Reckless driving charge VA I-664 should appear in court

[spitla]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? VA

Hi,
this forums seems to be very useful I have gone through many posts in this forum, even though mine looked similar to many posts i still need real valuable advice from the ppl who had similar experience. Here is my case.

I was caught by an officer on I-664 near suffolk, VA at 79/55. I came out of the tunnel maintained 55 in the tunnel and didn't pay much attention to posted speed on the bridge and not sure how much the speed was when officer caught me. He caught me going downhill at the end of the bridge. I immediately reduced my speed to 55 and pulled over. He gave me summons for reckless driving told me to appear before court in august. I have a very clean record for the last couple of years except one speeding ticket on NJTP, NJ in 2002 august. Please advice me what to do? I contacted one lawer in that area and he is too expensive($1200) for me. Please let me know if you know any attorney in suffolk area. I am also thinking of pleading guilty before Judge by myself and request him for reduce the charges. Couple of cases in this forum pleaded guilty and were fined $250 and 15days license suspension. If this is the case where does the class I misdeneour seriousy affects me?

Does it help if i take the driver improvement class before the court date?
If plead guilty, does it affect my insurance and points be added in my record?

Please advice me on this. I really appreciate your valuable advices.

Thanks

[Shay-Pari'e]

Reckless in VA is 20 miles over the limit. It is a whopping 6 points also. Your best bet is to try and get the judge to reduce it to a speeding citation.

Good Luck.

[spitla]

paridise,
Thanks for your reply.
If i go alone and plead guilty before Judge and request him to reduce the charges, are there chances that he will do or should i really need an atorney for that? Attorney seems to be too expensive.

Thanks

[Dougthegreat]

I'd keep looking for legal assistance. The amount that your insurance will go up for a six-point moving violation will probably be equal to or greater than the cost of retaining legal assistance.

[C. R. White]

Reckless in VA is 20 miles over the limit. It is a whopping 6 points also. Your best bet is to try and get the judge to reduce it to a speeding citation.

I received a reckless driving ticket in VA in Nov 2004. I went through a similar procedure in trying to find an attorney locally and couldn't afford it either. The issue is that you must appear in court.

My solution was this: 1) I took a defensive driving course from Taggart (about $30.00); 2) I showed up in court and basically asked the judge to consider that I was both extremely sorry and that I had learned the error of my ways, hence the defensive driving course.
His response: He reduced the speed a few mph (I have learned that they will give you the benefit of 2 - 3 miles with radars and lasers) and fined me court costs and the cost of the fine for that speed. By reducing the mph, it dismissed the reckless driving charge.

I was also able to pay my fine in installments with the understanding that if I missed one or I was late, then I would have my license suspended, etc. I think the fine was about 175.00. Sorry for the length of this response

[DRTDEVL]

Knowing the posters EXACT location for the ticket (exiting the Monitor-Merrimac BT), I just have to say a few things here...

The speed limit on the entire bridge is 55, although nobody goes that slow. The VSP know this, and love to stake out the ends of the bridge. I always felt it should be a 65 zone, but that is besides the point... It is still 55.

This hill you speak of going down... The bridge is only 10 feet above land. There is no real downhill strech there so to speak. I guarantee the judge knows this, as this is the primary route to Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Isle of Wight county from Hampton and Newport News. Don't ever try to bring that one up in court.

Just be honest with us... You were doing what everyone else does. Driving real fast on the bridge because there is no place for a LEO to run radar on the bridge. You were going to slow down anyway when you got to the other side, but he was able to peg you from land before you were able to see him (and subsequently slow down). You are looking for a way out of the ticket, but Suffolk does not play around with reckless tickets.

Get a lawyer, or prepare to lose your license.

[spitla]

Thank you CR White for sharing your experience. I am also planning to do the same thing. I registered to take online driving improvement course and test. I will complete the test and appear before the court myself and request judge to reduce the charges. Mine is 24 over the limit. They have to reduce it to atleast by 5mph to make it to just speeding case. That's what my biggest worry. I can't hire an attorney either as they are asking more than $1000. I will update how it goes.