Valid reasons for changing court date

[vdoguy]

Does anybody know what constitues a valid reason for changing a court date? I got a speeding ticket in New Brunswick this summer but I can't make it to the court date, (it's a full days drive from where I live), and I need to know what is accepted protocol.

Any help or advice would be VERY welcome. Anybody with any knowledge of what might help me fight the ticket in New Brunswick would also be of great help. Both my wife and I think the cop was more than overzealous. He got us on a mobile in-car radar on a road full of traffic as he pulled out of a driveway. The speed he states has nothing to do with what my speedo seemed to be saying. There are other issues as well.

Thankx

 

[twowheelnut]

Call the court clerk.

 

[radman]

Canuckia or New Jersey? If it's Canada, just show on time and keep sayin "Viva Le Quebec" and seperatist terrorist type **** like that. The speed ticket will get lost in the clutter. Joisey? Get this pair.

Marisa will kill 'em....

 

[NoCage]

Hey Rad... is that pic from "My Cousin Vinny"?... great flick... Marissa is so hot.

 

[donaldb]

TWN's pretty much got it right! Most city or justice court clerks will re-schedule your court date, but you will need to have a good reason and they will normally do it only once. Be ready to have another available date at hand. They probably wont let it slide a second time unless your excuse is being 6 feet under. Remember that you catch more flies w/honey than w/vinegar--so be sweet, say "yes mam"

 

[Ignacio]

It varies so much by each state and province....I think you'd get 60+ different answers.

Call the clerk.

 

[jestal]

del

 

[Ignacio]

....and get an attorney...

While I agree for the person that doesn't want to do all their homework should get an attorney--I disagree that the system is all corrupted up, greased, and impossible for a person to defend themselves. Anybody, in Washington State anyway, that wants to do some research can get out of most tickets.

I am 4 for 4 on contested tickets. Started when I got one I didn't deserve and since then I realized you truly are innocent until proven guilty. 12 years now and they have yet to do it.

Maybe a different story in Canadian provinces though since it's based more on French law, but I'd still give it a shot.

 

[Windjammer]

Had my share of tickets, and got out of my share both by self-representation and by hiring an attorney. If you lawyer up you can let them do the work, and they usually come back with something helpful in exchange for the fistful of cash they demand - in fact, they can usually help you avoid a court appearance altogether. If you choose to represent yourself, you will find it true that various localities are all a little different. Best thing you can do in that case is go to the same court previous to your court date and spend some time watching and learning about the procedures in that locality. Especially watch the outcomes of those who have lawyers, and what their lawyers ask for and get from the court. Then try similar negotiation tactics, following the "habit" of the court, and you can usually avoid a trial.

 

[motorgod]

I am 4 for 4 on contested tickets.  Started when I got one I didn't deserve and since then I realized you truly are innocent until proven guilty.  12 years now and they have yet to do it.

Too bad you don't live in my neck of the woods......I'm 4 for 4 against attorneys....I'm sure you'd put up a spirited fight....while I get paid $72.42/hr with a three hour minimum.......

 

[Ignacio]

Too bad you don't live in my neck of the woods......I'm 4 for 4 against attorneys....I'm sure you'd put up a spirited fight....while I get paid $72.42/hr with a three hour minimum.......

My real attorney laughs every time I see him as I raise another digit on my hand in victory. He tells me it's not too late to go to law school, but I laugh and say they're all guilty and scumbags. They let me off didn't they?

...joking aside, law was a serious option I considered 20 years ago, but didn't go for.

Now I just prefer having this one fool for a client and getting acid stomach the night before a court date

:dribble:

 

[FJRottie]

Make a phone call, as suggested above. Be pleasant.

Get some local legal advice about the circumstances.

Also, if the officer is not there to argue his side if you fight it......Judge throw it out.

Be prepared. Good luck.

 

[jestal]

del

 

[FJRottie]

Did you guys miss the fact that the question involves a ticket in a town a days drive away??

Nope.

 

[vdoguy]

Thanks for all the advice.

I just contacted a laywer who'll make a call to the Crown prosecuter and see what he can work out. The lawyer is a biker himself and has a policy of charging based on the numer of points and the amount of the fine that he reduces.

Hopefully, he can at least get the crown prosecuter to at least call him back, he never returns my calls.

 

[RadioHowie]

Come up with a REALLY good argument, too.

Here's how I beat a speeding ticket back in 98 while going over the posted on Interstate 4 near Disneyworld in Orlando.

Got stopped by an FHP trooper who claimed I was clocked by a spotter plane.

Under FL law, both the ticketing officer and the spotter must show up at court to testify.

After reading up on various methods to beat spotter plane tickets, I asked the judge to ask the spotter how he identified my car as the one speeding out of hundreds on the interstate.

He specifically stated that he identified my 1997 red two door Acura as the speeding vehicle. The one thing I had learned in my personal investigation to beat spotter plane tickets was that vehicle colors become very difficult to discern the farther you are away from them. Especially very dark colors. My Acura was a very dark red. 1500 feet away, it looks black. The plane was flying at 2500 feet. So I basically knew I had the ****** in a lie and he got the color from the ground pounder, not from his own observations.

I then asked the judge to ask the spotter whether the spotter could be 100% sure the car he spotted was mine by asking if the sunroof was open or closed. He stated the sunroof was definitely open and the car-based officer agreed.

I then proceeded to show the judge a picture of my Acura...that had no sunroof. Needless to say, I walked. And both officers received a severe admonishment from the judge.

I would have loved to have gloated, but I hauled my happy *** away from there as fast (within the limit) as I could.

 

[TejasFJR]

Man, I can imagine how big your grin was once you cleared the courtroom. Good for you Howie!