I am 90% sure that in the Commonwealth of VA 80mph on any public hwy is considered "Reckless by Speed." The officer could have been nice and wrote 79 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and gotten you off on speeding ticket.

I think at this point since he's already paying $570/mo. with 1 pt on his record it wouldn't matter whether he gets a reckless or a speeding ticket. That is just too much. Good luck.

 

Technically, an officer can write up anything he deems as reckless driving. The written law is very vague:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...0+cod+46.2-852

Typically though, anything 20mph over the posted speed limit or anything over 80mph would be considered Reckless. Therefore, with your statement, even the 79mph in a posted 55 zone could be written up as reckless.

That being said, to my knowledge it is at the officer's discretion what he charges the driver with. He has the power to write up a Reckless charge, but can also be nice and write up a Speeding charge.

There are officers, and people that used to be officers, on this site that can speak more to this. I apologize to you guys if I have made any incorrect statements.

I agree with the statement that $570/month is way too much, hence the 1st part of my post. I beg to differ though on your comment that it does not matter if he gets a reckless or a speeding charge. It matters BIG TIME if he gets a reckless as opposed to a speeding ticket in terms of possible punishment, not to even mention the civil penalties. Even if he sells his S2000, this would still be on his record.

 

Technically, strictly by the book, you can get a reckless for not using your turn signal.

 

you all are correct, depending on what the officer wrote. whether wreckeless or speeding the judge has the ability to amend it from the bench, either way benifical to you or to hurt you.

 

he actually did charge with me reckless. on the ticket it says .. "R.D"/ reckless driving.. should i even consider a court appointed lawyer?

 

for everyone saying he should sell the car, you guys are ridiculous. if he has the money to pay for insurance and isnt bitching about it, let it be. its not your place.

id get a lawyer. not a court appointed lawyer but a real good lawyer.

i got pulled over for almost the same thing.

1. 82 in a 55. 6 point ticket
2. Following to closely (Tailgating) 5 point ticket

$378 in court fees and $400 lawyer fees later, i walked out with 0 points on my license and a clean record. problem solved.

 

That'd be BEFORE the MANDATORY Civil Remedial Fees Virginia is now imposing for these kinds of offenses, right? And the fact that points for driving offenses remain on the offender's license for up to 11 years now?

It's not as rosy a landscape anymore.

 

In what state and when did this occur?

 

i wouldnt get a court appointed lawyer. not unless you like the idea of walking in, with a loss.
a private attorny makes a lot more than a court appointed one, also they generally, have more expirence than the court appointed ones. the court appointed ones are generally noobs, to the system and take cases to learn the ropes. with the new civil penalties this is not a time to have someone defending you, that is trying to learn the ropes.

*grammar disclamer.....i made gramatical mistakes....and there is NOTHING that you can do about it...lol

 

get a lawyer dude. or if you really want to make a statement in court, you could do two birds with one stone and sell the S and let them know that you had sold the S because it was too tempting for you to drive fast in it and are going to buy a slower less sporty car. that way you can get lower insurance and really show the judge that youre taking the initiative to slow down and be more responsible. judge see kids as irresponsible beings based solely on age. shouldnt be biased as a judge but you know what...it happens. only down side..you lose the S lol which sucks but might be better for you in the meantime. few years later pick another one up. theyll still be S2ks around. hell look at mr2s lol we got a tuner car that will be around for awhile.