How to Get Out of Paying a Speeding Ticket (and help your community too)

Here's how to get out of paying (most) speeding or parking tickets. This will even work if you are out of town.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Diplomacy
• Free time
• Creativity
• Ticket, and contact info for court issuing ticket

1. Hi Officer Be as polite as you can when you're being issued the ticket (if it's a speeding ticket). You can usually either take a driving class to discount the amount of the ticket, or volunteer to work community service hours instead of paying the ticket.
2. Call the court listed on the ticket during business hours and ask if you can speak to someone about your ticket (on electronic answering machines, select "make payment arrangements"). When you get a person on the phone, explain to them that you are having financial difficulties (you're a student, single-mom, or whatever the case may be) and you would love to do volunteer work for the community to work-off the ticket in lieu of payment. You may even mention a local church, children's hospital or charity you'd like to help.
3. Most courts will be receptive to this, and will pay you decently (about entry-level wage for your area). If they aren't, you can plead your case in-court, but you may want to weigh out if its worth the time/effort vs. paying the ticket at that point. Also, come to court prepared: have a couple of charities that you've contacted as options so you are giving the judge a "choice". This will increase your chances of getting to go community service rather than paying the ticket.
4. Make sure you find out how to submit and record the hours because some courts have a form and others will ask for a letter from the person who was in-charge where you volunteered.
5. Photographer: Ian Britton Then you will work out a schedule or they will tell you when you are to have the community service hours turned in by. Some already have lists of places to work for, otherwise you'll have to do your own research- try local food pantries, hospitals, YWCA, churches, or look at http://www.volunteermatch.org for ideas. There are many charities out there, you will be able to find something to match your interests and skills! If you knit or crochet, you can usually donate hand-knitted clothing, hats or blankets to churches, shelters, safe-houses and hospitals (Project Linus and Warm Woolies are also good bets) and then you work out how many hours you spent making these items with the charity you submit them to. If you're a writer, there are community organizations working towards literacy, or assisting people with writing and reading. If you like the outdoors, try an arborist foundation or contact the parks and recreation division in your area. Be sure to submit your proof of hours worked on time and enjoy saving money and helping others!!

Tips & Warnings

• Get the name of the individual (or the judge) who okay' d your community service hours.
• Make sure you find out how to submit your community service hours - and the date they are due.