My question involves a speeding ticket from the State of: Washington
I got a speeding ticket about 10 days ago. The ticket says I must respond within 15 days so it's time for me to decide which way to go.
I was clocked on radar going 50 in a 35 zone - just after I crested a hill and was starting downhill, the motorcycle cop was standing by the side of the road pointing at me. I stopped, did the paper shuffle, and went home with the ticket. $195 (sheesh...). I didn't think I was going that fast (and I stated that to the cop, in a respectful, non-confrontational way).
I've got a good clean record (last speeding ticket was probably 10 years ago or longer). I'd rather keep this off my record (of course I'd prefer to beat it entirely, but I also don't want to invest a lot of time fighting it, especially if the chances are good that I'll end up losing). Keeping a clean driving record is more important (since I figure any speeding ticket will end up costing tons more in insurance over time).
The ticket is with the City of Seattle (Municipal court).
The ticket says I have 3 options:
1. Admit & pay.
2. Mitigation hearing - says it WILL go on my record, court MAY reduce the fine.
3. Contested hearing - fight the ticket. I am not going to count on the cop not showing. I've seen this cop in Seattle for years - he exudes a real attitude (it's not like I know him, but I've seen him, and noted more than once that he appeared cocky, looked like he had a chip on his shoulder). My guess is he would be there.
When the cop handed me the ticket, he asked if I had any questions. Only one I could think of was "how much is this going to cost me?" He replied "$195...but you can get it waived if you don't get another ticket for a year".
Can someone (blewis - you seem to be a great source of info on this stuff, thanks in advance) suggest the best course of action? Readinig the 3-point type on the back of the ticket, there's nothing about having the ticket waived, and it specifically says under "Mitigation hearing" that "I understand that this WILL go on my driving record..." Well, having it NOT go on my driving record is my goal, so this appears to contradict what I've seen here in other threads.
Advice? Many thanks.

