Reckless driving, went to jail for it

[masterh]

I did 120mph on I-80 and I got arrested for reckless driving. (no excuses)
I stayed in jail for couple hours.

I got released by paying $555 (bail)
they gave me the letter saying, I am notfied to appear in front of judge xxxx

on the citation, he just put aggressive/reckless driving. speeding and mph over box is left blank
(officer at the jail told me I was fortunate not to have reckless driving and speeding)

It's considered class b misdemanor (dui is too)
the state fine schedule says $583 for reckless driving and I get 80 points (I need 200 points to get my liscense suspended. I have zero) 
I was searching online to get more info but I am very worried now after reading stories that I could end up in jail for couple days, my liscense would be suspended etc.

I made a major mistake and I am just trying to fix my life at this point.
any advices?



 

[Javamoose]

Ouch.  I'm guessing since you HAD zero points, that your record is clean?

[He Man]

if your record is clean, they might let you slide. dont blink twice, hire a lawyer, no questions asked. it will save headache and trouble in the months ahead.

[RAT900]

Don't lie or attempt to make any excuses...

because whatever you can come up with be assured of this:

the judge has already heard it several times coming out of someone else's mouth long before you

and you will be insulting his/her intelligence



I almost got cuffed in Harrisonburg Va. doing 40 over the limit on I-81 South with a mandatory appearance ...(helicopter timed me on the stripes and sent a pursuit car after me)

Following week or so I called the courts and spoke with the court clerk, asked her how much trouble I was in with the judge and if I needed to get a lawyer from the area (like maybe the judge's brother or something) and asked if there was any way I could plea-out and avoid having to return 6 hours and 3 states away from H-burg

I couldn't find a reasonable map route around the State of Va. that would allow me to blow it off as I went south a lot

She was a real sweetheart, I made her laugh...she told me that I could draft a letter to the judge pleading my guilt taking ownership of my stupidity (with NO B.S. excuses that might piss him off) and she would get it to him...I was convicted in absentia and got slammed for around 400 dollars...

These days it is all about the money... be prepared to pay...

as for jail...unless you really piss-off the magistrate or the cop offers that you really gave him a hard time or a high speed chase..

well I doubt you will see any cell time...that costs the state/town/county money to house you and they would rather collect money than spend it

but find out if he/she is a hanging judge

oh and if you can't weasel out of the appearance do not show up in your racing leathers with a helmet under your arm

[Preisker]

Me, off to jail on Thanksgiving day, 2000.    137 and evasion.   Felony.   Bailed out that evening, if I recall, it was either $500 or $1000 to bail, it's been a while.   Got my Honda CBR1000F out of impound the next morning, $168.   They were supposed to keep it for a month, but nobody told the tow company guy that.   So I rode it right by the police station.    Got a pretty good double take out of that.    Right off the bat, $5000 for a lawyer.   Since I had quite a few tickets over the years, they (the District Attorney) wanted 16 months in prison.    For speeding and evasion.  Unf-nbelievable.    The lawyer I hired was golfing buddies with the judge.   I got 180 days, Monterey County Jail.   $1600 fine.   I did an actual 77 days, the rest on home detention/work furlough, at the price of $27.00 per day, so 103 days, x $27.00 for about another $2900 or so.    I now know more about the Norteno and Sureno gangs in Monterey County Jail than I ever wanted to know.   They dropped the speeding part, so I plead to felony evasion of arrest.    They didn't even suspend my license and my insurance was unaffected by it.  My boss thought it was funny as hell, but then again, he let me do the work furlough thing.

I admitted guilt, and didn't try to BS the judge or the DA, but the DA was pissed at me for some reason or another.

Now I can't own guns, or vote, but they let me vote by mail anyway.  

I think you are getting off fairly lightly.  

[Raux]

wow am i glad i live in europe. +100 is a normal ride for me.

When i got back from the europe the first time a few years ago, ok a lot, i did the whole, 'but it's perfectly safe' to the officer when i was clocked at 84 in a 55. he politely said he understood, he had lived in Europe as a Marine, but the law is different here. at that difference i was able to take the class clear my violation and basically have no issue. he had said if i was doing 86 he would have had to cuff me and take me in for reckless... before i crested the hill where he was waiting in the valley, i was doing 125... phew...

i learned that day, those speeds in the states aren't worth it unless you are in the middle of NOWHERE and not on a highway. i have done 100 on a farm road in the middle of the night... scary but no worries for tickets.

[jim_0068]

wow am i glad i live in europe. +100 is a normal ride for me.

When i got back from the europe the first time a few years ago, ok a lot, i did the whole, 'but it's perfectly safe' to the officer when i was clocked at 84 in a 55. he politely said he understood, he had lived in Europe as a Marine, but the law is different here. at that difference i was able to take the class clear my violation and basically have no issue. he had said if i was doing 86 he would have had to cuff me and take me in for reckless... before i crested the hill where he was waiting in the valley, i was doing 125... phew...

i learned that day, those speeds in the states aren't worth it unless you are in the middle of NOWHERE and not on a highway. i have done 100 on a farm road in the middle of the night... scary but no worries for tickets.

what are the laws in europe?

[Raux]

a lot of Autobahn roads are open ie no limits. but most are 130kph or about 85mph. there is a point system just like the states. they have standard stuff like. >40kph can get you a suspension of 1 mo for first violation, etc. but they dont throw you in jail unless you run. a lot more cameras for speeding, very rarely do they have chase cars, it's just too dangerous when there are cars here than can run 170mph+. the states are weird when i hear about on the news "the chase reached 90mph on the interstate" I'm like my cruise control was set at 110mph recently for a trip... no worries.

anyway back to the point... the states view speeding as some sort of criminal activity, here it's just a driving violation.

[The Bearded Duc]

Forgive me for the blasphemy but have any of you ever given any thought to NOT doing double the speed limit and if doing so is absolutely necessary NOT running from the cops?

I think that might help alleviate the cost of the the ticket, court appearances, and possible jail time. Just a thought.

[Raux]

that's one of the other things i was going to say.

in reality it's best to go those speeds on a track. much better surfaces and no worries for little old lady pullin in your lane.

[The Bearded Duc]

the states view speeding as some sort of criminal activity.

Thats because people die when hit by a car/motorcycle traveling at that speed. I'm sure the consequences for manslaughter are the same in Europe.

Traveling at those speeds on regular roads is unsafe and quite stupid for all parties involved. Keep it on the track.

[Raux]

Thats because people die when hit by a car/motorcycle traveling at that speed. I'm sure the consequences for manslaughter are the same in Europe.

Traveling at those speeds on regular roads is unsafe and quite stupid for all parties involved. Keep it on the track.

actually most european cars passenger cells can survive a 100+ mph crash. in the states most cars are not designed for that.

yes, but regular, ie no autobahn roads... not such a great idea. there are a lot of tracks, even drag strips where you can 'test' your bikes. i know it's harder in the states, but maybe reach out to the local clubs or even local tracks about getting something set up.

in oklahoma they have several supermoto tracks... not goign to hit 100mph, but you will test your skills and get the sense of speed.

[Raux]

Thats because people die when hit by a car/motorcycle traveling at that speed. I'm sure the consequences for manslaughter are the same in Europe.

but i have to say, unless you actually do hit somone and kill them... it shouldn't be criminal just a traffic violation... let's not get into the whole 'intentions' things... we could say the same thing about guns, knives, etc.

[The Bearded Duc]

but i have to say, unless you actually do hit somone and kill them... it shouldn't be criminal just a traffic violation... let's not get into the whole 'intentions' things... we could say the same thing about guns, knives, etc.

I think that's a big risk...UNLESS you actually hit someone?! I think having a knife in your pocket or a gun on your hip is quite a bit safer. YOU decide to use said knife or gun, SOMEONE else decides whether or not they're gonna pull out in front of you while you're traveling twice the posted speed limit.

Either way, like we both said it's best to keep that on the track where there are less affecting factors.

[masterh]

I don't think I pissed off the officer. I think he was mad because he had to risk his life to catch up with me (like I said, I didn't know till he was right behind me)
I cooperated by saying yes sir all the time and I apologize for my misbehavior.

bail was $555, so the officer said the fine would be around that.

I am not sure if it is worth to hire a lawyer even for $500?

should I ask first if I can do plean bargain with them on my own or can get public defender, then hire a lawyer?