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Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excessive?

Is Reckless Driving (misdemeanor) for 20 miles over the speed limit excessive?


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Mensch

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In Virginia, there's an entire list of things that could get an ordinary citizen slapped with a misdemeanor charge.

Virginia Reckless Driving Charges FAQ - VA Reckless Driving Ticket Frequently Asked Questions - Virginia Reckless Driving Summons Ticket Charge

Simply going over 20 miles over the speed limit; Failing to use turn signals; Simply driving 80 mph; Obstructed view and even learning how to drive in an empty parking lot. See above.

In your opinion, is this a bit too excessive?

I live in California where the tickets are very expensive but at least, as far as speed is concerned, the highways are consistent in their posted limit and a maximum leeway of 15 miles over the limit is generally tolerated.

What are your thoughts?
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

Of course not. If you cannot figure out how to drive within the rules, you suffer consequences.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

In Virginia, there's an entire list of things that could get an ordinary citizen slapped with a misdemeanor charge.

Virginia Reckless Driving Charges FAQ - VA Reckless Driving Ticket Frequently Asked Questions - Virginia Reckless Driving Summons Ticket Charge

Simply going over 20 miles over the speed limit; Failing to use turn signals; Simply driving 80 mph; Obstructed view and even learning how to drive in an empty parking lot. See above.

In your opinion, is this a bit too excessive?

I live in California where the tickets are very expensive but at least, as far as speed is concerned, the highways are consistent in their posted limit and a maximum leeway of 15 miles over the limit is generally tolerated.

What are your thoughts?

I think that you don't know dick about Virginia.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

Of course not. If you cannot figure out how to drive within the rules, you suffer consequences.

Yes of course. That wasn't the question. The thread has nothing to do with should punishment accompany an traffic violation, but if such punishment is excessive or not. Virginia seems to be one of a very few states who go as far as charging people with misdemeanors and jail time for things that normally could only entail a ticket and possibly a driving course. It is at least more understandable to issue an expensive ticket for such an offense, but a misdemeanor?
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

I think that you don't know dick about Virginia.

A know the hypocrisy of conservatism which fights big government only in so far as economic freedom will allow, but falls short of fighting big government in civil and personal freedoms. I know enough about Virginia to know that I don't like their traffic laws, or at least this one.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

In Virginia, there's an entire list of things that could get an ordinary citizen slapped with a misdemeanor charge.

Virginia Reckless Driving Charges FAQ - VA Reckless Driving Ticket Frequently Asked Questions - Virginia Reckless Driving Summons Ticket Charge

Simply going over 20 miles over the speed limit; Failing to use turn signals; Simply driving 80 mph; Obstructed view and even learning how to drive in an empty parking lot. See above.

In your opinion, is this a bit too excessive?

I live in California where the tickets are very expensive but at least, as far as speed is concerned, the highways are consistent in their posted limit and a maximum leeway of 15 miles over the limit is generally tolerated.

What are your thoughts?

I would say driving 20 mph over would be reckless. No turn signals, perhaps, depends on the situation
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

doing 20 over in a 60 zone with light traffic not reckless

Doing 20 over in a 60 zone with heavy traffic reckless

Doing 20 over in a school zone reckless
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

I think it's reckless and merits misdemeanor charges. Your reckless driving is placing the lives of others at a higher risk.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

Roads and highways tend to have an inherent maximum safe speed, even if traffic is light, and IMO none of the highways in northern VA are safe above 70 which would be 15 over. When I lived in San Diego, 75 was the norm because the highways were in good shape, but that's simply not feasible here. I totally agree that 75 on these highways is reckless.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

In Virginia, there's an entire list of things that could get an ordinary citizen slapped with a misdemeanor charge.

Virginia Reckless Driving Charges FAQ - VA Reckless Driving Ticket Frequently Asked Questions - Virginia Reckless Driving Summons Ticket Charge

Simply going over 20 miles over the speed limit; Failing to use turn signals; Simply driving 80 mph; Obstructed view and even learning how to drive in an empty parking lot. See above.

In your opinion, is this a bit too excessive?

I live in California where the tickets are very expensive but at least, as far as speed is concerned, the highways are consistent in their posted limit and a maximum leeway of 15 miles over the limit is generally tolerated.

What are your thoughts?

Yes, though I think some of those are reasonable under "reckless". Failing to use signals isn't really reckless. Going 20 over the speed limit can be, obstructed view can be depending on what sort of area of coverage we're talking about. Learning to drive in an empty parking lot is not.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

In Virginia, there's an entire list of things that could get an ordinary citizen slapped with a misdemeanor charge.

Virginia Reckless Driving Charges FAQ - VA Reckless Driving Ticket Frequently Asked Questions - Virginia Reckless Driving Summons Ticket Charge

Simply going over 20 miles over the speed limit; Failing to use turn signals; Simply driving 80 mph; Obstructed view and even learning how to drive in an empty parking lot. See above.

In your opinion, is this a bit too excessive?

I live in California where the tickets are very expensive but at least, as far as speed is concerned, the highways are consistent in their posted limit and a maximum leeway of 15 miles over the limit is generally tolerated.

What are your thoughts?



A ticket IS a misdemeanor. Any ticket. For anything. Parking tickets are a misdemeanor.

A misdemeanor means a minor legal infraction. It is a catch-all term for any violation of the law that is not a felony.

The punishment for a misdemeanor depends on the law. In most cases it is a fine. In some cases (such as simple assault) there can be some jail time. Although the exact definition of "misdemeanor" can vary from state to state, a common rule of thumb is that if you can get more than a year in prison for it, it is a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

I'd say it depends. On the freeway where the speed limit is in excess of 55MPH or in rural areas, 20 over isn't a big deal in my mind. But in crowded cities, on suburban streets, or in areas where the speed limit is under 30MPH, going 20 over is dangerous.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

In Virginia, there's an entire list of things that could get an ordinary citizen slapped with a misdemeanor charge.

Virginia Reckless Driving Charges FAQ - VA Reckless Driving Ticket Frequently Asked Questions - Virginia Reckless Driving Summons Ticket Charge

Simply going over 20 miles over the speed limit; Failing to use turn signals; Simply driving 80 mph; Obstructed view and even learning how to drive in an empty parking lot. See above.

In your opinion, is this a bit too excessive?

I live in California where the tickets are very expensive but at least, as far as speed is concerned, the highways are consistent in their posted limit and a maximum leeway of 15 miles over the limit is generally tolerated.

What are your thoughts?

Yes it is reckless. As far as we know you are not a NASCAR(probably a poor example since all they do is turn left and drive in circles, but they are experts at driving fast) or Grand Prix driver. And even if you were most of everyone else is doing the speed limit while changing lanes, breaking, slowing down and speeding back up to the speed limit. Those are speed limit signs not speed suggestion signs, they are up there for a good reason.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

doing 20 over in a 60 zone with light traffic not reckless

Doing 20 over in a 60 zone with heavy traffic reckless

Doing 20 over in a school zone reckless

Doing 20 over is reckless.

Assuming the posted speed was correct to begin with, which in so far a freeways go, it is not.

The posted speed for freeways should be around 90.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

Yes of course. That wasn't the question. The thread has nothing to do with should punishment accompany an traffic violation, but if such punishment is excessive or not. Virginia seems to be one of a very few states who go as far as charging people with misdemeanors and jail time for things that normally could only entail a ticket and possibly a driving course. It is at least more understandable to issue an expensive ticket for such an offense, but a misdemeanor?

If anything it is too lenient. You put other people's life at extra risk for your convenience, you deserve what you get.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

They should zone what constitutes reckless where.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

I've never enforced a traffic law in my life, but to my knowledge, reckless driving vs speeding is at the officer's discretion in most cases. If an officer sees you flying down a road going 20 over the limit, say, 70 in a 20 zone, you're going to get slapped with reckless driving, not speeding. And deserve it. Failure to use a signal, the officer I doubt is going to hit you with reckless driving for.
 
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Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

I drove 60 in a 35 and didn't get a reckless after I explained to the officer I was in a rush coming back from the store to make a HAM sandwich. I must be really charismatic.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

I drove 60 in a 35 and didn't get a reckless after I explained to the officer I was in a rush coming back from the store to make a HAM sandwich. I must be really charismatic.

Exactly... it's at the officer's discretion. In that case I don't really think that is that reckless.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

Going 80 mph is not reckless as long as the conditions are correct.
Speed limits are moronic when the flow of traffic is much faster than the posted limit.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

A ticket IS a misdemeanor. Any ticket. For anything. Parking tickets are a misdemeanor.

A misdemeanor means a minor legal infraction. It is a catch-all term for any violation of the law that is not a felony.

The punishment for a misdemeanor depends on the law. In most cases it is a fine. In some cases (such as simple assault) there can be some jail time. Although the exact definition of "misdemeanor" can vary from state to state, a common rule of thumb is that if you can get more than a year in prison for it, it is a felony rather than a misdemeanor.

I thought you were a police officer. Any ticket is NOT a misdemeanor. The vast majority of traffic tickets are called INFRACTIONS.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

If anything it is too lenient. You put other people's life at extra risk for your convenience, you deserve what you get.

So what? Driving 20 over the speed limit should warrant a felony with a mandatory prison sentence, or is that still too lenient?

In most areas of the country, people are issued speeding tickets for going 15 or 20 miles over the limit. That is the norm. But in the vast stretch of land we call America, it is only an infraction and it doesn't ruin your chances of employment.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

I drove 60 in a 35 and didn't get a reckless after I explained to the officer I was in a rush coming back from the store to make a HAM sandwich. I must be really charismatic.

We're talking about specifically Virginia, where it is mandatory.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

Doing 20 over is reckless.

Assuming the posted speed was correct to begin with, which in so far a freeways go, it is not.

The posted speed for freeways should be around 90.

Going 90 anywhere in Virginia will warrant a mandatory 30-60 days in jail, unless you have a really persuasive lawyer.
 
Re: Is Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor) charge for 20 miles over the speed limit excess

Yes it is reckless. As far as we know you are not a NASCAR(probably a poor example since all they do is turn left and drive in circles, but they are experts at driving fast) or Grand Prix driver. And even if you were most of everyone else is doing the speed limit while changing lanes, breaking, slowing down and speeding back up to the speed limit. Those are speed limit signs not speed suggestion signs, they are up there for a good reason.

As I said above, going 15 or 20 miles over the speed limit will usually get you a speeding ticket. For the vast majority of America, 15 or 20 miles over the speed limit will mean an infraction and in the worst case scenario, an expensive ticket. But to up the ante and to make what normally constitutes speeding a misdemeanor means that the state of Virginia is turning ordinary, law-abiding citizens into cop-hating criminals.

For the rest of America, 15 or 20 over is called speeding. In Virginia, it's called reckless driving. Have YOU ever gone over the speed limit? Have you ever received a speeding ticket? If you have, it'll be interesting to discover how fast you were going. Again, it's the norm in America to issue a speeding ticket for 15 or 20 over, but a permanent criminal record that could easily affect your chances of future employment is not reasonable. It is excessive.
 
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