What Are My Options For Reckless Driving

**stupiddriver** · 04-03-2008, 04:21 AM

So heres the situation. I was driving on the road and for some dumb reson I decided to speed since no one was around. I was wrong, and saw a car pull out of a drive way so I panicked and drove off. After about 100 yards i came to a stop and the police officer was behind me. He told be I would be getting a reckless driving ticket and after taking my information he let me go.

The officer was very generous and decided to not arrest me or impound my car. My question is what should I do next. It pretty obvious I'm at fault and it seems like I got onto the officers good side but this is my first time getting a ticket so Im a little lost on what to do next.

Should I hire a lawyer and if so how much will it cost? I do not have a lot of money so I'll probally end up selling my car if the cost are too high. Am i able to talk the judge into reducing the ticket?

I live in king county in washington state.

**blewis** · 04-03-2008, 05:43 AM

According to RCW 46.61.500

Quoting RCW 46.61.500

Violation of the provisions of this section is a gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year and by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars.

Given those provisions, and the resultant skyrocketing insurance premiums, I think you should DEFINITELY get an attorney. This is not a simple infraction. You will have a CRIMINAL record if convicted. An attorney may be able to get it reduced to "negligent driving" or perhaps even speeding. Then you might be able to get a deferral so you would end up with NO record at all and no insurance hikes.

Because it's a criminal charge, you might qualify for a public defender if you can't afford an attorney on your own. But believe me, you don't even want to mess with this by yourself.

Barry

**stupiddriver** · 04-03-2008, 08:02 PM

Thanks for your help, I spent a few hours that morning and read thru the other post and I'm looking around for a lawyer.

I know the only people who can tell give me a estimate on how much this will cost is a lawyer but if you had to ball park it how much would you say it cost?