Should you "apologize" for traffic violations? Forum

[PrayingforHYS]

For schools that actually require you to disclose traffic violations (like a speeding ticket), should you include a short paragraph on how you're sorry and how it's changed your driving habits (or something of that nature...) or do you think it's better to just give the facts and let the admission committee make what they will of it?

[whymeohgodno]

Just say you learned from it but don't go overboard and say it was a mistake that changed your life and sound insincere.

[birdlaw117]

I just listed the facts. Are you really sorry that you were going 51 mph in a 45 mph? Do you think that Adcomm's will believe you when you say you are sorry? Do Adcomm's like it when they know you are full of shit?

[PrayingforHYS]

I just listed the facts. Are you really sorry that you were going 51 mph in a 45 mph? Do you think that Adcomm's will believe you when you say you are sorry? Do Adcomm's like it when they know you are full of shit?

this is along the lines of what I was thinking, but then why ask for moving violations at all? It seems like a small minority that ask. Idk -- I don't want to sound insincere, but I also don't want to seem like I'm avoiding responsibility by just stating "was doing x in a x zone -- pled not guilty, charge was reduced, they kept my fine, but no points added to license and no admission of guilt"

more thoughts?

[artichoke]

I just listed the facts. Are you really sorry that you were going 51 mph in a 45 mph? Do you think that Adcomm's will believe you when you say you are sorry? Do Adcomm's like it when they know you are full of shit?

+1

No one feels badly and regrets a speeding ticket/parking ticket etc. If you say you're sorry and you learned from it adcomm's are going to call bullshit.

[JazzOne]

I just listed the facts. Are you really sorry that you were going 51 mph in a 45 mph? Do you think that Adcomm's will believe you when you say you are sorry? Do Adcomm's like it when they know you are full of shit?

this is along the lines of what I was thinking, but then why ask for moving violations at all? It seems like a small minority that ask. Idk -- I don't want to sound insincere, but I also don't want to seem like I'm avoiding responsibility by just stating "was doing x in a x zone -- pled not guilty, charge was reduced, they kept my fine, but no points added to license and no admission of guilt"

more thoughts?

No addendum necessary for a few minor tickets. The only reason I can think of for them to ask is that a repeated pattern of speeding could show a general disregard for the law. A few tickets will not cause any troubles with the Bar, but a few dozen might.

[birdlaw117]

Sounds good to me. I just basically put in a little table lising the date, charge, and penalty. I think they just want full disclosure. Basically trying to keep people from making their own judgements on what is a minor traffic violation (trying to keep people from withholding DUI, etc. charges). That's my opinion.

[AreJay711]

I just listed the facts. Are you really sorry that you were going 51 mph in a 45 mph? Do you think that Adcomm's will believe you when you say you are sorry? Do Adcomm's like it when they know you are full of shit?

+1

No one feels badly and regrets a speeding ticket/parking ticket etc. If you say you're sorry and you learned from it adcomm's are going to call bullshit.

When you say you learned from it say what you learned: that you need to be more careful about watching your speed, making sure you have your seatbelt on, or coming to a complete stop at a stop sign etc.

[birdlaw117]

I just listed the facts. Are you really sorry that you were going 51 mph in a 45 mph? Do you think that Adcomm's will believe you when you say you are sorry? Do Adcomm's like it when they know you are full of shit?

+1

No one feels badly and regrets a speeding ticket/parking ticket etc. If you say you're sorry and you learned from it adcomm's are going to call bullshit.

When you say you learned from it say what you learned: that you need to be more careful about watching your speed, making sure you have your seatbelt on, or coming to a complete stop at a stop sign etc.

And that is what I, and most likely a lot of adcomm's, would call bullshit on. Sorry, but this isn't a DUI or something that you learn a real lesson from. It is a slap on the wrist, and real lessons aren't learned from those.

[bdubs]

I just listed the facts. Are you really sorry that you were going 51 mph in a 45 mph? Do you think that Adcomm's will believe you when you say you are sorry? Do Adcomm's like it when they know you are full of shit?

+1

No one feels badly and regrets a speeding ticket/parking ticket etc. If you say you're sorry and you learned from it adcomm's are going to call bullshit.

Everyone regrets getting caught.

[JazzOne]

For schools that actually require you to disclose traffic violations (like a speeding ticket), should you include a short paragraph on how you're sorry and how it's changed your driving habits (or something of that nature...) or do you think it's better to just give the facts and let the admission committee make what they will of it?

Perhaps you can write your PS about how these tickets inspired you to become a lawyer.

[birdlaw117]

I just listed the facts. Are you really sorry that you were going 51 mph in a 45 mph? Do you think that Adcomm's will believe you when you say you are sorry? Do Adcomm's like it when they know you are full of shit?

+1

No one feels badly and regrets a speeding ticket/parking ticket etc. If you say you're sorry and you learned from it adcomm's are going to call bullshit.

Everyone regrets getting caught.

"I got a speeding ticket for going 37 in a 35. I really really learned a lot from the experience. Next time I see a cop when I'm speeding I will hit my brakes harder. From this experience, I learned how to not get caught."

[JazzOne]

Here's one more idea, OP. Take out a newspaper add, and apologize to the whole community. If you're going to apologize for speeding, you need to go all the way with it.

[Perch]

is it necessary to include the speed assuming it was not reckless driving or something worse than just a plan ole'
speeding ticket?

[cartercl]

You know you sped home from the courthouse after you paid the ticket...

[Anonymous Loser]

is it necessary to include the speed assuming it was not reckless driving or something worse than just a plan ole'
speeding ticket?

[northwood]

you are going to do it again. dont be sorry. just dont get caught

[Perch]

is it necessary to include the speed assuming it was not reckless driving or something worse than just a plan ole'
speeding ticket?

serious question, I just put that I received a ticket for speeding, paid the fine and have not received another traffic citation. I guess I assume it's not a big deal, just need to admit to it.

[HeavenWood]

I just listed the facts. Are you really sorry that you were going 51 mph in a 45 mph? Do you think that Adcomm's will believe you when you say you are sorry? Do Adcomm's like it when they know you are full of shit?

+1

No one feels badly and regrets a speeding ticket/parking ticket etc. If you say you're sorry and you learned from it adcomm's are going to call bullshit.

When you say you learned from it say what you learned: that you need to be more careful about watching your speed, making sure you have your seatbelt on, or coming to a complete stop at a stop sign etc.

And that is what I, and most likely a lot of adcomm's, would call bullshit on. Sorry, but this isn't a DUI or something that you learn a real lesson from. It is a slap on the wrist, and real lessons aren't learned from those.

I doubt most adcomms would legitimately care about a few minor speeding tickets. Most law schools only ask for their disclosure because the C&F regulations of their state (or the states they primarily place into) require it. IE, they do it as a preemptive measure, not wanting their students to have trouble being admitted to the bar down the line.

[birdlaw117]

is it necessary to include the speed assuming it was not reckless driving or something worse than just a plan ole'
speeding ticket?

serious question, I just put that I received a ticket for speeding, paid the fine and have not received another traffic citation. I guess I assume it's not a big deal, just need to admit to it.

Yeah... I'm not sure where the question in that is... but it sounds good.

[Perch]

is it necessary to include the speed assuming it was not reckless driving or something worse than just a plan ole'
speeding ticket?

serious question, I just put that I received a ticket for speeding, paid the fine and have not received another traffic citation. I guess I assume it's not a big deal, just need to admit to it.

Yeah... I'm not sure where the question in that is... but it sounds good.

I was referring to my original question of whether you need to disclose the specific speed...Tommy Lee Jones was staring at me and making me nervous!

[birdlaw117]

]

serious question, I just put that I received a ticket for speeding, paid the fine and have not received another traffic citation. I guess I assume it's not a big deal, just need to admit to it.

Yeah... I'm not sure where the question in that is... but it sounds good.

I was referring to my original question of whether you need to disclose the specific speed...Tommy Lee Jones was staring at me and making me nervous!

Gotcha. I didn't disclose speed for mine. I don't know which would be better, but I didn't have that information on hand so I figured just dates, charge, and penalties would be fine.