[sdjhamrick]

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]

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]

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]

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

1. Kubicek Donald Attorney at Law(361) 364-4994 - 220 S Bowie St, Sinton, TX
   
   • Get Directions
2. San Patricio County Attorney(361) 364-6103 - 400 W Sinton St, #108, Sinton, TX
   • Get Directions
3. San Patricio District Attorney(361) 364-6220 - 400 W Sinton St, #233, Sinton, TX

[twinkiedooter]

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]

Were you speeding? Yes. Pay the ticket and don't get any more speeding tickets.

[sdjhamrick]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.