So ya i got a reckless driving ticket for doing a donut in a empty parking lot at 2am. I know it was stupid. The cop gave me a citation and told me i had to go to court. What will the punishment be its my first ticket and i have a clean record. I live in florida by the way.

 

In TN theyll usually make you go to driving school, or just pay the fine and *bang* (judges gavel falls) on to the next guy.

I wouldnt worry about it.

 

Until your insurance comes up for renewal!

In North Caroliina the only thing that will get you more points than wreckless driving is passing a stopped school bus.

 

I would call the prosicutors office and see if he will let you plead out, just explaine what was going on in that head, tell him you just broke up with your girlfriend or something, all they really want is the cash, so if dont waste the courts time and say that your really sorry maybe he will just stick it to you for a fine, you should do anything to keep it from going on your insurance, because thats what is going to hurt. And if he wants more than cash, just see if he will swap a little community service instead of reporting it or giving you points, maybe 5-10 hours or so, I know it sux but you dont want it on your insurance, and maybe because you have a clean record he will work with you. GOOD LUCK.

 

In most states, Reckless Driving is on the same level as DUI.

In other words: a criminal charge, not just a traffic infraction.

In Florida, the penalty is up to ninety days in jail. So unless you can be real humble in front of the judge, pleading out may not be your best option.

I think it's only four points in Florida, but up here it's 8 points. I just got one for racing an (I find out later) undercover cop on my Katana.

The minimum is five days in jail here, but the ol' judge gave me ten. But he suspended the sentence and gave me a bunch of other crap instead (16 hours CS).

If you were just doing doughnuts in a parking lot, you may be able to get it changed to a careless or exhibition charge which isn't so mean. But you might want to think about a lawyer. It's seriously a roll of the dice.

 

Wow, I never realized that Reckless was a criminal charge...

 

i just got careless driving for peeling out in a hooters parking lot...
$120 ticket... im takin it to court

 

Hey 92TRANSAM, You may be in luck, that would be private property and not a public street, so according to what state your in you may be in luck, There was a guy in Georgia that owned a auto parts store and had just installed a line lock on his car, he was showing some of his customers how it worked and a cop slid into the parking lot sideways, actually more dangerous than what the guy was doing and gave him a ticket, he went to court laughed at them and the case was droped. You may want to check the local laws and speak to a lawyer but unless they want to press charges you should not have a problem....GOOD LUCK.

 

I work in law enforcement here in NC. If i was charged with careless and reckless driving i would definately lawyer up. Careless and reckless is a misdemeanor charge and could warrant loss of license fines and jail time. Then again most judges are understandable that you were being a dumbass in an empty parking lot and they will most likely show some mercy. If you dont get a lawyer and you get charged with it. Expect a 15% increase or so insurance preumiums for 3 years. Not to mention any fines you will have to pay. Also lets say you plead and then 6 months you get a speeding ticket then a few months later you get in a wreck and its your fault and you get a failure to reduce speed to avoid accident ticket. Your license could be gone for having too many points.
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In Nc aslong as the property is open to the public. Like a wal mart or even a parts store. You can be charged. If it was a store after business hours then possibly be able to argue it.

 

HI SPQRZ28, Yea that was the case, it was even after he had closed up for the day and was actually around back on his own property, I understand common sense and you seem to have that, but there are a few Barny Fifes around you know. I have a couple friends in law enforcement, a SGT in the detective division, and a friend in the K-9 unit and they use there heads and not waste the courts time, but this guy thought he was BUFORD PUSSER.....LOL and he was going to show he was cracking heads. Anyone could see what was going on you know.. but more than glad to have your prospective on the situation and how you would handle it..

 

Yeah law enforcement is full of ******** and backstabbing politicians. I am only 25 and have owned a 81 trans am with a 455 and a sport bike that was pretty quick. Not to mention countless parties and what not i attended when i was younger. Alot of cops I dont get them. I guess thats why I dont fit in with alot of them. I am not one of those barny fife john wayne types. I dont want come PUNK TO MAKE MY DAY. I do however wanna make the community I live and work in a safer place. If it comes to me having to write a ticket here and there I dont mind. Even then I usually cut some slack IE if they are going 20 over ill cut it to 9 over so insurance wont increase. I keep tabs though I document all my stops in a book in alphabetical order I come across knucklehead behavior then I will have to step it up a notch.

 

Man your only 25, it seems you already have it figured out....lol. You my friend actually make the world a better place, keep up the good work, and continue to use your foresite to make good decissions. We as the general public will be better off it there were many more of you. Thanks for serving the community.

 

Ya I remeber that one. lol. It was just a little tire squek.

But yea reckless is a biggie in florida. I got a careless one and it did hert my insurince for awhile till it went away. But I would get a lawyer for that one. Adam :-)

 

Thanks bro. I am thinking of hanging up the duty belt and going part time with it. Maybe patrol at night or weekends and find another job for a career. Too much politics and stress involved. I have gained 30lbs in 2 years on the job I have been passed over for promotions and what not. The money is terrible Definately not what i expected when i was going to college and when i was in the academy. Any Ideas on a decent job that money is more than 30k a year. I have been in L.E. for 2 years this month and have gotten 1 raise of 2.5%.

 

After a local annual car show I went up the street in my 91 bird and spun my tires because everyone else was afraid, they started cracking down on this sorta thing since the following year. I got pulled over, got a $175 dollar ticket, and had to go to court. To protest me being pulled over a Prowler and an 03 mustang did the same, they only got $75 tickets though.

 

Heh, was that at the Massillon car show this past summer? Everyone was cheering for people to burn out and the cops would be up the road a bit pulling them over. It was crazy. I probably would've done the same though.

 

Yup, that was the one. I saw two 79 trans ams and a 77 go by and everyone was cheering for them to burn out...but they didn't...so I had to. This was at the very end of the show, while all the cars were leaving. I believe I was the first one of the night to burn out. I got a lot of cheers. It was awesome...worth the ticket and court...

 

im taking my ticket to court. I dont know exactly what im gonna say but...i at a bare minimum want traffic school to keep this crap off my record.. Anyone from FL who has dealt with this before? I cant really afford a lawyer right now, i have to pay for college this summer. Anyone have any suggestions. I there a good chance that the private property thing will work?

 

I'm not too sure on that one...the only thing that might possibly work is if you could get the manager at the place to say that he didn't care that you were peeling out. It's worth a shot...

 

I'm wondering how you can get a moving violation on private property? It can't be a reckless moving violation when it's on private property. The parking lot is private property - same as my back yard - I can drive anyway I like in my back yard, just as I can on ANY private property. Possibly, the owner of said private property could file charges for trespassing, or destruction of said private property - but there should be no law in effect that allows for a state/county/city issued moving violation to be submitted for an act on private property. If it is, then I'm sure the property's owner would indeed like the state/county/city to pay for the resurfacing of the parking lot next time around, and new stripes, and curbing - since it then would not be private property any longer, but rather public use property that public tax dollars should maintain.

How's that for an arguement?

In North Carolina, you cannot receive a "moving violation" for a vehicular act on private property - same as you cannot be issued an accident citation (another moving violation) for a motor vehicle accident that occurs on private property.

Unless there was life or limb endangered by the act on private property (at 2am, was there? - unlikely, unless you were in the lot of a 24/7 business) there was no "reckless" violation committed - only when there is life or limb of another endangered can a moving vehicular violation of any kind be issued.

This is how it was explained to me just today, by a local sheriff deputy.

Good Luck!

 

It depends on why you got the ticket. Honestly look at the circumstances from outside your perspective. If you think you have a good argument for getting out of it then try it. But look at it from the judge (or court officer as is usually the case)'s point of view. If you try to use the 'private property' defense, then unless you can get the property owner to come in with you and testify that he explicitly gave you permission or a request for your "performance" in the parking lot, then he's just gonna chuckle at your attempt. He's basically seeing some punk trying to lecture him on the law.

If you've got a bit of a history, then you seriously need a lawyer. If you don't have one (ei just a ticket possibly), then it'll be okay to plead guilty because they go easier on you that way.

BTW in a lot of states, if you get busted at 20-over that's not always just a big-*** speeding ticket, that's a reckless. So watch your right-foot, guys.
Take it from someone with 27 tickets and counting.

 

it was at ~9pm that i got the citation. That sounds like a good argument. Any other ideas? I need about all the advise i can get. I dont have near 27 tickets, but i do have a ticket from last june. 66 in a 35 zone. Thats all.. and i already went to school for it. I just do not want this crap hitting my insurance. What if i had Charlie come in and testify that it was a mear squeek of the tires and not at all reckless driving? Whould that help?

 

It may help but as far as private property, here in Georgia if your setting in your car even in your driveway and you are intoxicated, I know you just lit the tires up but anyway if you can reach your keys or have the keys in the ignition listing to the radio they can give you a DUI. There was a guy cutting his lawn and was tore up and they gave him a DUI for operation of a Motor vehicle while intoxicated...so much for private property. GOOD LUCK