Just got a ticket for Reckless Driving

kvcycle · Aug 28, 2003, 12:24 PM

OK, so I am making a right onto a two lane road and the light is green so I don't slow down much and take the turn rather quick, but no tire squeel or drifting. The speed limit on the road is 40 MPH that I am turning onto and I am not going that fast. To my bad luck there is a cop waiting at the light and he turns around and pulls me over.

He treats me like a criminal asking me to exit the car. I didn't think I took the turn that fast, but he asks me to wait in my car and writes me a ticket for reckless driving. I ask him if there is anything I can do about it and he said talk to him in court.

This happend in Mount Laurel, NJ.

I have a clean driving record, this can kill me. Any advice.

I will go to court in a suit and try to plea bargain.

End of the month = quota time

uranium9v · Aug 28, 2003, 12:28 PM

Get the Judge to lower the charge to speeding or something. Just tell the cop to prove how you could be driving recklessly if you weren't speeding and weather conditions were optimal. If he didn't radar you, what can he prove. You may even get it thrown out.

Oz-Racer · Aug 28, 2003, 12:34 PM

let the judge know that your car is all-wheel drive and insainly safe. and that you weren't speeding and there was no tire squeeling. and ask whether or not the cop had a radar gun. You need to be nice. dont justify yourself. most likely you will lose but there is a chance dont be mean and try to be nice.

**HobieKopek** · Aug 28, 2003, 12:35 PM

If nothing else, just try pleaing so that you don't get points.

EV0lut10n_8 · Aug 28, 2003, 12:37 PM

what did the cop say was reckless about your driving...they have to give you a reason...and not just say you were reckless.....

pickleknock · Aug 28, 2003, 12:39 PM

cops are ghey. i would fight it as best as i could but be nice at the same time... thats the best chance youve got.

Somni · Aug 28, 2003, 12:41 PM

Tell the judge that the cop probably owns a subaru and is just jealous.

I would fight it honestly. Look up the statute for wreckless driving and see if there is a way you can put together a case that would require the officer to provide some kind of proof that you were violating the statute i.e. speed limit clause, breaking traction etc. I have had tickets for just about everything (lost my license last year for a year for racing on the highway), but have fought a fair number of my tickets myself and won. Best one was when I got in an accident doing about 70 on a 3 lane straight road and someone pulled out in front of me (t boned). The cop wrote me a ticket for speeding (measured the tire mark length) and I was able to fight it by bringing up issues like the angle of the road, the fact it was a front wheel drive car etc. There's alot you can do in this situation.. dont try to plea if you dont have to. If you want, post the statute # from the citation (should be at the bottom) and the comments the cop wrote and I'll look up some information for you.

BLKEVO8 · Aug 28, 2003, 12:44 PM

First thing to do is get a traffic lawyer!!!!!! if you dont do this you will get royally screwed! Get a lawyer and it will go away.

rockfu · Aug 28, 2003, 12:58 PM

no tickets, no accidents = no probable cause for wreckless driving.

discrimination based on your car I'd say.

fight it to the death.

N10S · Aug 28, 2003, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rockfu
no tickets, no accidents = no probable cause for wreckless driving.

discrimination based on your car I'd say.

fight it to the death.

100% concurrence!

N10S

kvcycle · Aug 28, 2003, 01:12 PM

I don't think he was a big import fan. Hell, I used to drive a mustang

Here is the law:
39:4-96. Reckless driving; punishment. A person who drives a vehicle heedlessly, in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, in a manner so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, a person or property, shall be guilty of reckless driving and be punished by imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for a period of not more than 60 days, or by a fine of not less than $40.00 or more than $200.00, or both.

By the way, the cop didn't write anything specifc on the ticket except Reckless Driving and the location.

I emailed a local lawyer with the case, hopefully he will get back to me.

Lancer 0Z · Aug 28, 2003, 01:17 PM

Buy a gun and sneak it into the court room, when you get a chance shoot the cop in the head...only kidding...or not

rollo · Aug 28, 2003, 01:21 PM

If there was a crosswalk at the intersection, and the 'Don't walk' light was lit and no pedestrians were around, you might mention that in your favour I suppose (given that the statute mentions 'endangering people'). Just a thought.

EV0lut10n_8 · Aug 28, 2003, 01:22 PM

thats all the fine is....no license suspention??????

here in IL it is a 2500 dollar fine and upto a two year lisence suspension

4Gaijin63 · Aug 28, 2003, 01:35 PM

i have 6 tickets and 2 of them were for wreckless driving. in fl the sentence is 2 days in jail. the ticket i got for careless driving was just a small fine tho. unfortunately i was also driving without a liscense. oh well go figure.

win