- Apr 10, 2001
- 48,775
- 3
- 81
On my birthday I was late to my party and got stopped and cited for reckless driving on the way.
80 in a 55
I am really quite vexed as to what I should do, and I am thinking of pleading guilty.
I do not have a lawyer and getting one would bankrupt me so here is my explanation:
I was going at pace with traffic on 495 North at a speed of about 70-75 with traffic. There is this one left exit (god I hate left exit) that usually makes the fast lane slow down and such so I went around it, accelerating. It turns out that the mustang I passed was a cop, who quickly got into my lane, shot the laser and flashed the lights
I was in a disspointed state of shock at my idiocy and didn't really tell the cop much except that I was sorry and said yes when he asked me if I understood that I was speeding. I didn't want to lie so I kept my mouth shut and sulked in hsi presense.
basically, I was going to plead not guilty to the judge and attempt to explain that I was indeed quilty of speeding but was in full control of my car and was going only a little faster than traffic to pass the cars on the left. That said, I am starting to rethink this in that it might be futile, but "always plead not guilty, right?"
I am attempting to see if pleading not guilty might hurt me more than help me. My state(virginia) ahs an automatic reckless charge associated with going 20mph over the limit.
I still have to analyze the charge closely with the written law to see if I can find a way out of this.
For reference , I was cahrged with reckless driving a few years ago when I supposedly cut someone off and they lsot control of their car, but there was no contact. These two cars had been blockign me in for over a mile and I jsut wanted to get away from them as it was dangerous (they kept slowing down and speeding up and such). I frankly think they weren't paying attention when I changed into their lane (turn signal was used and everything) and were just bad drivers that got spooked. They also lied in court, or didn't actually pay attention to what happened and told the judge false information. I even informed the judge about this, questioning their testimony during the trial. I gave a rather lackluster performance as I was nervous as hell, so I got left with a charge of "improper driving." I was going with the flow of traffic in this case so it was not speeding related. In fact I was going around 49 in a 45.
In addition, about a year before that I was charged with reckless driving for going 55 in a 35mph industrial area. people usually go much faster so I got confident and unfortunately didn't see the cop. I realized I was in the wrong and plead not quilty and the judge let it go under the condition that I take a driving test, which I did.
Bah..this is getting too long, I am sleepy as hell, and I am starting to ramble...
This is what I was planning on saying, altought it is quick unspecific as I ahve written it here.
Basically, I was thinking about pleading not guilty and telling the judge that I do acknowledge that I was speeding and feel remourseful about it but do not feel that the charge of reckless driving was approiate. I was for the most part going with traffic until I decided to quickly pass some cars before and during the portion of the road where this exit is. I was in complete control of vehicle which I unfortuantely cannot prove. I drive 100s if not thousands of miles a week, a barring a couple of incidents, have a decent driving record. I have helped out numerous stranded drivers, once helped the cops track down a hit and run suspect, and am not by any means a menace on the road. I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt, I ALWAYS use my turn signals, even when other cars aren't on the road, I alsmost always drive with two hands on the steering wheel at 9 amd 3 o'clock, and almost never talk on the phone when I am driving, prefering to stop on the side of the raod to talk. The worst I am guilty of when driving is eating while I go to clients houses.
In addition, I would like to let the judge know that I am not trying to be arrogant.
I use my car for school all week and for work as well. I would be hardpressed to make such a foolish mistake as the one I made on anyday but my birthday. I really respect the Laws of the state of virginia and that is not a lie. I value school and work above all else and try to make sure that I do not jeopardize them in any way..
bah..I am goign to sleep
80 in a 55
I am really quite vexed as to what I should do, and I am thinking of pleading guilty.
I do not have a lawyer and getting one would bankrupt me so here is my explanation:
I was going at pace with traffic on 495 North at a speed of about 70-75 with traffic. There is this one left exit (god I hate left exit) that usually makes the fast lane slow down and such so I went around it, accelerating. It turns out that the mustang I passed was a cop, who quickly got into my lane, shot the laser and flashed the lights
basically, I was going to plead not guilty to the judge and attempt to explain that I was indeed quilty of speeding but was in full control of my car and was going only a little faster than traffic to pass the cars on the left. That said, I am starting to rethink this in that it might be futile, but "always plead not guilty, right?"
I am attempting to see if pleading not guilty might hurt me more than help me. My state(virginia) ahs an automatic reckless charge associated with going 20mph over the limit.
I still have to analyze the charge closely with the written law to see if I can find a way out of this.
For reference , I was cahrged with reckless driving a few years ago when I supposedly cut someone off and they lsot control of their car, but there was no contact. These two cars had been blockign me in for over a mile and I jsut wanted to get away from them as it was dangerous (they kept slowing down and speeding up and such). I frankly think they weren't paying attention when I changed into their lane (turn signal was used and everything) and were just bad drivers that got spooked. They also lied in court, or didn't actually pay attention to what happened and told the judge false information. I even informed the judge about this, questioning their testimony during the trial. I gave a rather lackluster performance as I was nervous as hell, so I got left with a charge of "improper driving." I was going with the flow of traffic in this case so it was not speeding related. In fact I was going around 49 in a 45.
In addition, about a year before that I was charged with reckless driving for going 55 in a 35mph industrial area. people usually go much faster so I got confident and unfortunately didn't see the cop. I realized I was in the wrong and plead not quilty and the judge let it go under the condition that I take a driving test, which I did.
Bah..this is getting too long, I am sleepy as hell, and I am starting to ramble...
This is what I was planning on saying, altought it is quick unspecific as I ahve written it here.
Basically, I was thinking about pleading not guilty and telling the judge that I do acknowledge that I was speeding and feel remourseful about it but do not feel that the charge of reckless driving was approiate. I was for the most part going with traffic until I decided to quickly pass some cars before and during the portion of the road where this exit is. I was in complete control of vehicle which I unfortuantely cannot prove. I drive 100s if not thousands of miles a week, a barring a couple of incidents, have a decent driving record. I have helped out numerous stranded drivers, once helped the cops track down a hit and run suspect, and am not by any means a menace on the road. I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt, I ALWAYS use my turn signals, even when other cars aren't on the road, I alsmost always drive with two hands on the steering wheel at 9 amd 3 o'clock, and almost never talk on the phone when I am driving, prefering to stop on the side of the raod to talk. The worst I am guilty of when driving is eating while I go to clients houses.
In addition, I would like to let the judge know that I am not trying to be arrogant.
I use my car for school all week and for work as well. I would be hardpressed to make such a foolish mistake as the one I made on anyday but my birthday. I really respect the Laws of the state of virginia and that is not a lie. I value school and work above all else and try to make sure that I do not jeopardize them in any way..
bah..I am goign to sleep