How many warning letters for speeding before a fine?

[zzm9980]

No, I'm not being deliberately blur because the process in the US is as I described: Pay more now/upfront and you get 90 day probation and everything goes away. Wait to pay and take your chances in court, with the default penalty being X Points and X dollar fine.

I've never seen this is the multiple states where I have been gifted with a traffic ticket. There are some states that offer a 'driver education' program, usually a weekend, but I have never seen a ticket penalty (points) forgiven just because you pay early. It's on your record.

Right, exactly this. Pay now, do a 4 hour online "driver safety course", and it is off your record. I assumed that is what the option here was, minus the online safety course, since nothing is online here. I've also been given the option if I visited the court house before the trial date to do this without even having to take the course.

The term "compounded" threw me off. Either my dictionary is wrong, or I'm unintentionally "blur". OED says 'Law, Dated: Forbear from prosecuting in exchange for money'. The letter implies the penalty is the demerit points, so I would assume I am exchanging money so they don't prosecute me and give me those points.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Well, it's been a long, long time ago since I've actually had a ticket (and that was a DUI in Louisiana) but I know in Louisiana and Maryland it can't be done. Never had a ticket in any other state so cannot comment further.

It's probably a situation that would be dependent on the severity of the charges. My DUI wasn't even compoundable (using the local term), I HAD to appear in court.

[offshoreoildude]

Well look what I get for talking shit here... I just got a letter for speeding in the KPE. 21-30km/hour over the 70km limit. Apparently that's the threshhold.

Anyway, question: It is 6 demerit points, and they will let me immediately "compound" it for $150. Does that mean the points go away? Is this an optional thing, take the points or pay the fine? Or am I getting the points no matter what and still have to pay the fine?

Are you being deliberately obtuse ('blur')? Of course the demerit points apply - regardless of whether you accepting compounding or not. All compounding is - is a shortening of the entire legal process to save court time and costs (there's a legal word for it but can't remember). Accepting a compounding is saying "I'm guilty - I accept the fine of $150 and 6 points and will not contest or appeal this in court".

Are you deliberately being a douche bag?

No, I'm not being deliberately blur because the process in the US is as I described: Pay more now/upfront and you get 90 day probation and everything goes away. Wait to pay and take your chances in court, with the default penalty being X Points and X dollar fine.

edit: See, Jr8 obviously thought the same thing, since that would essentially be a plea bargain. Plea Bargain to pay more now for less points.

No, unfortunately it doesn't work that way. The demerit points are a mandated penalty that not even a magistrate can waive if you're guilty (this is pretty much the standard in ex British law countries). The fine and/or additional penalties (jail time) are what the mag. can play with. Demerit points are there to take drivers out of the system.

[offshoreoildude]

Compounding:

1. To settle a claim or debt for an amount less than what is alleged to be due.
2. To agree, in exchange for consideration, not to prosecute a crime or seek punishment for the convicted criminal.

The demerit points are part of the 'consideration'.

http://law.yourdictionary.com/compound

PS - applying legal knowledge from other jurisdictions is always hazardous - I have found less variances (in traffic law) between Singapore and West Australia than Singapore and the USA though.

[offshoreoildude]

http://driving-in-singapore.spf.gov.sg/ ... fences.htm

This list points with a note that 'in addition a composition amount of XXX will be imposed'. The points and compound go together. Tough titties mate.

[zzm9980]

PS - applying legal knowledge from other jurisdictions is always hazardous

I know that. If only there existed a resource on the Internet where an expat in a foreign land could query the shared knowledge of others

Thanks everyone. I'll pay the fine

[offshoreoildude]

PS - applying legal knowledge from other jurisdictions is always hazardous

I know that. If only there existed a resource on the Internet where an expat in a foreign land could query the shared knowledge of others

Thanks everyone. I'll pay the fine

IF you want to add to our common knowledge , why not try to contest the charge instead?

[zzm9980]

PS - applying legal knowledge from other jurisdictions is always hazardous

I know that. If only there existed a resource on the Internet where an expat in a foreign land could query the shared knowledge of others

Thanks everyone. I'll pay the fine

IF you want to add to our common knowledge , why not try to contest the charge instead?

Yeah, and I'll go on strike until my case is heard!

[taxico]

I know that. If only there existed a resource on the Internet where an expat in a foreign land could query the shared knowledge of others

Thanks everyone. I'll pay the fine

IF you want to add to our common knowledge , why not try to contest the charge instead?

Yeah, and I'll go on strike until my case is heard!

better make that a "legal" strike!!!