[Tricky Mike]

I know some of you guys always fight your tickets... I've actually only fought one and lost but I have another opportunity (unfortunately).
So, here's the deal. I ride to work in Boston pretty much everyday. I (and a couple other bikes) park in a spot on work property about 30 feet up on the sidewalk. Usually I kill the bike and push it, but as I usually arrive at 7:30AM, ther's not usually anyone on the sidewalk. I think you see where this is going...
Whenever I DO ride on the sidewalk I'm literally doing my own little personal "slow race." It's slower than walking... seriously. So, there I am on Tuesday morning doing a mean 3-4mph (I know... digital speedo) when I get pulled "over" and ticketed for operating on an excluded way... I actually may hold some kind of record for slowest ticket, who knows.

Now.... I'm guilty. 100%. I can admit that... while I do think that this is a technicality ticket, since I was CRAWLING. I'm not one to split hairs... If the motor is running and the bike is in gear there are no "if's, and's or but's" about it. It's riding on the sidewalk and I'm a moron.

Soooooo..... having said that... has anyne had any luck requesting a hearing just to try to not get killed by surcharge points? I have a squeaky clean driving record (the above lost fight was MANY years ago in NYC) and would really like to keep it that way. While I can admit my own stupidity, and while I understand that as far as the law is concerned the circumstances don't really matter, I don't think that my situation and that of someone who jumps a curb and does 15mph down a sidewalk to dodge traffic should carry the same penalty.

Aaaanyway, has anyone had any luck gong in, admitting guilt, admitting complete stupidity, apologizing, saying they have learned their lesson, promising to volunteer at a homeless shelter, save a bunch of baby seals, plant a tree, etc. and asking that a ticket be reduced to a non-moving violation?

Many thanks
PS- Hopefully this thread goes better than the last one... let's keep it civil, OK, cocksuckers?

[OreoGitorio]

oh dude... absolutely go plead your case, that's friggin retarded. (but don't tell them that )

[Nikon]

Originally Posted by trickphoto

Now.... I'm guilty. 100%. I can admit that... while I do think that this is a technicality ticket, since I was CRAWLING. I'm not one to split hairs... If the motor is running and the bike is in gear there are no "if's, and's or but's" about it. It's riding on the sidewalk and I'm a moron.

Personally, in my mind, you just answered if you should pay it or not.

[Tricky Mike]

Originally Posted by Nikon

Personally, in my mind, you just answered if you should pay it or not.

Yeah yeah yeah, can it, rookie
Seriously, though... I know you're right... It's just when you start looking at what this will cost me over three years of insurance rape the punishment doesn't really fit the crime.

[Wishbone]

Originally Posted by trickphoto

OK, cocksuckers?

i hope they nail you to a torture stake for your blatant disregard for the law you squidy asian



oh sorry, i thought that was the automatic response for that

[Punjistick]

I know a lot of people would disagree with me but I fight them no matter if I am at fault or not. What's the worst that can happen other then missing a days pay. Even if they don't drop it, it usually gets reduced. Luckily I haven't been in that position in a long time.

In your case it's not like you were doing something really dangerous so you probably have a good shot of getting it dropped if you just tell them that you you were being an idiot.

[joeswamp]

This is one of the many tickets where they should make you pay $50 but there should be no points. Can you even get points thrown out in Mass? I know it happens in lots of other states...

Give me a break, it's not like you're now a huge insurance risk because you rode 2mph on the sidewalk. That cop just gave the insurance company a nice gift courtesy of your bank account -- he really should have just yelled at you and given you a warning.

[rpete]

There's no pleading out of the points in Mass, unfortunately. I'd go to the clerk magistrate and explain that you were slowly moving your motorcycle from the road to your parking spot. Mostly they're pretty lenient and will probably find you not responsible. If you get one of the less understanding magistrates, they'll offer to cut the fine in half, but you'll still have the infraction on your record and will incur the insurance surcharges (which can cost literally thousands over the next five years if you insure a car as well). In the worst case you pay your $25 court fee and appeal the magistrate's finding, then there's about a 50 percent chance the cop doesn't show up at the appeal and the whole thing is tossed by the judge.

There's every reason to appeal in my opinion. Consider also that if you just pay up you're less likely to get off with a warning in future traffic stops.

[Manny]

Fight it. Always fight it.

[Manny]

Bring your uncle with as well.

[highsider]

I think it would be perfectly reasonable to go in and say that you are indeed guilty, and ask nicely if they can change it something with no points but the same fine.

[SVRACER01]

always fight. whats the worse that could happen. you lose and have to pay anyways?

[R7]

Does Mass have a good driver program like RI, if you haven't had a ticket in the last 3 years you can show up and claim your good driving record and get the charge dismissed?

[Kham]

must have been my curse John.

you're not fighting if you're going in to beg for forgiveness. at least you're not in denying like me.

[Currently]

This thread is now officially polluted!

[SSearchVT]

I would definitly go to court to discuss the ticket - the initial fine doesn't seem to really concern you. The points and insurance nailing do. Make the offer to have the charges changed with the same fine. Having a clean record for years helps.

Next time - get a run at it, and coast with the motor turned off.

[bigred875]

i would tell the magistrate everything you said here and that you will not do it again...i suspect they'll let you go...

[Tricky Mike]

Originally Posted by Manny

Bring your uncle with as well.

That was the first call I made No luck, though. He doesn't know the trooper who wrote the ticket.

[Tricky Mike]

Well, looks like I'm going to give it a shot. Just gonna tell them what I said here. I'll also bring a copy of a pay stub to show that I actually DO work on that stretch of sidewalk.

[hessogood]

You have to do all that to the DA/Prosecutor. If you admit guilt you could reserect the judge or magistrate's dead parents and you would still get the fine and points. Try to work something out with the prosecutor.

[Tricky Mike]

Do I need to try to get to the DA/prosecutor before the hearing to do this?

[hessogood]

Yes. Best would be to find them and get in touch with them before the date. If you can't pull that off, find them in the court house before you go to the magistrate. Worst case is you have to pay the ticket, which is no worse off than you are now. Might help to have a copy of your driving record for them to review.

[Jaynnus]

Originally Posted by R7

Does Mass have a good driver program like RI, if you haven't had a ticket in the last 3 years you can show up and claim your good driving record and get the charge dismissed?

Nope.

But thankfully, RI applies that law not only to it's residents but to anyone who gets a ticket in RI.

I always fight them. The worst that can happen is you lose but it is worth the shot. Besides, I have never lost.

[xxdcmast]

What courthouse do you have to go to?

[Tricky Mike]

Not sure yet... Just got the ticket on Tuesday and haven't even mailed it back yet. I was cited in Boston by a state trooper for what it's worth. Does where you're cited within the state matter? If I got ticketed in Boston am I likely to get a Boston courthouse?