Reckless Driving in Smyth County, Virginia

[skewbypewp]

Hi. Looking for some advice on my case. Here's the low down.

I'm from PA and took a trip down to Cobb County GA to be hired by the Cobb Police Department. On my return I was headed north on I81 in Smyth County. I was behind a blue SUV and kept pace with the driver not noticing the speedometer. The next thing I know is a State Trooper pulled both myself and the driver I was following over. Officer was polite but he seemed to be quick and to the point as he didn't ask me why he stopped me. I had the feeling he wanted to get this traffic stop over with to catch he next one... I was clocked at 95 in a 65. The driver ahead of me was most likely doing the same if not a small amount faster. I received a citation summons for Smyth County for Reckless Driving 95 in a 65. I have an absolutely perfect driving record.. This is my first citation. I looked into getting a lawyer and the law firm said I need to send $1000 to him along with a copy of the ticket, drivers license, etc. I'm worried since I'm practically going to be hired by the Cobb Police and they require that I have no reckless driving on m driving record for the past 5 years.

I'm looking for some advice. My ticket says I was clocked with M Radar. I'm not too familiar with VA since I'm from PA. I even talked to one of my PA State Police buddies but since it was out of state he really couldn't do anything. Is there a possibility of pleaing to a lesser crime so I will not have the reckless driving on my driver record? For posts on other sites, the place where I was stopped, there is a "hot spot" so to speak for troopers pulling people over. I'm just super concerned about losing my chance of achieving my goal of becoming a police officer due to this violation. I also work on a Medic unit here in PA and this could sacrifice my job and career as well. Any suggestions would be great.. Thanks in advance!!

Signed,
--concerned soon to be cop

[colourfastt]

I just was in court yesterday for reckless driving and got out of it as not guilty, i took a regular speeding ticket and was happy. you can read it here: http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20529

as far as your case goes, do you have the cash for a lawyer cause if you do i'd recommend it as it makes life much much easier. i did it myself and it was a lot of time/research to fight these yourself.

That was Alabama ... Virginia is nowhere nearly as accomodating. Virginia cops even write other cops speeding tickets .. and I'm talking other cops in uniform and in department issued marked vehicles. That aside, when you go into court see if you can have a chat with the DA handling cases that day and ask about having the charged reduced to a lower speeding offense or maybe improper driving. Good luck.

[skewbypewp]

That was Alabama ... Virginia is nowhere nearly as accomodating. Virginia cops even write other cops speeding tickets .. and I'm talking other cops in uniform and in department issued marked vehicles. That aside, when you go into court see if you can have a chat with the DA handling cases that day and ask about having the charged reduced to a lower speeding offense or maybe improper driving. Good luck.

Thanks for the advise. I searched for lawyers in the area and came across Conway Law Firm. Anyone know their track record? They request $1000 for representing me in court since i can't make the long drive down there. I hope someone else on this board has dealt with them because the last thing I'd need is to be found guilty and still have to pay the lawyer....