Reckless driving

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PremedWanderer

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Panicked was going 66/45(didn't see speed limit change on a Virginia road) qualities as reckless driving. Clean record until now and I'm a 3rd year medical student. From what I'm reading online it can be appealed and reduced to an improper driving or speeding ticket but I'm unsure about what to do right now (outside of contacting lawyers). Do I immediately tell my school, will this kill my eras app (if it does get reduced).

Thanks.
 
Most of the lawyers here seem to be closed on weekends. I'm going to contact one first thing. Do I tell my school? I'm freaked out right now about everything.
 
Relax. If officer gave you ticket which cant be paid. Only need to go to court then it is reckless. If it can be paid. Its speeding. So check first if you are allowed to pay it online. If not allowed, then it indeed is reckless. Misdeameanor if you plead guilty on your record. Still not a huge big deal. But not good. I have been there. Done that. Got reckless. Went to court. Without lawyer. Directly spoke to judge while pleading guilty that this is my first ever ticket. Please show liniency. judge gave me improper driving. No damage Done. No reckless on record. I will recommend getting lawyer. Speak to school counselor. Understand even if it indeed is reckless. you are not guilty yet. Till your court date.
 
PremedWanderer said:
Most of the lawyers here seem to be closed on weekends. I'm going to contact one first thing. Do I tell my school? I'm freaked out right now about everything.
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For this part of the question there is likely something in your school handbook that lays out what you do and don’t need to report to your school. Read the handbook and do what it says.

Keep in mind that your school is invested in optimizing it’s match list, which also means helping you and advocating on your behalf. I don’t expect they would do anything punitive, and they may have some useful advice.

Finally, relax. Even the worst case scenario here (misdemeanor reckless driving) is not too bad. People understand that is more or less a trumped up speeding ticket.
 
GoSpursGo said:
For this part of the question there is likely something in your school handbook that lays out what you do and don’t need to report to your school. Read the handbook and do what it says.

Keep in mind that your school is invested in optimizing it’s match list, which also means helping you and advocating on your behalf. I don’t expect they would do anything punitive, and they may have some useful advice.

Finally, relax. Even the worst case scenario here (misdemeanor reckless driving) is not too bad. People understand that is more or less a trumped up speeding ticket.
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Thank you. I'm going to wait until I get a call back from a lawyer and talk to my academic advisor about this after. For now I can't do anything other than learn and not repeat my mistakes. As a side note congrats on wemby!
 
medschoolaspirant said:
Relax. If officer gave you ticket which cant be paid. Only need to go to court then it is reckless. If it can be paid. Its speeding. So check first if you are allowed to pay it online. If not allowed, then it indeed is reckless. Misdeameanor if you plead guilty on your record. Still not a huge big deal. But not good. I have been there. Done that. Got reckless. Went to court. Without lawyer. Directly spoke to judge while pleading guilty that this is my first ever ticket. Please show liniency. judge gave me improper driving. No damage Done. No reckless on record. I will recommend getting lawyer. Speak to school counselor. Understand even if it indeed is reckless. you are not guilty yet. Till your court date.
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This post above may not be sound advice. These laws and procedures vary from state to state. (I happen to be afflicted with a legal education.) See a lawyer who is experienced in traffic issues and licensed in the state where the citation was issued. Yes, this is going to cost you a $grand but you want to get this cleaned up professionally.
 
Obnoxious Dad said:
This post above may not be sound advice. These laws and procedures vary from state to state. (I happen to be afflicted with a legal education.) See a lawyer who is experienced in traffic issues and licensed in the state where the citation was issued. Yes, this is going to cost you a $grand but you want to get this cleaned up professionally.
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Definitely getting a traffic lawyer in Virginia even if it costs a grand. I'm just hoping that if it gets reduced to a speeding ticket it doesn't affect my ability to apply for IM/anaesthesia residencies or my medical school standing (can't find any information about this on student manuals)
 
medschoolaspirant said:
. Understand even if it indeed is reckless. you are not guilty yet. Till your court date.
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To expound on the post above, this part in particular as it relates to being a medical professional is likely incorrect. ERAS asks about misdemeanor/felony convictions, but ALSO “anything that might impact your ability to get licensed/credentialed.” Many programs have a rule about providing notice about any pending charges. So within the medical profession, “innocent until proven guilty” usually doesn’t apply.

Again… it is unlikely that this specific offense would cause any problems. But it’s also a situation where a cover up would look worse than just disclosing the offense in the first place. All things to consider down the road, if a lawyer isn’t able to get this knocked down in the first place, which would clearly be the ideal scenario.
 
GoSpursGo said:
To expound on the post above, this part in particular as it relates to being a medical professional is likely incorrect. ERAS asks about misdemeanor/felony convictions, but ALSO “anything that might impact your ability to get licensed/credentialed.” Many programs have a rule about providing notice about any pending charges. So within the medical profession, “innocent until proven guilty” usually doesn’t apply.

Again… it is unlikely that this specific offense would cause any problems. But it’s also a situation where a cover up would look worse than just disclosing the offense in the first place. All things to consider down the road, if a lawyer isn’t able to get this knocked down in the first place, which would clearly be the ideal scenario.
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In the scenario where this charge gets reduced to a traffic violation, should I disclose it as a traffic violation or as a misdemeanor for speeding reduced to a traffic violation (and would they tank my eras app). In the end I just want to be able to work with patients and hope that this doesn't disqualify me from doing so. Sorry for all the questions I appreciate the help.
 
PremedWanderer said:
In the scenario where this charge gets reduced to a traffic violation, should I disclose it as a traffic violation or as a misdemeanor for speeding reduced to a traffic violation (and would they tank my eras app). In the end I just want to be able to work with patients and hope that this doesn't disqualify me from doing so. Sorry for all the questions I appreciate the help.
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If it’s a traffic violation I don’t think you have to disclose anything.
 
Traffic violations aren't usually viewed as severe by schools unless you had a DUI or injured someone in a car crash. See what you can do but don't stress too much, imo medical schools act way too uptight on everything for the sake of image that it can feel suffocating. Remember that even though you are a student you are not a 100% perfect robot and they need to accept that.
 
Are you not able to pay this out of court? I had this exact same scenario happen (in Virginia, no less), and I was able to pay out of court and it didn’t show up on my background check for audition rotations.
 
randommedstudent24 said:
Are you not able to pay this out of court? I had this exact same scenario happen (in Virginia, no less), and I was able to pay out of court and it didn’t show up on my background check for audition rotations.
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I'll be calling the court tomorrow to see what's up. I'm feeling a lot less panicked now will just be working on getting this resolved and learning from my mistakes
 
GoSpursGo said:
To expound on the post above, this part in particular as it relates to being a medical professional is likely incorrect. ERAS asks about misdemeanor/felony convictions, but ALSO “anything that might impact your ability to get licensed/credentialed.” Many programs have a rule about providing notice about any pending charges. So within the medical profession, “innocent until proven guilty” usually doesn’t apply.

Again… it is unlikely that this specific offense would cause any problems. But it’s also a situation where a cover up would look worse than just disclosing the offense in the first place. All things to consider down the road, if a lawyer isn’t able to get this knocked down in the first place, which would clearly be the ideal scenario.
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But would a reckless speeding charge really impact ability to get credentialed anywhere
 
Med Ed said:
No. Which is why the hyperventilating on this thread has been so interesting.
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I'm really sorry just got freaked out because I did some internet doomscrolling. Lot more calm now and just ready to handle it and learn.
 
Get a lawyer. You might be able to get this busted down to a speeding ticket. If you can't, it's going to be a minor ding on your application, if that. What you have is a trumped up speeding ticket.
 
OMSRealWeebHours said:
Traffic violations aren't usually viewed as severe by schools unless you had a DUI or injured someone in a car crash. See what you can do but don't stress too much, imo medical schools act way too uptight on everything for the sake of image that it can feel suffocating. Remember that even though you are a student you are not a 100% perfect robot and they need to accept that.
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Unfortunately, in the pissant drive-through state of Virginia, "reckless" speeding is a felony. I've seen people go to jail for going 15 over on the interstate.

DO2015CA said:
I think it speaks more to Virginia handing out trumped up speeding tickets to make money.
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Bingo.
 
The funny thing is, I read the thread title, and immediately thought “oh this must be in Virginia.”

They’re just notoriously draconian about speeding. Anybody who has this issue is best served getting a lawyer and trying to get it plead down. Definitely not speaking from experience here! Lol.

OP I’m glad that things worked out for you. Best of luck and go easy on the leadfoot.
 
Karlington said:
Congratulations! 🙂

Is it ok to ask on what grounds it was dismissed?
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My speedometer was miscalibrated (5 mph difference) which is crazy because it's a newer car. That and clean driving record I believe was enough for the judge to dismiss it.
 
PremedWanderer said:
My speedometer was miscalibrated (5 mph difference) which is crazy because it's a newer car. That and clean driving record I believe was enough for the judge to dismiss it.
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Ah, cool! How does that work? Do you get some sort of mechanic's report or something? I assume you can't just claim it on your own word, because then everybody could just get away with it, heh. 🙂
 
Karlington said:
Ah, cool! How does that work? Do you get some sort of mechanic's report or something? I assume you can't just claim it on your own word, because then everybody could just get away with it, heh. 🙂
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Yeah so usually if you get charged with something like this your lawyer will tell you a place where they can check and verify that the speedometer is calibrated (or you can search it up). Go with your ticket and they'll handle the calibration and give a signed verification of if the speedometer was miscalibrated.
 
PremedWanderer said:
Yeah so usually if you get charged with something like this your lawyer will tell you a place where they can check and verify that the speedometer is calibrated (or you can search it up). Go with your ticket and they'll handle the calibration and give a signed verification of if the speedometer was miscalibrated.
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Are these wink wink nod nod places
 
DO2015CA said:
Are these wink wink nod nod places
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I don't think so? They actually tested my car and showed me the miscalibration. My lawyer told me to expect that my car wouldn't be miscalibrated given it's not very old.
 
PremedWanderer said:
Yeah so usually if you get charged with something like this your lawyer will tell you a place where they can check and verify that the speedometer is calibrated (or you can search it up). Go with your ticket and they'll handle the calibration and give a signed verification of if the speedometer was miscalibrated.
Click to expand...
Very useful information, thanks!

So I guess one has to be lucky enough to have a miscalibrated speedometer (or the "luck" to have it become miscalibrated afterwards...) to get a ticket dismissed. 🙂
 
PremedWanderer said:
Update judge dismissed the case. If anyone else has this experience in VA, please get a lawyer, makes it a lot easier.
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How much did it cost?
I know someone in Virginia who got their reckless driving charge dismissed for a $900 lawyer…
 
mstpgrind said:
How much did it cost?
I know someone in Virginia who got their reckless driving charge dismissed for a $900 lawyer…
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VincentAdultman said:
900 dollars might be worth it…
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Indeed. I'd say almost any amount is worth it to avoid a felony conviction. Especially for future doctors, but really, for almost anyone.
 
Med Ed said:
Again, only a felony if you were driving without a license or killed someone.
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Ah, I missed that earlier post of yours. Sorry about that, and thanks for reposting the information! 🙂

Less urgent, then, though I'd say it's worth a fair amount to avoid a misdemeanor as well. Having to check yes for a misdemeanor question is not fun either.
 
Karlington said:
Ah, I missed that earlier post of yours. Sorry about that, and thanks for reposting the information! 🙂

Less urgent, then, though I'd say it's worth a fair amount to avoid a misdemeanor as well. Having to check yes for a misdemeanor question is not fun either.
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You can also get your license suspended or pay fines >1000 dollars.

I mean, thats not definite but do you want to take the risk?
 
VincentAdultman said:
You can also get your license suspended or pay fines >1000 dollars.

I mean, thats not definite but do you want to take the risk?
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I also agree that a lawyer is the best decision here, just wondering how much it costed them
 
mstpgrind said:
How much did it cost?
I know someone in Virginia who got their reckless driving charge dismissed for a $900 lawyer…
Click to expand...

When you get a reckless driving charge you start getting mail from lawyers, choose the cheapest and go with it. I was panicking and paid the first lawyer that sent me a letter $350 for a reckless driving (82 in a 70, classified as reckless because it was over 80) which was reduced to a non moving violation.

A few months to a year later my mom got the same charge (should have warned her oops) and got a letter from a lawyer charging $100, also reduced to a non moving violation.

VA state troopers keep traffic lawyers flush with $$$ it’s such a scam
 
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