Reckless -78 in a 55 - Fairfax, VA

[mandymb520]

Fairfax, VA -- I was clocked going 78 in a 55 on I-495. It was about 4am, I was on way way to NC for vacation, conditions were clear. I have a Pennsylvania drivers license, and my record is completely clean. Going more than 20 miles over the speed limit in VA is considered reckless driving. My question is because I was only going 23mph over, do I have a chance to get the charges reduced to only speeding? Do I need a lawyer or will I end up paying more for the lawyer than I will for the fine? Also will I get points on my PA license? My court date is fastly approaching, any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[cranger]

Because that's barely over the threshold for reckless driving and you have a clean record, I'd say you have an excellent chance at getting it reduced. However, you'll almost certainly need a lawyer. Defendents can not plea directly with the prosecutor in Fairfax, it has to be through a lawyer. Sucks, but that's the way it is. Even a cheap lawyer should be able to get this one reduced, though. Take the reckless charge seriously, though, as it'll go down as a misdemeanor on your record if not reduced. Virginia's pretty harsh that way...

I had my reckless (82 in 55) reduced to Improper Driving. I have a MD license, so had the same question you do about points. I checked my record after a while, and the Improper Driving was there, but did not have any points attached to it. Maybe it's because MD doesn't have an Improper Driving infraction on its books... I don't know... But the infraction will almost certainly get back to PA.

[mdljhu]

I have an out of state case currently, and am licensed in PA. Here's what I found based on the DLC between member states:
[url]http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-dlc.pdf[/url]

Although reported to PennDOT, minor traffic offenses such as speeding, red light, stop sign, etc., will
(NOT) appear on your driving record, unless you are a CDL holder. Points will not be assessed to
your PA driving record when convicted of a point related offense in a DLC member state.