Just got my CDL, then got a speeding ticket in my car. Should I go to court?

This is to the OP: I'm of the opinion that you should go to court YOURSELF and plead not guilty. Now perhaps you do want to hire a lawyer. But even then, show up in court yourself. Since you are not yet a driver, you should be available for your court dates. (Something an OTR driver may not be.)

My general belief, (retired lawman,) is that for the general population, if you got a ticket and you know you deserved it, pay then darn thing, learn from it and get on with your life. However, if for ANY reason you believe you did NOT deserve it, then fight it. But for a commercial driver, since your livelihood depends on it, ALWAYS fight it.

Keep in mind that cops are human too, (in spite of what some folks think. . .) and they can make mistakes.
It is not unheard of for the citing officer to miss the court date. That should = "case dismissed."

 

Got a 82 in 65 on I80 Sacramento. 1.30am on my motorcycle and my last night at my last job. Called TVC and even though its gonna cost me i'm willing to pay to get it reduced or dismissed.

Anyone with experience of TVC would appreciate how you made out with them.

 

I've never had any luck with those driver services/prepaid lawyer folks. That's just my personal experience though. I definitely would fight any ticket that you ever get. Your license is your "bread and butter" and you need it to survive. Do everything possible to keep it clean and on the "up n up"!

 

That's the best advice...along with the one that said to change your driving habits. Your license is your livelihood now. Take no chances. Also, get it done fast. If you fiddle around too long, even with a good outcome, you look like your training was interrupted if you aren't working in 30-60 days. If you get the "interrupted" label, you are unhireable without going back to school (possibly only for a refresher rather than a full course, employers will tell you).

Also, for CDL holder, .04 is a dui. I weigh 200lbs and won't take a chance if I have had even one beer. Texting is illegal in a truck in all states. Different rules for you now.

Good luck and slow down!

 

While driving a commercial vehicle. If your state is different please show me the law. However, I wouldn't take any chances because even proving to a judge that you are within the law is going to cost you time and money.

 

Fight every ticket. I learned long ago you will always be glad you did.

 

The law is all about proof. You are innocent until either you admit guilt to the accusation or you are proven guilty with evidence. The courts won't be tied up to prove most traffic cases (too expensive). This is to your advantage in challenging them to prove your guilt as long as you never admit guilt. They are most interested in collecting the full fine for the offense you are accused of, not the conviction.

 

Don't worry yourself about the details. Like the other posters recommended, get a lawyer, and let them worry about it! You will be paying them plenty to do so! Also, some states/courts like in California for example will also make you post bail first if you are going to fight the ticket. Nonetheless this is going to be an expensive mistake so let it be a lesson and don't do it again...

 

The FMCSA synopsis state anyone required to hold a CDL....doesn't indicate while operating a commercial vehicle. Here is the link to the synopsis. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/drug/engtesting.htm

If you have 200 lawyers, there will be 200 opinions. The message to the newbie is not a lesson in law, but a lesson in higher standards for CDL holders. I personally don't want to be the test case by having one beer and driving the personal car. Just ain't worth it.