Big Speeding Ticket in VA

[boo hoo]

I was clocked doing 90 in a 65, and now face a reckless driving by speed charge. Of course, like everyone else caught at this speed, I didn't realize I had reached the speed---there was no one else on the road, it was a straight-away and I was going down a mountain. I didn't realize the severity of the charge at the time, and the officer just kept repeating "it's between you and the court" when I asked him questions, so I didn't even think to ask about things like did they use radar or laser, where did he clock me, etc. He came out of no where and followed me for about a mile or two before flashing his lights and pulling me over (of course then I reduced my speed to the limit, but at that point it was apparently too late). He waited until there was an extra turn off lane to pull me over. I just found out that I could be facing jail time. I have a clean driving record...the last ticket I got was about 3 years ago, and it was for 10mi over in a 65.

Friends and other forums have suggested I obtain a lawyer, which I am willing to do. The problem is that I received the ticket in Amherst County (a small, rural part of VA), and I'm having a lot of difficulty finding traffic lawyers there. I received the ticket yesterday, and the preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 31. I called the court to find out what the procedure was, and they informed me that if I hired my own legal counsel, that person could call and schedule the official date. If not, I would be going there to have them tell me that I have to come back. I live in DC, and it's really a hassle to go back and forth more than once. Plus, I just started a new job less than a month ago and don't think my new bosses would appreciate me taking all of that time off---they are pretty reasonable and accommodating, but I don't want to push their limits.

Any suggestions on finding a reputable lawyer? Is it possible to have my lawyer plea bargain for a lesser charge (fine, few points and driving school) without my having to drive all the way down there for a hearing?

Thanks for any help/advice you may have!

[lwpat]

Google Virginia reckless driving

[ls7]

VA Reckless by speed is a complete joke in my opinion. I have 3 warrants for arrest down there since I didn't pay the tickets. Who cares, I'm never going back anyway. Stupid State..

[Ozark_Sophist]

Find a lawyer. It may be possible to plea bargain to a lesser charge.

[url]http://www.vsb.org/site/public/lawyer-referral-service/[/url]

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by ls7

VA Reckless by speed is a complete joke in my opinion. I have 3 warrants for arrest down there since I didn't pay the tickets. Who cares, I'm never going back anyway. Stupid State..

Spoken like a true law-abiding citizen (spit)

[colourfastt]

Originally Posted by ls7

VA Reckless by speed is a complete joke in my opinion. I have 3 warrants for arrest down there since I didn't pay the tickets. Who cares, I'm never going back anyway. Stupid State..

Spoken like someone who has bench warrants out for his arrest, and will be spending some time in jail if he gets pulled over for anything.

[pofulover]

My sister was in the same position you are in. She just had her court date today after about a month and a half of waiting. HIRE A LAWYER! We are not from the state of VA either, so VA lawyers know the prosecutors and judges very well on how strict or not they are. They know what to present, what to say, how to say it, and they know the rules so they can use it to your benefit. Therefore, they can get you the lesser sentence. Knowing how strict the prosecutor and judge are helps a whole whole whole lot.

Va is hardcore- they do not take it as lenient as other states. Its a criminal offense. Just make the one time drive down to the court from DC and ask for a day off and explain to your boss its a misdemeanor. Im sure he'll understand if you prove to him how bad the situation is. Theres like tons of law sites you can pull up with the possible charges of reckless driving in VA.

My sis aint go to jail, but her license is suspended in VA for 30 days and not 60 cuz thanks to the lawyer he talked it down. The prosecutor was very reasonable today. Since we're MD residents- the 30 days suspension just means we cant go to VA in a car. I was like "dont worry, youll never see us near the MD and VA border ever again." VA has scared me off officially.

Oh and btw- if you dont wanna go to court, the lawyer can go in place for you. I think its called something like "power of the attorney"- dont quote me on that, but just find a lawyer and then ask them about it.

[FlyingRon]

90 is getting close the the threshold where judges will give you a few days in jail (suspended from a longer term) just to think it over. One of my employees was caught doing 100 at 1AM coming home from work after a 18 hour day. Had a good lawyer, too, but no way was he not doing the time in Lowdown county.

[pofulover]

^^^^^ yea, 90 is stepping into the uh oh zone, but its also up to the cop, what he writes on the ticket and if he really wants to get you in trouble. If youre going 90, for example, some may put like 85 just so youre not in uh oh land.

Boo Hoo, did the cop write the speed down on ticket?

[FlyingRon]

Chances are he hit 100, the cop was being nice limitting it to 90. 100 is a definite "Do not pass Go" item in most of the courts around here.