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Shawn, by what you described the trooper issued you a summons. We don't have written warnings in New York, but a summons is a formal piece of paper charging you with a traffic violation or traffic misdemanor...some of which allow a plea of not guilty or guilty by form of mail, and others require a manditory court appearance, such as reckless driving, a misdemeanor in New York, as well as most other states. Do I think it was stupid to write the ticket? Probably, if you were charged with 80 in a 70. Here in New York, the courts are so backed up that they'll bounce anything thats not at least 12 mph over. Depending on your driving record, you might want to try pleading it down with the prosecutor/court/individual responsible for proving that you were speeding. This would require that you either plead not guilty, and/or contact the court. Perhaps they would reduce it to just a fine and no points on your record, or in the extreme case, dismiss the ticket in the interest of justice (highly unlikely). Troopers do not usually let individuals off with a warning...their primary job responsibilities include highway safety and the enforcement of traffic regulations. I'm assuming that you were issued by a DPS officer...I wouldn't have issued, but I would see if the court can do something for you.
Oh, and BTW, there is a huge difference in being nice and courteous and admitting fault. Remember that what you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...here in New York on the back copy of the courts copy of the ticket (not visable to the offender) there is a box for us to write "admissions by the offender" that the judge may question. Anyway, see who is responsible for prosecuting this and ask for a plea. | 
