How to get out of Reckless Driving Ticket?

Question

I am 18, with a fairly fast car. I had a speeding ticket last year that went on my record, then I got one over Thanksgiving break for speeding 19 over. 2 weeks later (December 3) I was roasting my tires for some friends, and a cop busted me on it. Reckless Driving "In excess of over 100 ft" (which it really was less than 100ft)
They poured some brake fluid on my back tires, and I did a heavy power brake and smoked them for another 30 feet or so.

The cops are not too fond of me, I live in a big town/small city.
I've been to defensive driving like 2 years ago. I heard about community service, but really I want to keep it off my insurance

Any ideas for beating the ticket and/or keeping it off insurance?
I'm pretty sure the cop got it on video.

No smart-*** comments like "Don't do stupid crap" I can't change what I already did, but I see people getting out of stuff like this all the time because of connections...

I live in Oklahoma if anyone knows Oklahoma laws good

Answer 1

If you live in Oklahoma, just buy yourself a cart and an old, broken down mule to take you where you gotta go.

Answer 2

In my state we have 2 motor vehicle charges that could apply to this situation. One is careless driving and the other is reckless driving. 'Careless driving' is written when a driver causes an accident or can be used instead of a speeding ticket (disobeys posted speed limit sign) or any other careless actions. We only write 'Reckless driving' when a driver willingly, knowingly and with reckless abandon operates his vehicle in a manner that will likely cause injury or death to another. We also use it when a driver of a vehicle causes a pursuit. Hydroplaning and getting into an accident does not fit reckless driving in my jurisdiction. As far as summonses go on accident scenes, we dont have to witness the accident, our investigation tells us what happened and who should be summonsed, if anyone. I dont know what VA laws are. They may not have different levels (Carelss and reckless) like we have here.

Answer 3

I am not trying to be smart but what does burning your tires in front of people actually do for you? If you think they admire you for smoking your tires I think you might be wrong. When you get older you will look back at this age period and think (wow, I was pretty silly). The only thing smoking your tires will do is get you a ticket, have the po po watch you real close, raise your insurance rates, cost u money to replace tires. Now the risks....driving fast or smoking tires puts you at greater risk for losing control and killing/hurting yourself or others. You seem like you want to change or you wouldn't ask this Q on here. Sounds like you have a nice car, prolly nicer than most young men have. Take your car to a local track or certified drag strip. Follow da rules there and safely/legally smoke your tires or the opponent you are matched against. The po po will leave you alone, and you will get the street cred for being good at what you do. Finally you can get your stress out and get the rush of speeding out in a safe place! Have fun!

Answer 4

Dude,.. lol,. your liucky you asked not to be bashed, cuz this question begged for it

but,.... since i feel you in some aspects (we were all young and did "interesting stuff" at some point) I will try to offfer some advice

Basically,.. the best thing to do is get an attorney,. yes it costs money,.. but it can typically save on the points,.. they can probably just negotiate it down to something minor, and cities are more concerned with the money aspect of tickest rather than the points anyways

I would also recommend going to the scene and taking pictures... you said you did a brake stand? DId you leave some streaks on the ground? Perhaps if you can dispay that it was 30ft or tread, this could help at municple court if you argue it yourself... plus if its on video,... you might be able to show it wasn't 100 feet.

which is an option if you want to save money,... contest the ticket,... go to court,.. dress all spiffy,.. show the evidence,.. be apologetic without confessing to anything,.. and hope your judge is fair and not an asshole

good luck dude

p.s. dude,.. slow down ;)

Answer 5

Look up the Oklahoma law for reckless driving and read it carefully. Laws are made up of certain "elements". The police have to prove each and every element in the law to prove you violated it. For example lets look at the crime of theft (at least here in California). 1. Any person who, 2. takes the personal property of another person, 3. with the intent to deprive that person of that property is guilty of theft. As you see theft has THREE elements (being a person, taking another's property, with intent to deprive). So, if I'm walking down the street and I see a wallet on the ground, I pick it up and walk away am I guilty of theft?

No. (Sure two of the three elements were met, but the third one, the most important, was not INTENT). Because I was simply taking the wallet to the nearest police station to turn it in.

Same scenerio, different though: I'm walking down the street and see a man lay his wallet onto the ground while he is bends down to tie his shoe. I sneak behind him, take the wallet,and walk away. I open the wallet, take the cash, and throw away the wallet. The man runs up and tackles me, detaining me while the police show up. Upon questioning by the police I confess to trying to steal the wallet.

My point is, are you sure the police met all the elements for reckess driving? If they did not, or you can argue reasonable doubt, you may get your ticket dismissed.

Answer 6

this is were your record and reputation come into play. If they have you on tape you are done. Pay it and don't do silly things except in "safer" areas. Not on city streets! Not near schools or playgrounds! Go find an old abandon road that no one uses and do dumb stuff with your car there.

Answer 7

connections? like paying off a judge or finding a dirty cop? you screwed up so deal with it. if you don't like those kinds of answers then maybe you shouldn't post that kind of question on here. maybe you should take yourself down to the police station and see what can be done, wow what a concept.

Answer 8

I would prefer you keep getting tickets so one day you will grow up and learn to drive responsibly so that your silly need to impress your friends does not kill an innocent man woman or child.

Answer 9

get a lawyer and try to drop the ticket to something less

Answer 10

Maybe you should just take your lumps and drive safer next time.