Cited for Speeding, More Than 25 MPH Over the Speed Limit

[aerosmith]

My question involves a speeding ticket from the State of: MO

Hi,

Cop in south Missouri , near MO-AR border pulled me over on thanks giving night. Hands me citation for exceeding by +25mph. 83mph in 55 mph on state route E. There is no other vilation ticked other than 304.010 (http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3040000010.HTM)

I am not sure what I am going to get here. The court data is in the last week of december-2010 in a court nearby where I was caught. (around 510 miles one way from my home up in IL)

What would work best in my case, hire an attorney or attend the court myself?

I did talk to some attorney in that area who said they will charge their fees + I don't need to attend the court + pay fine(non moving violation).

Also if I end up doing attorney , is it standard to send original citations to them? If so, then what safe measures should I take while mailing them the original citation (through USPS).

This is my first ever ticket in 4 years since when i started to drive in US. Other thing is my dash lights had stopped working that night although the needle was working. I was travelling to AR from IL.

Please advise.

Thank you.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you don't want to pay the attorney fee and believe you could do as well in court for yourself as you would with an attorney (or by having a lawyer appear for you without personally being present), you may opt to represent yourself. If you do not believe you will be very effective at representing yourself, if it's worth the money to avoid having to appear in court, or if you believe your lawyer can achieve a better outcome, you may opt to hire a lawyer. That's ultimately a personal choice you'll need to make based upon your own circumstances and self-assessment.

The attorney can generally work from a decent copy or, very often these days, a scan. If you do mail originals, make sure you retain copies.