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Old 05-03-2014, 11:02 AM
 
2 posts, read 2,876 times
Reputation: 10

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Hi Everyone,

I was driving over the speed limit and was stopped by a police officer last week. The police officer advised me that I was driving 87 mph in a 65 mph zone. (I actually did not realize that the car accelerated so fast, it was a long downhill section of a road). He told me that driving over 85 mph in Connecticut considered as reckless driving and requires a court appearance. However, when he eventually handed in me a ticket, it reads as "Speeding 14-219" under "Infraction(s)/Violation(s)" section but he indicated the "Actual speed" as "85+". The name of the top of the ticket reads as "Complaint ticket".

My question is whether I was actually cited for "speeding", or that's the standard ticket and I'll have to deal with "reckless driving" charge anyways? Am I expected to get anything in mail? I would appreciate your feedback.

P.S. I am not a "reckless" speedy driver really. It was just a very long trip and I did not realize that the car was going that fast downhill though that's not an excuse for such situations. That's my first ticket ever.
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Old 05-03-2014, 12:04 PM
 
Location: Connecticut
5,104 posts, read 4,780,306 times
Reputation: 3636
If your ticket has a dollar amount to pay by a due date you were charged with speeding. Infractions that don't have a dollar amount on them require court appearance. Then they will decide the fine in court.

As I understand it speeding over 85 mph in CT is reckless driving. If you get one of these infractions most likely you will lose your license for 30 days.

The 85+ on the ticket is the cops way to communicate to the prosecutor that he gave you a break on the side of the road. It's insider lingo. I would also guess the prosecutor is less likely to cut you a deal if you plead not guilty to contest the ticket. Deals on traffic tickets are also dependent on what court the ticket is assigned too. Middletown for example, is one of the worst.
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Old 05-03-2014, 02:25 PM
 
2 posts, read 2,876 times
Reputation: 10
The ticket has a dollar amount to pay and a due date.

That was my understanding on the side of the road that the police officer decided not to consider this situation as "reckless driving". However, when I saw "85+" on the ticket I started to doubt if I understood correctly what he told me. Later when I turned the ticket and saw the option to pay (and plead guilty) I did not know if I would be pleading guilty for speeding or reckless driving, which has very different consequences.

Thanks for the info. I hope it will end up as speeding.
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Old 05-04-2014, 07:58 PM
 
2,668 posts, read 4,461,488 times
Reputation: 1996
Basically it forces you to pay the fine and deal with the insurance implications. Take it to court if you want and you could possibly but not likely have it nullified where it is "tossed out" due to court volume or other reasons. But if you go to court don't expect a lot as the prosecutor will see the 85+ and know they have you a break.

Also next time downshift or drop a gear of auto with a manumatic to enine brake the car to a certain speed, or cruise control.

Also would like to know where this happened.
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