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Hi
While driving to Florida, a few days ago, I was very stupid and ran a foul of a Virginia State Trooper. On a nice Sunday morning, little traffic and a good road #17 just south of I 66, I got nailed for 74 in a 55 zone, my fault I just got careless. My concern is whether there are any possible repercussions from "pleading guilty" and paying the ticket. I did a quick Google check and it seems I escaped the "reckless driving" charge by 1 mph but to your knowledge can Virginia come after me if I simply pay the ticket and not be represented in court? There are some horror stories circulating north of the border especially concerning NY state where after paying the ticket the drivers got nailed for a second offense and a big fine. Should I have any concerns?
Any advice that members might have would be greatly appreciated.
Steve
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You should be able to just mail in your fine and be done with it. Virigina is one of those states that you just take it easy in and don't fool around, they love to collect revenue and they banned radar detectors so they can collect more.
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(This post was last modified: 03-04-2010, 10:46 AM by
banditsc.)
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Being a Virginia resident and contributing a fair sum of monies to this same "fund", I don't know of any issues you will have by simply paying the ticket. Your summons should indicate whether a court appearance is necessary and if not, just mail them a check. Keep a copy of the summons for your records and mail it registered/certified/return receipt if you want. All of the info is on the reverse of the summons but you can always call and double check just to be safe. There is a deadline of when you need to pre-pay by so failure to do so in a timely manner will mean you must go to court. Hope that helps.
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My last 19 over in Va I paid on line and all is well as far as I can tell.
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my wife got a ticket with that exact speed. 74 in a 55 traveling RT301. Court appearance was mandatory as stated on the ticket. County's operate different so as Darryl said check the tic.
She went to the MD DMV and obtained a copy of her driving record and had it on hand to show to the judge. Not trying to scare you but she told me that many of the people there had lawyers and the majority had to take a drivers ed course along with paying the fine. Some had points reduced and a reduced fine. This was her first ticket. So along with her copy of the driving record and a plea of guilty the judge let her off with no fines or points. She was ecstatic.
VA is one of the worst places to get a ticket. There were some really strict laws past about 6 years ago making it that way.
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I got one last year arriving VIR. On my way out of VA I stopped by a speedo calibration center and showed my speedo was off by 4 or so miles. Sent the paperwork and $150 to a lawyer and in return I got a defective equipment charge. Did not have to show up.
when I lived in Va Bch, I got out of 90% of my speeding tickets that way or just plea bargaining for a no-point (or reduced point) charge in exchange for full fine.
Last resort is the school.
Between these three options, you should not have to live with that ticket for 3-5 years affecting your insurance rates. It is costlier on the long run....
PS: I just got out of one in Camden, NJ 2 weeks ago. Same thing... no lawyer, just showed up myself, talked to the prosecutor, worked out a deal, found a charge that is not even valid in VA (i still have a VA Dl even though I "live in NJ), and it was a done deal. No points. $175. Went from speeding, weaving, straddling to impeding traffic or something along those lines....
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I'll take the day off and fight any ticket. I find that, in MD, 99% of the time they drop the points and your left with a reduced fine and court fees. Assuming your violation wasn't completely reckless. To this day I have no points.
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I've been to traffic court 3 times and I noticed the judges don't really care about the details in my county. On my last visit, the Judges opening remarks of court session was "A simply plea of guilty or not guilty will suffice. You may give an explanation if you choose but I found that in most cases you're better off if you don't".
From there it was:
-Mr. Smith
-Here
-How do you plea?
-guilty
-fine reduced, no points, $25 court fee.
Next name called
In set'em up, knock 'em down fashion.
PS. my officer didn't show.
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I don't care about points just don't want moving violations showing up on my record since that is what insurance looks at.
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Got one in Philly around the Linc around 2002. It was one of those Porsche moments and I was doing well over 100 on Interstate 95, northbound. I actually saw the cruiser on a side street and thought he could not get to me but alas, I was mistaken. It took him another 3 miles or so to get me, and by that time I had settled down to 84 in a 55. I imagined him going back to the station and bragging, "Oh yah? Well I rang up a red Porsche!"
This was the conversation by the side of the road as driver after driver whizzed by with horns blaring.
Officer: "Pay your fine on time but contest the ticket."
Me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=v17lMr...feature=related
Officer: "The city will get its money. Contest the ticket and go to court and you will have your points removed. Everyone will be happy. Now slow down."
It was all true....
Never got one in VA - I tend to slow down in other states, figuring that my NJ tags will be a beacon for troopers. And as far as the radar detector goes, I have one, but rarely use it because I have successfully talked my way out of so many and figure that the second I get pulled using the thing, I am dead to rights and lose that option.
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