pls help a foreigner - speed ticket (attorney, school)

[kugelblitz]

Hi,

we are from Germany and got a speed ticket in a 55 mph zone - highway safety corridor, we were driving 74 mph.

We actually thought its a 65 zone, but it does not matter now.

What do we have to pay, we have heard its a lot of money, also because there is a new law for speeding fines...

Thank you for advise!
Anna

[jeff8]

Try this site.

Virginia Courts Case Information

You can choose which county you got the ticket in and it will show you what to pay, etc. It should say on the ticket whether you can pre-pay or have to go to court. If, for example, you got a reckless driving then there's no avoiding going to court but many times they will lower it to a regular speeding ticket instead of a reckless.

Yes, it is bad timing to get a speeding ticket in Virginia as they just raised the fines but from what I understand this was just for Virginians (which a lot of us thought wasn't fair but may be good news for you

[mrrumples]

Are you a Va. resident with a Va. driver's licesne?

If you are you can of course pay the fine. If you go to court, most Judges will ask those who plea not guilty to go one one side adn those who plea guilty to go to anohter. The Judge will have a driving record transcript. If you plea guilty and have a clean record, most Judges will let you take driving school. The large fees do not apply to non-Va. residents.

Whether you pay the fine or not, go to driver's ed or not and don't have a Va. driver's license, a driving record will be established.

If you don't pay the fine, if you are caught again, you are subject to arrest. If you get off with driver's school, there will be a record, but it will be clean.

It will not hurt to call the Commonwealth Attorney or the Clerk of the Court to find out more. Your circumstances may be a bit unique.

And always dress well, business attire. Impressions and respect for the Court will help.