Speeding Ticket Story

To preface this story, I'd like to say that I don't condone anything that I did or encourage others to do what I did, I am only posting this to provide information that might be helpful to those in a similar situation.A few months ago, I posted a story about how I had recently gotten a speeding ticket for driving 125 mph in a 55 mph zone at 2 in the morning. The pertinent details are that a) I began to pull over before the cop even turned his lights on b) I was not breathalyzed because the officer did not suspect I had been drinking and c) I was not charged for reckless driving because of how quickly I slowed down and (I believe) the nature with which I conducted myself during the stop. But, of course I still received the speeding ticket ($170). I think I should also note that prior to this incident I had never received a ticket or infraction of any kind in the four years I have been driving. If you're thinking "wow, this kid was incredibly lucky", believe me I totally agree I had a good deal from the very beginning.But, to give some context, I was 19 at the time meaning the ticket would essentially destroy my insurance rates to the point where the $170 would be negligible. There would be a good probability that the rates would be so exorbitantly high that driving altogether might not be worth the cost. When I posted here asking for advice on whether or not to contact a lawyer, I mostly received well-deserved comments to the effect of "you're a fucking idiot, take the fine and be done with it" and that a lawyer would be a waste of time and money. I also received a similar response from my university's student legal department (minus the harsh words). Fortunately, I did not give up and I began calling lawyers. I ended up working with the first lawyer that agreed to take on my case (I assume traffic stuff is not all that lucrative, especially in a small town).The lawyer ended up talking to the prosecutor and had my ticket absolved so long as I complete 40 hours of community service, an online defensive driver course and avoid any traffic violation for one year.Of course I want to reiterate that I am very, very, very lucky BUT I think that talking to lawyers in traffic violation cases can be incredibly helpful and should always be considered, especially if the consultation is free.I think the American traffic court system is very fucked up if it really let me off this easy. I really don't deserve this outcome but I figured I shouldn't be the only one then and decided to put this story out there so that someone else might see it and avoid their own (hopefully less stupid) traffic violation issues.Needless to say I have definitely learned my lesson and I rarely even do 5mph over the limit.Go ahead and downvote me if you wish (completely understandable) but I hope my story might be useful to others. via /r/cars http://ift.tt/2uMAjH8