Mooby Needs Legal Advice

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by mooby

Thank you Smootsmack. Clearly I am learning this the hard way, and I can see how you could say that I was doing "nothing", but I felt at the moment that I was trying to do something by driving up there to help her out. I care about my friends a lot, and I wouldn't have been driving up there had I not wanted to help them. I made the decision to not call the police because she's been in quite a bit of legal trouble before and this would've only worsened her troubles. In hindsight that was the wrong thing to do, as it was to not tell the trooper to send an ambulance up there. And thanks for the kind words The BSB.

Hopefully you understand that I don't literally mean "nothing"

Anyway, my best advice moving forward in this situation from a legal standpoint is to just tell it like it is. The more you try to spin a story the more difficult it will be to clear yourself.

[mooby]

Yes I do understand what you mean. And as of now that is my plan, I've seen many, many instances where people spin stories and only end up hurting themselves in the end. The Duke case is a prime example, that stripper told so many different stories everyone knew she was lying.

[724Skinsfan]

Mooby, based on personal experience, you should definitely get a lawyer. Also, when you appear in court having one, preferrably both, of your parents there to stand with you and show the court that they support you actually does help. Come dressed in a suit and tie. Fresh haircut. First impressions are critical. Hopefully you were very cooperative with the officer. The district attorney will try and nail your ass big time, so the battle is trying to swing the judge to your side. The judge may ask you what have you done since the traffic violation as far as owning up to the responsibility. Be honest and actually limit your driving to only work, church (if you go) and school. The lawyer will help you say the right things to the judge and will probably have a better idea of what exactly you should say in your defense.

Honestly, since this is your first offense and your apparent cause was to to rush to the aid of a friend who appeared to be in a life-threatened situation you may be able to get a reduced fine and not have your license suspended.

One more thing, I'm sure you already know but 90 mph is a guaranteed ticket to the afterlife. You will not survive a crash going at that speed. Not to mention you are probably going to kill another person, possibly a man, his pregnannt wife who themselves are rushing to the hospital in expectations of bringing their baby into this world. I know you were speeding to get to your friend quicker but you actually wasted more time due to the traffic stop. Sorry to nag but I've dealt with situations like this for the last 10 years on too frequent a basis. I hope everything works out.

[Daseal]

1) Get a Layer. You'll probably have to pay the same amount as the ticket, but it won't be all in speeding fines.
2) I totally understand you not sending an ambulance. Regardless of what's going on, it's tough to sell out a friend like that.
3) First offense you're probably okay? How old are you and how long have you been driving? I seriously doubt you'll get reckless driving.
4) As someone else said, look respectable when you go into court, bring family if possible, and be polite. If possible, find out who the judge will be and do a little research. For instance, when I was in court for contributing to the delinquency of a minor (which I beat, they drank my booze when I was 19; I didn't have sex with a 12 year old...) a family member wore a Marines hat because he was an ex-Marine and so was the judge. The hearing ended in them exchanging Semper Fi's.

[mooby]

@724: Thanks for the help. I already planned on both of my parents being there, I've already told them and we've agreed that the only driving I'm going to be doing is to go to work and back. My dad also told me that it would help me out if I attended a driver improvement course at one of the various driving schools around here before they order me to go to one, so I plan on doing that. And yes, I never plan on going that fast again, it's safe to say that I never plan on going faster than 5 above the speed limit ever again too. Thanks for the advice.

@Daseal: I'm 19 and I've had my license for a little more than a month now. My parents were really hesitant to let me get my license because I'm an epileptic and they didn't want to risk me having a seizure behind the wheel. I had my permit for a really long time because of that. And I do plan on dressing in a suit and tie and being polite. Thanks for the advice as well.

[paulskinsfan]

Here's what Id do, for what its worth. Id go down to the courthouse and ask a few people who lawyer wise handles alot of traffic tix offenses. The key to this is to get the right lawyer who has a good relationship with the assistant DA. Its not what you know, its who you know. I know for a fact that attorneys who appear in court with the assistant DA are more willing to cut those guys a better deal from time to time. After you get a name or two, go talk to them and retain them. If it were me, Id get your case continued a time or two, for 2 reasons: First, it allows your attorney to work on the DA a little longer, and Second, the trooper may forget about the court appearance after its been bumped a time or two, then you'll get it dismissed if he fails to appear in court. Good luck.

[Monkeydad]

I hate to sound like I don't care, but you WERE speeding, so if you're breaking the law, you just have to be a responsible man and pay the consequences for your decision.

The same goes with the friend. If you think she needed an ambulance to be saved, you should send one there and let her deal with any legal consequences from her own choices.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

You should try to make her go to rehab...



sorry, my friend was just telling me about VirginFest this past weekend.

[jamf]

Originally Posted by Daseal

1) For instance, when I was in court for contributing to the delinquency of a minor (which I beat, they drank my booze when I was 19; I didn't have sex with a 12 year old...)

Yeah right

[Hog1]

THAT is a lot of scratch for a DAMN speeding ticket, (albeit a good one). Consult with an attorney, or three.
You can get a consult for $00.00. If they do not do a free consult, say goodbye.
Ask what they would anticipate you having to pay for them to defend this case successfully. Ask them what your chances are?
Ask any questions you might have. They work for you. Ask about payment plan. If it makes sense, and you get a good feeling about one, go with that one. As has already been mentioned, it will cost a similar amount to defend, but without the DL (points) problems, and insurance problems($$$$), if successful.
I have been down this road way to many times. It sucks.
The long and short of IT is, if the worst happens, you have to pay$$. The state WILL make adequate arrangements for you to pay. It's all about the $$$$
GOOD LUCK!!
Get your friend in rehab, or to a counselor. Addiction, or depression. Either way, she needs some help..........quick

[firstdown]

Not to pile on but with only having your lic. for a month is going to hurt you and not help as they are tougher on young drivers with tickets like the one you have received. If you are convicted that will only be the start of issues to come. I'm assuming you live with your parents and drive under their insurance. This is going to be an issue with their ins. co as it is a major violation and you are under their policy. Its a good chance that their ins co. could cancel their ins. because of this and as long as you live in their household it could effect their rates. I'd get a good Atty. and good luck.

[MTK]

LOL @ OD on pot?!

Did anyone else see that story on that cop a while back that called 911 claiming to be OD'ing after eating pot brownies?? Freaking hilarious.

[saden1]

[MTK]

Originally Posted by saden1

LOL that's it!!

Classic

[dmek25]

whatever you do, tell the truth, and don't change your story. and if you get a good lawyer, you can probably plead to a lesser fine. i hope you learned a valuable life's lesson