Infraction Speeding Ticket - Planning to Contest

[santoshpalli1]

I got a Speeding ticket - Infraction in CA last month. Was going 100mph on 65mph - Nature call, was hurrying to nearest rest area when a CHP cited me. Got a mandatory court appearance or $500 fine. I am choosing to contest in court. If I get lucky the officer may not turn up or judge may give me traffic school. 

 

Is $500 is the worst case punishment even if i am found guilty by the judge in court?

 

My question is if i trail in court and things didn't go well favoring my side will I end up with any more fine or jail or something worse which could affect my career or immigration?

 

What would you suggest to do for this situation? I am a H1B worker yet to start my Green card process.

[JoeF]

Forget about contesting it

That is unlikely to work, in particular if it was in some rural area. You spend more money just to go to court than  if you just pay the money.

And yes, I've had stuff like that. I got a $500+ ticket in the Bishop, CA area. it would have been a day to show up in court there, and I would have spent more than $500 to go there, with taking a day off, driving there, etc.

Paying the fine was cheaper and less hassle.

[perlet123]

My advice for you is just to pay for the fine because you know to yourself that you are guilty of the mistake. If you will choose to pay for the fine you can save a lot of money and time.

[pleaseforgive358]

Don't listen to these so called advanced members.

You were doing a 100mph in a 65mph zone: this is not just speeding.

If I were you - I would have run to the best lawyer spend 20 times the fine if possible and would have had the lawyer work with the prosecutor before the charges are filed. If you got a letter from the court then do contest it. Do not plea guilty. You have a valid explanation. Your attorney can craft the explanation.

You think this is just speeding - one of my classmates doing a 95 in 65 was screwed bad. He was charged with speeding and charges equivalent to endangering lives (don't remember how many).

Anyways you might not check this forum again but I hope this helps someone.

[pontevecchio]

Please pay the fine and move on.

[JoeF]

He said it is an infraction.

If he said it was a reckless driving ticket, then yes, that can have serious consequences. But according to the OP's own words, it seems to be "just" a normal speeding ticket.

So, don't assume things that weren't said.