About a month ago, I got a reckless driving ticket (46.2-862) here in VA. I was heading to South Carolina to meetup with a friend of mine who just arrived from Baghdad. I was doing 85 mph on a 65 mph highway, which automatically translates into reckless driving for two reasons. One, I was doing 20 mph above the speed limit. Two, I was above 80 mph. Anyway, I knew it was a big deal, cause my buddy Adam had told me about it multiple times, and yet I managed to get one. I figured I should look online and see what’s so scary about this reckless driving thing.
What I’ve learned online was shocking and really scared me. This whole thing with the reckless driving being a class one misdemeanor, really bothered me for two straight weeks. Apparently, a reckless driving ticket in VA means, a class one misdemeanor which is a permanent criminal record and six points on my driving record. It also means that I have to disclose it every time I apply for a job, or deal with the immigration office or even the insurance company, so that made me take it very very seriously. After reading online for days, I decided to get a lawyer from a place close to the court where I was suppose to go for a trial. I found one online, with one positive review and that was good enough for me. I called him and explained the situation, then he asked me a few questions about my driving record and whether I had any other speeding or reckless driving tickets. After talking to the lawyer for ten minutes or so, I decided to hire him.
Today was my trial day, and the lawyer was able to reduce the charge to improper driving (46.2-869), which was an excellent outcome, since it translates into 3 points instead of 6 and no criminal record. The lawyer charged me $350, which I paid upfront when I hired him over the phone, and the court fee was $71 plus $200 for the reduced ticket itself. Now to me, paying $621 to make a criminal record go away, is a pretty sweet deal.
So here’s my advise to you, if you got a reckless driving ticket, don’t ignore it, and don’t act like its not a big deal because it is. Don’t cheap out and get a lawyer, a good lawyer will save your ass like he saved mine, plus you won’t have to show up in court, which was a major inconvenience in my case since my court was four hours away from where I live.
I hope you found this information helpful, and please don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have any questions..
Thanks for the detailed information. I too got the same ticket yesterday for
81(driving)/60(posted). Can I have your lawyer information? Thanks in advance…
@Rajesh
I’m sorry to hear that.. Below is Andrew Weaver’s contact information. He was able to reduce my reckless driving ticket to a traffic infraction, I hope he can do the same for you. Good luck!
Emporia Virginia Speeding Ticket Lawyer
Andrew E. Weaver
Attorney At Law
P.O. Box 187
Emporia, VA 23847
(434)634-4019
E-mail: weaverlaw@lycos.com
I need to retain an attorney for this same infraction. My court date is set for June 17th in the General District Court (Traffic). I was on my way to Lumberton, NC on a family emergency, with just my 9 year old twins and my 7 month old puppy. I was driving a rental car that I was still not used to. Anyway, I was cited for driving 85 in a 70. I have not had a ticket of any kind in over 12 years. I called to prepay the ticket because the officer checked the box indicating that I did not have to appear in court and I was told that the I could prepay but that my license would automatically be suspended for 30 days. Please advise.
I am sorry to hear that. What did the officer charge you with? Reckless driving? If so, I strongly advise against prepaying it. Because you’re basically agreeing to a misdemeanor offense, meaning a criminal record for life. From what you’re saying, you should have a very good driving record, which should help in your trial. I think you should bite the bullet, hire a lawyer, and have him/her explain the situation to the judge. I am pretty sure you’ll be able to get it reduced from a misdemeanor to a traffic infraction (no criminal record). Below is the contact info for the lawyer I hired. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck.
Andrew E. Weaver
Attorney At Law
P.O. Box 187
Emporia, VA 23847
(434)634-4019
E-mail: weaverlaw@lycos.com
Thanks for your advice. Was it extremely expensive to retain this attorney?
The lawyer charged me $350, and the ticket fine was $200.. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Bro,
I am in the similar situation. Would you recommend Weaver? I read good stuff about him and he makes a good impression over the phone. I still have my doubts. How did he get you reduced? If you want you can email me
Yes. I recommend him.
Is there a way you can email me how he ended up reducing it? Did you just plead to the court saying that it will affect your career negatively and asked the to raise your fine but reduce this to simple infraction? Or did he find the foul play on the officer side? My email address is attached. I would really appreciate it!
Hi, I got the same ticket for 91/55 (PACE). I got a speeding ticket before 6 months ago for 40/25 residential zone. I appeared in court and fine was reduced greatly. I was pregnant then and was coming from Dr office and i was upset about what doctor said about my baby and this wont go off my mind and did not notice speed.
This time it is Thanksgiving holiday. Roads were empty and i speeded up to go fast to my office which is in MD. I got 91/55 ticket. I have a 5 month old baby and i am scared to death as what would happen. What about my license. i have so many doctor appts for my baby. please help
@Jyo,
I was charged with another reckless earlier this year, and ended up getting another lawyer from the same area that I live in. The lawyer was able to reduce the ticket to speeding if I recall correctly. I think you should get a lawyer ASAP, and him/her negotiate a deal where you pay a higher fine, but reduce the ticket itself. Goodluck.
Hey Yabood, I picked upa ticket in Greesville county. Who did you hire this time? I talked to Andrew and he sounds nice and reliable. His costs are on the higher side though. Were you able to find a less expensive and reliable attorney?
Jerry,
I apologize, I don’t know any other lawyers in that area. I think what Andrew charged me at the time was very reasonable. I got a second reckless driving ticket about a year later in Fairfax, and ended up spending 2K on lawyers and court fees. My suggestion to you would be to bite the bullet, and go with Andrew. He knows what he’s doing, and will get the ticket reduced for sure. Good luck.