Lawyer or not - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

LTb1ow · 03-16-2009, 10:45 AM

So I have a court date for rear-ending somebody coming up and of course, now I get tons of letters from lawyers that say they can make magic happen, for a slight fee of course.... Basically, I have never gone to court for this kinda thing, its a 5 point offense, and was curious to whether getting a lawyer would help or hurt me.

Blackbirdws6 · 03-16-2009, 12:01 PM

You are going to have to weigh the benefits compared to what you will avoid in long term costs (insurance going up or suing you for other issues). If it was serious enough, best to get a lawyer.

bobb1589 · 03-16-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

You are going to have to weigh the benefits compared to what you will avoid in long term costs (insurance going up or suing you for other issues). If it was serious enough, best to get a lawyer.

^ agreed

HeadlessNorseman · 03-16-2009, 12:25 PM

Better to give your cash to a lawyer than NJ! What was the ticket called exactly? just talk to the prosecutor see what he is willing to do, if you dont like it say you would like an adjournment(sp?) to get a lawyer

LTb1ow · 03-16-2009, 12:49 PM

39:4-89

madness410 · 03-16-2009, 12:50 PM

what are the charges exactly against you? if you have more than 1 i would say plea bargain

LTb1ow · 03-16-2009, 12:52 PM

Just a tailgating ticket, but its 5 pts. officer said I could be able to knock it down to a careless if I go to court. Question is, should I get a lawyer, or just go solo?

Frosty · 03-16-2009, 01:09 PM

5pts for THAT? Holy ****...glad I live in PA.

I'd probably go with a lawyer.

bobb1589 · 03-16-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shownomercy

Just a tailgating ticket, but its 5 pts. officer said I could be able to knock it down to a careless if I go to court. Question is, should I get a lawyer, or just go solo?

Oh, in that case, how is your record? If it is clean, I would say go talk to the prosecutor, If the cop says you can knock it down if you go to court, then by all means go. They will talk to you and the person you hit (if they show up), and as long as the person agrees that you were "careless", you both will sign some paper. You will go up to the judge, he will ask you if you were operating your vehicle carelessly, and how it was careless. He will say ok, i accept your plea, how will you be paying, blah blah blah... It is an $85 ticket + court fees.

I had the privilege of listening to probably every type of ticket there was when I had to go for mine, because they apparently didn't even have my file ready for the day that I went and I was the absolute LAST person to go, and sat like 2 rows away from where the prosecutor talks to everyone so I overheard everything.

bobb1589 · 03-16-2009, 01:14 PM

who changed his member status to Power Member / Tailgater? priceless

MonmouthCtyAntz · 03-16-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shownomercy

Just a tailgating ticket, but its 5 pts. officer said I could be able to knock it down to a careless if I go to court. Question is, should I get a lawyer, or just go solo?

I dont think you should waste the money on the lawyer.

baddest434 · 03-16-2009, 02:48 PM

i'll go to court with you and act like i'm your lawyer

for a small fee of course lol

sweetbmxrider · 03-16-2009, 02:59 PM

just go solo for the ticket. if the accident victim tries to sue or whatever, it will be a different court date. if the cop said he would help out, you should be ok.

Blackbirdws6 · 03-16-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

just go solo for the ticket. if the accident victim tries to sue or whatever, it will be a different court date. if the cop said he would help out, you should be ok.

Cops stop a good amount of people and probably will not remember your particular incident so I wouldn't bank on him being your buddy. If the lawyer fee is small, I would get one. You also get bumped ahead of the people without a line too if you have a lawyer with you. Saves time and $$.

NJSPEEDER · 03-16-2009, 04:36 PM

If any of them have a free consultation without commitment to use their services, I don't think it would hurt to hear what they have to say. I wouldn't want to spend lawyer money on the issue, but you may be able to gain some free knowledge on how to handle it yourself.

LTb1ow · 03-16-2009, 04:51 PM

Well last time I was in court, about three years ago, all I did was go in, plea not guilty, and then went into a room with a few guys. They ask me if I want no points, I said yes, and that was that. Not really sure if this will be the same or not.

NJSPEEDER · 03-16-2009, 05:12 PM

That is pretty much how it works every place I have ever been.

LTb1ow · 03-16-2009, 05:19 PM

Alright cool, I will just wing it. Technically I wasn't tailgating the person I rear ended.

lol

miketa95 · 03-16-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

Cops stop a good amount of people and probably will not remember your particular incident so I wouldn't bank on him being your buddy. If the lawyer fee is small, I would get one. You also get bumped ahead of the people without a line too if you have a lawyer with you. Saves time and $$.

I had to go to court once for a careless driving ticket after spinning my tires a little at a light. I went to the prosecutor and in the middle of explaining my story, the cop sitting with her says "Hold on, what kind of car do you drive?" and I told him and he says "Bill told me about this kid, he did a five minute burnout." I was speechless after that, because I've never even seen a five minute burnout...the light would've changed like twice if that were true.

Moral of the story, not impossible they'll remember you.

jims69camaro · 03-17-2009, 05:42 PM

when i rear-ended someone, my first and only accident, i didn't even have to go to court. my insurance company deposed me on the phone and they went to court. i was told of the disposition of the case a few days later. but it was strictly my insurance company's deal.