Any chance to lower the reckless driving charge? (Lexington: office, station)

[oady21]

I was caught with driving 85/65 mph in Lexington, VA. After appearing in the court, the judge agreed to reduce the charge to 75/65 mph based on the condition that I needed to attend the driver improvement program within 60 days. I have finished attending the driver improvement program a few days ago. The court clerk told me that I do not need to appear in the court again for final judgement. I only need to call the court for the judgment.

My questions are :

What would likely be the penalty of 75/65 mph? Is it possible that my points will not be deducted in my case? If I decide to appear in the court again, are there any chances for the judge to further reduce the charge below 75/65 mph or no points will be deducted?

Thanks.

[goldenmom7500]

Wow, I also received a ticket driving through Lexington, VA (December 26th). Luckily, he reduced it 3 mph to avoid the reckless driving issue.

As I read through the ticket, I believe the charges have a dollar per mph over the speed limit. Since mine is around $150 for 80/65, yours will probably be somewhere right over $100-125. I just can't remember the multiple; plus there were some other basic charges.

I really don't know if they would reduce it further. I guess anything could happen, but it just seems unlikely. However, they might appreciate your persistence.

[roberthuggins]

Yea a buddy of mine got his ticket reduced because he went to the service station and paid to have his speedometer calibrated. He paid the mechanic extra to say his speedometer was 6mph off. So he got 6mph's taken off of his clocked speed. Just thought i would let you know that is a possiblity.

[kevinm]

Originally Posted by roberthuggins

Yea a buddy of mine got his ticket reduced because he went to the service station and paid to have his speedometer calibrated. He paid the mechanic extra to say his speedometer was 6mph off. So he got 6mph's taken off of his clocked speed. Just thought i would let you know that is a possiblity.

I tried that once. The judge told me that because I admitted that I was speeding I was guilty. The speedometer error helped the prosecution.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by oady21

I was caught with driving 85/65 mph in Lexington, VA. After appearing in the court, the judge agreed to reduce the charge to 75/65 mph based on the condition that I needed to attend the driver improvement program within 60 days. I have finished attending the driver improvement program a few days ago. The court clerk told me that I do not need to appear in the court again for final judgement. I only need to call the court for the judgment.

My questions are :

What would likely be the penalty of 75/65 mph? Is it possible that my points will not be deducted in my case? If I decide to appear in the court again, are there any chances for the judge to further reduce the charge below 75/65 mph or no points will be deducted?

Thanks.

A reckless charge is 6 points. Having said that, the judge reduced your speed which makes it "speeding" instead of "reckless". The judge already made his finding. You would have to appeal it to circuit court, but the case would be re-heard as a reckless (i would not suggest this). Just call the clerks office after the court date to re-affirm the reckless was dropped to speeding.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by roberthuggins

Yea a buddy of mine got his ticket reduced because he went to the service station and paid to have his speedometer calibrated. He paid the mechanic extra to say his speedometer was 6mph off. So he got 6mph's taken off of his clocked speed. Just thought i would let you know that is a possiblity.

Although this is a possibility, if you get caught you will be jailed for fraud and contempt. If a mechanic gets caught doing this they usually get plea agreements in exchange for telling the prosecution all the names of people they did this for. Not good.