What is the name of your state? Fairfax VA
Ok long time reader first time poster here...hello all
So the other day I leave work and start to head home, it was Friday, nice weather, I was feeling good until....
I work near rt66 and the rt28 (exit 53) connection. On my way home I hopped on rt66 for about 3/4 mile before reaching the exit I take to go home (rt28)... So I go to start merging over to get off of rt66 and on to my exit (rt28) (I was in the lane next to the HOV lane). I am mentioning this part because I don’t know what the officer observed...anyways...
I start to merge off of 66 (traffic was hauling tail 65-75mph). I put on my right blinker and look over my shoulder. I was going to merge over but a SUV was not having it and closed the gap so I speed up a little and merged in front of the vehicle that was in front of him. I then proceeded to merge again and again until I was finally at my exit...
I start going up the exit (speed limit 25 mph) I was the last car is a small convoy of cars going up the exit ramp. In front of me there were 3 vehicle I remember A black pick up truck, in front of him the was a cement truck, in front of him there was a dump truck I was last in the convoy. As I was approaching the crest of the ramp I observed all North bound traffic stopped at a red light (no one was moving in my direction behind me) when I got to the top of the merge and was able to get over, I went all the way over to the left lane, I did not pause, I did so quickly, I did so right at the point the line starts to break indicating I am able to merge. I would never have pulled fast out like that had I not have seen the traffic stopped at the light.
So I start my long drive home (to the end of rt28)...coming off the ramp there are 2 lights with in about 200 yards, I remember slowing to a rolling stop as I came to the first one however when one light turns green they both turn green so I continue to drive...I had almost made it under the second light when I see an SUV flying up on my tail...Its an unmarked FCC (Fairfax County Cop) He lights me up and I pull over immediately (about 40-50 yards past the second light).
So he comes up to my car identifies himself (as if I did not know) and asks for my license and registration. I produce the items for him and he looks at my windshield (a rock impact from a couple of months ago had turned into a cracked windshield about 2 days before hand). He makes a mention of the broken windshield and says something to the effect of got you going 72 in a 45 (no indication as to how) he also said I cut off a black truck (perhaps the black pickup?) I did not really say anything back to him other then the common response "I did not think I was going that fast" which was no lie....
I sat there for 15 minutes and he returned with two tickets in hand one for a defective windshield (I had it replaced the next day) and another that cited me for Reckless Driving (46.2-852). I said "wow RD, is there anything that you can do to make the offense one that I don’t have to go to court for? or make it so its prepay able?" His response was "No not how you were driving"...then there was a moment of awkward silence...then he started to have me sign the tickets and give me the ticket information blah blah blah.
After I signed the tickets he says, "your driving is going to get someone killed", "Be careful pulling back out"...,I said thank you and we went our separate ways....
Ok so this is turning into the longest post ever so I will try and wrap it up (just wanted to paint a picture)...
So this is the situation, I have to go to court on March 21st...I have hired a lawyer (from a reputable office $1800). I completed a Driver improvement program (should give me +5 to my current driving balance of -4 for a total of +1)... I plan on wearing a suit and being respectful and in good appearance...
My current DMV record lists 4 convictions for a balance of -4 (2 speeding, 1 fail to obey highway sign, and 1 RD)
The RD happened when I was younger (19 at the time) back in 98...so it was about 6 and a half years ago...In that case I represented myself (basically bent over and grabbed my ankles and took on for the team)
So here I am mid-twenties, a good job, a gf of 9 years (I think of her as my wife)
I drive a sports car(love the car), and I have plans to go on a vacation with her on March 26th (bad timing for a RD charge). Needless to say this has been causing me major issues already and I have not even gone to court.
I know the charge, and the possible penalties (at least on a first time offense) and I am not looking to proclaim my innocence (will save that for court) but what I am wondering is the following
1. Stories of similar situations and the outcomes
2. Personal oppiniouns as to the severity of my punishment
3. If no plea can be reached and for whatever reason I am found guilty am I going to jail? How long can I expect to be in jail?
I cant eat, cant think straight, cant sleep, have been miserable for the last 2 weeks....I have searched the web (over a 1000 sites) and cant find a similar situation that provided an outcome....
So with that said any positive/negative responses are welcomed and appreciated… Thank you for your time.
Ok long time reader first time poster here...hello all
So the other day I leave work and start to head home, it was Friday, nice weather, I was feeling good until....
I work near rt66 and the rt28 (exit 53) connection. On my way home I hopped on rt66 for about 3/4 mile before reaching the exit I take to go home (rt28)... So I go to start merging over to get off of rt66 and on to my exit (rt28) (I was in the lane next to the HOV lane). I am mentioning this part because I don’t know what the officer observed...anyways...
I start to merge off of 66 (traffic was hauling tail 65-75mph). I put on my right blinker and look over my shoulder. I was going to merge over but a SUV was not having it and closed the gap so I speed up a little and merged in front of the vehicle that was in front of him. I then proceeded to merge again and again until I was finally at my exit...
I start going up the exit (speed limit 25 mph) I was the last car is a small convoy of cars going up the exit ramp. In front of me there were 3 vehicle I remember A black pick up truck, in front of him the was a cement truck, in front of him there was a dump truck I was last in the convoy. As I was approaching the crest of the ramp I observed all North bound traffic stopped at a red light (no one was moving in my direction behind me) when I got to the top of the merge and was able to get over, I went all the way over to the left lane, I did not pause, I did so quickly, I did so right at the point the line starts to break indicating I am able to merge. I would never have pulled fast out like that had I not have seen the traffic stopped at the light.
So I start my long drive home (to the end of rt28)...coming off the ramp there are 2 lights with in about 200 yards, I remember slowing to a rolling stop as I came to the first one however when one light turns green they both turn green so I continue to drive...I had almost made it under the second light when I see an SUV flying up on my tail...Its an unmarked FCC (Fairfax County Cop) He lights me up and I pull over immediately (about 40-50 yards past the second light).
So he comes up to my car identifies himself (as if I did not know) and asks for my license and registration. I produce the items for him and he looks at my windshield (a rock impact from a couple of months ago had turned into a cracked windshield about 2 days before hand). He makes a mention of the broken windshield and says something to the effect of got you going 72 in a 45 (no indication as to how) he also said I cut off a black truck (perhaps the black pickup?) I did not really say anything back to him other then the common response "I did not think I was going that fast" which was no lie....
I sat there for 15 minutes and he returned with two tickets in hand one for a defective windshield (I had it replaced the next day) and another that cited me for Reckless Driving (46.2-852). I said "wow RD, is there anything that you can do to make the offense one that I don’t have to go to court for? or make it so its prepay able?" His response was "No not how you were driving"...then there was a moment of awkward silence...then he started to have me sign the tickets and give me the ticket information blah blah blah.
After I signed the tickets he says, "your driving is going to get someone killed", "Be careful pulling back out"...,I said thank you and we went our separate ways....
Ok so this is turning into the longest post ever so I will try and wrap it up (just wanted to paint a picture)...
So this is the situation, I have to go to court on March 21st...I have hired a lawyer (from a reputable office $1800). I completed a Driver improvement program (should give me +5 to my current driving balance of -4 for a total of +1)... I plan on wearing a suit and being respectful and in good appearance...
My current DMV record lists 4 convictions for a balance of -4 (2 speeding, 1 fail to obey highway sign, and 1 RD)
The RD happened when I was younger (19 at the time) back in 98...so it was about 6 and a half years ago...In that case I represented myself (basically bent over and grabbed my ankles and took on for the team)
So here I am mid-twenties, a good job, a gf of 9 years (I think of her as my wife)
I drive a sports car(love the car), and I have plans to go on a vacation with her on March 26th (bad timing for a RD charge). Needless to say this has been causing me major issues already and I have not even gone to court.
I know the charge, and the possible penalties (at least on a first time offense) and I am not looking to proclaim my innocence (will save that for court) but what I am wondering is the following
1. Stories of similar situations and the outcomes
2. Personal oppiniouns as to the severity of my punishment
3. If no plea can be reached and for whatever reason I am found guilty am I going to jail? How long can I expect to be in jail?
I cant eat, cant think straight, cant sleep, have been miserable for the last 2 weeks....I have searched the web (over a 1000 sites) and cant find a similar situation that provided an outcome....
So with that said any positive/negative responses are welcomed and appreciated… Thank you for your time.
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