98mph in a 70mph (Warrenton, VA) (Arlington: insurance, credit score, lawyer)

[Brettrcpt]

Hello. I recently go pulled over in Warrenton, VA for going 98mph in a 70mph. The officer gave me a reckless driving ticket (he also only asked me for my license — didn’t ask for my registration or proof of insurance, which was odd). There was one car within eye distance and it was a sunny / clear sky Saturday afternoon.

Within the week I found “one of the best” lawyers in the area (who charged $2,500). Prior to this, I had a completely clean record. I am 25 years old and have been an Arlington, VA resident for about two years. Prior to moving to VA, I lived in NJ for all my life. I have tried to take a lot of proactive efforts to better my situation, such as:

* Take a defensive driving course (8 hours)
* Take a reckless driving course (4 hours)
* Got my car speedometer recalibrated (I was clocked at going 98 but after getting my vehicle professionally checked out, I was informed the actual speed I was going at at 93 — 5mph slower than I was pulled over for)
* Volunteer (since I moved here I’ve volunteered at more than 12 different events in the northern Virginia area)
* Print out a copy of my VA and NJ driving record (both clear records)
* Print out my resume (currently hold an account manager role for a leading technology company)
* Print my credit score (under category of “excellent”)

I’ve never had to go to court before and truly at no point in my life did I even think I’d face the possibility of spending time in jail and/or having my licenses suspended...

All and all, I’m not really sure what to expect and was hoping someone who’s been pulled over in the area before with a similar charge can share their story with me... I’ve been told the judge for this court is difficult.

[aquest1]

Originally Posted by Brettrcpt

Hello. I recently go pulled over in Warrenton, VA for going 98mph in a 70mph. The officer gave me a reckless driving ticket (he also only asked me for my license — didn’t ask for my registration or proof of insurance, which was odd). There was one car within eye distance and it was a sunny / clear sky Saturday afternoon.

Within the week I found “one of the best” lawyers in the area (who charged $2,500). Prior to this, I had a completely clean record. I am 25 years old and have been an Arlington, VA resident for about two years. Prior to moving to VA, I lived in NJ for all my life. I have tried to take a lot of proactive efforts to better my situation, such as:

* Take a defensive driving course (8 hours)
* Take a reckless driving course (4 hours)
* Got my car speedometer recalibrated (I was clocked at going 98 but after getting my vehicle professionally checked out, I was informed the actual speed I was going at at 93 — 5mph slower than I was pulled over for)
* Volunteer (since I moved here I’ve volunteered at more than 12 different events in the northern Virginia area)
* Print out a copy of my VA and NJ driving record (both clear records)
* Print out my resume (currently hold an account manager role for a leading technology company)
* Print my credit score (under category of “excellent”)

I’ve never had to go to court before and truly at no point in my life did I even think I’d face the possibility of spending time in jail and/or having my licenses suspended...

All and all, I’m not really sure what to expect and was hoping someone who’s been pulled over in the area before with a similar charge can share their story with me... I’ve been told the judge for this court is difficult.

Lawyer up, take your defensive driving course and log plenty of new community service hours. While it's nice you attempted to get a re-calibration, it isn't worth much since 93 mph will still be viewed as a dangerous an extremely reckless speed. Thankfully, your record is otherwise clean, so with the proper mix of positive equities and the drivers course, you might get it reduced. Keep in mind, high speeds like that could result in jail time. Please follow the speed limits as best you can. Virginia courts do not play and people here take pride in the strict enforcement. Get good legal counsel and follow all your attorney's instructions.

[elias9193]

I would get a Lawyer my friend, going 98 mph is no joke.

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by Brettrcpt

truly at no point in my life did I even think I’d face the possibility of spending time in jail and/or having my licenses suspended...

Then why were you driving 98 mph? I'll never understand these one post newbies that have clean records yet were going 90+ on the highway (clearly not your first time doing it).

I hope your get your license suspended, maybe that will teach you a lesson And yes it is a very real possibility at that speed. Some courts might even toss you in jail for a couple days as well.

[Brettrcpt]

The amount of Virginia licensed drivers I saw last night surpassing 90+ had to be at least 10... As a previous resident of NJ, one thing Virginia really should do is make it less of a secret that reckless driving is a class one misdemeanor. Considering it is the only state in the country that does this... Very weird that a state prides themselves in being a speed trap.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by Brettrcpt

The amount of Virginia licensed drivers I saw last night surpassing 90+ had to be at least 10... As a previous resident of NJ, one thing Virginia really should do is make it less of a secret that reckless driving is a class one misdemeanor. Considering it is the only state in the country that does this... Very weird that a state prides themselves in being a speed trap.

Were you on I-66?

[Brettrcpt]

Yeah Free State Road Overpass — I-66

[Brettrcpt]

Originally Posted by boyd888

Then why were you driving 98 mph? I'll never understand these one post newbies that have clean records yet were going 90+ on the highway (clearly not your first time doing it).

I hope your get your license suspended, maybe that will teach you a lesson And yes it is a very real possibility at that speed. Some courts might even toss you in jail for a couple days as well.

^^ Lol thanks for the kind words, forum hero!

[Brettrcpt]

Originally Posted by boyd888

Then why were you driving 98 mph? I'll never understand these one post newbies that have clean records yet were going 90+ on the highway (clearly not your first time doing it).

I hope your get your license suspended, maybe that will teach you a lesson And yes it is a very real possibility at that speed. Some courts might even toss you in jail for a couple days as well.

Also the reason why they’re “one post newbies” is because it’s not a reoccurring issue lol I made a singular error in judge in a speed trap county of Virginia (70mph speed limit and 80-85mph is reckless driving...)

[Veritas Vincit]

I don't know why people expect anyone to believe them when they say it's a 'one off'. I sure hope no judge actually buys it.