Reckless Driving -- What is the penalty?

[sps...@my-deja.com]

Hi,

I got a Reckless Driving ticket a few days ago
in Virginia -- I was clocked at 85 mph by an
officer using a radar gun. I have to appear in
court in Virginia now, and I'm wondering what
kind of penalty I can expect, and how will it
affect my insurance?

I have never had an accident in 17 years of
driving, and I have no tickets on my record, all
that even though I have had two jobs as a driver
(pizza delivery and as a courier). Will that
information help in court?

Also, I can't help wondering whether my New
York plates made me a bit of a target, because I
was surprised that my speed was clocked at 85. It
is not like me to drive like that, every time I
checked the speed I was going around 77, give or
take a couple mph. (the speed limit was 65mph).
Should I mention that, or do you think it might
anger the judge?

I would be greatful for you input.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

[andy]

I am a police officer in Virginia so perhaps I can help you.

> I got a Reckless Driving ticket a few days ago
> in Virginia -- I was clocked at 85 mph by an
> officer using a radar gun. I have to appear in
> court in Virginia now, and I'm wondering what
> kind of penalty I can expect, and how will it
> affect my insurance?

The charge was appropriate. In Va., by statute, Reckless Driving is
driving on any highway at 80mph or more, 20 mph above the speed limit,
or any act that is "a wanton willful disregard for life or property".
You didn't mention where in Virginia.
Penalty-wise I have some bad news and good news. The bad news is, you
could face up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2500 fine, plus suspension
of your driver's license. The good news is, it is very rare for you to
face those penalties. Different judges handle situations like this
differently...but my best guess would be you would probably face a fine
of around $60 plus $30 court costs. I would suggest that you obtain a
copy of your DMV driving record from your homestate and bring that into
court. It is unlikely the officer would have it, so that can be used to
substantiate your good driving record. The second thing I would suggest
that you do is go to a garage that performs speedometer calibrations and
get a calibration and bring that to court. If your speedometer is off,
the judge may take that into consideration and lower the charge.
(Example- you were charged with 85mph/65zone...if you speedometer were
10 mph off, you may be convicted of speeding 75mph/65zone). If your
speedometer is off, then have the garage make an appropriate repair and
bring that repair receipt into court with you. This will show the court
you have made a good faith effort to correct the problem. At this
point, just throw yourself on the mercy of the court. With this
particular charge, you could be entitled to have an attorney represent
you, unless the prosecutor waives (agrees you will not go to jail under
any circumstances) jail time. If jail time is not waived (which I would
be surprised), then the case will be continued to allow time for you to
retain an attorney, or you could waive your right to an attorney there
on the spot. If the case is continued, then you will, of course have to
make another appearance in court.

>
> Also, I can't help wondering whether my New
> York plates made me a bit of a target, because I
> was surprised that my speed was clocked at 85. It

Not likely.

Andy

[sps...@my-deja.com]

Thanks for responding. I'll get those driving records right away (the
last few years in NY, and the 14 before that in CA).

By the way, in answer to you're question, I am to appear in Rockbridge.

Do you know how many points will be added to my record for insurance
purposes if the final charge is Reckless Driving?

Again, thanks.

In article <3756EA...@roanoke.infi.net>,

[rh]

I got a reckless driving citation for 90 in a 65 on I-81 in Rockingham
county a while back. Result: 60 days suspended, 105 dollar fine(this
includes the substantial court costs), PLUS, an additional 60 bucks to
get my license back. Since then my insurance has gone DOWN $133/year
(down 23%).

sps...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> Hi,

>
> I got a Reckless Driving ticket a few days ago
> in Virginia -- I was clocked at 85 mph by an

[snip]

>
> I would be greatful for you input.
>

> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

--
- -rh r...@vt.edu

..-.. ..-..
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( ___ ) \/(___)\/
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\ |.-.| / \ .---.(O)
\|| ||/ \|\\\||_|
`\| |/' |\\\|
| | |\\\|
`_' |\\\|
`---'

[speedy]

Seems to vary a lot by judge. I went to court today and everyone charged with
reckless driving got off REAL easy. In particular a women charged with 82/55
gets the charge reduced to something like "improper driving" ( i think that's
what it was--something real minor ) if she attends a one day traffic school. I
was charged with 70/55 and will get it dismissed completely if I go to traffic
school. I was the last person there and everybody who appeared before the judge
got off easy accept one guy charged with reckless driving (90/55) who had a
lawyer. He got 100 fine, 90 days suspended. This was in Rappahannock county,
Virginia.

In article <7j4br6$vfi$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>, sps...@my-deja.com says...