[dhillman]

I hope this is on the right section, but please move it if it's not.

Anyway, I live in NYC and I just got my first "reckless driving" ticket and it doesn't say how much I have to pay but it says I have to appear in the court in like a couple of months. Has anyone had this experience, in or out of NY? I am really curious and I don't know what to do at all or where to start to look for solutions because this is my first time. According to what I found out online, it's not even traffic violation anymore. It's a crime. So that makes me a criminal?

[kelvin6]

I wouldn't say this makes you a criminal, but this does have a pretty negative effect on your driving record and insurance rates.

[Tuxedomask]

You can try to fight it and lower it to just a regular ticket but chances are you'll lose. Reckless driving is pretty damn serious. I'm just wondering what you did to get that?

[dhillman]

i passed 2 red lights, but its one of those green turning yellow turning red moments. has anyone ever dealt with this ticket? please let me know.

[misturrho]

i passed 2 red lights, but its one of those green turning yellow turning red moments. has anyone ever dealt with this ticket? please let me know.

not 1, but 2? i think cops have the right to write you even if its a late yellow because you're suppose to prepare to stop, not speed up. as soon as your front tires step pass the first line of the crosswalk but you're not coming to a stop, the cop has the right to write you for running a red. that's what happened to my friend when she thought she was running yellow but i saw it turned it as soon as her front tires stepped on the line.

[yohimbine]

Hey,

Since this is your first reckless driving ticket, I highly suggest obtaining a lawyer. Usually, the lawyer will do all the talking, your presence won't be required.

I didn't look up the law in regards to NYC but, it is usually punishable by either imprisonment or fine. It being your first time, I would venture a guess that you probably get fined and court fees.

I'm sure someone with a law expertise could chime in, but the most sound advice is to seek legal counsel.

[achu]

the definition of reckless-
without regard [of others]

though you didn't hurt anybody, it technically is still a crime because you endangered people and the society.
crimes are offences against the society and the state (state meaning USA and not the state of new york).

not too sure about the laws and stuff in USA because i live in canada. but a crime in canada is considered an offence against the state and thus the monarch (king/queen).

hope that helps a bit in your confusion.

[felinius]

i passed 2 red lights, but its one of those green turning yellow turning red moments. has anyone ever dealt with this ticket? please let me know.

Here's a quote from a lawyer in New York:

Reckless driving cases are fairly rare in New York. The offense is covered by §1212 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and is a misdemeanor. While jail time is possible (and we have seen it), it is rare. Fines are substantial, typically amounting to $300 or more. A reckless driving conviction also adds 5 points to your NY driving record, plus 5-8 negative units which make it harder to get your license back if you get revoked. We usually see reckless driving charges where the defendant was also charged with a speeding ticket at a high speed. Combining an 11-point speed with reckless driving adds up to 16 points, which makes suspension likely, and you may get revoked. Also, the speeding fine can be up to $655 and the 16 points would lead to a DMV assessment of over $1000, making the total of fines and surcharges over $2000. To top that off, your insurance rates will probably increase dramatically.

Law

If you get convicted, it sounds like you're screwed.

[dhillman]

ive read those things online. believe me ive searched. but is there anyone who can give me a personal experience? these lawyers tell you things that they want you to hear, and maybe thats all there is to it: i'm screwed. but maybe theres another alternative. So if anyone knows anything personally, please let me know. i would greatly appreciate it.

[v8subie]

When I had a reckless driving ticket it was my first time.

Got a lawyer. $400 out of my wallet.
Took an online driving course program with certification. Google it. $50 out of my wallet.
Speedometer test and calibrated with receipt. $60 out my wallet.
Got a copy of my DMV driving record. $15-20 out of my wallet.

Judge dropped it down to improper driving.

That was the end of that, didn't say a word and lasted less than 3 minutes. Paid the fine, court fees and was let go. I don't know about the other posts here, but I speak from experience. I recommend a lawyer who specialize in reckless driving cases. My lawyer was, she told me everyone to do and I got it done. No reckless driving on my record.

[dhillman]

When I had a reckless driving ticket it was my first time.

Got a lawyer. $400 out of my wallet.
Took an online driving course program with certification. Google it. $50 out of my wallet.
Speedometer test and calibrated with receipt. $60 out my wallet.
Got a copy of my DMV driving record. $15-20 out of my wallet.

Judge dropped it down to improper driving.

That was the end of that, didn't say a word and lasted less than 3 minutes. Paid the fine, court fees and was let go. I don't know about the other posts here, but I speak from experience. I recommend a lawyer who specialize in reckless driving cases. My lawyer was, she told me everyone to do and I got it done. No reckless driving on my record.

can u tell me what you did to get the ticket?

[v8subie]

edited................................

[tbkonwso]

I hope this is on the right section, but please move it if it's not.

Anyway, I live in NYC and I just got my first "reckless driving" ticket and it doesn't say how much I have to pay but it says I have to appear in the court in like a couple of months. Has anyone had this experience, in or out of NY? I am really curious and I don't know what to do at all or where to start to look for solutions because this is my first time. According to what I found out online, it's not even traffic violation anymore. It's a crime. So that makes me a criminal?

reckless driving is a misdemeanor i think, my last one was 6 years ago doing a wheelie on my bike, i actually did trial by written declaring and won, the cop didnt write anything back so i was lucky.

btw you should've gotten a bail on how much your total fee is. mine was around 1g lol... + speeding of course.

[yohimbine]

ive read those things online. believe me ive searched. but is there anyone who can give me a personal experience? these lawyers tell you things that they want you to hear, and maybe thats all there is to it: i'm screwed. but maybe theres another alternative. So if anyone knows anything personally, please let me know. i would greatly appreciate it.

There really is no other alternative. You could try and represent yourself in court, but I would highly caution you against that. If you get a good lawyer everything will usually work out. The lawyer usually knows the judge, the officers etc.

I racked up 14 points in less than a week. I hired a lawyer and he took care of everything.