Official Reckless Driving Thread (Richmond, Fairfax: limits, history, MBA)

[Muh]

Originally Posted by DCMadison

Which county was this?

Fairfax.

[ytan1983]

I was speeding at 63 in 35 Miles zone and was issued Reckless Driving ticket. I am in a confusion to hire a lawyer or represent my self in the Fairfax District Court. I do have a clear driving history although it is only one year that I have been living in USA. I have never been convicted of any charges before. Hence Please advise if it is good to represent myself or hire an attorney.

[Mike From NIU]

Originally Posted by ytan1983

I was speeding at 63 in 35 Miles zone and was issued Reckless Driving ticket. I am in a confusion to hire a lawyer or represent my self in the Fairfax District Court. I do have a clear driving history although it is only one year that I have been living in USA. I have never been convicted of any charges before. Hence Please advise if it is good to represent myself or hire an attorney.

I would definitely hire an attorney. 63 in a 35 mile zone is VERY dangerous, and so it is not likely that judges will readily cut a break. Also, depending on your immigration status, a reckless driving conviction could come into play when your case is reviewed (seeking permanent status, renewal of visa, etc.). Therefore, you want a competent lawyer who can both represent you well for this ticket as well as protect your immigration status.

In the meantime, slow down and follow your lawyer's advice.

[kutra11]

Originally Posted by ytan1983

I was speeding at 63 in 35 Miles zone and was issued Reckless Driving ticket. I am in a confusion to hire a lawyer or represent my self in the Fairfax District Court. I do have a clear driving history although it is only one year that I have been living in USA. I have never been convicted of any charges before. Hence Please advise if it is good to represent myself or hire an attorney.

Just out of curiosity, why were you doing 63 in a 35 mph zone?

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by kutra11

Just out of curiosity, why were you doing 63 in a 35 mph zone?

Apparently driving with HUA.

[swishplace]

Originally Posted by psusra112

95 will not get you a lecture. 95 gives you a legitimate chance at a weekend in county jail. Retain a lawyer, take the traffic class prior to going to court. You may be beyond getting the RD charge dropped, but that lawyer may save you a weekend or two in jail. For example, in Northern Virginia (Fairfax County), judges hand out 1 day of jail time for each MPH over 85. So if you're going 95 like yourself, you get a nice 10 days, or 5 weekends in county jail.

Get the lawyer, show up remorseful with driving class in hand and hope the judge is in a good enough mood to keep you out of jail, no matter how much you deserve it. 95 isn't a safe speed on any highway in VA, even one signed 70.

I have a hard time believing 85mph is going to get you 1 day of jail time unless you had a rack of tickets/points. 85mph with a clean record resulting in jail time would probably make national news. I'm sure every cop, lawyer, and judge has broken the 85mph barrier before. We're all human and cars have 200+ horsepower for a reason and it certainly isn't to drive 55mph on the interstate. Let's just be honest here.

[slaintejean]

63 in a 35? I hope you go to jail.

[yt6yt6]

Hi BigFoot,

I went through the forum and found that you have helped lot of people with your responses. I am one among them seeking the advise from you. I was convicted of reckless driving, but I was neither arrested nor was I involved in any injuries or damage to the property. Judge asked me to just pay the fine but did not reduce the charges. When I went through your older posts for the RD convictions, one of your post mentioned that with out arrests it will not be treated as criminal charges, but you have also mentioned in another post that the courts are now required to report RD convictions as criminal charges. Can you please clarify RD conviction without arrest will remain as criminal charge.

thanks in advance.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by swishplace

I have a hard time believing 85mph is going to get you 1 day of jail time unless you had a rack of tickets/points. 85mph with a clean record resulting in jail time would probably make national news. I'm sure every cop, lawyer, and judge has broken the 85mph barrier before. We're all human and cars have 200+ horsepower for a reason and it certainly isn't to drive 55mph on the interstate. Let's just be honest here.

Okay, honest here. I've never had a car with 200 + HP. But yes, even with 30 years in LE you normally saw so one go to jail for speeding unless they hit 90 and above. Rarely, and maybe never, for less.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by yt6yt6

Hi BigFoot,

I went through the forum and found that you have helped lot of people with your responses. I am one among them seeking the advise from you. I was convicted of reckless driving, but I was neither arrested nor was I involved in any injuries or damage to the property. Judge asked me to just pay the fine but did not reduce the charges. When I went through your older posts for the RD convictions, one of your post mentioned that with out arrests it will not be treated as criminal charges, but you have also mentioned in another post that the courts are now required to report RD convictions as criminal charges. Can you please clarify RD conviction without arrest will remain as criminal charge.

thanks in advance.

Yep. All courts now have to report the RD conviction. SO unfortunately it is a misd conviction. That said, this rarely interferes with anyone going for a job requiring no criminal convictions. Employers are smart enough to know that RD comes from stupid driving and will over look these. You may have to explain the offense but I know plenty of people who have obtained a clearance with a RD conviction. I know one police officer who was hired after 5 years passed by with a RD conviction.