Pay double the $$$ to dismiss the points

[nitroman]

I got a speeding ticket last month in the tiny Georgia town of Woodbine. Like many tiny towns they stake out the small stretch of interstate which lies inside their city limits. In Woodbine's case you must leave town to get to their section of interstate, meaning there is no exit or entry from the interstate into Woodbine. As such, I don't know which Woodbine residents are being protected by the police presence they maintain there, unless some drunk Woodbine resident climbs over a traffic wall and passes out on the roadway.

Anyway I got an 85mph in a 70 ticket. The officer says "you may be eligible to have the points withheld, ask them when you call." Sure enough, there is no fine amount to pay written on the ticket. My only options are to appear in court on Sept. 2nd or call the phone # on the ticket. Odd. I call the # and the lady says pay $200 and I start to ask about options & she says, "Are you wanting to speak to the judge about having the points withheld?" Sort of surprised I say, "sure," and she says he'll be back after 2pm. When I call back they transfer me to the clerk of court who quickly says I can pay double ($400) if I want the points withheld. I say sure, what do I need to do, make a notation on the check? He says no, we know when we get a ticket for that much [money] that's what you want!

In case you think I alone experienced this rare glimpse into "justice," see this article. I was actually poking around for dirt on Woodbine. http://www2.mooresvilletribune.com/cont ... ews-local/

Perhaps Woodbine should concentrate their traffic enforcement here. Silly me, I forgot its not about safety, its about money! http://www.tribune-georgian.com/article ... ss6.26.txt

[lotos]

You can get points on your license on a simple speeding ticket from another state? You sure?

[Fubar1764]

And this surprises you how? I'd say pay the extra money and move on. Highway robbery is alive and well: municipal police.

[theelanman]

camera or in person....
in the UK If it was a camera offence Id check if it was issued within 14~28 days and then ask for the picture ......well it delays it all a bit......but $400 is still a fair old wedge...

[theelanman]

how much does the points system affect the US...or what is your points/fine system and how does it work with your insurance people?.......just thought Id ask

[superbad]

$400!

I got a ticket in West Texas a few years ago that was a similar deal, except they had it all spelled out on the ticket. The odd thing there is you are instructed to make the check out to the judge, personally. Not to the town or county or whatever, it was a check made out to Judge Boss Hogg. How the hell does that work? I assume he just cashes them and distributes a percentage with his cops.

[nitroman]

how much does the points system affect the US...or what is your points/fine system and how does it work with your insurance people?.......just thought Id ask

It is state specific, although I'd imagine they are mostly the same. A speeding ticket is 3 points. At 12 points (within 3 years) your license is revoked. The more points the higher your insurance goes. Worst though, is that you have a hard time renting a car if you've had a ticket within the last year.

And this surprises you how? I'd say pay the extra money and move on. Highway robbery is alive and well: municipal police.

The sad thing is that it doesn't surprise me. If anything it's almost come to the point where they no longer feel it necessary to disguise their activities. ie... "We need money. You drove a Lotus through our poor little town. Pay us."

It's incredible to me that at least for the last 30 years 50% of the money collected for Jacksonville traffic violations goes DIRECTLY into the Policed & Fire Pension Fund. This is admitted to by EVERY police & city official. Where is the indignation at the conflict of interest?