Today I got a speeding ticket for doing 70 in a 55 speed zone. The ticket is from a county I don’t live in, and I only travel through going to and from the college I attend (Western Illinois University). It is also the first speeding ticket I’ve ever gotten and I’m 22. I’ve only gotten one other ticket and that was for expired license plates. What I am wondering is, can I go on court supervision even though I don’t live in the county and travel through it, how long it will stay on my record, and if I am eligible for a safe driver course. I am also wondering if I should just send in the fine and say I am guilty. I don’t have to go to the court date, but should I? Thanks everyone for your answers. I know my insurance rates will go up, and I will tell my parents because they pay for my insurance.
The thing is, I got the ticket in Mercer County in Illinois. WIU is in McDonough County, and I live in Rock Island County. I have no reason to go to Mercer County unless I am traveling through it to get to Western Illinois or to go home.
Most times the range is for 6 months. You will need to ge the court to let you know how long it will last. Remember there are compact states and should you get a ticket even in another state this could count as another violation.
there are 2 ways of getting this ticket dismissed…….
1) make a court date, and the day before call and cancel, must be health reason, the court will issue a new court date. the officer will probably forget and fail to appear…….
2) write to the court and admit your quilt with explanation, emergency call or something to that affect, in most cases, the court will forgive you with the understanding that you don’t get another ticket in the next 6 months. the letter they send you, keep it with you at all times just in case the charge slip through the cracks, so you’ll have proof if you’re pulled for something
i have found that the #2 works the best.
good luck
I would try and get the court supervision. A guilty plea on a ticket stays with you for years and will affect insurance rates as they will see it on your record. It is an Illinois liscense – not a county liscense.
Knowing Macomb and the courthouse, I would think it would be easy for you to get to town and go to court and ask for supervision. What do you have to lose? If they say no then it is on your record. If they say yes, then it will benefit you. You probably would have to pay an extra court cost, but it would be worth it (balance that with raised insurance rates over years).
By the way, you should know by now that the police sit there out of town like Mayberry giving tickets to students going home from Western. That is how they make their money.