re: I apparently have to go to court for speeding in a school zone. 40 in 25.

Just went through this for a red (yellow) light. Called the DA to ask what to do to get it reduced to a non-moving violation, and they said to take any LA approved defensive driving course and bring it to the judge on the court date.

On the court date, the judge started off by asking everyone that took a course to get in line. One by one they took the fine and tossed the ticket.

Here’s the site I used:

Defensive Driving Course

A layer will usually get the fine reduced or thrown out or at least a non moving. 20 over in a school zone would cost more than a lawyer.

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Should I hire a traffic attorney for this?

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I always do this just because i think the collect and serve office is one of the few things worse than lawyers.

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Calcasieu Parish. I didn’t know school was still going on. Didn’t know there was a school. Just missed it.

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Was skool in session? It's summer so they should be on break. Were there school zone signs posted/? What was the non-SZ speed limit?

My most recent ticket experience with LA:
- Got ticketed for speeding on I-10 around Henderson in a construction zone. Nothing egregious. Like 65 in a 60.
- I think it was the mayor of Henderson I spoke with and got it reduced to a non-moving violation.
- FTR, I was respectful but I lit his backside up because other motorists ride on my bumper but his troopers wouldn't do anything to stop that and there's no way to get off the road in a CZ.

My advice is to call them and politely make your case in hopes they'll reduce it to a non-moving violation. Pay the fine and go on with your life.

Happened to me in high school, took some class and got it dropped I believe, it was not a big deal at all or expensive as long as you don’t have any previous similar offenses

Call the prosecutor's office and ask if they will allow you to take a defensive driving course depleted down. You can do an online defensive driving course and as long as you can print a certificate to show you've completed it, it counts

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1. What’s the chance the trooper doesn’t show up to court?

2% or less. You probably can sort this out before your court date by talking to the ADA.

2. Is there any point in pleading my case or am I in for a lecture?

For a first time offense, you will likely get an opportunity to do a pre-trial diversion

3. Should I hire a traffic attorney for this? Any point in that? Never been to court before for anything.

It's a $500 fine ($250 x2 for school zone). You are paying that, period. Accept it, and hope it doesn't go on your record as a moving violation. What is a lawyer going to do?

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Fine Schedule

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Mandatory Appearance: Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 32, § 57, speeding in a school zone explicitly mandates that the driver must appear in court.

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I got one going duck hunting in Lake Arthur a few years ago. It was about 4PM and I knew it was a school zone but thought it was past hours but no, the trooper's watch and mine obviously didn't sync. I was actually doing less than the normal speed limit but I guess my Texas plates didn't set well with him.

Went to court in Lake Chuck and trust me, there will be about 50 other yahoo's that are there for the same thing. A bunch will be from the same day so yes the ticketing officer will probably be there. I guess they lump all of the speeders into one specific court date and they move you in and out like cattle.