Reckless Driving Virginia

What is the name of your state?
Virginia

OK, here goes. I just completed a upgrade on my classic car's braking system.
Went from old four wheel drum brakes to modern four wheel disc brakes.

I took it out Sunday after two days of converting the system. Evetytime I tried the brakes with moderate pressure the back wheels would lock up but not the front. Dragging the rear wheels.

I was doing this in the country, away from houses, etc.

I went back home and adjusted the rear brake prop. valve. (It is suppose to help) and went out to check them again.

I returned to the same area and tried a stop from 40 mph in a 55 zone. Well. the same thing happend, rears locked up and I released the pedal. I did not hold it and come to a stop. Now I am going back home to try and figure out the problem when I am pulled over.
Seems the cop was several hundred yard behind me and saw smoke off of my rear tires.

I explain to him that the brakes are new and not working properly. He says he had a complaint of someone squealing tires. That was properly me earlier, but I explained that I was not spinning tire but trying to get my brakes adjusted correctly.

He agreed that I was only going about 40 mph, but still wrote me for reckless driving, failure to maintain brake control. He said I should not be checking the brakes on the highway. (where elde would one check them, even brake shops have to drive the cares thay work on)

I have not yet figured out what is wrong with the car. Waiting on help from a mechanic friend.

The officier said if I brought documentation from a shop tha the brakes have been fixed, he would recommend to the judge to reduce the charge to improper equipment. (Why he didn't write it for that I don't know. I had to get the car towed, because he said I could not drive it improper brakes, which seems to support what I was telling him)

I plan to take the receits from where I bought my brakes and any work done to correct the problem. Also, I have a clean record for the last 14 years.

What do you think, and should I get a lawyer or go it alone.

Sorry for the long post,

[maddoggieD]

Do you trust the officer? If so, then you might go it alone in court. However, you are playing with fire here.

This is a CRIMINAL CHARGE not a traffic offence. RECKLESS DRIVING is a Class 1 Misdemeanor offence in Virginia - that means a CRIMINAL RECORD upon conviction.

Get a lawyer to deal with the cop at the court for you to make sure the charge is reduced to a "traffic infraction" such as Improper Equipment.

Good luck.