speeding ticket

[mustang_wife]

VA is definately the most stringent state regarding traffic enforcement. If you have a VA license you will be subject to a civil penalty of over $1000, in addition to fines, upon conviction of reckless driving. Out of state drivers not subject to this penalty.

If possible, before hiring a lawyer, do a little recon on the judge. Call the clerk's office and find out which judge you've been docketed for. Call the procescutor and ask what you can expect FROM THAT PARTICULAR JUDGE if you plead guilty. Or better yet, go observe one of his traffic dockets. I have seen where upon plea of guilty, they will amend it to 79 over, which drops the reckless. But that is entirely dependent on the Judge. If you can't get this info in advance that you definately need a lawyer.

But don't expect much. The whole VA traffic court system is a load of bullshit. It's designed to railroad defendants into a rubber stamp guilty verdict. Notice how it is the judge and not the prosecutor who propounds the state case when the defendant is unrepresented. How can he propound the case and still render a fair and unbiased verdict? Absolute bullshit.

That's because it's a commonwealth and not a state.

On another note...I have yet (hope I don't jinx myself) to get a ticket but my criminal justice teacher in HS always said if they are using a radar gun it needs to be recalibrated every month or 2- but it generally never does for whatever reason. The officer is also required to attend a training twice a year....so proving that the radar device was faulty could help your defense.

Of course claiming the device was off in calibration with the speed you were traveling might be far fetched.

It has been awhile since high school...but this information always was stored away. This was also information given while in Texas...so not sure how other states/commonwealth works or if other devices such as laser guns have to monitor the equipment the same way.

Eh, that's my 2cents

 

[ftrooper]

Don't even try the old radar needs calibrating stuff funny business. In VA, that officer will have those documents ready, and you'll just insult him. Over 80 in VA, or 30 over, they can take you to jail on the spot when they pull you over. Be glad that officer did not do that. Hire a good lawyer, show up in a suit (not a uniform, some judges will think you are trying to show you are somehow above the law, and you can go to jail wearing that uniform) and be apologetic. Also, tell your command, they'll be pissed, but they may have gouge on that particular court jurisdiction. Bad news only gets worse over time....Don't speed recklessly, unless you really want to give the Marine Corps a good reason to not let you fly.

 

[KBayDog]

Also, tell your command...

Absolutely the best advice given so far.

 

[langer]

I hope I'm not too late on this, but being from VA I can offer some advice. Go to the court if you are able- just by showing up (especially if you are military and dressed nicely) they will drop the ticket down a level or two. I'm from the southern part of VA, which operates on the 'good 'ol boy' system more so than NOVA (which is basically an extension of D.C.) so I can't guarantee it will work that way...but I have never had a speeding ticket that hasn't been dropped down or dropped completely in VA.

 

[Flash]

I hope I'm not too late on this, but being from VA I can offer some advice. Go to the court if you are able- just by showing up (especially if you are military and dressed nicely) they will drop the ticket down a level or two. I'm from the southern part of VA, which operates on the 'good 'ol boy' system more so than NOVA (which is basically an extension of D.C.) so I can't guarantee it will work that way...but I have never had a speeding ticket that hasn't been dropped down or dropped completely in VA.

Like you said, NOVA is a very different part of the state. For 30 or over you need a lawyer, no ifs, ands or buts. Or else you could end up getting cuffed in the courtroom and hauled off to jail, I saw it myself.

 

[GroundPounder]

On another note...I have yet (hope I don't jinx myself) to get a ticket but my criminal justice teacher in HS always said if they are using a radar gun it needs to be recalibrated every month or 2- but it generally never does for whatever reason. The officer is also required to attend a training twice a year....so proving that the radar device was faulty could help your defense.

Of course claiming the device was off in calibration with the speed you were traveling might be far fetched.

It has been awhile since high school...but this information always was stored away. This was also information given while in Texas...so not sure how other states/commonwealth works or if other devices such as laser guns have to monitor the equipment the same way.

Eh, that's my 2cents

Actually the radar needs to have been calibrated within the last year by a rep. of the supplier of the equipment. Each day the unit needs to be checked with tuning forks which provide that the gun works as it should. The officer will have/ should have a log that show that this daily test was performed. The info is probably in the remarks section of the ticket in shorthand.
If it were me, and I had received a ticket that would cause me grief with the military I would suggest that you go to the agency that you got the ticket from and ask to speak with the supervisor of the person that wrote the ticket. I would let them know that you don't contest that you were speeding but that the charge might damage you in your military carrer more than it would someone in the civilian world. The chances are pretty good that either the person that wrote you the ticket or his supervisor served in the military and would be willing to help you out if possible.

I have done this in the past, and while I wouldn't give an automatic free pass to those currently serving I always take into account that to someone in the military sometimes its not just a simple case of being able to pay the ticket with no other consequences.

 

[phrogdriver]

The chances are pretty good that either the person that wrote you the ticket or his supervisor served in the military and would be willing to help you out if possible.

I have done this in the past, and while I wouldn't give an automatic free pass to those currently serving I always take into account that to someone in the military sometimes its not just a simple case of being able to pay the ticket with no other consequences.

That might fly in some parts, but try that in Jacksonville, NC or a similar military town and they will laugh in your face.

Might be worth it in some places, though.

 

[GroundPounder]

That might fly in some parts, but try that in Jacksonville, NC or a similar military town and they will laugh in your face.

Might be worth it in some places, though.

Too bad it's come to that, we try and look out for the troops here. Ft. Gordon is mainly a training base ( commo and intel ) with a lot of folks in and out, but if we can cut you a break we try.

 

[ftrooper]

NOVA is not a good place to get a ticket. Flash hit the nail right on the head, be prepared to spend the night or a couple of days in jail if you get the wrong judge. TELL THE COMMAND, get a lawyer and a good suit, and do what you're command, and the lawyer say to do. Don't piss off the officer, either, he's already done you a favor by not hauling you in to spend the night in jail when he caught you for reckless driving.

 

[phrogdriver]

Too bad it's come to that, we try and look out for the troops here. Ft. Gordon is mainly a training base ( commo and intel ) with a lot of folks in and out, but if we can cut you a break we try.

Plus, that base doesn't overwhelm the entire surrounding area. Within 75miles of Jacksonville, 75% of the traffic offenders are Marines. The police aren't going to cut them all breaks.