Two days ago I went for a run around 6:30am. While I was running, I get the occasional people honking while driving by.
Around 7 two guys were walking by and started cat calling me and whistling and all that. It's not like I was even dressed inappropriately. It was a cold morning. I ignored them, well first I flipped them off then ignored them but they followed me. I went back to my car and drove off and they were still following me. I was driving 60 in a 50 zone. Then I got pulled over. I should've said something to the officer but I was about to cry.
I shouldn't have been speeding regardless but I guess I was just freaked out.
He gave me a citation and it says I have to appear in court.
Anything I can do about this or do I have to deal with the consequences?
I'm only 20, I'm kinda broke and never been pulled over so I don't know much about this.
adviceman49 answered Wednesday April 8 2015, 11:55 am: Go to court and plead "Guilty with explanation." Explain to the Judge what happened just as you did here that you were trying to get away from some men that were following you. You know now you should have told the officer but you just broke down and cried when he stopped you." "I'm sure the Officer will confirm that you were crying when he approached you. I'm not sure if he can confirm whether or not anyone may have been following you.
If you have a clean driving record, which is important. After you have explained why you were speeding ask the Judge if he or she is willing to offer you go on PBJ. Probation before Judgment. This is usually unsupervised Probation and if you do not get another traffic ticket during this time, this ticket is expunged from your record and your insurance company is never informed of the offence.
IF the judge is willing to give you PBJ you will probably be asked to pay court costs. I have no Idea what they may be today but I assume they would be somewhere between $10 & $25 dollars depending on where you live.
Dress appropriately for court. Office casual is good, a skirt and blouse or slacks and blouse with low heels or any hard sole shoe. Fix your hair and minimum make up. Try to stay with a bit of eye liner and lip gloss. Court is serious business and you must show the proper respect. By showing the court the proper respect and addressing the judge in proper English the better chance you have at getting PBJ.
I say this not that I expect you would address the court any differently than how you wrote to us. I say this as a reminder because young people today, for the most part have no idea what respect is. Your writing say you do know this so as I said this is just a reminder and to tell you to try and be calm. Their is nothing to be scared of. Just tell the judge what why and show the court the proper respect and you will do fine. [ adviceman49's advice column | Ask adviceman49 A Question ]
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