83 in 60 with good reason, need advice

[Someguitarist]

My little brother was hit by a truck on Tuesday (he's ok now, after phsyical therapy and some CAT scans he should be fine), but on the phone I was told that we weren't sure if he would make it through the night. So, naturally I was speeding a bit to get home (from Radford, its about 300 miles). I got pulled going 83 in a 60.

When I told the officer, he was like, Well, that doesn't make a lot of sense, haev you been drinking or doing drugs, and I was just kindly like, No, sir, I'll get out and do some tests if you want. We were both really kind about it, so he said he wouldn't mark it as reckless, but he still gave me the ticket. The total price is 171 $, but I'm more concerned about my insurance costs, with me being 19.

I figure I'll try my hand fighting this, but what do I do? How do I plea to the judge? Guilty but with reason? Any advice at all would be really helpfull... thanks!

[Wetdream24]

Id consult a lawyer. You, in my opinion, have a good fight, however with a lawyer he ll know a trick to get it off...

[Someguitarist]

Yea, I was thinking that, but being 19 I don't have the money for a lawyer, thats why I was wondering if anyone had any other advice... thanks though, does anyone have any idea how I can fight it without a lawyer?

[drdisque]

go to the court date with documentation on your brother's condition. I don't think you need a lawyer.

[Someguitarist]

Ya, im planning on doing that and bringing all the documentation. How do I plead though? If I plead guilty, am I automatically charged or should I say innocent or what? Thanks for the quick replys and for the advice!

[lwpat]

If you show up on your court date take along a copy of your DMV report to show it is clean along with the documentation about your brother's situation. While this is still not a reason for speeding they will normally reduce the fine and may allow traffic school so this does not increase your insurance.

Since many Virginia courts now allow Online Traffic School you may be able to avoid court altogether by calling the clerk of court to see if you are eligible. While you still pay the full fine you avoid the court time. Here is a link for more information

Virginia Traffic School

[Cadillakin'98]

Plead "no contest" (guilty but w/reason), the judge won't even hear what you have to say probably but he/she will give you a fine to pay and a "probationary period" (6 months probably) in which you are to not get any more tickets of that nature and then the courts don't look at you guilty or innocent. Not being guilty means it will not go on your insurance. Oh yeah, you have to ask for deffered of disposition to get it to work out like that.

If you try to fight it, be prepared to lose. You are not the first 19 year old that has walked in front of that judge with a similar story. Or atleast with a very good reason of why they broke the law. Bottom line i you broke the law, no matter why or what the reason may be. There is a saying that goes " if your man enough to do the crime, your man enough to do the time." If your man enough to speed down the road, your man enough to accept the consiquence.

Whatever you choose to do, the one thing I hope you listen to atleast is this: when before the judge, DO NOT insult the judge's intelligence. They tend to not like that. Like I said, they have heard your story before, just not by you....

[Someguitarist]

Whoa, whoa whoa, I would never think of going up there to insult the judge or anything. And, yea, I was kinda thinking that they would think that "Yea, but he still broke the law" and I would be fine with that, because I did. I just hope that theyll see that I have a clean record other then that, and I can't afford to pay higher insurance while going to college.

So I should plead "No contest"? And what is "deffered of disposition"? Thanks for the advice!

[Matt_IS300]

Show up w/ documentation of your brothers situation to show the judge. Sometimes a judge will take a more humanitarian approach since cops are mostly a$$holes, especially in VA.

Another thing you could do is consult a student lawyer if you are in school. I had to do that many of times when I was in college and it helped me out.

Lastly, you may be able to take a driving class to get the ticket reduced to where it wont give you insureance points.

A nice trick is to call a few lawyers and get a feel for what you can/should do and then make your informed decision.

[Someguitarist]

Thanks, Ill look into the student lawyer club thing at college and see how that works out. Any more advice? Thanks guys for all your help!