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+--- Thread: Reckless driving tech? (/showthread.php?tid=3351)
- Sijray21 - 12-19-2005
Mike Wrote:http://www.idrivesafely.com/ - like $50
looks like taking this won't help me reduce my premium :?
called the insurance to ask before hand...nothing in the state of va...for usaa anyway.
- WRXtranceformed - 12-19-2005
I would definitely take a driver improvement course before you go into court, if for nothing else the 5 points it takes off of your license. You can take the certificate you get for the course into court with you to help your case. Reckless driving is considered a much more serious offense now than it used to be, and you can definitely lose your license over it. In fact, a judge is LESS likely to give you a restricted license for driving to work after a reckless ticket than he / she is after a DUI. How fucked up is that?
I'm not trying to scare you either, but VA driving law is becoming much more strict. Mike got pretty lucky with his insurance company not raising his rates; most companies work you on the rates for another 5 years after the infraction, and I've heard of some companies penalizing you for as much as 8.
It's seriously almost worth it to spend the money on a semi-decent lawyer. My friend got a reckless ticket on his bike heading back to Arlington on 66. He hired a lawyer, didn't even show up in court (he still has his NJ license), and the lawyer got it dropped to a misdemeanor and a small fine. Considering he could have lost his license (and therefore his job), it was definitely worth the investment.
- Nick325is - 12-20-2005
I would almost always reccomend a lawyer if you are going to court over something. The one time I went to traffic court for an accident I was involved in would have been quite a different experience without my lawyer. In all honesty he did most of the talking to the judge and I ended up getting the charge dropped.
It is a possibility that you could get it dropped to just a speeding charge if you get a decent judge.
Best of luck
Nick
- Mike - 12-20-2005
you do know lawyers cost an arm and a leg, right? not worth it IMO.
- .RJ - 12-20-2005
Mike Wrote:you do know lawyers cost an arm and a leg, right?
They're cheaper than dealing with insurance rate hikes for the next 7 years.
- Mike - 12-20-2005
my insurance did not go up a dime and there is no guarantee they can get the charges dropped or reduced at all.
- Sijray21 - 12-20-2005
Mike Wrote:my insurance did not go up a dime and there is no guarantee they can get the charges dropped or reduced at all.
i really don't understand how that happened...mine pretty much doubled and i took a classroom defensive driving class...statefarm right?
- Mike - 12-20-2005
yep. they knew about it too, cause they sent me a nice warning letter.
hrug: i suppsoe i'm "more of a risk" due to that ticket in their silly books, but i haven't cost them a penny in 8 years. jesus... scary to think i've been driving that long!
- JohnC - 12-20-2005
Thanks for all of the responses. I'm on the fence regarding the lawyer - I may just call around and see what the rates are like...
- bimmerboodle - 12-21-2005
BLINGMW Wrote:Best advice so far I think. You could fight the radar calibration or training of the operator but the police have that one figured out by now.Mike Wrote:if your record is pretty decent i don't think you have a thing to worry about.
agreed. I've totalled a few cars and had a reckless driving charge stick as well, and they didn't take mine away.
And I think your just *quickly* (they like to keep things moving fast, have a 30 second explanation prepared) explaining what happened and asking for a reduced charge is the way to go. Heck, see if they give you any sympathy for you having to floor it avoid the accident the old bag was trying to cause.
- JohnC - 12-21-2005
Well, the first lawyer that I emailed sent me back this:
Lawyer Wrote:You have the ill fortune of having been nailed going 30 mph over the
limit in one of the toughest jurisdictions in this area. Your immediate
goal is to stay out of jail. A suspension of your license is a virtual
certainty. The presiding judge in Louisa used to incarcerate at 21 over
the limit. The only reason he stopped is because he was generating too
many appeals and the circuit judge came down on him.
That doesn't sound especially promising, unfortunately. We'll see what the others say.
- Feersty - 12-21-2005
OH noooo..
- Kaan - 12-21-2005
i better get my speedo working before VIR then... i can try to look up my old prof from JMU if you want... he's been known to work for a 12 pack of amstel light... but he's REALLY good
- .RJ - 12-21-2005
![[Image: jackie.jpg]](http://www.movieprop.com/tvandmovie/Seinfeld/jackie.jpg)
- JohnC - 12-21-2005
Well, here's another response in:
Lawyer Wrote:To this judge,
85 in a 55 will be a significant offense. If convicted, I would expect him
to suspend your license and fine you the minimum of $500.00., and it would
not surprise me if he required some jail time. I know this sounds extreme
but that's how he is.
- PDenbigh - 12-21-2005
Keep in mind that these lawyers are going to try to scare you a little, just so you hire them.
- JohnC - 12-21-2005
PDenbigh Wrote:Keep in mind that these lawyers are going to try to scare you a little, just so you hire them.
Yup. I'm trying to take it all with a grain of salt - however - I've also been looking at the cases that have come through Louisa County General District Court, and unfortunately it does look fairly consistent...
- mpg9999 - 12-21-2005
JohnC Wrote:PDenbigh Wrote:Keep in mind that these lawyers are going to try to scare you a little, just so you hire them.
Yup. I'm trying to take it all with a grain of salt - however - I've also been looking at the cases that have come through Louisa County General District Court, and unfortunately it does look fairly consistent...
The link I provided you can also refer you to a lawyer. Someone on my club got a ticket on 95, got a lawyer through them after I announced it at one of our meetings, and the lawyer got the ticket dropped.
- JohnC - 12-21-2005
mpg9999 Wrote:The link I provided you can also refer you to a lawyer. Someone on my club got a ticket on 95, got a lawyer through them after I announced it at one of our meetings, and the lawyer got the ticket dropped.
Both of the lawyers I've quoted came off of the referral page at that site.
- white_2kgt - 12-21-2005
State, county or local cop?
First, pospone it AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. Maybe the cop will get transfered, switch shifts, get shot, whatever and can't appear. You never know.
Second, get the lawyer. A traffic court lawyer shouldn't cost much AND he has the added knowledge of how the judges rule (if you have multiple judges down in the sticks). He can pick one that is the most lenient. As around at work if anyone can recommend one. Lots of times a lawyer will know a judge or a cop and get it 'taken care of' for a heafty 'fee', but there will be little or NO fine, no points and NO loss of license/freedom.
Do they have PBJ in VA? If all else fails you could go that route, if you don't have a mile long record already.
We've had plenty of people in my local MD club get pulled over for well over 100 'racing' and never so much as get 1 point on their license if they played their cards right.
GL man, I don't envy your position, its going to be, at best a big headache for a few months.