Help PLEASE. 78 in 55

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by GreyGoose006

what do you think my chances are?
im really scared that i'll get slammed w/ 23 over and reckless driving (i've heard this is a FELONY, i hope not)
any help would be awesome

I'm in VA and speeding 20+ isn't a felony to my knowledge, although it's been awhile since I drove that fast. Or at least got caught going that fast.


In VA the officer has the option to charge you for Reckless Driving if you were going 20 or more over. What does it say on the ticket? If it says Reckless, you can talk it down to just Speeding by saying that you were NOT driving recklessly, just too fast. If it says Speeding, then go with what has been said earlier.

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

...and i would have to agree with Igovert500 with just dress nice act polite as possable cause you can't really say to much about how fast you where going cause usaly only you know how fast you where going . but then again you are in a virgina and they are a$$whenn it comes to stuff like that i lived there for like 4 years .

they are the only state too that does not allow rador detectors or anything like that.

Washington, DC just passed legislation making radar detectors illegal (not that there's room to speed in most of it)

Minnesota doesn't allow anything to be hung from the windshield....go figure.

In Connecticut it used to be illegal to have a radar detector, but that was repealed in 1998.

(http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/radar4.html)

/ off topic

[PlayStation3]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Washington, DC just passed legislation making radar detectors illegal (not that there's room to speed in most of it)

Minnesota doesn't allow anything to be hung from the windshield....go figure.

In Connecticut it used to be illegal to have a radar detector, but that was repealed in 1998.

(http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/radar4.html)

/ off topic

i know but they are not a state they a distrist.

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

i know but they are not a state they a distrist.

True but they are self regulating for traffic. It's a mess, I used to live in the area.

[Igovert500]

Lots of states, including NY have signs that say they aren't allowed. Whether they are or not, I don't know for sure. All I know is if I have a working one I use it, and if I get pulled over, it goes under the seat to avoid the cop's eyes.

To the original poster, go to court, you wont get felony charges. Unless you were fleeing from the cops, ramming their cars, or almost hit a pedestrian or something, they aren't going to give you a felony. 99% of the time they will bargain it down with you.

[GreyGoose006]

thanks guys

[fredjacksonsan]

Make sure to let us know how it comes out.

[ilgoldstein]

Another point, get to court EARLY, real early. Review proper courtroom etiquette -- no food, no gum, no drinks, no newpaper reading. I can't guarantee it will help, but I can guarantee a breach of etiquette will hurt. Be respectful to everyone in the courtroom, not just the judge. Be nice to the clerk, the bailiff, and the DA too.

I've seen a lot of jerks show up in court and not catch a break.

[GreyGoose006]

interesting...
i talked to a lawyer, who thinks he can get me out b/c he knows the judge, and he (the judge) is a nice guy. my court date will have to be moved to mid september if the lawyer can help me tho... oh well.

if anyone sees any other ways for me to bargain this out, feel free too help a guy out.

also, this being my first ticket, and my first time in court, i dont really understand the whole process too well.

people said i should bargain w/ the prosecutor, who'se he, and where do i find him,
is it a good idea to go in there and argue with a COP, i dont know...

as igovert said, im 18, and nobody will believe me, unless i can get proof that the other guy got a ticket for 65, then i might have a chance

thanks a LOT

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by GreyGoose006

also, this being my first ticket, and my first time in court, i dont really understand the whole process too well.

people said i should bargain w/ the prosecutor, who'se he, and where do i find him,
is it a good idea to go in there and argue with a COP, i dont know...

Get there early, or go on some day before your court date to see how it works. Basically, they will call the name of the person that got the ticket. That person goes up front, as does the Officer that wrote the ticket. The court states what crime you're accused of, and you enter a plea, either guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

If you plead Not Guilty, then the cop says what happened and what evidence he has (radar, observed so-and-so, whatever). Then the judge asks you if you have anything to say, which is where you have an opportunity to present your evidence, or talk about the situation. Here's where you'd say you were only going 5 over or whatever, and that the other vehicle was coming up fast behind you and you think the cop's radar detected him rather than you.

Then the judge will consider the evidence on both sides, maybe ask a couple of questions, then make a decision. It's a good idea to watch how it works beforehand so you're not so nervous.

The prosecutor will be the State's (well, actually, Commonwealth's) representative in court. If you get there early enough you should be able to go towards the front of the courtroom and ask for them, and advise you would like to plead to a lower speed. If they take the deal (like in Law & Order and such) then it saves the court time and you can just go pay the fine. Sometimes the prosecutor will be ok with talking to you, sometimes not.

Hope that helps.

Oh yeah, and if you have a lawyer friend that can get the charges dropped,

[GreyGoose006]

ok. thanks. that was a BIG help guys.

[Igovert500]

It varies slightly state to state.

Sometimes it has gone just as described above, other times the prosecutor (cop or assistant district attorney) has shown up early and they have been the one finding and offering me a deal) but I only have court experience in NY and PA

[GreyGoose006]

alright guys.
court date is on monday.
gonna have to drive three hours for this shit.

i'll let y'all know how it goes.
Wish me luck

[copcarcrzy]

Originally Posted by Igovert500

Funny, because a cop told me that. Not saying you are wrong, for all I know, you maybe right. I'm just repeating what a cop told me once in conversation???

It could be departmental policy. I have heard that many times "you have to show me the radar" and the only place Ive seen it in B/W, was the book "how to beat a speeding ticket"

Ive been asked many times but always refuse, not because Im dishonest but because Im responsible for the violators safety and I dont need them getting out and walking around getting hit by another car.

some judges with throw it out, thinking the officer was hiding something. Ive seen a lot of OSP officers take violators back to their car and issue a ticket, and im sure the recorded violation was visiable.

[GreyGoose006]

well i got it reduced to 74 which isnt reckless.
lawyer talked to the cop. turns out the other guy got a ticket for 66/55...
ASSHOLE.
sorry.

that was my speed for those of you who dont know.
in the end it was $151 with court costs.
oh well