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Alot of states are doing this stupid, nanny nonsense like 15+ is reckless, etc.
I don't buy into OP's excuse for why he was speeding and got the ticket, but I agree the rules of the road are getting more and more ridiculous compared to what Law Enforcement doesn't bother to watch (blinkers, texting, distracted driving, clueless driving, etc.)
If it happened in Hawaii, it would hurt. The punishment for reckless is the same as a DUI. My buddy tried to fight it hoping the cop wouldn't show up. Cop showed up and my friend got nailed by the judge. He had to pay a 1000$ fine and do 50 hours of service along with a misdemeanor on his record. I believe he was doing 85 in a 65.
Actually in Virginia I think over 80 is automatically reckless driving.
My advice is to get a lawyer. It usually is not that expensive and reckless driving is nothing to sneeze at. The lawyer will know what is possible in your area and how to go about getting the best deal possible. If this were 7 over it would be one thing, but not 16 over and not reckless driving.
You will most likely get several letters from law firms soon. Just call a few and talk to them.
Get an attorney. When I lived in Virginia a few years back, there were attorneys who did nothing but reckless driving tickets. The whole thing is just a revenue generation racket, and everyone knows it. You'll still pay a hefty fine, but it's almost a guarantee that the charge will get wiped down to some minor thing. Whatever you do, don't just enter a guilty plea and pay it.
Get an attorney. When I lived in Virginia a few years back, there were attorneys who did nothing but reckless driving tickets. The whole thing is just a revenue generation racket, and everyone knows it. You'll still pay a hefty fine, but it's almost a guarantee that the charge will get wiped down to some minor thing. Whatever you do, don't just enter a guilty plea and pay it.
Thank you all so much for the advice. Any idea on what a lawyer who specializes in these sorts of tickets may cost me?
Actually in Virginia I think over 80 is automatically reckless driving.
My advice is to get a lawyer. It usually is not that expensive and reckless driving is nothing to sneeze at. The lawyer will know what is possible in your area and how to go about getting the best deal possible. If this were 7 over it would be one thing, but not 16 over and not reckless driving.
You will most likely get several letters from law firms soon. Just call a few and talk to them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by robrobrob
Spend the money on a lawyer. Basically you need someone to give you accurate advice.
A misdemeanor is a big deal. Is there also a license suspension? In my state reckless is a summary offense but carries a license suspension.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 43north87west
Get an attorney. When I lived in Virginia a few years back, there were attorneys who did nothing but reckless driving tickets. The whole thing is just a revenue generation racket, and everyone knows it. You'll still pay a hefty fine, but it's almost a guarantee that the charge will get wiped down to some minor thing. Whatever you do, don't just enter a guilty plea and pay it.
Good advice, all of this.
I assume this county is in Virginia? And it was a county sheriff that got you?
I got pulled over in Smyth County, VA by a local cowboy a couple years back. It was a chicken chit ticket for 76 in a 65. My car was covered with New England salt so I was easy pickings.
Before I even got home, there were letters from the local law firms offering their services "should I ever get a ticket in their part of the country". It is a closed system: The cop issues the ticket, and gives a copy to his buddy at the local law firm, who gets you out of most of the ticket, and gives a little 'gift' to the sheriff for the referral. Everyone makes a little something, and the poor community gets a few bucks for their coffers.
So, when the letters come in, pick a law firm, explain the situation to the lawyer, and he will work it out. Most likely he will get it reduced, and because of your story, it will be simple speeding or some simple complaint like failure to keep right. Pay a couple hundred bucks to the County and a few hundred to the lawyer, and it all goes away.
You have been "had" (not dismissing the original complaint against you, but that doesn't have much to do with it) and the best thing is to just play the game. Let the local boys have their day in the sun, and you get out of it as easily as you can. If the suggestion above about more than 85 being a reckless driving complaint, the sheriff already has an in for you, as he could have reduced it to 84 knowing that it would just be a speeding charge. Instead, he left it at the higher speed. Not good. Did you give him a little 'lip'?
The funny ending of my story is that the Sherriff in Smyth County just got busted for running heroin or some other drug trafficking charge. He lost his job, among other things. You see, you are not dealing with a simple speeding charge; it is an incestuous little cabal and you just get to fund it. Who knows what these local guys are really up to, so best to play along and CYA with a local lawyer who is part of the gang.
I assume this county is in Virginia? And it was a county sheriff that got you?
I got pulled over in Smyth County, VA by a local cowboy a couple years back. It was a chicken chit ticket for 76 in a 65. My car was covered with New England salt so I was easy pickings.
Before I even got home, there were letters from the local law firms offering their services "should I ever get a ticket in their part of the country". It is a closed system: The cop issues the ticket, and gives a copy to his buddy at the local law firm, who gets you out of most of the ticket, and gives a little 'gift' to the sheriff for the referral. Everyone makes a little something, and the poor community gets a few bucks for their coffers.
So, when the letters come in, pick a law firm, explain the situation to the lawyer, and he will work it out. Most likely he will get it reduced, and because of your story, it will be simple speeding or some simple complaint like failure to keep right. Pay a couple hundred bucks to the County and a few hundred to the lawyer, and it all goes away.
You have been "had" (not dismissing the original complaint against you, but that doesn't have much to do with it) and the best thing is to just play the game. Let the local boys have their day in the sun, and you get out of it as easily as you can. If the suggestion above about more than 80 being a reckless driving complaint, the sheriff already has an in for you, as he could have reduced it to 84 knowing that it would just be a speeding charge. Instead, he left it at the higher speed. Not good. Did you give him a little 'lip'?
The funny ending of my story is that the Sherriff in Smyth County just got busted for running heroin or some other drug trafficking charge. He lost his job, among other things. You see, you are not dealing with a simple speeding charge; it is an incestuous little cabal and you just get to fund it. Who knows what these local guys are really up to, so best to play along and CYA with a local lawyer who is part of the gang.
And if you did 65 mph in the 65 mph zone, you wouldn't need to tell the whole conspiracy theory story.
Calm your t*ts seriously. I guess he should have let whatever that was detach and plow into the vehicle. It has happens all of the time. Most of it though isn't bad enough to be on the news. For someone who rants on about defensive driving. You sure lack common sense.
If I had a pair they wouldn't be so easily unsettled by anyone who doesn't live in fear of driving laws.
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