Innsurance Preimum TRIPLED for one ticket.

EMD360 wrote:
We had the same situation. GS tried to help but could not find a policy for us that was anywhere close to last year's cost. We went to a local independent agency who shopped for us and found Safeco at about what we paid last year.
We had a totally bogus "reckless driving" ticket in a rental moving truck in Pueblo, CO in April. Also no tickets for over 30 years. We were trying to get around an illegally parked semi in a gas station that had a huge unguarded, unlighted ditch next to its driveway. One wheel of the rear of the truck fell into the ditch and because the truck was stuck partly on the side road in the turning lane we called 911 to inform them. I guess the gas station also called. I think every cop in Pueblo showed up, including one guy with two women civilians in his car who laughed uproariously at our predicament, and the chief of the dept. arrived but didn't think to deal with his own officer.
We must have talked to at least 4 different cops and given license and registration etc. There was a cement sewer or water device in the ditch and they called the head of Public Service out to look at it to see if we were liable for damage to public property. Felt like Alice's Restaurant littering criminals.
Then when we thought it was all over and the tow truck had pulled the truck out of the ditch, yet ANOTHER cop decided to issue a reckless driving ticket. REALLY? Of course when traveling it is impossible to go back and fight the ticket so we were out $90. Not terrible until we got the insurance bill! Yes over $3000 more for the same insurance and will will carry this strike against us for 3 years. (36 months) Apparently reckless driving is as bad as a DUI. Does there seem to be something wrong with this picture?
So we wrote the station and said it was a problem and could they put up a light and guard rail and they wrote back and said it was the city's problem. Wrote the city and asked if they would look into the dangerous spot and they wrote back and said it was a state problem! Wrote the state and never heard anything back--probably couldn't decide how to blame it on the feds.

It is a BIG mistake to think because you are traveling you cannot contest a ticket. Most courts in this country will accept a written defense in lieu of your appearance if you have a good reason that you cant be there. A well written letter goes to the Judge...not the prosecutor. More often than not...and you must specifically ask for this, a reduction in the charge will be made. This can save you a lot of heartache. Don't wast the Judges time with protestations of innocence. Give the extenuating circumstances, admit guilt and ask for a reduction to a lower charge. Keep it short and dont try to sound like Perry Mason..Unless you are a lawyer...in which case this advice isn't needed.

I actually did this for a ticket for expired tabs. I got the ticket during my Cancer treatment and completely forgot about the thing. I moved overseas for 8 years, came back and tried to get a new license and found this waiting for me...My letter to the Judge got it removed from the Collection Company the state gave it to, reduced the fine and cleared the violation from my record. I was here in ND the entire time. The court was in another State.