Reckless Driving Charge: Court appearance and outcome.
02-03-2004, 03:21 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reckless Driving Charge: Court appearance and outcome.
So many of you followed my ordeal a few weeks back when I was charged with the serious offense of Reckless driving in VA for simple speeding.
Well after many inquiries I finally secured the services of a top attorney. I went to court today.
Read on...
I arrived early and was warned by my L. that the judge we got was not going to be very lenient, so a trial was to be avoided. After a few minutes he walked out and left me in the courtroom. When he returned he had an offer. The minimum charge allowable by VA law (improper driving) and a $150 fine. I took it on the spot. Was out of there in 20 minutes. This was a fantastic outcome. The charge was reduced from something comparable to a DWI to something comparable to speeding 5 MPH over. Only achievable by a fine attorney that knew who to talk to and when, and by my clean driving record.
What did I learn?
1. The court system is reasonable which compensates for exagerated speeding laws.
2. If you get charged with Reckless driving in VA get a good lawyer. Not just any lawyer. Avoid large firms with big names because you get stuck in traffic court with a kid straigh out of school (saw several of those). Get an ex prosecutor of that court.
3. Speeding can get you in some trouble. But whatever you do, don't drink and drive... I saw several 20 year old kids get suspended licenses for 1 year, 60 days in jail, and AA and drunk driver meetings mandatory. Yikes... Not that I feel sorry for them to be honest.
All is well that ends well. I paid the lawyer a lot more than the court. But I was convicted of a minor offense that will be out of my record in 3 years instead of a serious misdemeanor conviction that would be there for 11 years. Good job on his part.
A word of thanks to "fairfax" for his suggestions. I ended up going with another firm but the help was appreciated.
Well after many inquiries I finally secured the services of a top attorney. I went to court today.
Read on...
I arrived early and was warned by my L. that the judge we got was not going to be very lenient, so a trial was to be avoided. After a few minutes he walked out and left me in the courtroom. When he returned he had an offer. The minimum charge allowable by VA law (improper driving) and a $150 fine. I took it on the spot. Was out of there in 20 minutes. This was a fantastic outcome. The charge was reduced from something comparable to a DWI to something comparable to speeding 5 MPH over. Only achievable by a fine attorney that knew who to talk to and when, and by my clean driving record.
What did I learn?
1. The court system is reasonable which compensates for exagerated speeding laws.
2. If you get charged with Reckless driving in VA get a good lawyer. Not just any lawyer. Avoid large firms with big names because you get stuck in traffic court with a kid straigh out of school (saw several of those). Get an ex prosecutor of that court.
3. Speeding can get you in some trouble. But whatever you do, don't drink and drive... I saw several 20 year old kids get suspended licenses for 1 year, 60 days in jail, and AA and drunk driver meetings mandatory. Yikes... Not that I feel sorry for them to be honest.
All is well that ends well. I paid the lawyer a lot more than the court. But I was convicted of a minor offense that will be out of my record in 3 years instead of a serious misdemeanor conviction that would be there for 11 years. Good job on his part.
A word of thanks to "fairfax" for his suggestions. I ended up going with another firm but the help was appreciated.
