Accepted and now... huge traffic violation :( .... help!

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mammeor

mammeor

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I just have been accepted in the class of AZCOM 2011 and UNECOM 2011 🙂)

However, on my way back from the interview in AZCOM about 3 weeks ago (how ironic...) I received a 85+ mph ticket in Arizona. I was fined 350$. I was about to pay the fine (I'm from out of AZ) by mail when I found out that if I plead guilty and pay the fine I will be charged with a Class 3 Misdemeanor ...

Now I'm freaking out!

I didn't know AZ law was that strict and now that I've already been accepted and paid my deposit I'm afraid that my status will be revoked 🙁

I don't know what to do...
 
A traffic violation is not a big deal. If you have questions regarding how that would affect your status at the school just call and ask, simple as that.
 
mammeor said:
I just have been accepted in the class of AZCOM 2011 and UNECOM 2011 🙂)

However, on my way back from the interview in AZCOM about 3 weeks ago (how ironic...) I received a 85+ mph ticket in Arizona. I was fined 350$. I was about to pay the fine (I'm from out of AZ) by mail when I found out that if I plead guilty and pay the fine I will be charged with a Class 3 Misdemeanor ...

Now I'm freaking out!

I didn't know AZ law was that strict and now that I've already been accepted and paid my deposit I'm afraid that my status will be revoked 🙁

I don't know what to do...
Click to expand...

Call admissions and explain it to them. I doubt its a big deal. Pleading not guilty is pointless since they have you on radar, so pleading guilty and explaining it to the schools is really your only choice.
 
powersr8810 said:
A traffic violation is not a big deal. If you have questions regarding how that would affect your status at the school just call and ask, simple as that.
Click to expand...

yeah... I understand it's a traffic violation, only that by Arizona Law I would get a class 3 misdemeanor if I pay the fine...

I'm not sure I want that on my record 🙁
 
mammeor said:
I just have been accepted in the class of AZCOM 2011 and UNECOM 2011 🙂)

However, on my way back from the interview in AZCOM about 3 weeks ago (how ironic...) I received a 85+ mph ticket in Arizona. I was fined 350$. I was about to pay the fine (I'm from out of AZ) by mail when I found out that if I plead guilty and pay the fine I will be charged with a Class 3 Misdemeanor ...

Now I'm freaking out!

I didn't know AZ law was that strict and now that I've already been accepted and paid my deposit I'm afraid that my status will be revoked 🙁

I don't know what to do...
Click to expand...

I don't know if this helps but I was accepted (AZCOM) with a misdemeanor of Wet and Reckless -it was a long time ago but I think that's worse than a regular reckless driving ticket. I think the point is that it is a misdemeanor not a felony. Just call and ask - you should be fine
 
mammeor said:
yeah... I understand it's a traffic violation, only that by Arizona Law I would get a class 3 misdemeanor if I pay the fine...

I'm not sure I want that on my record 🙁
Click to expand...

I don't think you really have a choice in the matter. It's going to be on your record, just make sure that's it's alright with the school you choose. It should be so long as it's not a felony.
 
Whoa, whoa. All bad advice all around. If it'll be classified as a misdemeanor, you need to call an attorney ASAP to do some kind of plea bargain instead of taking the hit. Review your school's policies before you inform them about anything. Some schools require you tell them about things even when just charged. Don't take this lightly and think it's a ticket like any other. Fight it tooth and nail. A court could give you a plea bargain of dropping the charge if you do community service or may allow you to have it expunged immediately.
 
TriagePreMed said:
Whoa, whoa. All bad advice all around. If it'll be classified as a misdemeanor, you need to call an attorney ASAP to do some kind of plea bargain instead of taking the hit. Review your school's policies before you inform them about anything. Some schools require you tell them about things even when just charged. Don't take this lightly and think it's a ticket like any other. Fight it tooth and nail. A court could give you a plea bargain of dropping the charge if you do community service or may allow you to have it expunged immediately.
Click to expand...

I agree. Also what if you are required to get a criminal check later on. They might do this for residency im not sure? While the offense itself isnt a big deal (its not like u were trafficking cocaine across the mexican border), it will come up on the criminal check. Im not sure how it works in America but in my country it would come up as a "T4" and while T4 ranges from public urination to drunk driving to possession of drugs.....some people might not even question you, and just see the T4 and reject u regardless of how small the offense was. It happens all the time in my city for jobs. And I can only imagine it being 10x more serious in the US as you guys take nothing lightly with the law
 
mammeor said:
I just have been accepted in the class of AZCOM 2011 and UNECOM 2011 🙂)

However, on my way back from the interview in AZCOM about 3 weeks ago (how ironic...) I received a 85+ mph ticket in Arizona. I was fined 350$. I was about to pay the fine (I'm from out of AZ) by mail when I found out that if I plead guilty and pay the fine I will be charged with a Class 3 Misdemeanor ...

Now I'm freaking out!

I didn't know AZ law was that strict and now that I've already been accepted and paid my deposit I'm afraid that my status will be revoked 🙁

I don't know what to do...
Click to expand...

Take a deep breath! Call admissions and say you were speeding on the way home from the interview and got a speeding ticket. They're probably going to think you're crazy for not paying the attorney fee to get it lowered! However, I don't think they're going to take your acceptance away for having a lead foot.

The reason they do these background isn't primarily to take away acceptances... its to make sure that when you graduate you'll be eligible to get a licence to practice medicine... If you have an offense on your record that would make you ineligible, then yes, they'll probably withdraw the acceptance.

Just explain it to them...
 
What was the speed limit? 70? Were you going 85 or 90 or (gasp) higher?

I hope you learned a lesson--set the cruise control at the speed limit or just below to avoid getting tickets would be one.

mammeor said:
I just have been accepted in the class of AZCOM 2011 and UNECOM 2011 🙂)

However, on my way back from the interview in AZCOM about 3 weeks ago (how ironic...) I received a 85+ mph ticket in Arizona. I was fined 350$. I was about to pay the fine (I'm from out of AZ) by mail when I found out that if I plead guilty and pay the fine I will be charged with a Class 3 Misdemeanor ...

Now I'm freaking out!

I didn't know AZ law was that strict and now that I've already been accepted and paid my deposit I'm afraid that my status will be revoked 🙁

I don't know what to do...
Click to expand...
 
chinocochino said:
What was the speed limit? 70? Were you going 85 or 90 or (gasp) higher?

I hope you learned a lesson--set the cruise control at the speed limit or just below to avoid getting tickets would be one.
Click to expand...

wow that would be lame. where i am, if you are going less than 10 over on the interstate cops won't really touch you (except during heavy traffic, rush hour, and construction zones).
 
who gives a crap....you have to understand that doctors, adcoms, etc. are human beings too. speeding (which they all have done, and probably been caught at one point or another) is not terribly serious to them....now things like drug use, or dui, etc. thats serious since it really questions a physicians character
 
I was also driving out of state recently and was bored. was going with the traffic and some cars would go faster than others. and sometimes i would let them pass like 1/2mile ahead. then i would know there were no cops. then i would accelerate to 100mph and get right on their tail. i did not turn distant lights or anything. but i watched them drop their speed from 85 to a 60 like a bitch.
 
Call the school before you listen to any of the advice on here from people who think having a misdemeanor is the worst thing ever. In many states, all speeding tickets are misdemeanors. So before you waste the money on a lawyer, call the schools and see if it is a problem. As long as it isn't for reckless driving or racing or something like that it shouldn't be. This is coming from someone who was accepted with a misdemeanor speeding ticket on his record. And regardless of whether or not it is classified as a misdemeanor or less than that, many applications ask you if you have been in any trouble at all. So you would have to report this ticket to those schools even if you got it reduced.
 
travoltage said:
who gives a crap....you have to understand that doctors, adcoms, etc. are human beings too. speeding (which they all have done, and probably been caught at one point or another) is not terribly serious to them....now things like drug use, or dui, etc. thats serious since it really questions a physicians character
Click to expand...



Now, I was not arrested (thank God, the officer said he cut me a break because it was 1am and I was on my way back, I had to be at work at 7am) for speeding nor cited for reckless driving (thank God, again), my only offense was an 85+ citation...which unfortunately in Arizona anything 85+ is considered a CRIMINAL traffic ticket, hence misdemeanor tier 3--- so strict 😱

I WILL get a lawyer, I will fight this thing to be reduced to a civil citation + traffic school... I'll rather pay a hefty fine and do 1000hrs of community service picking up garbage on the highway than having a misdemeanor on my record.

oh...and I will never speed again 😛 this is final!
 
WHOA everyone chill out. Dude this is in no way in hell going to affect any admissions offers you have. Big deal. I have something like 10 speeding tickets and moving violations under my belt and this has never come up/ been discovered. Just because it is a misdemeanor doesnt mean anything....its still a speeding violation. According to their rules you have to report it I guess...but theyre not going to revoke your acceptances because of it!!! lol

This is what I have done almost always in the past. Plead not guilty and write the judge a cordial letter explaining the situation. State you have no problem paying the fine but are worried about the impact this could have on your driving record and medical school admissions. I have literally done this for almost every speeding ticket I have gotten and every single one of them has reduced it to a non points bearing violation that carries the same fine. In fact I JUST did this a month ago. Dropped from 20 over the limit to "disobeying traffic controls" a simple non points bearing violation. Relax...you will live.

I understand your dream is coming true...but the stuff premeds worry about is fing hilarious!
 
willen101383 said:
WHOA everyone chill out. Dude this is in no way in hell going to affect any admissions offers you have. Big deal. I have something like 10 speeding tickets and moving violations under my belt and this has never come up/ been discovered. Just because it is a misdemeanor doesnt mean anything....its still a speeding violation. According to their rules you have to report it I guess...but theyre not going to revoke your acceptances because of it!!! lol

This is what I have done almost always in the past. Plead not guilty and write the judge a cordial letter explaining the situation. State you have no problem paying the fine but are worried about the impact this could have on your driving record and medical school admissions. I have literally done this for almost every speeding ticket I have gotten and every single one of them has reduced it to a non points bearing violation that carries the same fine. In fact I JUST did this a month ago. Dropped from 20 over the limit to "disobeying traffic controls" a simple non points bearing violation. Relax...you will live.

I understand your dream is coming true...but the stuff premeds worry about is fing hilarious!
Click to expand...
thanks 😛
Sample judge letter, anyone?! Lol

I understand that I may be overreacting but being a non-trad student 2nd time applicant n now this?! Lol you can understand my frustrations.
So you just plead not guilty and when they reschedule the court date u look up the judge n write him a nice letter? Sounds reasonable 🙂
 
If you're happy with the results, don't change anything.

That being said, it can be dangerous driving too slow; its best to follow the flow of traffic.

travoltage said:
who gives a crap....you have to understand that doctors, adcoms, etc. are human beings too. speeding (which they all have done, and probably been caught at one point or another) is not terribly serious to them....now things like drug use, or dui, etc. thats serious since it really questions a physicians character
Click to expand...
 
mammeor said:
thanks 😛
Sample judge letter, anyone?! Lol

I understand that I may be overreacting but being a non-trad student 2nd time applicant n now this?! Lol you can understand my frustrations.
So you just plead not guilty and when they reschedule the court date u look up the judge n write him a nice letter? Sounds reasonable 🙂
Click to expand...

haha I understand you are freaking out. I am also a sort of non trad...but RELAX. Exactly....they will send you a court date and just send that slip with your letter. Usually what I write is something like:

Your Honor:

On X date I was stopped by a police officer of X police department. The officer stated I was going X MPH in a posted X speed limit zone. During this time I was on my way to (insert very important academically related event) and I agree that I may have been traveling a bit quickly as I was late for said very important academically related event. There was no accident associated with the traffic stop, and I have no criminal record. I am pleading not guilty, as I am very concerned that this violation may negatively affect my driving record. In addition, I was just accepted to medical school, and am concerned that this traffic violation, being a misdemeanor, may affect my admission. Since I am still in college, it will be extremely difficult for me to make it to the court date of X. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you would give me in handling this matter by way of mail. Thank you so much for your time.

Regards,

Willen

or something like that....it has NEVER failed me. Dont forget....most judges are educated people who value education. They arent trying to screw over someone who obviously cares about their education....and if by off chance the judge doesnt want to help you....you already plead not guilty and can get a lawyer if need be.
 
Seems 99% of you guys haven't dealt with anal people before. While I agree this speeding misdemeanor is the most ridiculous thing ever, I also don't trust human beings and their reactions. Again, do 2 things: 1) check your school's policies regarding this. Some schools don't even want to know about traffic violations. 2) Contact an attorney. At worse, you waste your time talking to one. I don't know of any lawyer that will charge for a phone consultation.
 
willen101383 said:
haha I understand you are freaking out. I am also a sort of non trad...but RELAX. Exactly....they will send you a court date and just send that slip with your letter. Usually what I write is something like:

Your Honor:

On X date I was stopped by a police officer of X police department. The officer stated I was going X MPH in a posted X speed limit zone. During this time I was on my way to (insert very important academically related event) and I agree that I may have been traveling a bit quickly as I was late for said very important academically related event. There was no accident associated with the traffic stop, and I have no criminal record. I am pleading not guilty, as I am very concerned that this violation may negatively affect my driving record. In addition, I was just accepted to medical school, and am concerned that this traffic violation, being a misdemeanor, may affect my admission. Since I am still in college, it will be extremely difficult for me to make it to the court date of X. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you would give me in handling this matter by way of mail. Thank you so much for your time.

Regards,

Willen

or something like that....it has NEVER failed me. Dont forget....most judges are educated people who value education. They arent trying to screw over someone who obviously cares about their education....and if by off chance the judge doesnt want to help you....you already plead not guilty and can get a lawyer if need be.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I sent a similar letter to a judge once and I didn't get any points for a minor fender bender. I just had to pay a fine.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you don't accept the charge as it stands. They will usually reduce the charges if you go to court and meet with a public defender. I'm actually surprised there is not a plea bargain on the ticket.
 
TriagePreMed said:
Whoa, whoa. All bad advice all around. If it'll be classified as a misdemeanor, you need to call an attorney ASAP to do some kind of plea bargain instead of taking the hit. Review your school's policies before you inform them about anything. Some schools require you tell them about things even when just charged. Don't take this lightly and think it's a ticket like any other. Fight it tooth and nail. A court could give you a plea bargain of dropping the charge if you do community service or may allow you to have it expunged immediately.
Click to expand...

+1. Was it those traffic cameras by the way? I'm not sure if PHX still uses them, but there was a lot of resistance to them, and it was hard to convict people if you claimed you weren't driving the car.
 
Get a traffic attorney, most of the time they can get you off with just paying the fine and nothing else.
 
Also be aware of what type of court is utilized in your jurisdiction. If you have a criminal court with a judge (or even some state's you can request a jury for traffic violations.. hence delaying the process more and increasing the likelihood of the officer not showing up to provide testimony against you) you can attempt to plea to lower the charges/fine. If you are in a jurisdiction that has a traffic court with limited powers (unable to decrease fine/charges, but have the power to increase fine for showing up to court) such as NYC, Albany, and Buffalo in NY (not sure what's going on in AZ for you) then its much more of a pain.

Remember, if you do decide to plead not guilty and go to court, the burden is on the DA/State to prove your guilt. So don't admit to anything, but answer truthfully when it is your turn to speak in court and when asked questions. If you already admitted to the officer you were speeding when he/she gave you the ticket, they can use that as a confession and your case is already done. Check for any errors on your ticket. In some states officers can amend the ticket during the court appearance, in others they can not, so the ticket may get dismissed because of important information missing. The court will send you a date for appearance if you mail the ticket in pleading not-guilty, so you'll have time to prepare your case or you can always decide to pay the fine there or by mail.

Not a lawyer, so don't take this as legal advice or anything more than someone trying to help out an SDNer. This was just advice given to me be a relative who used do highway patrol.
 
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