Plead guilty or no contest for reckless driving

[heavy_d777]

What is the name of your state? Virginia

I am going to court in a few days for a reckless driving citation issued for going 77 in a 55. I live out of state and so have obtained a copy of my home state drivin grecord which is completely clear. I am hoping that the judge will be willing to look at this record, see that I am not a habitual offender and possibly reduce my charge to speeding.
My question is whether to plead guilty or no contest. I am admitting guilt, but I want the judge to review the case and look at my record.
My other question is that the driving record comes all sealed up in an official envelope. Is it better to leave it sealed and let the judge open it, or should I open it for a more speedy presentation? I am just trying not to piss the judge off. Thanks for any help.

 

[ptlmejo]

Strange they would write a reckless for a speed, but whatever I guess.

Leave it sealed...no tampering on your part that way.

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

20 miles over the speed limit is wreckless driving in the state of Virginia.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-862

 

[heavy_d777]

What about guilty vs. no contest

Thanks for the advice about the driving record. Does anyone have any adive about whether to plead guilty or no contest? Thanks again. I have to go to court on Moday so any advice would really be appreciated.

 

[prs24]

Where in VA did you get the ticket....some places are more strict more than others. I just went to court today for a reckless driving ticket 81/55. I had one other ticket in the 12 years I was driving. Unfortunatly VA has a low tolorance against reckless driving. If you have a reason for going so fast then I would plead guilty with an explaination (which is an option). There's only been one case in VA that someone won based on calibrations and challenging the officers radar. Doing that just takes up time and unfortunatly isnt going to help you. Ask if you can pay a hire fine or take a defensive driving class as your record has been good to this point. I just posted about my day in court above. Good Luck to you!

 

[prs24]

There may not be a prosecutor in your case if you were going 74. I think they only bring a prosecutor in when its reckless and a criminal charge. So on that level you'll be okay. There were others in the court that were going at those speeds and had so so records and they had a 200-300 dollar fine and then got a suspended license. If you do get a suspended license just be sure to ask the judge if it could be a restricted one to allow you to get to and from work or school.

Also dress for court. I was appalled by they way most of the people dressed with old jeans, t shirts, baseball caps, flipflops etc. If you dont own a suit at least wear something nice. I do think it made a difference when the judge was dishing out sentences.

 

[gmblng]

I completely agree with these other postings here - got a reckless endangerment by speed charge 14 years ago in Virginia (going 88 in a 65). Virginia is extremely tough on these speeding charges. Get your DMV record, leave it sealed, plead guilty and definitely dress up for court and the first words out of your mouth should be "Your Honor, I was speeding and I am thankful that I did not kill or injury anyone."

Good luck

 

[heavy_d777]

Just got back from court

I just got back from court in Virginia. The judge was very good tempered. He listened to everybody and explanied everything very thoroughly. For me and about 20 other people that were charged with reckless driving for driving 20-23 miles per hour over the limit and who had clean records, our charges were dropped to straight speeding 19 m.p.h over the limit which carries a penalty of $125 with court fees. For those who had previous records the punishments were more harsh, but the worst was $500 and a suspended licence for some guy that had an absolutely terrible record. Thanks for the advice everybody. I was lucky, it seems to all come down to which judge you get.

 

[Robbie0723]

Thanks for posting the follow-up, much appreciated.

 

[maddoggieD]

You were lucky, indeed. Considering that RECKLESS DRIVING is a Class 1 misdemeanor offense in Virginia - you could have had a CRIMINAL RECORD.

 

[Dieram]

I got 95 on 65 in VA

My advice to you is if you got a clean record do NOT by any chance fail to take it to the judge get a copy th day befor the trial. Then say these exact words " I am guilty your honor but i beg the courts liniance that i may go to driving school I promise I learned my lesson I will never do it again" for you that will work and will walk of with only paying little money no prob.no points an no jail but do it! Driving school can be done at home in the internet and its better then jail and paying huge fines.-

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

My advice to you is if you got a clean record do NOT by any chance fail to take it to the judge get a copy th day befor the trial. Then say these exact words " I am guilty your honor but i beg the courts liniance that i may go to driving school I promise I learned my lesson I will never do it again" for you that will work and will walk of with only paying little money no prob.no points an no jail but do it! Driving school can be done at home in the internet and its better then jail and paying huge fines.-

He's already been to court.