look online there is a lot of discussion. It's probably worth hiring a lawyer, as I 'd bet they could get it down

You want a lawyer, don't be stupid. Reckless driving in VA is a big deal and they don't generally play around with this. Also, wtf were you thinking doing 23 over the limit?! Do you run red lights, too?

My thoughts are you're about to get 6 points on your license and a nice increase to your insurance bill.

The increase to insurance over the next 10 years will cost you way more than a lawyer will who can likely get it down to speeding. And no, you will not be in and out. have fun!

This is basically how Amelia makes money. Get a lawyer.

I'm a lawyer (but I'm not your lawyer!), here's what I'd tell my friends: you're charged with a class one misdemeanor. Although jail time is highly unlikely at this speed, fines and your insurance premiums would make a conviction quite pricey. Also, do you plan on applying for jobs or housing that would ask about a criminal record? You really want to be disclosing a misdemeanor for something as dumb as reckless by speed? A local lawyer can normally plead this down to simple speeding or even a non-moving violation. You'll probably have to take a driver's course. That's worth it by my calculations.

This is the most helpful comment on one of these reckless driving posts ever. They’re posted like every day in /r/virginia

Don’t jobs usually ask if you have any convictions other than for moving violations?

Totally, hence the reason it's important to get this reduced from a misdemeanor to a moving violation. Right now, it's the same class of offense as petit larceny, trespass, and DUI. Virginia reckless driving laws are wildddd.

I got a ticket in Amelia a couple years back.

As with any court, dress well, be super prompt and polite. There were a number of folks there who did not seem to make any effort. To his credit, the judge didn’t admonish anyone for their dress, but dressing well and being respectful can only help.

My speed wasn’t quite as high as yours, but I went in without a lawyer, pled guilty, and got assigned driving school. I wasn’t alone, either. If it’s your first ticket on your record, I’d say it’s a pretty good chance you’ll be okay going for that.

BUT, if a lawyer isn’t out of your means and/or you already have a record, maybe go the legal route. Amelia is basically nothing but the 360 corridor—they (rightfully) don’t fuck around with habitual speeders.

Driving too fast: jail. Slow: jail. You are charging too high prices for sweaters, glasses: you right to jail. You undercook fish? Believe it or not, jail. You overcook chicken, also jail. Undercook, overcook. You make an appointment with the dentist and you don't show up, believe it or not, jail, right away. We have the best patients in the world because of jail.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I work for the state and was surprised when I applied that they didn’t make any distinction.

in my experience simply having a course certificate present at the hearing will have it resolved then and there if it's a first offense*. my lawyer was basically there to look pretty but would rather she had been there than not.

Tell the judge you're in a hurry...he'll decide your fate with dispatch.

Maybe add “I’m in a hurry, your honor”

My husband was in a similar position a while back. He went to court and they told him to go to driving school and turn in his paperwork. This was also in Amelia county.

If you're young and it's a first offense, it may be dropped to a regular speeding charge. When I was 21, I got a reckless ticket for 68 in a 45 in Goochland. No lawyer, and it was dropped to a regular speeding charge as it was my first offense. I definitely haven't sped like that since (I'm 29 now), and this was a different county than you. Worth noting that speeding/reckless charges aren't really a one-size fits all deal, though.

If you have other speeding charges within the last few years, it could stay as reckless, but who knows. Good luck, and slow down out there.

I plead guilty to a similar reckless. The judge asked the cop if I was doing anything irregular other than speeding, and I wasn't. She dropped it to improper driving. She seemed in a good mood, though, as everyone's reckless before me was getting the same treatment. Depends on who you get.

Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?

It just sounds better when you add “your honor”. I’ve been in front of a lot of judges. They love that shit

Makes it official! They’ll be putty in your hands

Lol it's an Office reference.

But yeah, my last comment is not legal advice, OP.

Not enough Parks and Rec fans in this sub.

Good luck! This is ridiculous - ticket yes, but not reckless - but Id get that all out of my system before i got there and be as professional and respectful as possible.

What?! I get all my legal advice from The Office! Almost as much as I get from Reddit! 😆

I can just hear Fred Armisen's voice saying that...my favorite P&R scene.

Disclaimer: not legal advice, I am not a lawyer only speaking from personal experience.

Over the years I have had a bunch of speeding tickets including a few reckless with the biggest being 88/45. I’ve been to court in richmond, chesterfield, FarmVille and Blacksburg. Each time I’ve gone to court without a lawyer. I dress nicely with a tie and jacket and always respectful of the judge. I plead “no contest, at the mercy of the court”. They look at my driving record and determine my sentencing. I done driving school or community service to remove my charges. The biggest reckless ticket, he reduced it to improper equipment or something and gave me a 300$ fine. I groaned at that and he said “I can give you no fine and you’ll have the reckless ticket raising your insurance for the next 10 years or have the 300$ fine, it’s up to you”. Needless to say I took the fine.

I think that because I got all of those charges removed/reduced instead of just paying the fine and not going to court, my driving record stayed pretty clean which is why my sentencing was never too severe. If I was a bettin man, then if this is your first offense, I’d bet you’ll get assigned driving school to reduce the charge. It’s a turd that takes up your whole weekend but it’s better then the reckless charge.

Request driving school with the judge. You will usually get the reckless charged dropped to regular speeding. Once you complete the driver ED class and turn in the certificate back to the courts, you will pay the speeding fine and court cost, case complete.

This is the worst state in the country to speed in. Jason Serth did jail time for a similar crime. He made $24mil that year.

A lawyer is a must for a reckless here. It’s not like other states.

You have to be going 20+ over the speed limit to get a reckless here. That’s obnoxious, and definitely warrants jail time in some circumstances.

they changed it to from 15 over

I would agree if it weren't for the many speed traps/counties. Even the recent change to 85+ and 20 over is more in line with the state but when you consider speed limits have been 80 since the 70s

Hopewell's million dollar mile just south of here has drawn the ire of the nation, including our own senators.

I agree for speed traps with sudden speed changes for no reason, but we don’t really have those in RVA, at least not that I know of in the city proper.

Take an online driver improvement/education course online before you go. They might still make you take an in person one anyways cause it’s a reckless but showing the initiative never hurts

Amelia is an hour away

Get dressed up, be respectful, be clear in want you want it dropped to,

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Dude get a lawyer. It's all well and good that some people in the comments got off easy, but in VA a reckless driving is a big deal. It's not like you're just going in for any other moving violation. If you get a pissed off judge, well you're looking at a misdemeanor on your criminal record on top of the expected insurance hit. Oh and you might go to jail. Unlikely, but possible. When the possible consequences are that severe, it's time to get a lawyer.

Get a lawyer. Reckless i n VA is a misdemeanor.

We need income, keep speeding!

Hiii. I’m starting law school at U Richmond in August. I’m really interested in working for the state gov for summer positions and hopefully as a career after law school. If possible, could you share any insight as to what state gov jobs are usually available in Richmond for new grads? Like what are the most common ones? (Ex. Attorney at the AG office, staff attorneys for gov. Departments, etc…) thanks!