Talk about a shitty rest of the day

[Shadow]

So after I left paintball and headed to work I was driving down this empty road at 25 mph, next thing I know a cop is pulling around the corner and I was going 45 not even knowing it. Stupid drooping foot....Anways the cop bust me and says I was going 50, but I kinda know him from DARE in 5th grade and he decides to make it 40+ halfing the ticket to $132. Great, now I'm in trouble with parents , have a ticket to pay, and have to pay higher insurance. So I get to work and 15 mintues later get a phone call. The guy at paintball dosen't remember me paying and stuck for DD with my bill. I call and talk to some guy when I can and he essentially says screw you, you goofed up by not checking your rifle in with the non-existant checker person. So I get to go Tuesday to go talk to the older guy about it. And to top it all off I have a great painful splinter in my thumb and it's a bitch to type.:(



Had fun playing Paintball though. :)

[Warder]

I was driving down this empty road at 25 mph, next thing I know a cop is pulling around the corner and I was going 45 not even knowing it... Great, now I'm in trouble with parents , have a ticket to pay, and have to pay higher insurance.

Welcome to my life my friend.

[Shadow]

Welcome to my life my friend.
What's really wierd as he citied it as reckless driving...yet didn't tell me anything about it. He was the vehicle speed at 40+, yet bellow it he rights (50)49. What does it all mean?

[Warder]

Well, what goes on with that is anything 25mph over the limit is considered reckless, I have gotten one of those before...gfg 78/50. When he put 40 down on your ticket as the speed, that is what he is making you pay for. The (50)49 means he clocked you going 49, which would bump the ticket to a 50 in a 25, which is double, which SUCKS. That way when the judge looks at the ticket, he already notices that the officer cut you a break by writing 40 and gives him an idea of how far to reduce your ticket.

[Shadow]

Well, what goes on with that is anything 25mph over the limit is considered reckless, I have gotten one of those before...gfg 78/50. When he put 40 down on your ticket as the speed, that is what he is making you pay for. The (50)49 means he clocked you going 49, which would bump the ticket to a 50 in a 25, which is double, which SUCKS. That way when the judge looks at the ticket, he already notices that the officer cut you a break by writing 40 and gives him an idea of how far to reduce your ticket.
So will it go reckless driving? If it does do I lose my license? My parents seem to think so. Dosen't seem to matter much though. My mom is saying I have lost my driving privelages anyways.

[Warder]

No, one ticket does not make you lose your license unless you are REALLY doing something stupid. Hell, I've been pulled over once doing 90/45 but the cop was VERY nice and let me off the hook.

Your situation is basically you will have to pay the fine (reduce if you can) and just have one ticket on your record. DO NOT TELL YOUR INSURANCE. Unless they run a check on your record, they won't be the wiser and you won't have to pay higher rates until they find out. I have 4 tickets, and 1 at fault accident that is on my record. They only know about 1 ticket and 1 at fault. Otherwise I wouldn't be driving. Your fine, but slow down, it really isn't worth it if you are just starting to drive. Sit down and talk to your parents, you made a mistake, it happens, hell, I'm sure they have gotten a ticket sometime in their lives. It is a good learning experience, lets you know the pros and cons of meeting the fuzz. I need to get that into my head, but when I was 16 I was hanging out with the street racers from the get-go. Not the best place to learn proper driving. It's actually kinda sad, I have at least 10 excuses for any reason a cop could have for pulling me over. I guess you just learn these things when you've been pulled over 37 times.

[QuietStorm]

I know somebody who was pulled over doing 50 in a 20. A hell of a ticket, but he didn't lose his license (though, I've been in a vehicle with him, and he should).

[Shadow]

Yea, I talked my parents almost immeaditly. My dad took it pretty well and is quietly disappointed. My mom is furious though, even though she has more tickets than my dad. She's takin my license away no matter what.:( I can't even begin to imagine how this stupid mistake is gonna affect my life in School, Swimming, Work, and general social life. My license is yet to takin away and I already miss it.

[Expunge]

It aint that bad dude.

About the ticket, here is what you do:

Get it mitigated (Check box on the back) and send it in.

It will take the court about a few weeks to get you a court date, so you're looking at two months before you have to appear before a judge.

Dont worry about it at all, the judge is really personable and he's a great guy. (I should know him by first name, lmao) He'll cut your ticket down even further, especially considering this is your first offence.

Then you take the ticket to the clerks office and ask for payments. Your first payment wont be due until the 20th of the next month. So basically you're looking at 3-4 months before you have to pay the ticket, and it will be reduced. Not too bad imo. Should be around 70-90 bucks.

Good luck with your parents though!

[Excessive]

N Sit down and talk to your parents, you made a mistake, it happens, hell, I'm sure they have gotten a ticket sometime in their lives.

My Mom drove for over 30 years before she got a ticket. I got my first 2 within 6 months.

[Shadow]

It aint that bad dude.

About the ticket, here is what you do:

Get it mitigated (Check box on the back) and send it in.

It will take the court about a few weeks to get you a court date, so you're looking at two months before you have to appear before a judge.

Dont worry about it at all, the judge is really personable and he's a great guy. (I should know him by first name, lmao) He'll cut your ticket down even further, especially considering this is your first offence.

Then you take the ticket to the clerks office and ask for payments. Your first payment wont be due until the 20th of the next month. So basically you're looking at 3-4 months before you have to pay the ticket, and it will be reduced. Not too bad imo. Should be around 70-90 bucks.

Good luck with your parents though!
You know the Lynden Judge? I'm not so worried about the ticket price as the actual charge of Reckless driving. Can they bring that charge down to plain old speeding?

[Expunge]

Look at the ticket, where does it say you have to mail it?

Also: They cant charge you with wreckless, that's retarted. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

[Shadow]

Look at the ticket, where does it say you have to mail it?

Also: They cant charge you with wreckless, that's retarted. I wouldn't worry about it at all.
Lynden Municipal, I looked up the charge he gave me on the net. It's 46.61.500 which is wreckless.

[Shadow]

Well, the gameplan is to turn in the form asking for a midigation hearing. With that form I shall be handing in my License. So when I see the judge they will already know my parents have punished me and hopefully will see that as enough punishment and lessen the charge.

[Expunge]

If it's for wreckless then you need to get a deferred hearing. That's NOT something you want on your record.

This is what will occur:

You will get a deferred hearing and pay a 150 dollar fine.
The charge for wreckless will be "Put on hold" for a year, and as long as you do not commit any similar crime in the next year, then it will be removed from your record.

However, if you DO commit another simliar crime, they BOTH go on your record, and they BOTH count for their full fine, with no hope of mitigation

Getting a deferred ticket will not appear on your insurance unless you commit another crime.

I am never going to live in Linden, that's a HUGE load of bullshit that he gave you wreckless. What a massive asshole.

He should give you your options before you request a deferred hearing. If he offers to lessen the charge then I would take that. If he wants to stick with wreckless then you should request a deferred.

If you do get a deferred hearing please dont screw up again in the next year, or I'm going to cry for you.

This doesn't make sense though.. Earlier you said he dropped the fine on a the ticket by going down to the next lower bracket on speeding. Did he give you two tickets? (Speeding and Wreckless?) Wreckless doesn't have any sort of tier charging as I'm aware of (Please correct me if I'm wrong). So if he really did knock you down a level on the ticket there's no way it should be wreckless driving. It just doesn't make sense. :S

[Shadow]

This doesn't make sense though.. Earlier you said he dropped the fine on a the ticket by going down to the next lower bracket on speeding. Did he give you two tickets? (Speeding and Wreckless?) Wreckless doesn't have any sort of tier charging as I'm aware of (Please correct me if I'm wrong). So if he really did knock you down a level on the ticket there's no way it should be wreckless driving. It just doesn't make sense. :S
Your telling me it dosen't make sense? He dropped the fine to 40+, but still charged me with wreckless even though 40+ wouldn't be wreckless. Only one ticket. What is tier charging?

[Expunge]

I am seriously doubting he actually wrote you up for wreckless. You are aware that wreckless driving is a gross misdemeanor, which has a maximum penality of one year of jail and a 5k fine right? I've had a regular misdemeanor (deferred) and the fine was going to be 1500 dollars and 80 hours community service. (Hit-and-run fyi. If you bump into someones car and damage it, dont be a dumbass. Stick around and give your phone number and fill out the police report. Trying to run is NOT worth it. That was 9 months of hell in my life. Lawyers, several court dates, FURIOUS parents, etc. It was horrible.)

Man I really hope that he didn't charge you with wreckless, because it was quite a bit of hell for me. :(

Let me know if you need any help Shadow, unfortunately I know more about this than I should.

The problem with this is that your offense is a traffic violation, so that means if you get even one ticket for speeding/etc in the next year then you're screwed.

[Expunge]

Your telling me it dosen't make sense? He dropped the fine to 40+, but still charged me with wreckless even though 40+ wouldn't be wreckless. Only one ticket. What is tier charging?
Tier charging applies to speeding tickets

IE:

The faster you go, the more it costs.

If you get busted with wreckless there isn't any lesser form of wreckless driving.. Well I suppose there is isn't there.. but it has no relation to speed. (I forget what it's called)

You should take a picture of the ticket or something and post it.

[Expunge]

If he gave you wreckless for speeding you should also find this on the ticket:

RCW 46.61.465
Exceeding speed limit evidence of reckless driving.

The unlawful operation of a vehicle in excess of the maximum lawful speeds provided in this chapter at the point of operation and under the circumstances described shall be prima facie evidence of the operation of a motor vehicle in a reckless manner by the operator thereof.

He has to provide a reason for writing you for wreckless, so this should be on the ticket.

(PLEASE IF I AM WRONG, CORRECT ME)

[QuietStorm]

Deferrment could hurt more than it'll help, as I'm certain you've figured out. You have to be an EXTREMELY careful driver if you're going to get it deferred. No speeding, perfect stops, don't go around people making left turns by going onto the shoulder... nothing.

Other than that, I doubt I can be of much help. I've never even been pulled over.

(Oh, and I do believe Cody is right -- I'm pretty sure they have to cite a reason for the charge.)

[Excessive]

If you get busted with wreckless there isn't any lesser form of wreckless driving.. Well I suppose there is isn't there.. but it has no relation to speed. (I forget what it's called).

Negligent Driving. – Whoever upon any way drives a vehicle negligently or causes a vehicle to be driven negligently, as defined in RSA 626:2, II(d), or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property shall be guilty of a violation.

This was taken from another states laws. But I'm pretty sure it the same here. My brother recieved this in high school for causing his tires to chirp after going over a speed bump. At least that what he told our parrents. This one does not take speed into account and I am sure is wide open to interpretation.

[Expunge]

Negligent Driving. – Whoever upon any way drives a vehicle negligently or causes a vehicle to be driven negligently, as defined in RSA 626:2, II(d), or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property shall be guilty of a violation.

This was taken from another states laws. But I'm pretty sure it the same here. My brother recieved this in high school for causing his tires to chirp after going over a speed bump. At least that what he told our parrents. This one does not take speed into account and I am sure is wide open to interpretation.
That's the one, thanks Excessive.

[ghrogels]

http://www.leg.wa.gov/rcw/index.cfm

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
aka
Washington state law

I'd look up the reckless driving law, but I'm in a hurry atm.

[Expunge]

http://www.leg.wa.gov/rcw/index.cfm

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
aka
Washington state law

I'd look up the reckless driving law, but I'm in a hurry atm.
Apperantly in too much of a hurry to read the rest of the thread lol ;)

[Warder]

Shadow, just go in and get the ticket reduced. Save your deferred for something REALLY serious. You can only use it once every 7 years...I have yet to use mine after 4 ticket so...it will be ok. One ticket isn't the end of the world. Go in, say your sorry, there was no other traffic on the road and you just weren't paying as much attention as you should. Don't bother telling him about your parents taking your license as he won't care. IT WILL BE FINE.

What he did with the ticket was wrote you for 40+/25. He also put down your actual speed 49(50)/25, which is considered a wreckless speed in that type of zone. But he only wrote you for 15 over, which is not wreckless. It simply lets the judge know that the officer already cut you a big break and that if you were to try and Contest it or give a BS story, he will have a idea of what was going on. Just be honest. "I was the only car on the road and I just wasn't paying as much attention as I should have." That is the key line you need to say. End of story. With the amount of speeding tickets / traffic stops I have enjoyed recieving, I know how speeding tickets work.

[Expunge]

Shadow, just go in and get the ticket reduced. Save your deferred for something REALLY serious. You can only use it once every 7 years...I have yet to use mine after 4 ticket so...it will be ok. One ticket isn't the end of the world. Go in, say your sorry, there was no other traffic on the road and you just weren't paying as much attention as you should. Don't bother telling him about your parents taking your license as he won't care. IT WILL BE FINE.

What he did with the ticket was wrote you for 40+/25. He also put down your actual speed 49(50)/25, which is considered a wreckless speed in that type of zone. But he only wrote you for 15 over, which is not wreckless. It simply lets the judge know that the officer already cut you a big break and that if you were to try and Contest it or give a BS story, he will have a idea of what was going on. Just be honest. "I was the only car on the road and I just wasn't paying as much attention as I should have." That is the key line you need to say. End of story. With the amount of speeding tickets / traffic stops I have enjoyed recieving, I know how speeding tickets work.

I agree with Mark. I'm still miffed about the whole wreckless charge though. Perhaps that's just the citation that's involved with speeding.

IE You are driving too fast so you receive a ticket that states you were "Wrecklessly speeding" but you dont actually get a charge of being a wreckless driver, you know? Are there any other mentions of speeding in RCW law? I bet probably not

[Excessive]

http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?section=46.61.500&fuseaction=section

You said this is the code on the ticket? It doesn't look good for you. The code does not say anything about speed. You could be driving 10 Mph and still get one.

RCW 46.61.500
Reckless driving -- Penalty.

(1) Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. 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.

(2) The license or permit to drive or any nonresident privilege of any person convicted of reckless driving shall be suspended by the department for not less than thirty days.

[Shadow]

Here's a pic of the ticket so you guys can figure it out. I'm starting to wonder if he made a serious error here.

[Expunge]

Here's a pic of the ticket so you guys can figure it out. I'm starting to wonder if he made a serious error here.
Looks to me like RCW 46.61.500 is just a larger category which includes the subcategory for speeding in it. Did the cop actually say he was going to charge you for wreckless or?

[Shadow]

Looks to me like RCW 46.61.500 is just a larger category which includes the subcategory for speeding in it. Did the cop actually say he was going to charge you for wreckless or?
All he said was it was techinally wreckless. He didn't say he was charging me with it.

[QuietStorm]

Looks to me like RCW 46.61.500 is just a larger category which includes the subcategory for speeding in it. Did the cop actually say he was going to charge you for wreckless or?
That's what it looks like to me, too. But it doesn't make sense when looking at the law itself.

[ghrogels]

double the speed limit. :slant:

that is not good.
that IS, by interpretation of the Revised Code of Washington, reckless driving.

**I AM NOT A LAWIER, THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, THIS IS PERSONAL ADVICE**

I would argue with the judge that two speeds were placed on the ticket, and you clearly remember seeing that you were going 45 mph (although, consider that the "(50) 49" might just be him short-handing himself rounding up). Ask for it to just be a speeding ticket.

Might not fly, and if it doesn't, I highly suggest getting that deffered.

[Shadow]

double the speed limit. :slant:

that is not good.
that IS, by interpretation of the Revised Code of Washington, reckless driving.

**I AM NOT A LAWIER, THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, THIS IS PERSONAL ADVICE**

I would argue with the judge that two speeds were placed on the ticket, and you clearly remember seeing that you were going 45 mph (although, consider that the "(50) 49" might just be him short-handing himself rounding up). Ask for it to just be a speeding ticket.

Might not fly, and if it doesn't, I highly suggest getting that deffered.
The 50 is what he spotted me at and the 49 is what he locked the radar at.

[ghrogels]

yeah, I don't think they really care about 1mph...but you can pretend that they do. It might just work out better for you :D

that wouldn't be in the "spirit" of the law, to have that 1mph matter.

[Shadow]

yeah, I don't think they really care about 1mph...but you can pretend that they do. It might just work out better for you :D

that wouldn't be in the "spirit" of the law, to have that 1mph matter.
Yea, pretty much be going with telling the truth. I screwed up and wasn't paying attenion to my speedometer on an empty road. I realize it was a stupid thing to do and have learned from it. etc.

[PyroInsane]

Which is why I do not speed unless Im on the back country roads out here in everson, where there are never cops lol.

[Shadow]

Which is why I do not speed unless Im on the back country roads out here in everson, where there are never cops lol.
Well, this was a completely accidental speeding incident.

[Reinforcements]

I'll post the link later, an article on how speed limits are unconstitutional.
Each state has it's own way of wording what speed limits are, and what breaking them means.

Ex: In some states, they will wirte you a ticket for going any speed that "endangers life and limb." The thing is, they cannot say that 25 is less deadly than 50. Infact, there have been studies that show the majority of vehicle to person accidents occure in the 25-35 range. Every one of these cases has precident cases.

The Galileo rule is this: Our planet is moving through the universe. If you factor in the speed of rotation, how fact our solar system is going, ect. You find out that speed limits are imposible to reach no matter what. This gets used because for a law to be constitutional, it must be based in fact. Not theory.

Heres where our state comes in. There was a precident case in Washington, (although I cannot remember the name for the life of me) in which a rich guy with lawyer friends was given a speeding ticket in Seattle. Just for the principle, the lawyers decided to find a way to unconditionaly get the ticket voided. They found that In the constitution, it says that all laws must be based on facts. We in washington at the time used radar, not lidar. Radar works on the theory that bouncing stuff blah blah blah. The point is, it's a THEORY. They got the ticket thrown out and set a precident case. So what do the states do when precident has been set? They re-word the state speed laws.'

[DiscoDave]

You can always do what I do and instead of paying a $150 ticket, spend $350 on a lawyer and hope you don't have to pay the state anything. ;)

[Shadow]

You can always do what I do and instead of paying a $150 ticket, spend $350 on a lawyer and hope you don't have to pay the state anything. ;)
Well, in the long run you saved the money in insurance.