100 / 55 Chesterfield County, VA [Help Please]

[MeD_VA]

100 in a 55 by Pace.
Chesterfield County, Virginia

State Trooper pulled me over. Overcast, no precipitation. I was driving fast, but I didn't see how fast I was going. I didn't see the officer until a couple miles after I had slowed down. So I have no idea how he could've been going as fast as I was, cus I was checking behind me in my mirrors and everything. I have no idea how he clamed he paced me. I came around a bend in the highway and my exit was comming up so I slowed down to about 60 mph and then I notice the unmarked state trooper making his way through traffic to pull up behind me. He had to of been stationationary or getting on from an entrance ramp. He couldn't of paced me that fast, I would've seen him. Look, I'm not looking to get off or anything. I know I messed up. I just want some advise on this. They recently upped the speed limit on the highway from 55 to 60 mph now if that matters. Thanks for any help. Bye.

-Ahmed / 19 / VA

 

[fedcop110]

First off, it doensn't matter how the trooper measured your speed. The trooper will be able to testify that he is an expert in which ever method he used. As for the 100mph in a 55mph zone, no it will not help that the speed limit was recently raised. In VA you may be charged with reckless driving for driving in excess of 80mph irregardless of the speed of the road. You may also be found guilty of reckless for traveling 20mph or more above the speed limit. You could be charged with both. You were traveling way too fast. In VA a reckless driving charge carries a penalty of a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine)

 

[MeD_VA]

So what should I do then?

 

[fedcop110]

I would contact an attorney and have him/her represent you in court.

 

[Robbie0723]

Listen to fedcop110, you are risking spending several weekends in jail if convicted of 100 MPH.

The lawyer will be expensive but once you licence goes off suspension, expect a 3-4X increase in your insurance if you don't get help.

 

[MeD_VA]

Thanks for the advise, I'm talking to a lawyer now. He had said something about the penalty is a day in jail for every mile over 90. But we'll see what happens.

 

[fedcop110]

He had said something about the penalty is a day in jail for every mile over 90

This may be something that the local judge has kind of set as a rule in his/her court, but it's not in the Code of Virginia. In this situation I would listen to the attorney. Sounds like he/she knows the local courts. Just my two cents.

 

[MeD_VA]

Yeah, I had a talk with my lawyer, he said that its 1 day in jail for ever mile over 30 miles of the speed limit. So I'd be looking at 15. I got a pretty good lawyer, so we'll see how it goes. Hopefully I won't get any jail time.

 

[seniorjudge]

Yeah, I had a talk with my lawyer, he said that its 1 day in jail for ever mile over 30 miles of the speed limit. So I'd be looking at 15. I got a pretty good lawyer, so we'll see how it goes. Hopefully I won't get any jail time.

Post back with results.