After reading some excellent posts and articles here about handling speeding tickets I have a couple of questions, mostly for assurance!
This is my first ticket, although technically I had one 10 years ago that was taken off my record (I've moved states since, as well). I was stopped for speeding (~20mph over but the office put 15mpg over down) and was genuinely unaware that I was speeding... I don't typically even pay attention to my speed in Seattle due to all the traffic. I was ticketed for speeding and for not having proof of insurance (I have insurance but my card in the car was outdated). In addition to these two tickets I also received a pamphlet on how to show I had proof of insurance if that was my case (which it is).
My main concern is that I don't want this to appear on my record - I love my insurance very much and would hate to have it go up because of this! I see that my two choices are mitigation and fighting it in court. My questions are:
- If I try to fight it in court, I have no intent to prove my innocence since I was indeed guilty. I just want this to be off my record. Is this worth trying?
- If I do mitigation it says I'm admitting my guilt and that it will go on my record. However, the cop and this forum advises that the judge will most likely give me a deferral which will indeed keep it off of my record. Is that true?
- When I return my notice to the court of what I'd like to do I assume I can return both tickets (after I make copies) in one envelope and get a court date for both at once. Is that true? I assume I can show them the proof of my insurance during the court or mitigation date?
Thank you very much, this forum is excellent!
- Mike

