So. . .got pulled over for speeding in VA

[Anonymous]

You should get the attorney. There are chances that if you appear in court or send a letter than you will get a lenient judge who will decrease the charge. There is also a chance that you will get a strict judge who wants to punish offenders. If you have the latter, a good local attorney who knows the judge will know what needs to be done to "talk him down". As some PPs have said, you might be able to get away with showing up, you might be able to get away with writing the letter. But do you want to run the risk that you get the hanging judge who wants to punish the out-of-town offenders and risk your husband having to report for jail time? Your odds are much better of getting out of the jail time and points on your record if you get the local attorney who knows the circuit and the judges and just do what the attorney says. You are paying for the attorney's experience and local knowledge of the local traffic court scene to not only minimize the penalties, but specifically to avoid the most serious penalties even if you have the most difficult judge. It's money well spent and gives you the best chance of him getting off without jail time or points.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm resurrecting an old thread because DS just got charged with exactly the same speed for reckless driving in VA, 83 mph in a 70 mph zone. (anything over 80 in Virginia is reckless driving) Not responsible and possibly not safe, but I was shocked it was a crime, until he started getting letter from lawyers wanting to represent him.

Just curious if OP is still on here what the results were. I was skeptical about spending the money (or his money) on an attorney, but it looks like the best route. Grrrrr. I'm mad both at him and the inflexibility of the law in making this a Class 1 misdemeanor, same as DUI, shoplifting and domestic violence.

Any other advice not imparted in this thread would be appreciated. I am telling him to sign up for a driver improvement class before the court date.

Get a lawyer and a local one who knows the prosecutor and the judges and the whole gang of cops. It's a game and it's a money making machine (they even have schedules to allow you to pay over time if you need to). Wait until you show up in court and see the Taj Mahal courthouse in the middle of nowhere... We spent $500 lawyer fee and get the ticket reduced down to failure to obey the signs or something like that, plus $500 fine, billable 6 months after the court date IF the driving record is still clean. The speed was higher than your son's but under 20. GL.

[Anonymous]

Definitely get a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Contribute to the VA Bar's "Lawyer Employment Fund"
It's such a racket.

[Anonymous]

I know this was last year, but it appears that VA may change this law:

http://wtop.com/virginia/2015/01/virginia-bill-change-speed-reckless-driving-charges/

[Anonymous]

In February this year, the same bill passed the Senate:
http://www.wboc.com/story/31189883/va-senate-votes-to-raise-speed-limit-for-reckless-driving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And for the jerks on here, it is far more dangerous to go way slower than the flow of traffic rather than with it, which was what I was doing.

Said the speeding jerk.

You get what you get.

So you are telling me you NEVER speed? You're probably the asshole who drives 5 mph under the speed limit in the left lane.

+1

They definitely sound like those assholes who sit in the left lane just to "show everyone a lesson." They are actually the ones who are going to cause an accident one day!

OP, yes, it's a racket. Definitely get a lawyer. Probably needs to be a local one (part of the racket).

NP. I drive a GMC Yukon with LED lights . At night, I enjoy being behind these twats who drive below speed limit on the left lane. Before you know it the glare of my lights has them switching to the right lane faster than their dumb asses anticipated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So are law firms trolling the internet looking for victims - er, potential clients?

yes. and if you're facing a reckless driving charge, you really need a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And for the jerks on here, it is far more dangerous to go way slower than the flow of traffic rather than with it, which was what I was doing.

Said the speeding jerk.

You get what you get.

So you are telling me you NEVER speed? You're probably the asshole who drives 5 mph under the speed limit in the left lane.

+1

They definitely sound like those assholes who sit in the left lane just to "show everyone a lesson." They are actually the ones who are going to cause an accident one day!

OP, yes, it's a racket. Definitely get a lawyer. Probably needs to be a local one (part of the racket).

NP. I drive a GMC Yukon with LED lights . At night, I enjoy being behind these twats who drive below speed limit on the left lane. Before you know it the glare of my lights has them switching to the right lane faster than their dumb asses anticipated

I just adjust my mirror and reflect it back in you.

[Anonymous]

Go to court. Ask the judge to drop it down. My husband did this. They did not take points, and is not on his record, but it would have been had he not gone to the court date. Ticket ended up being $150 dollars.

[Anonymous]

OP you need a lawyer. It's serious in VA to get reckless driving. Many consequences all of them bad

[Anonymous]

Virginia Is Not For Speed Lovers

[Anonymous]

When will reckless MD drivers/criminals learn: VA enforces the law! VA has standards for society and it expects people to abide! Stay out of VA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginia Is Not For Speed Lovers

Awesome?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia Is Not For Speed Lovers

Awesome?

I mean awesome.