Big Speeding Ticket in VA

[boo hoo]

I was clocked doing 90 in a 65, and now face a reckless driving by speed charge. Of course, like everyone else caught at this speed, I didn't realize I had reached the speed---there was no one else on the road, it was a straight-away and I was going down a mountain. I didn't realize the severity of the charge at the time, and the officer just kept repeating "it's between you and the court" when I asked him questions, so I didn't even think to ask about things like did they use radar or laser, where did he clock me, etc. He came out of no where and followed me for about a mile or two before flashing his lights and pulling me over (of course then I reduced my speed to the limit, but at that point it was apparently too late). He waited until there was an extra turn off lane to pull me over. I just found out that I could be facing jail time. I have a clean driving record...the last ticket I got was about 3 years ago, and it was for 10mi over in a 65.

Friends and other forums have suggested I obtain a lawyer, which I am willing to do. The problem is that I received the ticket in Amherst County (a small, rural part of VA), and I'm having a lot of difficulty finding traffic lawyers there. I received the ticket yesterday, and the preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 31. I called the court to find out what the procedure was, and they informed me that if I hired my own legal counsel, that person could call and schedule the official date. If not, I would be going there to have them tell me that I have to come back. I live in DC, and it's really a hassle to go back and forth more than once. Plus, I just started a new job less than a month ago and don't think my new bosses would appreciate me taking all of that time off---they are pretty reasonable and accommodating, but I don't want to push their limits.

Any suggestions on finding a reputable lawyer? Is it possible to have my lawyer plea bargain for a lesser charge (fine, few points and driving school) without my having to drive all the way down there for a hearing?

Thanks for any help/advice you may have!

 

[lwpat]

Google Virginia reckless driving

 

[ls7]

VA Reckless by speed is a complete joke in my opinion. I have 3 warrants for arrest down there since I didn't pay the tickets. Who cares, I'm never going back anyway. Stupid State..

 

[Ozark_Sophist]

Find a lawyer. It may be possible to plea bargain to a lesser charge.

http://www.vsb.org/site/public/lawyer-referral-service/

 

[Zigner]

VA Reckless by speed is a complete joke in my opinion. I have 3 warrants for arrest down there since I didn't pay the tickets. Who cares, I'm never going back anyway. Stupid State..

Spoken like a true law-abiding citizen (spit)

 

[colourfastt]

VA Reckless by speed is a complete joke in my opinion. I have 3 warrants for arrest down there since I didn't pay the tickets. Who cares, I'm never going back anyway. Stupid State..

Spoken like someone who has bench warrants out for his arrest, and will be spending some time in jail if he gets pulled over for anything.

 

[pofulover]

My sister was in the same position you are in. She just had her court date today after about a month and a half of waiting. HIRE A LAWYER! We are not from the state of VA either, so VA lawyers know the prosecutors and judges very well on how strict or not they are. They know what to present, what to say, how to say it, and they know the rules so they can use it to your benefit. Therefore, they can get you the lesser sentence. Knowing how strict the prosecutor and judge are helps a whole whole whole lot.

Va is hardcore- they do not take it as lenient as other states. Its a criminal offense. Just make the one time drive down to the court from DC and ask for a day off and explain to your boss its a misdemeanor. Im sure he'll understand if you prove to him how bad the situation is. Theres like tons of law sites you can pull up with the possible charges of reckless driving in VA.

My sis aint go to jail, but her license is suspended in VA for 30 days and not 60 cuz thanks to the lawyer he talked it down. The prosecutor was very reasonable today. Since we're MD residents- the 30 days suspension just means we cant go to VA in a car. I was like "dont worry, youll never see us near the MD and VA border ever again." VA has scared me off officially.

Oh and btw- if you dont wanna go to court, the lawyer can go in place for you. I think its called something like "power of the attorney"- dont quote me on that, but just find a lawyer and then ask them about it.

 

[FlyingRon]

90 is getting close the the threshold where judges will give you a few days in jail (suspended from a longer term) just to think it over. One of my employees was caught doing 100 at 1AM coming home from work after a 18 hour day. Had a good lawyer, too, but no way was he not doing the time in Lowdown county.

 

[pofulover]

^^^^^ yea, 90 is stepping into the uh oh zone, but its also up to the cop, what he writes on the ticket and if he really wants to get you in trouble. If youre going 90, for example, some may put like 85 just so youre not in uh oh land.

Boo Hoo, did the cop write the speed down on ticket?

 

[FlyingRon]

Chances are he hit 100, the cop was being nice limitting it to 90. 100 is a definite "Do not pass Go" item in most of the courts around here.

 

[katmcc216]

Help

So I received my first ticket EVER back in October. They said I was going 90 in a 60 but my speedometer said 70. I had only owned that car for 4 months at that point, I had bought it used. I knew immediately that the speedometer had to be off.

I got my ticket on a Friday leaving Amherst taking my roommate up to NOVA for fall break. But I had to leave early Saturday morning to come back for work, I am a waitress and was working doubles both Saturday and Sunday. On Monday I had to head back to Nova after working a morning shift because Tuesday morning I had to bring her back because that was the last day of Fall Break. I had intended to get my cars speedometer checked Wednesday or Thursday. But I ran into a bit of a problem, well more like I was ran into.

I was stopped on Constitution Highway behind a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder, there was about 8-10 feet between us. I was talking to my roommate and the next thing I know I have an airbag in my face, my ears are ringing, smoke is coming out of the front of my car, my car dies, and I look to make sure my roommate is okay. Besides a good hit to the head (she was later cleared of a concussion) she was okay.

Once it was safe I made her get out of the car and go to the side of the road. I was stuck in my seat for a few extra minutes because it was a one lane eachway road and cars were zooming past us. I eventually get out and I see that we were not only rear-ended but hit so hard we were pushed that 8-10 feet forward and an additional 4 feet into the back of that pathfinder.

A girl driving the GMC Jimmy (the car that hit us) gets out and apologized profusely, after EMS cleared us of any dire emergency conditions we proceeded to take care of all the damage to our cars. The GMC Jimmy and my Ford Escape were both totaled, the Nissan Pathfinder would have been totaled had it not been for it being a 2014, and there was a 4th car that was damaged by flying debris.

After getting that all cleared up I knew we had to be thoroughly checked out so we got a ride back to Lynchburg where we got to college and one of our friends took us to the emergency room. I later found out I have 2 bulged discs and a degenerating disc in my neck. It is now February and I have still not been cleared to go back to work and if they don't stop the degenerating disc from getting worse I will have to get it fused. I am 21 years old.

The police deemed the accident a total fault to the driver of the GMC Jimmy. However, a big problem being since my car was totaled I couldn't take it in the get the speedometer checked. I spoke with the company that was holding my car while insurance dealt with it as well as a mechanic who would come get my car and test the speedometer. I made all of the arrangements with the mechanic and the company. I even have text messages to prove it. But after awhile I didn't receive any information or results and I find out that the company refused to give the mechanic my car after I made arrangements with them and then proceeded to scrap my car for parts. All without informing me until it was too late. Needless to say I was furious.

I have completed an 8 hour in class driving course. I have provided all the documentation needed that my lawyer asked. I have no previous record of anything. I am a california licensed driver. I have to be able to drive to get to my physical therapy and doctors appointments. I am also the main source of transport for my roommate as she does not drive.

My court date is this Thursday and I am terrified of getting jail time. I have done everything that I can and I don't believe I should be punished to the level I am facing when I was robbed of my opportunities to try and protect myself. I will accept a speeding ticket and a fine, I realized I was going 70 in a 60 (even though I was in a 65 when I was knowingly going 70 and was working my way down to fitting the speed when it dropped to 60 but the officer managed to pull me over, but admitted he had been following me for miles). I am more than willing to accept those charges, I understand my mistake.

I think I am just looking for some advice on what else I can do, what I should expect, and how would this affect the fact that I am a California driver still because technically my licensed address is at my house back in California not my apartment in Lynchburg.

I could really use some advice.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Zigner]

So I received my first ticket EVER back in October.

Please start your own thread - this one is from 2007. Thank you.