This is my first time fighting a traffic ticket, and I used the services of OfftheRecord.com. Here’s my review of Off the Record, including the cost, ease of use, and the outcome of my case.

My Traffic Ticket

I haven’t gotten a traffic ticket in probably 20 years. The reason for the ticket was ridiculous, which is why I wanted to fight it.

I was given a ticket for “running a stop sign.” A stop sign that I had stopped at and then turned right.

But, according to Officer Perez, who really wanted to give someone a ticket that day, I didn’t stop long enough to make him happy.

I got online looking for info on how to fight it, and Off the Record looked pretty good, and offered a money-back guarantee. They also have a referral program:

Want to save $10? Use my referral link: https://fight.offtherecord.com/ckeanedfz8o

What it’s Like to Use Off the Record

Submitting my info was very easy. I took a photo of my ticket and sent it in with my information. I was provided with the cost, which would be $80.

I decided to go through with it and paid the fee. A lawyer quickly took my case and responded through the platform. My case was accepted by the Law Office of Philip Moffitt.

All your communication is done through the website or app. You get a notification in your e-mail when you have a new message.

The lawyer said not to pay the ticket and that we should be able to get the points removed. I took this to mean that the ticket would be dismissed. I later found out I was wrong.

What Happens After Hiring Off the Record

A court date was set for my ticket, about a month away. The lawyer said I do not have to appear in court and they should agree to remove the points.

I was happy to hear that!

About a week before the court date, I sent extra info, including photos of where the ticket was issued, showing how I would need to roll forward a bit after stopping at the stop sign, so I could see around the bushes.

That’s when things got confusing.

The lawyer responded back asking if I wanted to change this to fighting the ticket and have a trial date set.

I thought that was the whole point of this? What exactly did I just pay $80 for? I thought this was to save money!

I had asked the lawyer earlier how the process works, and nothing was said about me still having to pay the fine. I told him I felt like that was information that should have been clearly provided up front, because the website makes it sound like you are fighting the ticket to be dismissed and not have to pay the fine.

He said Duval County is very strict, and the court probably would not dismiss the ticket unless the officer admitted I stopped. I knew there was no way he would say that, or he wouldn’t have given me a ticket in the first place!

Again, I felt this was information that should have been provided upfront

Since I was already invested this far, I told him to just stay with the court date we had and try to get the points removed.

What Happened After the Court Date

My court date is set for May 13th, so I will come back and update this post afterward with all the details!

So far, the only benefit to doing this was not having to spend four hours at traffic school.

So, if you do choose to use Off the Record or any ticket-fighting service, be sure to ask very clearly up front what you will be getting from it. I thought I asked clearly, but apparently, I did not.

I’ll be back with an update as soon as I hear the outcome of the court date!