Virginia Reckless Driving Tickets?

Question

I have summons for two reckless driving tickets in the state of Virginia and I am a resident of Maryland. I have a prefect record other than of course these two recent tickets. Im really scaried now... I admit I was speeding for the first one but the second ticket the cop pulled me over for no reason. I had the cuise control on so I wouldn't get a ticket again... But all the cop said to me was I need to get my car checked out and handed me a ticket for going exactly 20mph over the speed limit and I was only going 65(ten miles over). He was determined to give me a ticket for reckless driving... He asked how fast I was going and stated the 65 but he said my speed was reckless even though it was ten over going with morning rush hour traffic. I have a lawyer but has anyone been through this before? I don't even live in this state I just work there, whats the process? And how does this usually work? Thank you all

Answer 1

Don't know if this helps at all...but have you ever noticed that almost all the video clips on those extreme drivers, cops shows are all from those surrounding southern states?

Maybe the cops down there all watch too much tv and think you all are about 5 seconds away from starting a massive car chase.

But seriously, I know many guys from the military bases in that area and they all say they have had bogus run-ins with cops in VA. So you aren't alone.

Answer 2

Work with your attorney. 2 reckless driving convictions could easily get your right to operate pulled for a year or more. The facts are less important than trying to get it plead down to something less than reckless driving.

Reckless driving is somewhat a subjective call. 10 MPH over during rush hour might seem low to your but if the stretch of road has an inordinate number of accidents on it the cop is going to have an easier time making his case.

Your admission to 10 over at the time does NOT help your case! If it goes to court the cop is sure to mention that fact when he testifies. NEVER admit to the violation to the cop! If he asks, "How fast were you going?" you either say, "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching my speed at that moment, I was watching other traffic." or "When I last checked, I was going MPH." If he says otherwise, don't argue; don't say anything at all! (Old rule in sales negotiations: He who speaks last, loses. Works here sometimes as well.)

Answer 3

A lawyer does not work for you, he works for the court. I had an interesting experience in Va that might be helpful. I turned left on a red light, and was given a ticket. I wrote as follows: "I pulled up to this light as it turned red. There was no green turn arrow after the straight through green. When I didn't get a green turn arrow before the straight through green, I percieved the light to be broken, and that I would have to turn on red with caution, which I proceeded to do. If I had realized how difficult it was to see through the intersection, I would have gone straight, though that also would have been illegal since I was in the left turn lane" The judge dismissed the case. My point is that you have choices. You do NOT have to plead 'GUILTY' NOT GUILTY OR NO CONTEST. There are other choices. Explain the situation. Were you moving with traffic? Were you weaving in and out of traffic in an unsafe manner? On the ticket for 20 miles over, did he get you on radar? There are specific rules for testing and calibrating radar equipment, and they are seldom followed, so if you ask for the record of maintainence on the unit that clocked you you might get off just because they can't produce the record. Treat this harrassment with respect, but with firmness. If anything you did might have caused a threat to anyone else, then it is a bit different, but if no one was harmed, in the old days, there was no offence. Unfortunately, the State now considers itself the injued party if people don't play its games