Got Criminal Traffic Ticket Before Oath

[lifeisalwaysgood 0]

We have a similar law in Wisconsin for speeding over 20 mph of the posted limit, but you get points taken off, 12 points and can get your drivers license suspended, but may only give you three points.

Sounds similar in Arizona according to this site.

http://www.duiaz.com/PracticeAreas/Speeding-Tickets.asp

But I see they call 1 to 19 mph over the limit a civil violation, 20 mph and over a criminal violation, but that gal attorney says in either case can get 3 points given. My daughter-in-law recently got such a ticket, miserable driving in this state with all these damn little towns built on state roads, one block wide and ten miles long with 25 mph speed limits. City limit is 25 mph, and she saw a 55 mph limit sign ahead, was completely out of town, but sped up so got hit with 47 mph in a 25 mph zone, cop told her she has to drive at 25 mph until she passes that 55 mph sign then she can speed up. Sounds a bit crazy, but issuing speeding tickets like this is a way for towns to raise money, to me, that is criminal as are those one block wide towns ten miles long built on state highways. In a democracy, surprised more people don't complain about it.

No one was hurt or killed, and if your fine for a speeding ticket is under 500 bucks, do not have to report it to the USCIS, feel those hicks in Arizona are misusing the word "criminal."

Really bad after 9/11 and this Homeland Security BS, they doubled the size of our police force. And you certainly don't say, oh boy, there is a cop to protect me from terrorist. That SOB is hidden some place to hang you, even for driving 26 in a 25. Happened past our courthouse, over 200 people standing in line to pay traffic violation fines, but surprised no one is complaining. When the sign says 25, I drive at 24.

My last ticket some years ago was doing 59 in a 55, damn cop was at the bottom of a very steep hill so my car picked up speed with the cruise set at 55. When I told my insurance agent about it, he laughed and told me all about all the tickets he received, he didn't increase my rates.

Hi there,

You mentioned if the speeding ticket fine is under $500, i don't have to report it to the USCIS. Is it based on any document? On the back of the "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony", it states very clear: after interview, have you been arrested, cited, charged, indicated, convicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violation any law or ordinance, including traffic violations? If I answer "yes", will they still allow me to take Oath?

Thank you,

[NickD 203]

We have a similar law in Wisconsin for speeding over 20 mph of the posted limit, but you get points taken off, 12 points and can get your drivers license suspended, but may only give you three points.

Sounds similar in Arizona according to this site.

http://www.duiaz.com/PracticeAreas/Speeding-Tickets.asp

But I see they call 1 to 19 mph over the limit a civil violation, 20 mph and over a criminal violation, but that gal attorney says in either case can get 3 points given. My daughter-in-law recently got such a ticket, miserable driving in this state with all these damn little towns built on state roads, one block wide and ten miles long with 25 mph speed limits. City limit is 25 mph, and she saw a 55 mph limit sign ahead, was completely out of town, but sped up so got hit with 47 mph in a 25 mph zone, cop told her she has to drive at 25 mph until she passes that 55 mph sign then she can speed up. Sounds a bit crazy, but issuing speeding tickets like this is a way for towns to raise money, to me, that is criminal as are those one block wide towns ten miles long built on state highways. In a democracy, surprised more people don't complain about it.

No one was hurt or killed, and if your fine for a speeding ticket is under 500 bucks, do not have to report it to the USCIS, feel those hicks in Arizona are misusing the word "criminal."

Really bad after 9/11 and this Homeland Security BS, they doubled the size of our police force. And you certainly don't say, oh boy, there is a cop to protect me from terrorist. That SOB is hidden some place to hang you, even for driving 26 in a 25. Happened past our courthouse, over 200 people standing in line to pay traffic violation fines, but surprised no one is complaining. When the sign says 25, I drive at 24.

My last ticket some years ago was doing 59 in a 55, damn cop was at the bottom of a very steep hill so my car picked up speed with the cruise set at 55. When I told my insurance agent about it, he laughed and told me all about all the tickets he received, he didn't increase my rates.

Hi there,

You mentioned if the speeding ticket fine is under $500, i don't have to report it to the USCIS. Is it based on any document? On the back of the "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony", it states very clear: after interview, have you been arrested, cited, charged, indicated, convicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violation any law or ordinance, including traffic violations? If I answer "yes", will they still allow me to take Oath?

Thank you,

It's on page five of the N-400 instruction, if the traffic incident did not involve alcohol or drugs in the arrest and the fine was under 500 bucks, you do not have to report it, in brief. Now this is subject to interpretation, as the last speeding ticket I received was doing 59 in a 55 where the cop was at the bottom of an extremely steep hill. I was fined a dollar for each mile over the limit or four bucks, but was also hit with a 160 buck court charge, I would feel that excessive court charge is not part of the actual fine, but an attorney would be required to verify this.

Like others, I no longer say, oh boy, there is a police car there to protect me against terrorists, he is after my a$$, since I am also an electronic engineer, got a full band radar and laser detector that warns me up to a mile away if they are around. I split the system hiding the parabolic antenna with the LNA in the grille of my car with the alarm inside of the car with extra shielding on it as they attempt to pick up the down converting local oscillator. I don't do this to speed, but just to let me know if they are around so I am extra careful, especially when picking up speed going down a very steep hill. I would certainly hate to wear out my brakes and waste extra gas with the pricetag so high.

Either the radar or laser operate on the Doppler principle, if you are half asleep and slam on the brakes if you spot a cop ahead, that sudden drastic rate of change can cause his detector to even show 60 mph if even if you are only doing 20 mph. Yet another factor working against us, is that cop has to meet a quota for issuing traffic violations if he wants to keep his job. And if you go to court, it's your word against his, very unlikely that big fat slob sitting on the other side of the desk will go in your favor. I consider this to be criminal. In a southern town I knew about, was ticketed for doing 67 in a 55, I knew the bastards were there and was only doing 45, but was fined anyway.

[internetkafe 0]

What brand and where from NickD?

[lifeisalwaysgood 0]

We have a similar law in Wisconsin for speeding over 20 mph of the posted limit, but you get points taken off, 12 points and can get your drivers license suspended, but may only give you three points.

Sounds similar in Arizona according to this site.

http://www.duiaz.com/PracticeAreas/Speeding-Tickets.asp

But I see they call 1 to 19 mph over the limit a civil violation, 20 mph and over a criminal violation, but that gal attorney says in either case can get 3 points given. My daughter-in-law recently got such a ticket, miserable driving in this state with all these damn little towns built on state roads, one block wide and ten miles long with 25 mph speed limits. City limit is 25 mph, and she saw a 55 mph limit sign ahead, was completely out of town, but sped up so got hit with 47 mph in a 25 mph zone, cop told her she has to drive at 25 mph until she passes that 55 mph sign then she can speed up. Sounds a bit crazy, but issuing speeding tickets like this is a way for towns to raise money, to me, that is criminal as are those one block wide towns ten miles long built on state highways. In a democracy, surprised more people don't complain about it.

No one was hurt or killed, and if your fine for a speeding ticket is under 500 bucks, do not have to report it to the USCIS, feel those hicks in Arizona are misusing the word "criminal."

Really bad after 9/11 and this Homeland Security BS, they doubled the size of our police force. And you certainly don't say, oh boy, there is a cop to protect me from terrorist. That SOB is hidden some place to hang you, even for driving 26 in a 25. Happened past our courthouse, over 200 people standing in line to pay traffic violation fines, but surprised no one is complaining. When the sign says 25, I drive at 24.

My last ticket some years ago was doing 59 in a 55, damn cop was at the bottom of a very steep hill so my car picked up speed with the cruise set at 55. When I told my insurance agent about it, he laughed and told me all about all the tickets he received, he didn't increase my rates.

Hi there,

You mentioned if the speeding ticket fine is under $500, i don't have to report it to the USCIS. Is it based on any document? On the back of the "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony", it states very clear: after interview, have you been arrested, cited, charged, indicated, convicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violation any law or ordinance, including traffic violations? If I answer "yes", will they still allow me to take Oath?

Thank you,

It's on page five of the N-400 instruction, if the traffic incident did not involve alcohol or drugs in the arrest and the fine was under 500 bucks, you do not have to report it, in brief. Now this is subject to interpretation, as the last speeding ticket I received was doing 59 in a 55 where the cop was at the bottom of an extremely steep hill. I was fined a dollar for each mile over the limit or four bucks, but was also hit with a 160 buck court charge, I would feel that excessive court charge is not part of the actual fine, but an attorney would be required to verify this.

Like others, I no longer say, oh boy, there is a police car there to protect me against terrorists, he is after my a$$, since I am also an electronic engineer, got a full band radar and laser detector that warns me up to a mile away if they are around. I split the system hiding the parabolic antenna with the LNA in the grille of my car with the alarm inside of the car with extra shielding on it as they attempt to pick up the down converting local oscillator. I don't do this to speed, but just to let me know if they are around so I am extra careful, especially when picking up speed going down a very steep hill. I would certainly hate to wear out my brakes and waste extra gas with the pricetag so high.

Either the radar or laser operate on the Doppler principle, if you are half asleep and slam on the brakes if you spot a cop ahead, that sudden drastic rate of change can cause his detector to even show 60 mph if even if you are only doing 20 mph. Yet another factor working against us, is that cop has to meet a quota for issuing traffic violations if he wants to keep his job. And if you go to court, it's your word against his, very unlikely that big fat slob sitting on the other side of the desk will go in your favor. I consider this to be criminal. In a southern town I knew about, was ticketed for doing 67 in a 55, I knew the bastards were there and was only doing 45, but was fined anyway.

Very valuable information. Thank you very much!

[Gone To Texas 0]

Hi there,

I just got a criminal speed ticket for driving 74 at 50 zone (I must have missed the sign, the speed limit was 65. I just kept going after I passed a car and forgot to slow down) in Arizona. The court day is Dec 16 and my oath is scheduled on Dec 17. I'm planning to reschedule the court to an earlier day (since I have a very important meeting on Dec 16 for work) and hoping I can convince the judge to change the criminal ticket to civil. I've been in the states for almost 10 years and this is my first speed ticket. On top of worry about my good character being a citizen, now, I'm more worried about the oath. Am I going to be allowed to attend the oath as scheduled because of this? What's gonna happen to me? How should I get this ticket resolved in order not to affect my oath? Please give me some advise. Thank you in advance.

Since there was not an arrest made, and you only received a traffic citation, you should be able to go in to see the judge early to enter a plea. He/she might work with you and downgrade the speed that you plea guilty to as being closer to the actual speed limit, and make it a little less expensive.

You might also ask about something called Deferred Adjudication, which would allow you to enter in a plea of guilty, but you would not have a final conviction on your criminal or traffic history. Basically you would plea guilty, pay a fine and court costs, and then behave and not get a ticket for 30 days or more, and the offense charge would be dismissed.

Last, you might try an alternative, since this is your first traffic offense. Many courts offer defendants the opportunity to take a Defensive Driving course, which upon completion, the judge would dismiss the ticket entirely. There are usually costs incurred for the course and might also involve paying some small court cost as well, but worth it if you are wanting to be done and out of this charge.

You should still disclose what happened, and also what final fine, costs and course of action you took in remedying the ticket. Better safe than sorry. They will still be able to pull your criminal and traffic history and the citation will still show up. You just need a final disposition to be done I think.

Keep in mind that every judge is different, and of course, laws and alternatives vary from jurisdiciton to jurisdiction, but I hope some of this helps a little.

Good luck.

Mark

[SuperDuper! 230]

It's on page five of the N-400 instruction, if the traffic incident did not involve alcohol or drugs in the arrest and the fine was under 500 bucks, you do not have to report it, in brief. Now this is subject to interpretation, as the last speeding ticket I received was doing 59 in a 55 where the cop was at the bottom of an extremely steep hill. I was fined a dollar for each mile over the limit or four bucks, but was also hit with a 160 buck court charge, I would feel that excessive court charge is not part of the actual fine, but an attorney would be required to verify this.

Like others, I no longer say, oh boy, there is a police car there to protect me against terrorists, he is after my a$$, since I am also an electronic engineer, got a full band radar and laser detector that warns me up to a mile away if they are around. I split the system hiding the parabolic antenna with the LNA in the grille of my car with the alarm inside of the car with extra shielding on it as they attempt to pick up the down converting local oscillator. I don't do this to speed, but just to let me know if they are around so I am extra careful, especially when picking up speed going down a very steep hill. I would certainly hate to wear out my brakes and waste extra gas with the pricetag so high.

Either the radar or laser operate on the Doppler principle, if you are half asleep and slam on the brakes if you spot a cop ahead, that sudden drastic rate of change can cause his detector to even show 60 mph if even if you are only doing 20 mph. Yet another factor working against us, is that cop has to meet a quota for issuing traffic violations if he wants to keep his job. And if you go to court, it's your word against his, very unlikely that big fat slob sitting on the other side of the desk will go in your favor. I consider this to be criminal. In a southern town I knew about, was ticketed for doing 67 in a 55, I knew the bastards were there and was only doing 45, but was fined anyway.

Great Info on the science behind Radar/Lidar, Nick. Like you, I don't have one to speed, but just to be aware of the"Tax Collectors with Guns" in the area. I like to coast down long hills as well in Neutral, and usually doing that pops me over the posted limit by a few bucks. Interesting fact you point out if someone slams on the brakes, how it effects the patrolman's reading in his car.

I agree that cops just aren't really there to proactively protect us. They want to impose fines on us, and in time of violence, show up just in time to draw a cute little chalk mark around 'ya. Cheers, and happy Radar Detecting and Ticket Avoiding!

[thongd4me 69]

All this talk about ridiculous and aggressive, I dare say dishonest speed laws and practices in various states just makes me glad I got a professional radar detector installed a couple years ago. Those on the dash/windshield ones are a joke, and cops will just take you for a lead foot if they see it stuck to the windshield.

I highly recommend this unit. Just to be aware of the speed traps and revenue collectors with guns. I don't speed by practice, as I love to get 30+ mpg in my Toyota. But I want to be aware of sneaky cops trying to give out $450 traffic tickets. Especially in AZ, they are very aggressive and sneaky. My condolences to the OP.

This is all you see in your car and can be placed in the most discreet areas, even under the dash. A speaker alerts you a half mile or more ahead of time when radar or laser is being used up the road.

The main receiver goes behind your grill. The laser diode detectors go up front and then attached about license plate frame. The laser diodes also "shift" the laser light bouncing off your car, kinda like a stealth plane bounces/absorbs radar waves. Very cool and trouble-free. Will pay for itself for sure as broke municipalities are under pressure to generate more revenue on the backs of everyday work commuters. Good luck and safe driving. Don't be a fish in a barrel.

You haven't had a real "speed-trap" experience until you've been to "downtown Valkenvania."

Likely the FUNNIEST movie I've seen in my entire life!

Edited December 10, 2009 by thongd4me