Speeding Ticket: Now What? Forum

[bdm261]

Quick C&F question, got a speeding citation today. 42 in the 25 zone. Wasn't paying attention to the speedometer.

Anyways, I already applied to some schools and was accepted to 3. What's the procedure for keeping my C&F current? Do I need to write an addendum to the schools that require traffic citation disclosures, or just send an e-mail or do anything?

Also, this brings my total citations to 5. Will it screw up any chances I have at the schools that haven't made a decision yet? And this certainly won't make any school rescind any admissions offer, correct?

[laxbrah420]

Email admissions and ask them the procedure

[elblufer]

Something tells me that law school admissions deans couldn't care one bit about a speeding ticket.

[LegalMikey]

Doubt they care, but did you file a previous addendum for the other 4? Having to follow up "...and I've since learned my lesson" with an extra speeding ticket might be kind of awkward.

[Cellar-door]

Check the applications, schools that don't require you disclose minor traffic citations (UVA I know doesn't for example) obviously don't. Anyone who asked you to reveal those you should probably email, unlikely to make a difference so might as well cove your ass.

[20130312]

[bdm261]

Doubt they care, but did you file a previous addendum for the other 4? Having to follow up "...and I've since learned my lesson" with an extra speeding ticket might be kind of awkward.

I wrote something like:

"I have been driving for X years and have received X moving violations in that time period. None of these infractions were drug or alcohol related, nor did any result in the suspension of my driver's license. All of these incidents resulted in minor fines, all of which were paid promptly."

It doesn't express any remorse or anything, if I write a followup should I be ok?

[Buck.Shot]

You should stop acting like a total cunt.

[PDaddy]

Check the applications, schools that don't require you disclose minor traffic citations (UVA I know doesn't for example) obviously don't. Anyone who asked you to reveal those you should probably email, unlikely to make a difference so might as well cove your ass.

Speeding is NOT a minor violation. A broken tail light or past due license tab is.

[Systematic1]

Fight it.

[oaken]

I had a dream the other night that I was driving at 15 MPH in a 14 MPH zone and got a speeding ticket for it. I was furious.

HTH.

[Cellar-door]

Check the applications, schools that don't require you disclose minor traffic citations (UVA I know doesn't for example) obviously don't. Anyone who asked you to reveal those you should probably email, unlikely to make a difference so might as well cove your ass.

Speeding is NOT a minor violation. A broken tail light or past due license tab is.

What makes you say that? I'm a Massachusetts resident and the state considers speeding a minor traffic violation:
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/rmv/Meri ... tions.aspx

[elblufer]

Check the applications, schools that don't require you disclose minor traffic citations (UVA I know doesn't for example) obviously don't. Anyone who asked you to reveal those you should probably email, unlikely to make a difference so might as well cove your ass.

Speeding is NOT a minor violation. A broken tail light or past due license tab is.

What makes you say that? I'm a Massachusetts resident and the state considers speeding a minor traffic violation:
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/rmv/Meri ... tions.aspx

As does California

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/point-system.php

[AlanShore]

I had a dream the other night that I was driving at 15 MPH in a 14 MPH zone and got a speeding ticket for it. I was furious.

HTH.

[bdm261]

Ok so just one of the schools that admitted me requires disclosure of traffic citations.

I sent my schools Admissions dept this following email:

To Whom it May Concern:

I am writing to update my Character and Fitness disclosure status as I received a speeding citation on Friday, December 10, 2012.

Currently, the fine of approximately $100 has not been paid, as it is not due until 7 days after the scheduled court date of Dec 19, 2012, but it will be paid in timely accordance with the deadline.

I accept full responsibility for my actions and I do not plan to contest the citation.

Thank You.

Sincerely,

My Name
LSAC# LXXXXXXX

Hopefully this doesn't screw anything up. Is a citation every 2 years considered "excessive"?

[elblufer]

they're not going to care about your speeding tickets. It's not going to hurt you in the slightest.

[bdm261]

they're not going to care about your speeding tickets. It's not going to hurt you in the slightest.

I hope so. My school's "Admissions FAQ" page says this:


Why do you ask about parking and minor traffic violations on the application?

We ask this for two reasons. One is for the sake of consistency. As noted above, if there are inconsistencies between the admission application and the bar exam application, this can cause problems when it is time to apply to take the bar exam.

The second is a character issue. On rare occasions, the Admissions Committee comes in contact with an applicant that believes that traffic and parking laws do not apply to them. This suggests a disregard for the law, which is a serious problem for someone considering becoming a lawyer, and could adversely affect the admission decision made by the Admissions Committee.

I hardly believe the laws don't apply to me. I just wasn't paying attention to the speedometer and didn't realize I was speeding until I passed a cop.

[oaken]

they're not going to care about your speeding tickets. It's not going to hurt you in the slightest.

I hope so. My school's "Admissions FAQ" page says this:


Why do you ask about parking and minor traffic violations on the application?

We ask this for two reasons. One is for the sake of consistency. As noted above, if there are inconsistencies between the admission application and the bar exam application, this can cause problems when it is time to apply to take the bar exam.

The second is a character issue. On rare occasions, the Admissions Committee comes in contact with an applicant that believes that traffic and parking laws do not apply to them. This suggests a disregard for the law, which is a serious problem for someone considering becoming a lawyer, and could adversely affect the admission decision made by the Admissions Committee.

I hardly believe the laws don't apply to me. I just wasn't paying attention to the speedometer and didn't realize I was speeding until I passed a cop.

I wonder if they're referring to people who have like dozens of tickets, or ones who go out of their way to write that they didn't deserve them.

[dproduct]

Fight it.

Or if this is your first one... Pay for traffic school and get it off your record. Done.

ETA: You would want to exercise this option regardless of law school to save your insurance rates.

[kuttlefish]

I hope so. My school's "Admissions FAQ" page says this:


Why do you ask about parking and minor traffic violations on the application?

We ask this for two reasons. One is for the sake of consistency. As noted above, if there are inconsistencies between the admission application and the bar exam application, this can cause problems when it is time to apply to take the bar exam.

The second is a character issue. On rare occasions, the Admissions Committee comes in contact with an applicant that believes that traffic and parking laws do not apply to them. This suggests a disregard for the law, which is a serious problem for someone considering becoming a lawyer, and could adversely affect the admission decision made by the Admissions Committee.

Jesus Christ, what dork-ass school is that? BYU?

[cynthiad]

I hope so. My school's "Admissions FAQ" page says this:


Why do you ask about parking and minor traffic violations on the application?

We ask this for two reasons. One is for the sake of consistency. As noted above, if there are inconsistencies between the admission application and the bar exam application, this can cause problems when it is time to apply to take the bar exam.

The second is a character issue. On rare occasions, the Admissions Committee comes in contact with an applicant that believes that traffic and parking laws do not apply to them. This suggests a disregard for the law, which is a serious problem for someone considering becoming a lawyer, and could adversely affect the admission decision made by the Admissions Committee.

Jesus Christ, what dork-ass school is that? BYU?

I could see that if someone had dozens of tickets, and didn't pay them off in a timely matter, it could affect the decision. Just like one dorm violation for underage drinking doesn't matter, but many suggests a pattern.

[scruffy556]

I hope so. My school's "Admissions FAQ" page says this:


Why do you ask about parking and minor traffic violations on the application?

We ask this for two reasons. One is for the sake of consistency. As noted above, if there are inconsistencies between the admission application and the bar exam application, this can cause problems when it is time to apply to take the bar exam.

The second is a character issue. On rare occasions, the Admissions Committee comes in contact with an applicant that believes that traffic and parking laws do not apply to them. This suggests a disregard for the law, which is a serious problem for someone considering becoming a lawyer, and could adversely affect the admission decision made by the Admissions Committee.

Jesus Christ, what dork-ass school is that? BYU?

Google says it's the University of Akron.

[bdm261]

I hope so. My school's "Admissions FAQ" page says this:


Why do you ask about parking and minor traffic violations on the application?

We ask this for two reasons. One is for the sake of consistency. As noted above, if there are inconsistencies between the admission application and the bar exam application, this can cause problems when it is time to apply to take the bar exam.

The second is a character issue. On rare occasions, the Admissions Committee comes in contact with an applicant that believes that traffic and parking laws do not apply to them. This suggests a disregard for the law, which is a serious problem for someone considering becoming a lawyer, and could adversely affect the admission decision made by the Admissions Committee.

Jesus Christ, what dork-ass school is that? BYU?

Google says it's the University of Akron.

Yep.

What exactly is a "pattern" though? I have a total of 5 citations on my record since age 16, that amounts to one ticket, every two years. I e-mailed the school and didn't receive anything back so I assume they just added it to my file or whatever, at least I did my part here.