View Full Version : Speeding Ticket - Received hundreds of miles from home
sdjhamrick
Jun 17, 2008, 11:13 AM
I just received a speeding ticket several hundred miles from my home. This is making it very difficult to find an attorney and to represent myself. I do plan to fight the ticket. Does anyone know how I might find a lawyer in Odem, Texas. Unfortunately, a very small city that does not appear to have a single lawyer. Also, has anyone every heard of the ability to conduct a trial remotely? Thanks.
George_1950
Jun 17, 2008, 11:18 AM
Welcome to AMHD. Have you contacted the clerk of court and found out the cost of the fine? You are willing to spend more to defend the charge than the cost of the fine?
sdjhamrick
Jun 17, 2008, 01:42 PM
Yes. It's $160. Not a big fine - 9 over the speed. In Austin, requesting a jury trial is like magic. Show up and less than a 5% chance it will go to trial. I take care of all my own tickets here. Unfortunately, this court house is 240 miles away (one way). I think the ticket is bogus and that I was not traveling at the speed indicated. I would be willing to pay a lawyer approx the same price. Hopefully, do the same thing. Show up, get it dismissed. Are you a traffic lawyer located close to the Odem/Sinton Texas area? Thanks.
Fr_Chuck
Jun 17, 2008, 02:20 PM
Odum Texas, first the court may not accept just an attorney to represent you, without you showing up. And not sure of TX law, but in places I have lived, there is no requirement for court to grant a jury trial, since there is no jail time possible. Also remember many small towns love out of town people, if you start requesting things, they will do reschedules, to require you to keep traveling back and forth, They love to do that.
And also 160 for an attorney to do a court appearance, sorry, maybe 500 to 700. You don't get them into court for much less than 500. And the first hour of cousulting, ( including phone costs) would be over 100 easy.
Remember you can hire an attorney to represent you, but they can require you to appear.
But here are three attorneys in that area
Kubicek Donald Attorney at Law (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8h3KlhIag4AnDlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBzN2lxYzI 2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0RGUjVfNzM-/SIG=15f4coqmn/EXP=1213823991/**http%3a//local.yahoo.com/details%3fid=35339784%26stx=attorney%26csz=Sinton% 2bTX%26ed=PhT07q160Sz06jQD7onKLYAcqryWExHtAxxnhWK. EuO0wXU1WcJuSuVTSkx4o80fdJicyUE-)(361) 364-4994 - 220 S Bowie St, Sinton, TX
Get Directions (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8h3KlhIag4AnTlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBzN2lxYzI 2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0RGUjVfNzM-/SIG=12skhbmgu/EXP=1213823991/**http%3a//maps.yahoo.com/dd%3ftaddr=220%2bS%2bBowie%2bSt%26tcsz=Sinton%2bTX )
San Patricio County Attorney (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8h3KlhIag4AnjlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBzN2lxYzI 2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0RGUjVfNzM-/SIG=15nmvkhpq/EXP=1213823991/**http%3a//local.yahoo.com/details%3fid=19317196%26stx=attorney%26csz=Sinton% 2bTX%26ed=wQs3S6160SxOXIro5T01yIUY9tNgWuuucI3D7dmI fSpM2STixS39OEHDj7kDFXrl3x62hGnoLMJq3OPf)(361) 364-6103 - 400 W Sinton St, #108, Sinton, TX
Get Directions (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8h3KlhIag4AnzlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBzN2lxYzI 2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0RGUjVfNzM-/SIG=13dhq04vq/EXP=1213823991/**http%3a//maps.yahoo.com/dd%3ftaddr=400%2bW%2bSinton%2bSt%252C%2b%2523108%2 6tcsz=Sinton%2bTX)
San Patricio District Attorney (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8h3KlhIag4AoDlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBzN2lxYzI 2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0RGUjVfNzM-/SIG=15n4c4bph/EXP=1213823991/**http%3a//local.yahoo.com/details%3fid=19310495%26stx=attorney%26csz=Sinton% 2bTX%26ed=AQsR56160Sw__u23ffh8Bn86yYvFvKN1EENeW5L3 SVklcvCp0nDSaBOj6cr9q9Qx9UCcz1FmQv35GMok)(361) 364-6220 - 400 W Sinton St, #233, Sinton, TX
twinkiedooter
Jun 17, 2008, 02:32 PM
I'd pay the $160 and skip going through Odum in the future. You have to show up in person at court proceedings to fight tickets. There is no such thing as remote court proceedings. Do you actually think the cop that wrote you the ticket isn't going to show up and testify? He probably wrote out several for the same time in court so he can be sure to show up. The smaller the town the less likely you can win. Unless you are a professional driver and don't need the points, I'd say just pay the fine.
simoneaugie
Jun 17, 2008, 03:03 PM
Were you speeding? Yes. Pay the ticket and don't get any more speeding tickets.
sdjhamrick
Jun 17, 2008, 03:56 PM
Thanks to everyone for the responses. Due to the mileage, it might be necessary to pay it off. I'm going to see if I can interview a few attorneys tomorrow for any interest. If impossible, I've got the Defensive Driver course option. I can use it on this one and keep my tickets within Austin. It will take $60 for me to travel both ways in my most fuel efficient vehicle. Can't make more than one trip before it's almost a wash in gas alone. Don't hesisitate to write back with any other suggestions information.
JudyKayTee
Jun 18, 2008, 06:32 AM
Yes. It's $160. Not a big fine - 9 over the speed. In Austin, requesting a jury trial is like magic. show up and less than a 5% chance it will go to trial. I take care of all my own tickets here. Unfortunately, this court house is 240 miles away (one way). I think the ticket is bogus and that I was not traveling at the speed indicated. I would be willing to pay a lawyer approx the same price. Hopefully, do the same thing. Show up, get it dismissed. Are you a traffic lawyer located close to the Odem/Sinton Texas area? Thanks.
You take care of ALL your own tickets?
I don't know an Attorney in NYS who will pick up the phpne for $160.
In Texas how many tickets do you get before they take away your Drivers License?
twinkiedooter
Jun 18, 2008, 08:24 AM
Not enough apparently... He's a Mr. Ticket Fixer for Himself. Probably has a radar detector on his dash I'll bet. Stop speeding or pay the fine - the choice is easy to make. Texas has some pretty high speed limits also. Wonder how fast he was really going?
sdjhamrick
Jun 18, 2008, 02:35 PM
JudyKayTee,
Not sure how many tickets you would have to get to lose your license in Texas. It might depend on the types of the tickets (i.e. passing a school bus may count significantly against your license). Did not get the chance to call any lawyers in the area yet. I'll try tomorrow. The last ticket I received was illegally driving on the shoulder. It was immediately dismissed in court, but I would have won that one. Had quite a defense lined up. When I request a jury trial, I actually do prepare for it and arrive ready for the trial should my case be selected. Much more fun than watching LA Law.
Twinkiedooter,
I actually don't have a radar detector - wish I did. BTW-That's a cute racoon.
JudyKayTee
Jun 18, 2008, 03:52 PM
JudyKayTee,
Not sure how many tickets you would have to get to lose your license in Texas. It might depend on the types of the tickets (i.e. passing a school bus may count significantly against your license). Did not get the chance to call any lawyers in the area yet. I'll try tomorrow. The last ticket I received was illegally driving on the shoulder. It was immediately dismissed in court, but I would have won that one. Had quite a defense lined up. When I request a jury trial, I actually do prepare for it and arrive ready for the trial should my case be selected. Much more fun than watching LA Law.
Twinkiedooter,
I actually don't have a radar detector - wish I did. BTW-That's a cute racoon.
What is the speed limit in Texas?
twinkiedooter
Jun 18, 2008, 05:59 PM
In some places in West Texas the speed limit is 80 on I-10 and I-20. It is usually around 75 on sparsley populated county roads.