Hoard

Just looking for some insight on a ticket I received this morning.
First ticket on the bike in 7 years and I didn't feel I deserved it. Thinking I might be able to get it plead down?

Excessive Speeding. Radar'd 56 in a 40. Overland close to Topaz Ave (Per ticket)
Idaho State Police.

On my commute to work this morning I was headed to the interstate southbound on 10 Mile Rd. There was a cop radaring. I was within the speed limit and didn't think anything of it. Apparently he followed me from 10 Mile Rd onto the eastbound interstate, off on the Eagle Exit, right on Eagle and then a left on Overland where he supposedly "finally clocked me."

I still can't imagine I was 56 in a 40. Only thing I can think of is while accelerating on that left turn from Eagle -> Overland I might have accidently went a bit high but proceeded to go speed limit again.
I was practically outside of my work when we were doing the exchange and he mentioned he was the same cop that I saw on 10 Mile.

Excessive speeding seems excessive. I've been good for 7 years (Mostly) without so much as a ticket.
I just feel that if I were caught dinking around on the loop or Bogus Rd I'd deserve it. I was just trying to get to work at 5:30 in the freaking morning seems dumb. Especially when he had to follow me for 5.5 miles to find something to give me a ticket for.

Think there is any chance of at least getting it down to a normal speeding ticket if I take it to court?

Never actually went to court for a citation before.

Tydd

IMO: Doesn't matter if you think it's okay to speed or not. Doesn't mater the time or place if the officer clocked you at over the limit then you deserve the ticket. In my experience just going to court either leads to a dismisal or lowered ticket. But that's just my experience.

Vegasrider

Is there suppose to be a difference between excessive speeding and speeding? 56 in a 40? Maybe 70 in a 40, but 16 over? Seems like a typical speeding ticket to me.

On a 2nd note, were you not aware that there was a LEO behind you? If not, that ticket is on you.

theduckllr

When in doubt, talk to DA or the minion handling your case. Usually they are interested in a swift resolution that avoids any court time, which is why they so often stack the tickets or write them higher than basic rule. Their weapon of choice is a Reduced charge" trade for a guilty plea. Last one I got, they were kind enough to send me to traffic school, no points on my record. So clearly, it never hurts to ask.

theduckllr

Anything 15mph + over is an enhanced penalty in ID, if I remember correctly.

Hoard

15 over is Excessive.

He was sneaky at stalking me. I saw him behind me keeping pace a ways back but in the morning dark it wasn't enough that I knew it was the cop. Looking back I'm smacking myself.

This alone irritates me. He had to follow me for 5.5 miles to find something he could peg on me.

Yah; it was my stupid. I just feel stupid that this is how I get my first ticket instead of doing something that deserved it (Balling around the loop)

I'll probably go to court, never done it so figure experience if anything. Maybe if I'm lucky i'll get it reduced.

e11charlie

Fork the cops!!! Revenue source is all they are. If a cop followed anyone around for a length of time they would eventually find a reason to pull you over. Something don't seem right with him following you for that distance. I know some of you know cops and "they are just doing their job" bull shit I say! This kind of thing is wrong. I did a ride along back in 2006 with a state trooper when I though I wanted to be a revenue source. The trooper said watch this, as he followed quite closely to a car for about 6 miles. The second their tire touched the yellow line he said "see right there that's an easy ticket and reason to pull them over." Then he proceeded to tell me that he has been doing it for years to drum up tickets. That was long before the shitty economy. I remember when cops used to give warnings for anything that was not endangering. Back when they actually protected. I say fight it and good luck.

redi2ride

Heh,heh. I had 3 tickets in 2 months time last year. I went in on the appointed court appearance time. I met with the Prossecutor in the hall right before. They will be out there talking to people. Explain your record, ask nicely for forgiveness and he may grant you the ticket be exsponged from your record with the cost of doubling the ticket price. It's good ol'fashioned bribery and it's totally legal!!! haha! It worked for me. Ya only get 1 though so behave your self.

Tilos

From what I've read if you choose to go to court, the arresting officer has to appear as a witness and if he's a no show, the charges are dismissed.

Some courts bundle the officer's tickets so those who choose court are all on the same day (they could be bundled via the court dates in the officer's ticket book, ie. send in the $ or send in this and appear on xx at xx a.m.)

Most of what I've read is about a different state though and may not apply in Idaho

Tilos

Hoard

This actually brought up another question. On the ticket it shows

Court Information
Ada County Magistrate Court
200 W. Front blah blah
Blah blah
Court Date: 9/11/2012 - 9/25/2012
Court Time: 8am - 4pm

What? All tickets prior to this have simply stated a court date. Not a range of dates.
Probably easier to just call the number and ask :P

Thanks for all the input

Gem STate ST

Go back and reride your route getting the exact mileages and where the Leo was at first sighting.Call the PA with said info along with your clean record.If the Leo said anything negative about motorcyles then also throw in that you feel you are being discriminated against as a motorcyclist.That is a dirty word for all agencies.

JJSPRINT

That is actually ur plee time at the clerks desk then u get a court date

theduckllr

This is a bond forfeiture. Save it for the "naked wheelie through a school zone while taking the lord's name in vain" ticket you are sure to get in the future.

tom

was the cop on a bike or in a cruiser?

Hoard

Cruiser. ISP

normanrc51

This is misleading. You can still be issued the ticket if he doesn't show up. His statement is the act of handing you ticket. You can argue the ticket, but if it comes down to it and the judge thinks you were speeding, he will uphold the ticket. He may reduce it down.

theduckllr

Not as misleading as you might think. Lucky for us, we have the RIGHT to question our accusers.

Jeckel

Cops don't lie, don't you know that? It MAY get thrown out if he doesn't show. It may not. Depends on the Judges mood that day. I got 3 tickets thrown out one day, not because the cop didn't show, but because my court date was postponed 3 times and it took 9 months to get in front of the Judge. We do have the right to a fair and speedy trial. Plus I was not guilty of any crime I was charged with!

CRAZYACE595

If it was me i would fight it...Following you for over five miles to give you a ticket sounds a little like harrasment to me.

tom

Since the cop was in a cruiser, you could have out run it.

First of all, you bike can split lanes, and the cruiser can't.

Second, most cop know that a biker running away is very dangerous and they in most cases don't pursuit, for the sake of you safety.

Last, your bike has better acceleration so the cruiser won't even come close.

Now you know what to do next time.

JamesD

I remember hearing if a cop follows you to long, it can be considered harassment. But I figured the guy was talking out his @ss.

I did get out of a ticket once because my speedometer was off. I had it dyno'd and document to show the judge and he let it go. I'm sure he could have still fined me if he wished tho. My point is, have your speedo checked and maybe get the charge reduced or dismissed if it is off (plead ignorance). And hope the judge gets laid the night before.

sandm

go down and plead not guilty. you will get a court date approx. 2 months out.
they schedule each cop on a certain day of the week so there will be a lot of people there for him, so your chances of him no-showing are nil. he will have a dozen or so people there for him. be there early. look for the da. they will be walking around talking to people. remember to dress for court and be polite. explain that the guy followed you for miles, your record and suck up basically. I'm guessing at worst, you will get speeding, and at best, possibly no points and a bigger fine.

soneone I know just did this for a mistameanor reckless driving ticket. reduced to infraction following too close, paid the ticket and done.. took all of an hour from start to finish..

good luck..

Vegasrider

Maybe for those who are not riding legally. Not really great advice here, but always interesting watching the news when it does happen. Too bad there isn't a news helicopter here in Boise. But for those videos that I've watched, most of these chases end up with the rider crashing, and for some running out fuel.

CRAZYACE595

Years ago i got out of 3 tickets in one day. The cops followed me around pretty much all day and wrote me 3 nice tickets(speeding, wreckless driving, and some charge to do with a school bus?). Then took my license from me and told me to drive home. Later that evening after getting some advice i realized the tickets were signed by a city guy. I called the local police dept and told them i would sue them for harrasment....Next day i got my license back and 3 of the ticket copies with big X's and a nice void through the middle. I believe if you feel you are being harrassed you can get out of them. I have no problem paying for something i do wrong but to follow you around all day is b.s.

BuellCru

Just f***ing ignorant. Sorry my opinion counts...

BuellCru

Pretty slim chance. The officers get paid to show up in uniform and BS about war stories all day.

BuellCru

Writing you for sixteen over and not fourteen over was a bullshit move to begin with. Did he at least give you the, "These things are dangerous son, and recently we've had a lot of people killed riding these. I'm looking out for your's and the public's best interest to keep you folks safe" speech?

theduckllr

I'd like to introduce you to a guy who thought not pulling over for a speeding ticket was going to be a good idea. His gravesite is on the corner of Fairview and Cole.

tom

Travis, I thought you were nicer than that.

BuellCru

The two speeding tickets I received I was going about 20 over and they wrote me for 14. This cop was just being an ass hammer.

BuellCru

Only on Wednesdays. Missed it by 1:54 minutes. I know people that would take that advice sadly enough.

CRAZYACE595

I thought it was 20 over? I got a ticket in 07 and the kind officer dropped it down for me to 19 over and i paid a $55-$65 ticket Has it changed since then?

BuellCru

Serious Offenses

These violations include:

Speeding 15 mph over the posted speed limit.
Reckless driving.
Improper lane changes.
Following a vehicle too closely.
Driving a CMV without holding a CDL.
Driving a CMV without having your CDL in your possession.
Driving a CMV without the proper CDL endorsement.
Violating a state law of texting while driving.

A second conviction of any combination of these violations will lead to the loss of your driving privileges for 60 days; 120 days for a third or subsequent conviction of any combination of these offenses.

CRAZYACE595

Must have changed since 07 then. I was doing 84mph in a 60mph he dropped it to 79. I did not get a reckless. Thanks for the heads up

tom

How do you know all of these? You are not a cop.

BuellCru

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Idaho+speeding+ticket+fines&l=1

CRAZYACE595

http://idaho.drivinguniversity.com/s...-ticket-fines/ This is the first link you just posted and it says up to 20 over is $47 i would imagine thats a misdemeanor? over 20 is $105 Reckless?

turbolq4

State sponsored revenue generating limp dick losers. Meter maids with guns. To punish and enslave. You are a second class citizen if you dont wear a badge.

Mikey

The googlefoo is strong with you grassahopper!!

BuellCru

It came from here.

http://www.dmv.org/id-idaho/traffic-tickets.php