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06-01-2009, 10:17 AM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2007
2 posts, read 2,028 times
Reputation: 10
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Reckless speeding charge - lawyer cost
I got a reckless speeding charge (81/55) in Fairfax county. I don't live in VA. There is already a lot of information on this subject but I am looking for answers on two specific questions.
1. What is the range of lawyer costs in Fairfax county?
2. Is it a good idea to have just the lawyer represent me or I should appear in court with the lawyer?
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06-01-2009, 12:30 PM
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Not a member
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Virginia
931 posts, read 654,116 times
Reputation: 286
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Trust me, it's cheaper to pay your fine and do your time than hire a lawyer.
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06-01-2009, 07:47 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2009
103 posts, read 53,576 times
Reputation: 27
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My lawyer charges a minimum of $500 to go to court.
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06-05-2009, 03:18 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2009
3 posts, read 1,941 times
Reputation: 10
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I have similar questions for lawyer's cost. My search found out that the Bose firm cost a minimum of $1500 to represent reckless driving, which they stated that they would review the case and consult, etc. I can't afford the $1500 plus any fines that I would get from the court.
My case is 81/50 speeding on George Washington Parkway two nights ago. The cop (he could be a US Park Service police but I am not sure as it was very dark at 2am) gave me a ticket for speeding 81/50 and another ticket for reckless driving (over 80 mph). I am 49 yr old and previously had a 9 mph over 35 mph in Rockville, MD in March this year. That was the only traffic violation on my record for the past 3-5 years. I need to appear in the US District court in Alexandria on 6/12/09.
Is there a significant difference between the US District Court or the VA state courts for traffic cases?
Should I just hire a lawyer just for the court appearance, which I hope would cost less than a full consultation beforehand?
Any good lawyer recommendations for the US disctrict court representation?
How much should I expect to pay a decent lawyer for recekless driving at 81/50 mph in northern VA?
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06-05-2009, 06:30 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
546 posts, read 658,404 times
Reputation: 72
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I'm not a lawyer by any means, just a lowly public servant. So take my advice for what it's worth-
Talk to the Commonwealth Attorney if you have a good record. Try to get the charge dropped to regular speeding (19 over) and pay the fine and court costs.  |
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06-05-2009, 06:32 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
546 posts, read 658,404 times
Reputation: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mddad
I have similar questions for lawyer's cost. My search found out that the Bose firm cost a minimum of $1500 to represent reckless driving, which they stated that they would review the case and consult, etc. I can't afford the $1500 plus any fines that I would get from the court.
My case is 81/50 speeding on George Washington Parkway two nights ago. The cop (he could be a US Park Service police but I am not sure as it was very dark at 2am) gave me a ticket for speeding 81/50 and another ticket for reckless driving (over 80 mph). I am 49 yr old and previously had a 9 mph over 35 mph in Rockville, MD in March this year. That was the only traffic violation on my record for the past 3-5 years. I need to appear in the US District court in Alexandria on 6/12/09.
Is there a significant difference between the US District Court or the VA state courts for traffic cases?
Should I just hire a lawyer just for the court appearance, which I hope would cost less than a full consultation beforehand?
Any good lawyer recommendations for the US disctrict court representation?
How much should I expect to pay a decent lawyer for recekless driving at 81/50 mph in northern VA?
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There is a difference between feds and Va. The local court dockets in the NOVA area (non-fed) is usually packed, so the CA's want to deal the cases so the docket runs faster. Fed court is hit and miss. Sorry I don't have more for you.
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06-05-2009, 07:55 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2009
3 posts, read 1,941 times
Reputation: 10
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Most other Reckless Driving posts here dealt with the VA courts but not the US District Court. I think I have decided to hire a lawyer because of the Reckless Driving charge, so my best hope now is to find a lawyer that is experienced with the the US Disctrict Court in Alexandria. Anyone have their Reckless Driving case heard there before? Again, any good lawyer recommendations (and how much fee you had paid) would be appreciated. I know I was speeding but wasn't really paying attention to the actual speed as I pretty much followed another car all the way on GWP that night. This lesson will definitely slow me down in the future.
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11-20-2009, 05:40 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2009
3 posts, read 1,941 times
Reputation: 10
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UPDATE:
Updates:
I hired a lawyer for $800 to represent me. When I appeared at the court hearing, there were two young District Attorneys offering plea bargains to EVERYONE outside of the courtroom. Everyone there had reckless driving and they were all offered to have their reckless driving charges dropped in exchange for guilty plead for speeding. Most people did not have attorney representation and took the offer. Majority of them had over 80 mph in 50 mph zone on GW Parkway. One guy had 85 in 50 and got the same offer and he took it. He had no attorney with him. So, I was one of the very few guys that "wasted" $800 attorney fees and still got the same deal as everyone else without a lawyer. It is not to say that my lawyer was not useful, but those young DA's were very firm and did not give any break to anyone, with or w/O lawyer representation. After that, the judge would hear each case and everyone will take turn to explain his case and the judge would then impose a fine within a very narrow range ($200-250). So, you may want to go there w/o a lawyer first and see if you get the same offer and just plead guilty to the speeding charge. My fine was about $220. If you end up not being offered the plea, you could then ask for a future hearing/court date and bring your lawyer then. BTW, I took the on line good driver school and it did not help any thing as everyone got the same plea bargain! Good luck.
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11-20-2009, 07:08 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2009
209 posts, read 56,020 times
Reputation: 58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mddad
UPDATE:
but those young DA's were very firm and did not give any break to anyone, with or w/O lawyer representation.
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Sounds to me like EVERYBODY got a break. |
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11-20-2009, 07:41 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Prince William County
91 posts, read 24,830 times
Reputation: 37
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