In today's article about Edina police nabbing lots of speeders, I couldn't help but recall my last speeding ticket, in Edina, several years ago. I had just exited off the Crosstown and was heading along 66th toward Southdale. The policeman who pulled me over said he clocked me going 44 mph in a 30 mph zone. Guilty.
But what surprised me was that as I looked at my ticket as I drove away, I noticed that he had written that I was going 45 mph. So I drove around the block and told him of his "mistake," which he corrected by crossing it out and writing in "44."
It was important to me at the time because I knew that I were going 15 mph over the limit I would not be eligible for a continuance, which helps you save money on insurance.
Here's how it works.
It's called a "continuance for dismissal" (CFD). You usually have to see a hearing officer to qualify. Go to the address listed on the back of the ticket or call for information. Expect to wait in line, often more than an hour, although you might be able to make an appointment for a future time.
Not everyone qualifies for a continuance. Generally, you can't have been cited for driving more than 15 to 20 miles per hour above the speed limit. You must have a driving record without violations for one to three years, depending on the prosecuting guidelines where you received the ticket. The petty moving violation must not have involved an accident, and no other continuances can be pending.
After you receive a continuance, you must remain ticket-free for one year, or the new and the old violations will be reported to insurance companies. Twenty-two percent of those who received petty misdemeanors in Ramsey County suburbs and saw a hearing officer received a CFD disposition, said Mona Ross, court operations manager of the suburban branch in Ramsey County.
Some cities charge extra ($70 in addition to the amount of the ticket in Hopkins, for example) for the benefit of the violation not going on your record, said Wynn Curtiss, a city prosecutor in Hopkins.
