pancakekiller
Junior Member
I was recently pulled over for 30 in a 25 mph school zone in Fairfax County, Virginia. At the time I was 17, and at the time of my trial I was 17. During the trial, the officer said I was going 35-40 mph, even though he didn't use radar and paced me for around 10 feet while I was trying to pass another car (which everyone else was passing, as it was doing 20). For those not familiar with the area, Fairfax County, especially where I live, is extremely congested. It's difficult to impossible for one car to go significantly faster than the majority of cars around it. When I brought this up in trial, the officer said I was a student, and thus should be more familiar with the school zones than a regular driver. However, I have never attended the school I was in front of, and I don't live in the district for this school. The cop went on to say that it was an "arbitrary case." The judge rolled his eyes and said that yes, it "[was] a trivial offense and ticket" but still gave it to me. Both in court and at my car (I have a witness for the latter) I was told if I was 18, I wouldn't have gotten the ticket. I'm appealling (for the appeal I'll be 18), and it's going to circuit court. There, can I bring up all the stuff about my age and the nonsense that the juvenile court judge said about there being no need to pass a car going 5 miles below the speed limit, that I should get the ticket because I'm a student, the ticket being trivial, etc?
Also, this may be a rehashed question here (and I'm sorry if it is!) but does anybody know if VA allows you to get the officer's notes before the trial?What is the name of your state?
Also, this may be a rehashed question here (and I'm sorry if it is!) but does anybody know if VA allows you to get the officer's notes before the trial?What is the name of your state?