So I just got caught for Reckless Driving (in VA)

[flatlander757]

I got off work and decided to play around with a friend on a long empty road. Turns out a cop saw us. My buddy pulled over first(he's 19) and the policeman stopped at him. A minute or so later another cop signalled for me to pull over(I'm 17). He said I was clocked going 82(in a 55). My court hearing just says "Reckless Driving(General)" so I think I may just be getting charged for going 27 over, but not sure. I'll be getting tried in the "Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court" on Nov. 21st. My car wasn't towed, so I think it's safe to say I keep that.

The thing that troubles me is that I'm in a votech program for automotive, and I want to become a technician. Problem is noone will hire you with points on your license. Is it at all possible I could pay a fine/do some jailtime/community service/driving school or all so I can keep a clean record? I realize I should have never done this, I'm kicking myself over this. I don't know what I'm going to do with my life now. I'm screwed.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by flatlander757

. Problem is noone will hire you with points on your license. Is it at all possible I could pay a fine/do some jailtime/community service/driving school or all so I can keep a clean record? I realize I should have never done this, I'm kicking myself over this. I don't know what I'm going to do with my life now. I'm screwed.

First of all, points do not last forever, so your long term career will be okay.

IMO get a lawyer, one who specialises in traffic court.
I suspect he can plead the charge down to speeding for a lesser amount than 27 over in exchange for a guilty plea, and no trial.
You will likely pay a fine, and hopefully you can swap some traffic school time in exchange for keeping the points off your licence.
I think jail time or community service is way too excessive for a 17 year old doing a bit of speeding.

[clawhammer]

VA is one of the worst states for driving offenses. Everything 20+ over is considered reckless driving. You will most likely not go to jail for it, but it will cost you big bucks, whether you get a lawyer or not, and will most likely end up with at least some points of your licence. The best thing would be to see if you can plead it down to just a normal speeding ticket, like 15 over. Live and learn.

[Igovert500]

Yeah, on top of the advice above. Bring a parent as well, dress nice, be polite, yada yada yada. Also once you figure out how many points are going to be on your license in the end, take a defensive driving class. Most states/insurance companies will drop liek 2 additional points, and the classes are only like $25 adn 4-6 hours.

[flatlander757]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm thinking that maybe if I offer to do jailtime, maybe I could get it passed as a very minor offence, or none at all. I'll do jail for a month if I could keep a clean record.

[planet_keeper]

I've never heard of anyone ever pleading jailtime in exchange for point reductions. If that would work awesome, i guess... still though, you might want to check that out before you go into court thinking of it as a sure shot.

[fredjacksonsan]

Flatlander, I'm in VA and have had the same thing happen to me.

Basically, the officer charges you for the maximum he can. If the road was clear and dry, with good visibility and no other traffic, you should be able to plead not guilty, and state to the judge that you were NOT driving recklessly, just over the speed limit. Emphasize that you were not weaving lane to lane or racing, and that there were no other cars on the road (if true). Basically, you can easily plea bargain this ticket down to a simple speeding ticket.

In VA, it is 6 points on your license for 20 over.

As far as the points, I'd sign up for and take a defensive driving class. Take the registration papers to court with you to show the judge that you've already been proactive. The class will take away 5 points. Based on this website:

http://www.speedingticketcentral.com...ng-ticket.html

Since you're under 20, the class will be mandatory anyway so get a jump on it, hopefully the judge will be impressed.

That leaves you with one point on your license. For each year you go without getting another ticket, one point comes off. How long till you graduate?

[flatlander757]

Thanks very much fredjacksonsan!

I graduate in June 2007.

There were some other cars, but very few. I think my problem is that my friend WAS weaving in and out of cars without using his signals. I used mine every time. I wasn't cutting people off 2ft from their bumper like an idiot. I think I may have changed lanes about 2-3 times at most.

I know my paper only says "Reckless Driving(General)" but can I be charged of highway racing and 20 over as well?(That would give me 18 points and loss of license). Or can I only be convicted of what is written on the hearing paper?

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by flatlander757

Thanks very much fredjacksonsan!

I graduate in June 2007.

There were some other cars, but very few. I think my problem is that my friend WAS weaving in and out of cars without using his signals. I used mine every time. I wasn't cutting people off 2ft from their bumper like an idiot. I think I may have changed lanes about 2-3 times at most.

I know my paper only says "Reckless Driving(General)" but can I be charged of highway racing and 20 over as well?(That would give me 18 points and loss of license). Or can I only be convicted of what is written on the hearing paper?

If he was going to charge you with racing, I think he would have. An officer once explained to me that they must charge you with reckless if you're doing more than 20 over, and let the judge decide. It seems they expect a lot of people to just plead guilty. Personally, I'd rather have a speeding ticket than a reckless driving.

Was it State Trooper, or a local cop that pulled you over? IMO the Troopers are generally pretty cool, and expect the plea for just the speeding ticket.

Good luck with it, let us know how it comes out.


--edit-- June 2007, the point will have come off by then. You should be good....

[flatlander757]

it was a Private Marshall. So I don't know what that means, I'm not too knowledgable on ranks and whatnot.

So racing and reckless driving are two different things right?

edit: PM, not sargeant.

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by flatlander757

...So racing and reckless driving are two different things right?

I think so; there are multiple areas on the ticket for them to put the charges.

[flatlander757]

I had to edit my last post, but you posted at the same time...

So what does a private marshall fall under?

[Chevy4life1985]

Originally Posted by flatlander757

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm thinking that maybe if I offer to do jailtime, maybe I could get it passed as a very minor offence, or none at all. I'll do jail for a month if I could keep a clean record.

Hum dude no offense but that makes no sense. Your concerned about your job due to points, yet ur willing to take jail time which will never come off your record? A criminal record regardless of what it is will always turn away potential employers. If i were u i would fight the ticket and if u lose just pay the fine.

[fredjacksonsan]

I have no clue what a "Private Marshall" is. Did you get a look at the car? Only thing I can think of is that it was some sort of private land. Should say something on the ticket.

[flatlander757]

It is a state trooper I believe.

And I did get a lawyer. I figured $450 will be worth it.

I'm using a guy that www.speedingticketcentral.com recommended.

I'll get some character statements, my highschool transscript(3.1 GPA), and my driving record(clean aside from this charge) to show the judge in court.