He reduced it by 60 mph! You must have a nice smile! I suspect the OP would be happy to get a 5 mph reduction in the charge.
So you think that people should accept the consequences for any law that they break, even if the law is either unjust or in place solely to make money? To take it to the extreme, would you have, in the past, supported prosecution of any person caught harboring an escaped slave? It may be an extreme example, but it follows the same logic...
Exactly...that is the very reason we have Courts...to "hear" cases. You get "caught" doing something, you feel it is unjust (far any reason) and you are allowed your day in Court as a US citizen...this is how precedents are set and laws change. Of course....I'm dreaming here...
One thing that has failed to be mentioned is that in VA 80 and over can be considered reckless. So yes, going 10 over in this state can get you reckless driving.
Apparently, failure to use your turn signals is also a criminal offense. http://www.vatrafficlaw.com/reckless.html <snip> (11) Failing to give proper signal; 46.2-860. Failing to give proper signals - A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who fails to give adequate and timely signals of intention to turn, partly turn, slow down, or stop, as required by Article 6 (46.2-848 et seq.) of this chapter. <snip> There must be some pretty interesting conversations going on in Jail there. "So man, what are you guys in for?" Answer: "Armed Robbery" "Dealing Drugs" "Assault" "Failure to use Turn signals going into a 5Guys"
I drove over 100 mph for over two hours in VA Wednesday. Never saw a cop or even worried about them. Gotta love VIR!!!!
Reckless for 20 mph over? That's just silly. This, to me, is no different than a local municipality shortening the yellow lights at intersections so they can catch more light runners. It's a revenue grab. I can see speeding, but reckless automatically should be a separate issue. I don't know how the OP was driving as I obviously wasn't there, but if you're not endangering anyone and tooling around in a safe car on an open highway at 80, that's no real reason to end up with a criminal record. RMX
Not my 'finest hour' to be sure, but a cop isn't going to pull his gun on you for arguing with him at a traffic stop. Now, that dirty, strung-out looking, guy sitting at the end of the counter in that dive bar in Tucson ------ him..... I don't argue with!
Im not going to accept my tax bill this year either...... I think the Op's original statement came of us extremley arrogant and self centered, there are planty of "i got cught who is a good attorney" type questions, but the way this was phrased was unfortunate. Maybe the OP is a good guy, but the post didnt indicate that IMHO cheers
Not in VA but in CA, I got pulled over by the CHP for going 120MPH while overtaking 20+ cars AND did not get ticket but only a warning. Am I lucky? Yes, am I stupid for doing it? Yes but either way I'm not going to argue with the officer weather he put me to jail cause I deserve it and definitely no argument here for not getting a citation.
Shouldn't you have insisted on receiving a 140mph ticket and taking your hit like a man? What happened to personal responsibility? You got lucky and he didn't. He's trying to accomplish in court what you did on the side of the road and that makes you responsible and him a weasel?
I'm pretty sure Jerry said he DIDNT try to weasel his way out and took responsibility. If the officer decided not to write a ticket, then I view that as the officer noticing Jerry's mature attitude and factoring that in. I'm positive, that had Jerry tried to argue and negotiate with the officer, he would for sure have received a ticket.
As a buddy of mine that is a state cop told me. "If you're ******, i'm ****** If you're cool, i'm cool" Why push your luck? Windows down, interior lights on at night and both hands on the steering wheel. Be polite and ask for a break. If you get it, GREAT. If you don't get it and you feel wronged then appeal it, but be polite.
A couple comments here. Annuaki you are 100% right. Zack your arguement about people obeying the laws if they were more reasonable is stupid. If that were the case no one would speed in other states where the penalties are not as harsh. Whomever asked about 1 mile over being the same as attempted murder, you wouldn't speed there would you? Not that it is right to have that severe a penalty but if that's the law either obey it or change it. Everyone is focusing on what the penalty "could" be but no one has said what sentences have been handed out in similar cases. That to me would be more important that how to discredit the officer and radar. The OP did not say the cop didn't give him a break. Maybe he was going 100+. Pretty convenient that there was another car the same color also speeding. It does happen but still pretty convenient. For the record I speed every time I get behind the wheel. Not 80 but 70 to 75 in a 65. I'm no angel but I have deserved every ticket I have received and gotten out of a few just by being respectful and honest when pulled over. I was on the Duc at 130+ got pulled and immediately pulled over, shut off the bike, removed the key, took off my helmet, set it on the tank and put my hands on top of it. Went through the usual discussion and was given a ticket for 93 so I could waive it. Also I didn't realize that my plates were expired and I had no proof of insurance on me. He could have arrested me and impounded the bike but because I wasn't an ass he wasn't either. First thing a friend asked was are you gonna fight it? Hell no i'm gonna pay my fine and count my blessings. You should do the same!
Yes...now you are getting it. The difference (and its a big one) is that I accepted whatever punishment was going to be doled out because i was well aware of my actions and the potential consequences. I didnt lie and deny or make excuses. I admitted my guilt and prepared for whatever was going to happen. I cant stand people trying to weasel out of things. Every day people try to weasel out of tickets, contracts, etc...there is so little personal responsibility. Everyone wants to find a loophole to get them out of their responsibility. Its sickening. PS...my GF is an attorney and she agrees with you and not me. She feels if you can legally squirm your way out fo something, even if you did it, you should. She calls the legal system a game yoou need to know how to play. Excuse me while I go vomit.
I understand that, my point is someone preaching about personal responsibility was entirely fine with getting his ticket reduced by 60mph on the side of the road but looks down on those who were not so lucky on the side of the road and try to accomplish the same in court.
Thats pretty important isnt it ? I mean...maybe he was driving like a complete tool ? Personally, Im going to assume he was simply by the attitude he came here with. Do you know anyone who would admit to driving recklessly on this forum ? I dont. Everyone here is going to say they were driving with the skills of Schumaker on a desolate road... Riiiiiiiggggght