Reckless driving ticket question, take the class ahead of court? New Kent
First: This is not for me, I'm a stellar driver, but someone on my insurance got clocked going 22 over on Rt 60 in New Kent and has a court date in January. I don't think there's much to fight but I'm hoping to try and mitigate it as much as possible so my insurance doesn't skyrocket. A few questions
1) Should this person do a driver's improvement class ahead of the court date? I imagine it might be court ordered if the person is found guilty, would the judge look favorably on this person knocking it out and possibly reduce the charge to 19 over, or something under reckless? Other than this ticket, there's nothing on the person's driving record.
2) Worth getting a lawyer for this? Person's mentality is "I'll just go to court, worst case I'll pay the fine." That's all well and good, but worst case is my insurance bill blows up. At least in this instance, real worst case is reckless driving results in a wreck but thankfully that didn't happen.
3) Hopefully this will teach Cole Trickle to slow the (bleep) down.
Thank you.
41 Replies
N
No Clue
8mo
and they preemptively took the driving course and had the attorney come to court with them. One reckless driving ticket was completely dismissed and the other greatly reduced so it had little impact on the driving record.
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
limit, it’s the cops decision to issue a speeding ticket or a reckless ticket based on traffic, weather & road conditions. If you’re written up for going 25 over the limit, it’s mandatory reckless. I’ve no idea if there is any merit to that.
Regarding your idea of taking the Driver Safety Class in advance of your court date. I once had an attorney suggest I do that in advance of my court date, which I did. When I went to court the judge put some kind of stipulation on my record, don’t ask my how they monitor it, that said if I go 12 months without another ticket, the charge would be dropped. Fortunately, I was able to go 13 months. Yay, me! 👍
I’ve taken that course 3 times, twice mandated & once voluntarily. All prior to reaching my 30’s. I think I almost averaged 2 speeding tickets a year in my first 5-10 years of driving. Fortunately, my lead footed habits are long gone.
** Edited by Hoakie82 at 11/17/2025, 2:29:27 PM
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
J
jdkhokie
8mo
DA office directly and nicely explain the situation. Sometimes they will refer you to a safe driving class and reduce the charge to something under reckless driving. Most people at the District Attorney Office are human and have some understanding as long as you don't act like prick and will try to help you out as much as possible. If they don't give you a sweetheart plea bargain then get a lawyer. I got a 15 over reduced to improper equipment in Iredell County. DA told me to attend the class and send them the certificate of completion. There were a lot of people in the class that had lawyers. Class was about as expected. Slow down why you driving so fast etc. etc.
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
** Edited by VT Pez4Life at 11/17/2025, 11:26:49 AM
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
It is damn annoying. I do 95% of the driving cause I hate being the passenger and needing to wear Depends. When I am the passenger and I point out "Hey, you're driving a bit fast" I get the awesome "You just drive too slow!" Oh, okay. Sorry, paying attention to those signs and stuff is for squares. Let's effing fly, no rules. Nothing matters, F EVERYONE ELSE!
(In response to this post by VT Pez4Life)
8mo
(In response to this post by ElbertoHokie)
8mo
Someone on my insurance (lol) got TWO reckless within 30 days of one another. Got a lawyer and ended up getting them both reduced. Yes, take the class prior to court. All of the "I look like I care" kabuki matters.
re: insurance rates. It is very likely that your rates jump. I would strongly suggest that you plan to shop around for new coverage the first time your policy renewal comes up after court. (1) The new company may only get the final judgment and not the initial ticket, and (2) lots of companies will lowball your first premium to get your business only to raise it when you renew after six months. Playing that game can be worth it on the bottom line if you have an expensive driver on your policy.
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
If they're hiding behind trees, then take a photo and bring it to court.....
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
(In response to this post by Vtskier1)
8mo
quickly get the charge reduced, based on the judge. 67 in a 55 isn't great, but better than 67 in a 45.
(In response to this post by JoesterVT)
8mo
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
I went to court for a 18 over ticket about 6 years ago and the BS seat belt ticket. I asked the judge for DIP class it was cheaper than the ticket, and once completed and after a year of good driving the ticket went away, no DMV negative points. Paid the seat belt ticket. $56. This was Botetourt County. Go to court have them dress respectable and mind the manners. Should be OK. If they have a bad driving record definitely seek legal advice.
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
E
EDGEMAN
8mo
Frankly you'll pay far more over the next 3-4 years if you don't have one. Just do it!
(In response to this post by section11hokie)
8mo
and less money than ticket. No DMV negative points no increase in car insurance. Just saying.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
8mo
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
He was under 20yo at the time and was written for just under reckless. DMV "suspended" his license as he was under 21yo until he took a drivers education class. This was after he just paid the fine with the court. The suspension took effect 30 days from receipt, so he had a month to complete and submit proof of completion.
I chewed my son out as I highly suspect that he was WELL in excess of the 89/70 he was written for (yes, he was) and how he is damn lucky he got the ticket written for 89/70 and his butt wasn't warming a holding cell that afternoon. Reckless can get you taken immediately before the magistrate for arraignment, it's the officers call to just ticket and release or drag you to jail.
The least of his worries are driving school, which he's getting regardless. I'd be worried about your little Hokie being thrown in the Pokey.
Get a lawyer. Do the class ahead of time as a good faith gesture. Hope your mouthpiece and negotiate a plea below reckless. Pray the judge got laid the night before.
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
frat brother (lawyer).
The lawyer had her take the class and do all of the community service before the hearing.
One year clean driving after that and it was all dropped.
Lawyer was $600. Money well spent.
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
(In response to this post by dolph)
E
EDGEMAN
8mo
Just hire an attorney who's done a lot of these cases before.
(In response to this post by Coach McGuirk)
8mo
record evidence and will know your insured driver got clocked going 22 over. They'll increase your rates based on the risk profile on the police report.
I'd tell the insured they can cover the increase in the insurance. Wife got in a wreck, totaled her car and damaged the other. She got failure to yield, insurance dinged her for the incident two times. Wreck and failure to yield. Our rates went up significantly.
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
It does not include ticket information. Would not show on the MVR if not convicted, pled down, or removed due to driving school.
MVR - motor vehicle record.
(In response to this post by ElbertoHokie)
E
EDGEMAN
8mo
(In response to this post by `lag)
B
BRVT
8mo
my insurance finally caught my ticket from over a year ago and they laid it to me, it wasnt even a reckless, my premium skyrocketed even though i have policies for home,auto,umbrella, they stated there was nothing they could do
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
charge dismissed. I know I argued this with my insurance. It does take the points off your record so that's is one thing. Will your I'm assuming son learn a lesson? No, unless you make him get his own insurance and pay for it himself. That's when my son learned--He asked why is my insurance so high? Well, Mr. Bigfoot, think!
(In response to this post by BRVT)
8mo
(In response to this post by BRVT)
E
EDGEMAN
8mo
...then let Cole buy his own insurance when he's an adult...lol
(In response to this post by JoesterVT)
8mo
I also found this…..Whether it’s correct or not, I have no clue.
Link:
🚓 👮
(In response to this post by Hurley09)
8mo
on the ticket. Thankfully, this ticket only shows "ticket" checked, so there's no felony/misdemeanor element to it. I just discovered the "Legal" benefit I get through work extends to family. Lawyer will be retained. Thanks, CCH.
(In response to this post by CrystalCoveHokie)
8mo
If you have very new or oversized tires, it might be worth getting the speedo checked/calibrated. And It certainly would not hurt to do the class beforehand.
(In response to this post by CrystalCoveHokie)
8mo
I always wondered about the people out of state that hire a lawyer to represent them and the cost they are incurring for it.
(In response to this post by JoesterVT)
8mo
I'm guessing it's pretty similar across the country.
In cases like this (traffic, minor misdemeanors, etc.), the advantage of a lawyer seems to be expedited and enhanced access to the court (particularly the prosecutors).
When I was court, what I saw was the lawyers all got to chat with the ADAs (or whatever) at the start of the session. Essentially had their cases bumped to the front of the line. But there seemed to be no difference in how the cases went. I e.: similar charges got the same outcome regardless of attorney/no attorney.
** Edited by JoesterVT at 11/17/2025, 10:19:59 AM
(In response to this post by hoosnowahokie)