Is a speeding ticket a criminal offense?

[TheMasterpiece]

I asked this in the general "ask a cop" section and someone suggested I ask here for a more specific answer. Basically I'm filling out intern applications for different agencies around the state. Raleigh asks specifically "have you ever been arrested by a law enforcement officer or otherwise charged with a criminal offense".

I got charged with 80 in a 65, and the trooper told me I didn't have to go to court, but suggested I did. Because I went to court the judge reduced the charge to improper equipment. I have no other charges on my record of any kind and have had no other interactions with LEOs in that sense.

I would love to be able to check the no box under criminal offenses so if anyone here can help me I would really appreciate it.

[sarpup]

Well here is my opinon and I could be wrong. It says first charged with not convicted. 15 over I thought was a mandatory court appearance and is a bondable offense. So based on that I would pick yes. Here is the catch, even if your not sure mark it down. When they look at it and you probably have to explain it on the form the investigator would decide if its material or not. Always better to disclose so it doesnt look like your trying to hide it.

[Michaeluncfan73]

Yes, in your situation it is. If I were you, I would answer yes and explain the disposition of it as well. I've copied and pasted the correlating general statute in case your interested. Hope this helps.

NCGS 20‑141. Speed restrictions
(j1) A person who drives a vehicle on a highway at a speed that is either more than 15 miles per hour more than the speed limit established by law for the highway where the offense occurred or over 80 miles per hour is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

[TheMasterpiece]

Thank you both for your answers. I fully disclosed my ticket with a quick but concise explanation on my application. Considering I don't have any other charges and I am ahead of the curve on internship apps I'm hoping I can get a spot in Raleigh.

[obxemt]

1 - An infraction is considered a minor traffic offense and is not a "criminal offense."

2 - apollyon73 is incorrect.

Your ticket was an infraction and not a misdemeanor under 20-141. You were not over 80 mph and you were not over 15 mph over the limit. That is an infraction. The trooper told you that you didn't have to go to court because it was pre-payable and not a mandatory court appearance. If it were a misdemeanor it would not have been payable and WOULD have been mandatory.

[Hale]

Not a criminal offense. TI. 15 over... pay the ticket and go on about your life.

[TheMasterpiece]

Yea I checked no on the box but as of now I have the ticket listed anyway just for full disclosure. I also talked to someone who works with LEO on a daily basis and Raleigh sounds like a great place to work so I definitely want to be accepted

[Michaeluncfan73]

I'm glad there are other officer's on here to keep me in line! I was basing my response on when I used to cite someone for 80+ in a 55mph zone, I got tunnel vision on my thought process:-).

To the Op, In any case I still suggest full disclosure especially if your going with a sheriff's office. Sheriff's training and standards is getting extremely touchy with the F3 and even though it's an infraction I would still list it. Just my .02. Best of luck to you.

[TheMasterpiece]

Unfortunately I don't remember red or black. I got the ticket almost 2 years ago on the way home for thanksgiving. Based on what obx said it looks like an infraction so I've checked no under criminal offense but still listed the ticket and the information involved in it just to be safe.

[Michaeluncfan73]

Don't worry, OBX is correct, I was thinking on the wrong train of thought. Sounds like you have your bases covered so I wish you the best:-).

[TheMasterpiece]

Thanks a lot. After getting my references set up I'll turn in my application. Future in LE is whats getting me through this last year of college so an internship will be a nice exciting way to move into a new phase of life.

[Smurfette_76]

Don't "pay the ticket and go on about your life" go to court. Take a copy of your driving history and see if you can get a PJC or reduced at the very least. It's the insurance points not DL points that are going to eat you alive at your age. Go to court. You have nothing to lose.

[obxemt]

apollyon73 - But we still love you!

smurfette - We've made a complete mockery of the system and traffic offenses. Everyone and their brother wants, expects, and demands a warning. If they get cited they just can't believe it. Then they want, expect, or demand a reduction. Most of the time, they get it...regardless of how lengthy their record might be. We used to give them 5, then 10, now 15 or even 20 MPH over the limit before citations start getting issued. Frankly, with court the way it is, what's the point? Why should we risk getting killed, maimed, etc. to write a ticket that no one takes seriously?

If I choose to speed, it is an informed choice. I know it. If I set my cruise control on 5 or 10 over on the interstate, I am well aware what the speed is, and I am well aware how fast I choose to go. I am always constantly aware of how fast I am going, and was even before I was a cop. If you're running 15 over the limit, there

[Smurfette_76]

And on the other side, someone who has no history does deserve a second chance with the understanding that a second ticket would bring the first back. It's not the end of the world and as you noted, it's not a criminal offense.

[obxemt]

Crap...three quarters of my post and all the important parts disappeared.

People need to start taking responsibility and pay for their screw ups.

The ethical failure is that people who run 15 or 20 over get a ridiculous reduction, and people who cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage and medical bills in wrecks get dismissals. But folks who pay a ticket for 11 or 12 over get slammed. That's bull.

I agree that some people deserve breaks, but they're already getting a break by not being cited until 15 or 20 over.