Q: Can I both get court supervision and get my fine reduced?
I've never gotten a ticket before and I'm not sure how it works. It seems that there aren't clear answers, either. I was caught by radar allegedly going 92MPH in a 55 zone, though I NEVER saw the speedometer read that high. The ticket says I don't have to appear in court despite there being a new law that I am, in fact, required to show. Is this grounds to get it dismissed at all, or at least get the fine lowered? I work at a nonprofit so $2000 is almost an entire month's paychecks. The cop (who wasn't wearing a mask) told me to ask for court supervision and the whole thing would go away, but does that include the fine? Also, is it mandatory that I even enter a plea? I wasn't asked to sign the ticket, either. I'm fine with taking the class but $2000 is a lot of money for me. Does it help that I was in a chevy volt and that the speedometer is a digital readout rather than the more traditional analog reading? It makes it difficult to assess your speed as you go without staring at it.
A: 92 in a 55 is 37 over the posted speed limit which is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and up to $2,500.00 in fines not including mandatory assessments. This is a must appear in court ticket since it is a criminal offense and not a normal speeding ticket. If you receive a conviction on this criminal offense, it will show up in background checks for the rest of your life and cause you issues with employment, education, housing and financing. You must hire an attorney to assist you with this matter right away. The sooner you hire an attorney the better. That attorney will try to have this matter amended to a Petty Offense but they need time to work on your case. Hire an attorney now.
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