Legal Question in Traffic Law in Colorado
Is it ok to plead guilty to an unrelated lesser charge?
I was clocked by a police officer going 29mph in a 20mph zone. Later I recieved a notice from the DA's office that said if i plead guilty to driving without a seatbelt they would dismiss the charge of speeding. Now the speeding is a $200 fine and a 1 point penalty on my license while the seatbelt charge is $100 fine and zero points. I would rather not have any points but I just want to be sure it is legal to plead guilty to a ficticious charge to reduce the sentence.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Is it ok to plead guilty to an unrelated lesser charge?
Yes it is okay. This is very common. A US Supreme Court case, North Carolina v. Alford, allows this sort of plea for the exact reason that you give.
Re: Is it ok to plead guilty to an unrelated lesser charge?
Take the zero point violation and run with it, since you were speeding in a school zone.
Related Questions & Answers
-
Police breaking traffic laws? Is a marked police vehicle required by law to have its... Asked 10/14/03, 11:04 pm in United States Colorado Traffic Law
-
113 in a 55 without a license I was pulled over for going 113 in a 55 mph zone on a... Asked 10/02/03, 4:10 pm in United States Colorado Traffic Law
-
Speeding I got a speeding ticket going 110 in a 75. It was dropped to 99 and... Asked 9/22/03, 12:27 pm in United States Colorado Traffic Law
-
Speeding ticket, no proof of insurance On 7/3/03 (Thurs. Eve) my son recieved a... Asked 8/25/03, 10:43 pm in United States Colorado Traffic Law