I might get a misdemeanor for reckless driving, what should I do!?

BettyBurnheart — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:31:32 -0800

I'm about to go to trial for a reckless driving charge in the state of Virginia. According to the cop who pulled me over, I was going 95 in a 65 mph zone. I'm very scared right now of what could happen to me. In VA, reckless driving counts as a Misdemeanor. Currently, I work as a Substitute teacher and go to college at night. If I am charged of a Misdemeanor, I could lose my license and possibly my job if my employers do another background check in the future. My driver's license is my lifeline. I'm a young lady in my early 20s who lives on my own, pays my own school tuition, and pays my own rent. There is no one who can drive me around to school and work should I lose my license. I'd basically be...unemployed...unable to go to school...and homeless.

I've taken all the typical steps to avoid the worst in a court conviction. I've hired a lawyer, taken a driver's improvement course, and I'm about to get my boyfriend's car, the car I was driving, calibrated at garage.

Is there anything else I should do? Has anyone else out there been in my shoes? Thanks Metafilter!

I've never had a ticket before, and now I'm Evel Knevel!

aristan — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:15:33 -0800

Last night I was stopped for "Reckless Driving" in Charlotte, NC. The officer stated that I was going 55 in a 35, that I was weaving, and that I hit the curb when she pulled me over. She had me take a breathalyzer test, which I passed. I know you're not my lawyer, but I've never even had a speeding ticket before! What do I need to do? I don't believe I was going 55 in a 35, as the traffic around me was moving faster than I was on a very narrow street. The officer had extremely bright headlights and a spotlight on her car, and they were shining directly in my mirror. I had a hard time seeing the road, and eventually flipped my rearview mirror up so that the lights weren't shining in my eyes. This is when she stopped me. I hit the curb because the area has absolutely no street lights and I simply couldn't see the curb.

She wrote the ticket for 'reckless driving: Driving without due caution in a manner so as to endanger other people or property' but did not include information about the speed, weaving, or anything of that nature. I have to appear in court in June. The officer said that I could talk to the DA and he would discuss getting it dismissed and/or going to traffic school.

Now, I will note that the officer, after giving me the ticket, said that she was -sure- that I had drove while drunk before, and even though she didn't catch me this time, she was going to give me the reckless driving charge to 'teach' me a lesson.

I'd rather not have 4 points on my license! I could have gone over 55MPH in a school zone and only gotten 3 points! Any advice?

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I might get a misdemeanor for reckless driving, what should I do!?

I've never had a ticket before, and now I'm Evel Knevel!