Krazy98Z28

iTrader: (12)

My girlfriend got pulled over and got caught doing 84 MPH in a 65. They are charging her with reckless driving. She has no intention to attend the court hearing cause she lives is Mass. Will this affect her Mass driving record?? Should she just spend the money and hire a lawyer to attend the hearing?? Should she just pay the fine and Mass will never get wind of it??


I was under the impression that a surchargeable offense in another state wouldn't affect your Mass driving record. Does anyone know what we should do?? JLee any thoughts??


Marco

WJ SOM SS

iTrader: (11)

Do your homework on this, Marco. Both the Commonwealth of Ma. and the Commonwealth of Va. do some strange things regarding reckless driving vs. speeding. Could possibly hurt her insurance rating big-time. Make sure you talk w/someone who's positively in-the-know. WJ

ArcticZ28

iTrader: (14)

AFAIK, driving records are shared across state lines so MA could very well find out about it. Regardless, it will most likely be useless to hire a lawyer for reckless here in VA. It's pretty damn strict in certain parts. Where exactly did she get the ticket?

Nasty350LT1

Her insurance company will most definitely find out and her rates will really increase.
Reckless driving is a serious offense. Your girlfriend should go to court and pay the fine. Virginia is not that far.

Krazy98Z28

iTrader: (12)

I'm not sure where exactly in Virginia it happened. Some lawyer sent her a letter stating he would represent her in this case. I guess I am gonna recommend she hire the lawyer to appear. Does anyone have a good lawyer they could recommend, again I'll find out what town the courthouse is in.

Marco

My84Z

iTrader: (18)

reckless is criminal better get a lawyer.

tbyrne

iTrader: (15)

How did the lawyer get her info? Talking to a lawyer would be helpful, especially if the charge can be reduced to something like speeding.

Nautilus

iTrader: (15)

They get the info through the court... I got a ticket in NJ once and got 10-15 letters from lawyers in that area...

Whip

Marco...I had this exact same thing happen. I got a RD in VA, and am also a MA resident. It will follow you home. I got a lawyer, he went to court, cost me 300 bones, but got it reduced to "improper driving" wich is similar to a basic speeding ticket. It will still go on your record, but not as bad. And if I remember right you HAVE to either go to court or have a lawyer go for a reckless. I got 76 in a 55 (Driving the Bay bridge tunnel at 1am coming back from jersey to Norfolk). Either way, bite the bulllet and get the lawyer.

Flamin' bird

iTrader: (24)

As far as I know reckless is mandatory court appearance in VA. May 2005 I was doing 86 in a 60 and it was mandatory to appear. You are allowed one extension...just send them an email and they'll give you one. Can give you a month or two depending on when the stupid cops next court date is. Mine was reduced slightly but still got a reckless and 6 points. $210 fine including court costs. Luckily I didnt get my license suspended like the other 3 girls that were ahead of me in court that got pulled over by the same sucky state trooper.

-Michelle

Flamin' bird

iTrader: (24)

I got those too and found out how the lawyers get that info. Lawyers can look through the upcoming court appearances for any traffic violatations. All they do is just look through them find the defendants and then send out thier info to them. Their almost like Ambulance Chasers!

Krazy98Z28

iTrader: (12)

We will be hiring a lawyer to appear. so far she only got one letter in the mail from a lawyer, I guess we'll decide who to hire. Hopefully they can get it reduced also, I really hope she doesn't have to appear cause that means I'll have to take a day out of work to drive her down there

Krazy98Z28

iTrader: (12)

First thing I said to my girlfriend was, how desperate are these guys for work if they are advertising themselves like this. Kind of made me skeptical to hire them, but of course it sold her on the idea.

Flamin' bird

iTrader: (24)

If you need a lawyer I can give you my landlord's info. She is totally cool and really nice. I just moved in to her townhouse late July. She does traffic offenses . Just let me know. BTW what county was she caught in? If it's in Fairfax, Loudon or Prince William she can represent her.

Michelle

tbyrne

iTrader: (15)

I think I would feel more confortable going with her over the guy that sent an offer for his services. Yeah, it's helpful in a way but I was also thinking Ambulance Chaser.

ArcticZ28

iTrader: (14)

Good luck in hiring a lawyer. A lot of times if it's in a strict county (for example fairfax or prince george's) they couldn't care less who you have to represent you. When I got a reckless a couple months ago, it was my first ticket ever (i was 22 and been driving since 16) so that was the only luck I had on my side. Everyone else in court that date got stuck with their reckless, even some people with good excuses. One guy got a reckless from a cop going the other way on I-295 that "visioned" him going faster than the speed limit, and the dude even had cruise control set on 65 supposedly. On top of that he stated that the trooper didn't have his hat on either which legally means the cop can't write a ticket and the cop didn't argue it. The judge didn't care, the dude still got the ticket. It all depends on the judge and county. Personally, I think getting a judge for a reckless is overkill and a waste of money. The bottom line is the judge is going to issue what he is going to issue. There is not much to argue in a reckless citation. You were speeding, and speeding well over the limit, not just by a small margin. The main thing is to just show up and plead your case. Worst case scenario is you still get the ticket, but at least you didn't shell out $300-$500 to find that out.

Krazy98Z28

iTrader: (12)

what gets me is , just because 84 in a 65 is considered reckless in virginia why should it pertain to Mass? Mass doesnt doesnt charge you with it doing that speed. Can't we play the dum tourist and say well I'm sorry it wasn't a law I was aware of, in my state we get a speeding ticket which we can appeal and win. How the **** is my girlfriend supposed to know shes commitiing a criminal offense when shes not from this ******* state.... **** I should go there and defend her.

WJ SOM SS

iTrader: (11)

Now Marco, That may not be wise....both you and your girlfriend could end up in the crossbar-motel down there in Va. Try and contact the lady lawyer. WJ

Krazy98Z28

iTrader: (12)

ok i found what town... its in Wyphe County, Wypheville, Virginia

Ericbigmac83

iTrader: (19)

I got a ticket for 87 in a 65 in va but got lucky and he knocked it down to 84 in a 65 so i didnt get the reckless. That was in my escort though, i didnt even know it went 87 mph, lol