "Fine, but you do realize your license has been suspended, right?" [No] "Here's a nonmoving violation ticket for 'Driving while license suspended, without knowledge.'" The ticket cost is minor, but it does result in license points.

Roll forward:
The clerk at the traffic court says I can either:
A) Pay the ticket and eat the points
B) Pay the ticket and go to 8 hours of driving school (not the fun kind ;)) but not get any points
C) Enter a plea of "not guilty" and -most likely- get off scot free (no pun intended ;)) during a 5 minute court hearing.

I ask the friendly clerk, "How the hell do I argue that I was not guilty, when clearly I was?" Were you driving? Yes. Was your license suspended. Yes. Did you know this at the time? No.

The clerk kindof winked and said, paraphrased, "Hey now, you don't want to tell me that...I just think that with your driving record, a judge will be lenient if you plead your case. It's no big deal, and you won't have the points or have to sit through 8 hours of driving school."

I ended up paying the ticket with the 8 hours of driving school.

Maybe we'll do some drifting. lol

[AR]

Best option since you take both control and responsability.

[dan the man]

Hmm where do u live?

[NSXGB]

Hmm where do u live?

Surely Number Four Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey....?


I think Hairy is from the US of A.

[Boomin33]

I think you should have gone for the No Points.

I had an experience with the courts back in 2004 which mirrors the type of scenario the clerk was talking about. You fill out a "means declaration" before going in and tbh they are pleasantly surprised to have someone walk through the doors that can actually pay a fine; As opposed to £47.25 /month over the course of 10 months.. bailiffs soon on the case etc.

The only one that benefited from those points is your Insurance Company. And we all Love Insurance companies :)
They are good. Honest companies.
That will take care of us in our time of need, right? ;)

[AR]

I think you should have gone for the No Points.

I think he went for option B that still takes care of the points.

[Hairy_Potr]

Yeah, I went with "B" since, surprisingly, I have a little time on my hands and I'd prefer not to have a crappy driving record. I'll just spend the 8 hours daydreaming and doodling, which should result in plenty of exciting topics to discuss with my NSX friends. :) As much of a mockery as this whole situation is, I can't in good conscience enter a bald-faced lie plea of "not guilty" with the court. Particularly when the license suspension resulted from my own negligence in not paying a speeding ticket on time. Also, it's the least I can do given the number of times I've somehow gone unnoticed through radar traps at triple digit mph speeds. hahaha

[Boomin33]

ah missed the lying bit.
I pleaded guilty but a caveat that amounted to ignorance of the fact I was doing something wrong. lapse in paperword, etc. so he exercised his ability to grant leniency.

[JQD84983]

Theres no real justice in the UK unless you can:

a. Pay for a high profilr traffic lawyer to bamboozle the magistrates or
b. are a cabinet minister

My experience of the US is you took the right course of action. Stay of those points!