Back in August, DJ (Sageronin), a friend of mine, and I went on an ill-fated "pre-ride" for this upcoming VA area fall ride on the 15th. We thought the rain would taper off before mid day. We were wrong. After being wet and cold all day, we were scooting back up I-81 near Front Royal where I took one for the team. We had passed a cop in the median several miles back while going with the flow of traffic, but he was crafty enough to wait until he was out of our view before pulling out to pace us. I was lucky enough to be in the back of the pack, so I saw the lights first and had no choice but to pull over. He wanted the other two as well, but as cops love to say, "you can't catch all of the fish in the sea." I was the chosen fish that day, getting nabbed for reckless driving, 85 in a 65.
I'd been stressed about this since then because in VA, anything 81 mph and above is a mandatory reckless driving charge. I called a lawyer who offered to take lots of my money, stressing that there were no guarantees, and not making me feel very optimistic. In the end, I decided it would be best to take my chances and face the music alone.
Today was my long awaited court date, and I arrived early to listen in on the session before mine. The judge seemed to have a pleasant demeanor, and as I watched person after person approach the bench, I began to get a feel as to how I should plead. It seemed that most of those who offered up excuses, and plead "not guily" were grilled and lectured harder, and were less likely to receive any leniency. The more I watched, the more I became certain a guilty plea was in my best interest.
Finally my turn came. I approached the bench, and exchanged pleasantries with my state trooper. "Mr. Brown, how do you plead?" said the judge. Guilty, your honor." I replied. He then turned to the trooper who explained how he had seen us go by, saw us change lanes shortly thereafter, and decided to pace us a little further up the road. He explained that I was respectful and cooperative when I was pulled over, and the stop went without incident. At his point the judge turned to me and asked if I had anything to say in my behalf. "Yes, your honor." I began. "It was an ill-fated ride we probably should have never taken. We had been riding all day in the rain, and were wet, cold, and miserable." The judge appeared slightly interested in my story since it was different from all of the others he had heard to that point. "Obviously I was anxious to get home." I continued, "but I realize this still does not excuse the fact that I was speeding. It was a very dumb move, and one I certainly won't be repeating." Just as I had hoped, the judge smiled, and said, "It appears you have learned your lesson, so I will reduce your charge from reckless driving to speeding at 79mph in a 65mph zone."
I paid my $155 fine and left the courtroom feeling that justice had been served. I was indeed guilty of speeding, but did not feel that a reckless charge was warranted. In the end, honesty and respect won the day.
I'd been stressed about this since then because in VA, anything 81 mph and above is a mandatory reckless driving charge. I called a lawyer who offered to take lots of my money, stressing that there were no guarantees, and not making me feel very optimistic. In the end, I decided it would be best to take my chances and face the music alone.
Today was my long awaited court date, and I arrived early to listen in on the session before mine. The judge seemed to have a pleasant demeanor, and as I watched person after person approach the bench, I began to get a feel as to how I should plead. It seemed that most of those who offered up excuses, and plead "not guily" were grilled and lectured harder, and were less likely to receive any leniency. The more I watched, the more I became certain a guilty plea was in my best interest.
Finally my turn came. I approached the bench, and exchanged pleasantries with my state trooper. "Mr. Brown, how do you plead?" said the judge. Guilty, your honor." I replied. He then turned to the trooper who explained how he had seen us go by, saw us change lanes shortly thereafter, and decided to pace us a little further up the road. He explained that I was respectful and cooperative when I was pulled over, and the stop went without incident. At his point the judge turned to me and asked if I had anything to say in my behalf. "Yes, your honor." I began. "It was an ill-fated ride we probably should have never taken. We had been riding all day in the rain, and were wet, cold, and miserable." The judge appeared slightly interested in my story since it was different from all of the others he had heard to that point. "Obviously I was anxious to get home." I continued, "but I realize this still does not excuse the fact that I was speeding. It was a very dumb move, and one I certainly won't be repeating." Just as I had hoped, the judge smiled, and said, "It appears you have learned your lesson, so I will reduce your charge from reckless driving to speeding at 79mph in a 65mph zone."
I paid my $155 fine and left the courtroom feeling that justice had been served. I was indeed guilty of speeding, but did not feel that a reckless charge was warranted. In the end, honesty and respect won the day.
