I got a speeding ticket in what I now refer to as “Speed Trap” Kern County. I was speeding at 75, but the officer wrote me up for going 92 (I had my car set at cruise control and he didn’t even care when I protested). The ticket came and it was $380 plus would be additional if I went to traffic school. I used my group legal plan and got it reduced to $150 but the officer wouldn’t let me do traffic school and it was 1 point off my license. I called my insurance and they said with my PERFECT driving record (16 years) my rates are not going to go up for a 1 pt. so I elected to just pay the $150 and not fight it further as even my lawyer said I would probably lose (even she said the officer was a big jerk).
So, I learned three things from this nightmare that I would like to share for everyone’s future reference:
1) If you get a speeding ticket in a different county than where you live, tell the officer you want your case heard in your home county (this is your right by California law) and when you sign your ticket, write “COUNTY SEAT” above your name. PRESS HARD SO IT GOES ON ALL THE COPIES;
2) Your auto insurance won’t automatically go up with a speeding ticket, especially if you have a good driving record (it never hurts to ask);
