12-19-2005, 06:17 PM
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.
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.
Posting in the banalist of threads since 2004
2017 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD Premium
Past: 2016 GMC Canyon All Terrain Crew Cab / 2010 Jaguar XFR / 2012 Acura RDX AWD Tech / 2008 Cadillac CTS / 2007 Acura TL-S / 1966 5.0 HO Mustang Coupe
2001 Lexus IS300 / 2004 2.8L big turbo WRX STI / 2004 Subaru WRX / A couple of old trucks
2017 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD Premium
Past: 2016 GMC Canyon All Terrain Crew Cab / 2010 Jaguar XFR / 2012 Acura RDX AWD Tech / 2008 Cadillac CTS / 2007 Acura TL-S / 1966 5.0 HO Mustang Coupe
2001 Lexus IS300 / 2004 2.8L big turbo WRX STI / 2004 Subaru WRX / A couple of old trucks