Anonymous wrote:It's been quite a few years, but I once got cited for reckless driving on Old Dominion Drive in Arlington for driving 20+ over the limit. I appeared in court and pled "guilty with explanation" and told the judge the true story that I was driving home to deal with a real family emergency. I had no recent previous speeding tickets on my record. The judge reduced the charge to the equivalent of driving 5 miles over the speed limit.

Something for you to consider.

This was basically my experience many, many years ago. I was caught doing 60 in a 45 mph on my way to Pentagon Mall.* I'd never received a speeding ticket (or any kind of ticket other than parking!) before or since. I went to court, the police officer was there, the judge reduced the mileage over the speed limit (although I don't remember what that did for me), and I had to pay court costs and the fine.

*It still irks me because it was the last day of the month, and I really believe the cop was filling some sort of quota. In my situation a car came flying down the ramp (from 50?) and didn't yield so I had to move into the left lane unexpectedly and sped up to get around him, which was when I got hit with the radar gun. I was speeding for a split second. Oh well, lesson learned.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have other tickets/points already? If not, you may be able to get it reduced to a non-point infraction. I got a speeding ticket back in 2014 for 46 in a 30 (going down the hill on Wilson Boulevard by N Manchester) and was able to get it reduced to a vehicle maintenance ticket or something. I got a certified copy of my clean driving record from DMV and got to court early. Met with the prosecutor myself (although I am a former lawyer) and gave him my sob story. I hadn't had a ticket in more than 15 years at that point. I still had to pay court costs plus the ticket -- think it came to just under $200 -- but it was worth it.

If you have points, then it may be different.

I cant believe they reduced it. Theres a school crosswalk right there. 46 where kids are walking and biking? Wow.

Calm down. There’s a LIGHT there. She didn’t blow through it. I live off of this stretch and no kid is crossing Wilson anywhere but the light.

So you live there and think 46 is appropriate on that part of Wilson? Right next to the Rosegarden, park, bike trail, Ashlawn, Bluemont?

PP. I honestly don’t care. 46 is fine with me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I received my first speeding ticket and could use advice as to the best next steps. I was going 16 over in a 45 MPH zone. In addition to not speeding going forward, is the best strategy to 1) pay ticket, accept points and likely insurance premium increase; or 2) appear in court, sincerely apologize, offer to take safe driving course; or 3) take driving course before court date and appear, apologize and ask for reduction? Thank you!

Pay up. You are lucky you weren't put in jail.

For going 16 over the limit?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have other tickets/points already? If not, you may be able to get it reduced to a non-point infraction. I got a speeding ticket back in 2014 for 46 in a 30 (going down the hill on Wilson Boulevard by N Manchester) and was able to get it reduced to a vehicle maintenance ticket or something. I got a certified copy of my clean driving record from DMV and got to court early. Met with the prosecutor myself (although I am a former lawyer) and gave him my sob story. I hadn't had a ticket in more than 15 years at that point. I still had to pay court costs plus the ticket -- think it came to just under $200 -- but it was worth it.

If you have points, then it may be different.

I cant believe they reduced it. Theres a school crosswalk right there. 46 where kids are walking and biking? Wow.

Calm down. There’s a LIGHT there. She didn’t blow through it. I live off of this stretch and no kid is crossing Wilson anywhere but the light.

So you live there and think 46 is appropriate on that part of Wilson? Right next to the Rosegarden, park, bike trail, Ashlawn, Bluemont?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have other tickets/points already? If not, you may be able to get it reduced to a non-point infraction. I got a speeding ticket back in 2014 for 46 in a 30 (going down the hill on Wilson Boulevard by N Manchester) and was able to get it reduced to a vehicle maintenance ticket or something. I got a certified copy of my clean driving record from DMV and got to court early. Met with the prosecutor myself (although I am a former lawyer) and gave him my sob story. I hadn't had a ticket in more than 15 years at that point. I still had to pay court costs plus the ticket -- think it came to just under $200 -- but it was worth it.

If you have points, then it may be different.

I cant believe they reduced it. Theres a school crosswalk right there. 46 where kids are walking and biking? Wow.

Calm down. There’s a LIGHT there. She didn’t blow through it. I live off of this stretch and no kid is crossing Wilson anywhere but the light.

There was a thread on this recently about someone’s teen getting a ticket. I posted about my experience in Alexandria. If you appear in court and the police officer also appears (and it’s likely she/he will) judge will find you guilty. Your best bet is to go in person if you have a clear record, apologize, ask for it to be taken under advisement and for you to be allowed to take driving school.

I did this, and it was the best outcome you can ask for. I had to wait for 2 hours for my case to be heard and while I waited every single person was found guilty no matter the excuses.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have other tickets/points already? If not, you may be able to get it reduced to a non-point infraction. I got a speeding ticket back in 2014 for 46 in a 30 (going down the hill on Wilson Boulevard by N Manchester) and was able to get it reduced to a vehicle maintenance ticket or something. I got a certified copy of my clean driving record from DMV and got to court early. Met with the prosecutor myself (although I am a former lawyer) and gave him my sob story. I hadn't had a ticket in more than 15 years at that point. I still had to pay court costs plus the ticket -- think it came to just under $200 -- but it was worth it.

If you have points, then it may be different.

I cant believe they reduced it. Theres a school crosswalk right there. 46 where kids are walking and biking? Wow.

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, if you go to court, plead not guilty, and your cop doesn't show, your ticket gets dropped. You pay the court fees and go on your way. If the cop shows, you are pretty much screwed. You can plead guilty w/ explanation and hope that the judge is feeling nice that day, but pleading guilty, even if you have a reason, means you did it and you will pay both the ticket and court fees. Traffic court judges aren't usually in a good mood.

I've been to court for traffic tickets a few times. In my experience, the fine is usually cut in half, and I've had the points reduced, too.
Dress nicely, be polite and humble, and most judges are understanding.
And no attorney! They'll charge you more than the ticket.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have other tickets/points already? If not, you may be able to get it reduced to a non-point infraction. I got a speeding ticket back in 2014 for 46 in a 30 (going down the hill on Wilson Boulevard by N Manchester) and was able to get it reduced to a vehicle maintenance ticket or something. I got a certified copy of my clean driving record from DMV and got to court early. Met with the prosecutor myself (although I am a former lawyer) and gave him my sob story. I hadn't had a ticket in more than 15 years at that point. I still had to pay court costs plus the ticket -- think it came to just under $200 -- but it was worth it.

If you have points, then it may be different.

I'm the Old Dominion 47 in a 30 poster. Also an ex-lawyer. And I did the same thing as you, ha ha. Met with the prosecutor and gave her my sob story. She didn't care and didn't want to cut me a break at all. So, having nothing to lose, I stuck around and told the same story to the judge. She DID care and did cut me a break. I remember the prosecutor being really annoyed.

Anonymous wrote:I received my first speeding ticket and could use advice as to the best next steps. I was going 16 over in a 45 MPH zone. In addition to not speeding going forward, is the best strategy to 1) pay ticket, accept points and likely insurance premium increase; or 2) appear in court, sincerely apologize, offer to take safe driving course; or 3) take driving course before court date and appear, apologize and ask for reduction? Thank you!

Pay up. You are lucky you weren't put in jail.

Anonymous wrote:SLOW the F$$K down. I live near Clarendon and the cars go way too fast all over Wilson/Clarendon/Langston and through the neighborhoods and the streets are filled with pedestrians and kids on bikes.

This, and the delivery drivers with Maryland tags are the worst!

Anonymous wrote:Do you have other tickets/points already? If not, you may be able to get it reduced to a non-point infraction. I got a speeding ticket back in 2014 for 46 in a 30 (going down the hill on Wilson Boulevard by N Manchester) and was able to get it reduced to a vehicle maintenance ticket or something. I got a certified copy of my clean driving record from DMV and got to court early. Met with the prosecutor myself (although I am a former lawyer) and gave him my sob story. I hadn't had a ticket in more than 15 years at that point. I still had to pay court costs plus the ticket -- think it came to just under $200 -- but it was worth it.

If you have points, then it may be different.

To add, the cop was there and the prosecutor pulled him in to the meeting (people line up to talk to them in advance) but he didn't say anything really.

Do you have other tickets/points already? If not, you may be able to get it reduced to a non-point infraction. I got a speeding ticket back in 2014 for 46 in a 30 (going down the hill on Wilson Boulevard by N Manchester) and was able to get it reduced to a vehicle maintenance ticket or something. I got a certified copy of my clean driving record from DMV and got to court early. Met with the prosecutor myself (although I am a former lawyer) and gave him my sob story. I hadn't had a ticket in more than 15 years at that point. I still had to pay court costs plus the ticket -- think it came to just under $200 -- but it was worth it.

If you have points, then it may be different.

In my experience, if you go to court, plead not guilty, and your cop doesn't show, your ticket gets dropped. You pay the court fees and go on your way. If the cop shows, you are pretty much screwed. You can plead guilty w/ explanation and hope that the judge is feeling nice that day, but pleading guilty, even if you have a reason, means you did it and you will pay both the ticket and court fees. Traffic court judges aren't usually in a good mood.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's been quite a few years, but I once got cited for reckless driving on Old Dominion Drive in Arlington for driving 20+ over the limit. I appeared in court and pled "guilty with explanation" and told the judge the true story that I was driving home to deal with a real family emergency. I had no recent previous speeding tickets on my record. The judge reduced the charge to the equivalent of driving 5 miles over the speed limit.

Something for you to consider.

20+ on Old Dominion?? (30 mph speed limit). That is terrifying. I drive that road every single day. You’re lucky you didn’t create someone else’s family emergency. I hope you never do that again

Oh, spare me. It wasn't "terrifying." And as I said it was a long time ago.

Me again. Now that I think about it, I could have sworn I was charged with reckless driving for going 47 in a 30. Did they change the law in VA to make it 20+ to qualify for reckless?

It’s always been 20+.

Someone who got a reckless on 81. Hired lawyer and it totally went away. Not even a speeding ticket on my record. Total money grab. SW VA not NOVA.

Ok, then I wasn't charged with reckless driving then. I must have decided to go to court and try and talk them down regardless, which apparently I did successfully.