Okay...basically I got pulled over for going 85 in a 60. Got a "summons" reckless driving and a mandatory court appearance on the way to the beach in NC(I now have to go 5hrs away for court). The next day I got letters in the mail from local lawyers in VA offering their services to save me from big trouble. My only prior ticket was a 10 over that I got probation for judgement over 2yrs ago. Technically do I have a clean record now? I learned my lesson with this incident but really am trying to spend as little as possible. I am in college and pay everything myself and don't have money to waste. My main question is, do I really need to hire a lawyer for this? What does this normally cost? Please help! I am in deperate need of your experience!
VA Reckless Driving "Summon"...Lawyer needed?
- Thread starter IEatRiceGT
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drakesdad
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It's been over 15 years since I lived there and things may have changed but this is how I got those tickets reduced........throw a larger gear for the speedo in the car and if needed add taller tires and throw your speedo off.......take the car to a shop and have it calibrated and get the slip showing how far you are off.........I did this about 5 times in the late 80's and got it dropped to a improper equipment............like I said .....been years but I don't think they have gotten rid of the improper equipment.........I wish you luck.....
gustang818
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- Mar 10, 2006
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In an ideal world you would have the money to hire an attorney familiar with VA traffic law and the judge, prosecutor, and complaining officer. I don't know what the law is in VA but here in Michigan you don't have to show up for a civil infraction if you have a lawyer and he is authorized to enter a plea for you. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor here and you would have to show up for that. You may want to call some lawyers in the town that the court is located in and ask them about your ticket, what it would cost to defend it, whether it is something you could fight yourself, and if so, how. They would be able to tell you what VA law is and what to expect. I'd be leery of the ambulance chasers that are sending you letters in the mail.
In Michigan points from tkts stay on your driving record for 3 years. Your master driving record will show all convictions for 7 years. Convictions in another state are generally reported to your home state. I don't know what the "probation for judgment" means. Did they tell you if you didn't get any tickets during the probation period that the points/tkt would be dismissed? If so, you may have a clean record--a big plus.
I replied to Synned's post about a civil infraction ticket and if you decide to fight this yourself, you might find some of the information there helpful.
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=649007
Based on my experience here in Michigan I would think that if the reckless driving charge is a misdemeanor they will probably only let you bargain it down to a civil infraction speeding ticket with points. If it is a misdemeanor ticket and I was in your place, I would get a lawyer. Good luck.
In Michigan points from tkts stay on your driving record for 3 years. Your master driving record will show all convictions for 7 years. Convictions in another state are generally reported to your home state. I don't know what the "probation for judgment" means. Did they tell you if you didn't get any tickets during the probation period that the points/tkt would be dismissed? If so, you may have a clean record--a big plus.
I replied to Synned's post about a civil infraction ticket and if you decide to fight this yourself, you might find some of the information there helpful.
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=649007
Based on my experience here in Michigan I would think that if the reckless driving charge is a misdemeanor they will probably only let you bargain it down to a civil infraction speeding ticket with points. If it is a misdemeanor ticket and I was in your place, I would get a lawyer. Good luck.
gustang818
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- Mar 10, 2006
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If you're indigent [wink wink] you can get a court-appointed lawyer for misdemeanor/felony cases. Call the court clerk and ask. Sometimes though they make you pay for it but it is a lot less than retaining an attorney. Around here I think it's like $250 for a plea bargain type case. If you don't know the VA court system you really should have an attorney to keep them from taking advantage of you.
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