Ok so I just got handed a $456 dollar speeding ticket. I was behind heavy traffic due to construction and i was in a school zone @ 3pm (i know bad start already). I decided to make a legal U-turn and to not slow traffic down i accelerated (first gen n/a xterra and speed, cmon that's an oxymoron). Well what do you know, a police officer pulls me over. Regardless, i know im guilty, apparently he clocked me in 43 in a 20 zone.

$456 dollars seems quite much to me? Anybody have any insight. Im pretty choked considering that that is like a car payment. Are the courts usually good about reducing fines if you appear and plead guilty of the violation?

Yes, you should either get it cut in half or have it so they don't tell your insurance company if you play your cards right.

Go to court and say that you were wrong. Don't try to blame the cop or make lame excuses. Just own up to it. The judges appreciate this and are more likely to give you a break.

BTW, if this is your 12th ticket in the last year--forget it! They probably won't lower it at all. They will make an example of you in this case.

Yes, I've gone to court each time I've received a speeding ticket or a moving violation (not many but I have a few) and every time I would get a reduced fine and supervision. I seem to get 1 or 2 tickets a year for some reason.

ok thanks for the moral support guys, i will take it up to court and admit i was guilty. Hopefully i can get a reduced penalty.

Oh yeah, and no this isn't my 12th ticket it's my second. My last ticket was about 10 years ago when i was a teenager haha.

Hmm, well in oregon the judges CAN NOT reduce school zone/construction tickets. Pretty sure washingtons the same way considering how much they have been patrolling school zones for the last month. Doesn't hurt to try but don't be surprised.

hmm yeah sounds like they're trying to crack down on school zone speeding in washington too. I think i may just go ahead and pay the piper. No reason to prolong the misery, I am guilty, just surprised how much it was...no wet okoles for me this month!