My question involves a reckless driving ticket from the State of: California
Hi guys. I just wanted to say thanks in advance, I was just cruising around this site and it seems you all have a great wealth of knowledge in this ield so I'm hoping I could get some help.
The other night, Christmas Eve to be exact, I had to work all day being the holidays, it was a crazy busy nightmare. I was super stressed and when I got off, I decided I was going to go donuts in the freshly wet parking lot of our local supermarket. I was a good 100 yards away from the other cars, of which there were maybe 5 or 6. I'm not saying that I'm not guilty of this offense, I'm just trying to figure out a way I can get it reduced or whatever.
Anyways, I was doing some figure-8's around some planter/parking block things for maybe 30 seconds when a cop pulls up and cites me for reckless driving. My car was also impounded for 30 days.
Here are my questions:
1) Am I going to jail for this? I hope not since it's my first criminal offense and I only have a couple speeding tickets resulting in a current 2 points on my record.
2) From another thread I read that the most they can suspend my license for a 1st offense is 30 days? If so then I'm very relieved. I am a college student and could take a bus to school but where I work I cannot get a ride to via public transportation and both my parents work during the day and wouldnt be able to drive me there. If it does get suspended, is it possible I could just get it to use it for school and work?
3) I know it's recommended I get a lawyer but could I do this on my own? I've never been to criminal court before and don't know how it works. I know I'd need to talk to the DA and see if I could get it reduced to maybe a speeding ticket of some sort but when would I do that? Do you get time to talk to them or something? I'm a bit lost there
4) If I do opt for an attorney, how much am I looking at in costs? My impound alone is going to be over $1600
5) Since my dad is the registered owner of the car, is there any way he could get the car out before the 30 days? I dont have the money for that right now
Thanks again in advance,
-Andrew

