I got an effing $50 ticket this afternoon...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

I was in DC, playing a wedding gig; and when I got back to my car there was a ticket for not having my front-end license plate attached.

I had a front-end collision some time ago, and when I got my new tags, I realized there was nothing on the front end to attach them to. And to be quite honest, brake jobs, new tires, and other car work simply took priority over freakin' front tags. After all, the rear one is on. I don't even have DC plates. :(

WTF?!?! What kind of bullshit is this?!?!

Should I pay, or argue with them?

[StaggerLee]

1. That's weird

You'd think that the rear plate would suffice. Here in MI you only need the rear one.

WTF indeed.

[lebkuchen]

2. Go before the judge and argue it if you want it reduced or suspended

Bring in the repair bills to show you've had a wreck and car work done (and you might want to say the work is on-going and perhaps bring in an appointment slip for your next appointment, or better yet, have the plate already properly attached by the time you go to the courthouse. The judge doesn't want to hear long excuses...(s)he gets them all day, from quite a few losers. You'll see. Dress nicely, btw.

That the rear tag was attached isn't a good excuse for not having the front one. Go with the carwork excuse.

[Mr. Blonde]

3. Coming back from Iowa

my friend got two tickets in about 3 hours. It was shitty, he was then relegated to the back seat.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Here in California, that would be a "fix-it" ticket

No penalty - you simply have to show proof that you put the plate on.

[TexasMexican]

5. Plead not guild and request a trial by jury...

You might even be able to get it dismissed before hand, but if not take a trial by jury and hope they let you off.

[lebkuchen]

7. A quick trip to the Municipal Court will do the trick

I've done it in my city. It's a piece of cake. Hopefully, the Court is located near where errands can be run, so it will fit into the "offender's" schedule.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. I've heard that taking tickets to court in DC

can be a nightmare.

But I'd prefer to do that. I wonder, if StaggerLee had parked his car downtown, would he have gotten a ticket, since his state does not require front plates?

[NightTrain]

6. Contest the fuckin' thing!

Even if you have to go to court, maybe you can get them to lower the fine, if not dismiss it outright. Hey, it's worth a try!

[sushi]

8. Time is money!

Why spend time doing this and that, going here and there? I would just pay it, and cancel something else that I want to buy to "pay" for this ticket, and make sure next time everything is just perfect.
If you do decide to go through all that hassle, good luck!

[Delano]

9. It's not the law in every state.

In Florida, they only give you ONE plate. Check what the law is in your state, then contest the ticcket with that info in mind. YOu should contest it eithere way - can't hurt.