[Houston] Need ticket advice. :( | FerrariChat
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[Houston] Need ticket advice. :(

Discussion in 'Texas' started by Dave328, Jan 30, 2007.

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  1. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #1 Dave328, Jan 30, 2007
    I was in Houston over the weekend for my wife to get some tests done at MD Anderson. Got turned around at the 45/59/288 interchange and wound up taking the wrong exit.(59 north, not 288 south) Got off at Polk trying to find a way back onto 59 South,running late for our appointment and stressing,I was nailed for 43 in a 30 at a G Brown Center lot off Chartes. Played it super nice and explained we were trying to get to MD Anderson for my wife's cancer treatment, but he wasn't sympathetic.

    Haven't ever gotten a ticket in Texas, so not sure what my options are. I was going to try to call the city attorney and informally plead my case. Good idea/Bad idea? Any and all suggestions welcome! (Even "SLOW DOWN DUMBA$$") :D

    And, BTW, wifes scans were negative meaning she has beaten the cancer so it was still a good trip!

    Dave
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 BigTex, Jan 30, 2007
    Great news! Glad to hear even if you NEVER call.........we've been thinking of you......

    Defensive Driving is one option but will burn a day....

    I glazed over and ran red light....they granted 'deferred adjudication' and a 90 day probation....if you go that route it's court fees, etc, but then you go forth and 'sin no more"...

    Or at least, do it in the Crescent City!
     
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 BigTex, Jan 30, 2007
    No option to discuss on the phone...you should see the madhouse that is Traffic Court these days....

    Can you make the appearance time noted on the ticket?

    That's just the first hearing, to set it up for trial! But you can cut to the chase and plead out at that time.....

    I should play a lawyer on TV.......
     
  4. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #4 Dave328, Jan 30, 2007
    I know, I know! It's just that when we came to town for workups, she has felt anything BUT sociable! ;) We should be back to "tourist" status shortly! :D

    How do I go for the AD? I assume it has to be done in person. :( When he whipped out the computer handheld, I knew it wouldn't turn out like tickets down hea' in the dirty south! ;):D

    Dave
     
  5. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 Texas Forever, Jan 30, 2007
    GREAT NEWS!!!!!

    Bout da ticket. Don't worry about my man, unless you plan on moving to Space City. :)


    Dale
     
  6. julian_blk348

    julian_blk348 Karting

    Nov 21, 2003
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    #6 julian_blk348, Jan 30, 2007
    Dave,

    My brother-in-law got nailed in a town just outside of Houston and they gave him the option of paying an extra $100 + ticket and probation for one month. If he doesn't get another traffic violation for a month, then the ticket is erased.

    Check to see if they have that option at whatever county you were ticketed.

    Good luck and congrats on the wife's check up!
     
  7. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #7 Dave328, Jan 31, 2007
    Really?!? I assumed there was reciprocity between La and Tx for traffic violations. No?
    I know I'll have to pay, just don't want to get raped on Insurance if I can get the Defer Adj.

    Dave
     
  8. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 Texas Forever, Jan 31, 2007
    I dunno. Houston is so backed up that I'm aware of a number of people who just ignore the damn thing.

    That said, my wife just got one near the Med Ctr for turning right from a non-right hand turn lane. First ticket ever for her. I just went ahead and paid. Life is too short.

    Dale
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 BigTex, Jan 31, 2007
    Ignoring it is NOT good advice........

    Those warrants they stack up eventually get served..........

    Jump into the legal system, the water is fine!

    Veteran's Trim on Lubbock is right next to the courthouse, as is Valeria's Trinity Lutheran Church.....
     
  10. Bad Dogg

    Bad Dogg Formula Junior

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    #10 Bad Dogg, Jan 31, 2007
    Call office of David Sprecher - he is the best at getting tickets taken care of and also a car guy.

    Hope you don't have to come back but next time look me up, I work at MD Anderson

    h
     
  11. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #11 Dave328, Jan 31, 2007
    What dept? After Katrina, my wife worked a nursing contract on the Lymphoma floor. 12 month's later, she's a patient there. Go figure.

    We'll be back in April for post-radiation CT and PET and we usually stay at the Rotary House. So maybe a Houston/Nawlins gettogether is in order. I don't want Alan to forget what I look like! :D And hopefully Dale can find a car that can hold it's coolant and drive down from "Tha Country". ;) :D

    Dave

    <edit> Any idea what he charges? I found an article on him with Google from '96 that said $40-$200 per ticket. I'm sure it has gone up. Either way I'll probably give a call tomorrow.
     
  12. MurcieMurcie

    MurcieMurcie F1 Rookie

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    #12 MurcieMurcie, Feb 1, 2007
    I have used Sprecher many many times and usually just ask for defferred so the infraction disappears if you stay clean "in TX" for 60-90 days.
     
  13. Amir

    Amir Formula Junior

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    #13 Amir, Feb 1, 2007
    Badd Dogg....you are right, Sprecher got me off of some triple digit speed infractions :)


    Btw- I'm writing this message from MD Anderson 4th floor interventional radiology :)
     
  14. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #14 Dave328, Feb 1, 2007
    LOL! Does everybody work at MDA?

    Dave
     
  15. Bad Dogg

    Bad Dogg Formula Junior

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    #15 Bad Dogg, Feb 1, 2007
    I work in OR

    I paid $120 last time. Maybe it is $1 per mph? ;-)
     
  16. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #16 Dave328, Feb 3, 2007
    I WISH!! LOL!! I wouldn't mind $13!

    Dave
     
  17. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 BigTex, Feb 3, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Definately plan something when she feels better!

    Amir's place is larger than mine but Valeria has lots of parking! LOL!

    You can get deferred just appearing and acting like an attorney! LOL!
    Triple digit speeds require more finesse..............
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  18. SkizoACE

    SkizoACE Formula Junior

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    #18 SkizoACE, Feb 4, 2007
    plead no contest and take defensive driving. clears the ticket and lowers insurance
     
  19. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #19 Dave328, Feb 5, 2007
    Not quite as convenient, since I live in New Orleans. ;)

    Dave
     
  20. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #20 Dave328, Feb 5, 2007
    CRAP! Just checked, and the fine is $188. Sprecher charges $100 to get it dismissed. But I HAVE to appear in court. So, total out of pocket to fight it exceeds the fine itself. :( But, don't want to chance taking an insurance hit. :mad: DAMMIT!!! Should have worked on the cop with the "taking wife to cancer treatment" defense a little harder. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

    Dave
     
  21. Amir

    Amir Formula Junior

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    #21 Amir, Feb 5, 2007
    Dave,

    I can't remember if I had to present ID when I was at the court. I would send someone in your place, and hope that your ticket is dismissed. I don't remember showing ID the last time......
     
  22. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #22 Dave328, Feb 7, 2007
    Just an FYI, in case you didn't already know, DPS must be low on their ticket "quota" as they are hitting the highways extra hard. How do I know? My best friend just got rung up on 10 between Houston and Beaumont, for 70 in a 65. Yep that's right, 5 miles over. The kicker? He's the Special Agent In Charge for the FBI from the state line, through beaumont. Not even a hint of professional courtesy! Man, I thought La State Police were tough! Even the HPD who nailed me said he won't write unless you hit 11 mph over limit.

    Dave
     
  23. mdlacroix

    mdlacroix Karting

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    #23 mdlacroix, Feb 7, 2007
    Just as a side note, most local (read city, county, state) officers live for the chance to write tickets to two groups of offenders: rich (in appearance) guys in fancy sports cars and Federal officers (professional jealousy).
     
  24. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #24 Dave328, Jul 18, 2007
    Thanks to MadDogg and Murcie for your Sprecher recommendation. He got me dismissed on Monday!! Cost of ticket was $188 plus ins hit. Cost of free SW flight - $5, stayed gratis at a buddies apt and had a free day at National. Add in Sprechers C note and I'm $83 ahead. (as long as I don't count all the Class 3 UZI time at Top Gun :D:D:D)

    Thanks again!

    Dave
     

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