Recklesss Driving Ticket in Virginia (insurance, lawyer, living in)

[ven2007]

Hi,

While I was driving in virginia High way I -77, the speed Limit is 65. Cop caught me and told that I was going by 83, in a speed of 65 (83/65) and issued a reckless driving ticket.
I have 8 years of clean driving history and this is my first ticket in my life.

I shocked to see Virgina law, Can any one suggest me what to do next. ( My current licence is in NJ, living in OH and cop caught me in Virginia).

[DragonFly757]

I am 38 years old and got my first speeding ticket two months ago here in Virginia. I was doing 19 over the speed limit (45).

I went to court, plead guilty and paid my fine. If I did the crime, I should pay the price.

The ticket will be hefty. Insurance could be heftier. Good luck to you.

[ven2007]

Originally Posted by TailoredMaid

I am 38 years old and got my first speeding ticket two months ago here in Virginia. I was doing 19 over the speed limit (45).

I went to court, plead guilty and paid my fine. If I did the crime, I should pay the price.

The ticket will be hefty. Insurance could be heftier. Good luck to you.

Thank you for your reply, just wanted to know that yours is a speeding ticket or reckless driving ticket.

Since mine is a reckless driving ticket, I fear about the punishment (jail/updates in my criminal history).

Can you suggest me what I have to do to avoid the above, ready to pay the fine.

[ozone]

I got caught doing 86/55 on a clear day. i was nice to the trooper and everything and it was my first offense. i dont care about money costs however i am worried about losing my license or jail time...ive also heard fairfax judges are harsh. how often do they suspend licenses for first time offenders who were polite to the trooper and didnt endanger anyone?

[tamitrail]

If you are speeding 31 mph over the speed limit, you ARE endangering people, including yourself.

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by tamitrail

If you are speeding 31 mph over the speed limit, you ARE endangering people, including yourself.

I agree and besides the officer who stopped you doesn't know or really care about your record.

[ozone]

but what about court? i have never been...

[Erma]

If you were stopped by the State Patrol..pay the ticket! If you go to court, you will lose. State Patrol in the court cases I have witnessed have never lost.

[jeff8]

It's a mandatory reckless driving if you're going over 80 anywhere in Virginia. This means it's also mandatory to show up in court, you can't just pay a fine. This happened to me when I was going 81. The good news is that if you have a good record and no recent tickets they'll generally reduce it to a speeding ticket, which is much better. I actually had a few recent minor tickets and they still reduced mine.

Reckless driving means more points off your license and likely a raise in your insurance rates. For this reason, I've heard it suggested that you should get a lawyer if you get a reckless. I'm too cheap for that. My experience as I watched others sitting in court go before me was that whether someone had a lawyer or not they generally reduced the reckless charge for those going under 85 (in a 65 zone).

Another thing to note is that you'll have to plead either guilty or not guilty (maybe no contest is an option but I didn't hear anyone doing that). I have no suggestion here but I pled guilty because I wasn't disputing anything and just asked for lenience and that the judge reduce the charge. Again, pleading guilty or not guilty didn't seem to affect the judgement for others I saw. It just makes you look stupid if you plead not guilty and have no valid excuse (like speedometer not working and note from a mechanic).

[j1n]

Originally Posted by tamitrail

If you are speeding 31 mph over the speed limit, you ARE endangering people, including yourself.

Absolutely. Honestly, I see these "reckless driving...what do I do" threads pop up here quite often. Here's the answer...slow down or pay the price. I have kids who want to play safely without cars losing control and jumping curbs...and a wife who commutes a decent distance alongside drivers who should be forced to retake their driving tests immediately. This stuff is why I worry about her commute. Don't put my wife and kids in danger and then ask for help about your ticket woes! Pay up or do your time.