Georgia Reckless Driving Ticket

[BScott8732]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Georgia

I was recently stopped by an officer in White, Georgia. (a city of Bartow County). The officer stated that he had me on radar doing 72mph in a 40mph zone. I will freely admit that I was speeding around 60mph, I don't know the area very well, only having traveled it a few times prior and the speed limit literally drops from 55 to 40 and back to 55 within a quarter mile to half mile stretch. However, I was NOT doing 72 mph. I admitted to the officer that I was going about 60 mph and was very unfamiliar with the area. The officer then writes me a ticket for reckless driving, stating that "There is a school nearby, so it's reckless driving". (school isn't even in session right now). Now I will admit that I should get a ticket and I don't mind paying a fine, but I do think that the fine that he quoted to me ($1,016.00) is ridiculous. I am a paramedic for the state of Georgia and consider myself to be a good driver, having driven an ambulance as an EMT for 2 1/2 years. My last ticket was a non traffic citation for a expired tag that I had forgotten about and I received a speeding ticket around 4 years ago and one when I was 18. I am 24 now. I am very shocked at this point about the fine and just want to know what course I should take to at least get the fine reduced. I cannot honestly afford an extra 1,000 bucks because I am recovering from an on the job knee injury and have been receiving workers comp at around half my weekly wages for the past month and a half. Is there anything I can do? A relative suggested pleading nolo? I really don't have a clue what that means. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[seniorjudge]

You may want to have a friendly chat with the prosecutor.

But, be warned, don't use that "I was speeding in an area I am not familiar with" routine. That is an aggravating factor!

[BScott8732]

Thanks for the advice! but at the risk of sounding dumb (to get this worked out, I really don't care how dumb I sound ) How do I find out who that is or even go about finding them? Would I just talk to them at the court date? or plead "Not Guilty" and talk to them at a later court date? Sorry to sound ignorant, but when it comes to legal stuff, I pretty much am.