Hey guys, so my title sounds pretty bad saying I got a ticket for racing, which is considered under reckless.
I'll explain the same story that I've told the officer and you guys can give me a feedback on what you guys thought.

I was driving casually at the normal speed limit from Route 28. And a VW GTi and a motorcycle (unsure of model, it was old and at night time) flew past by me and came to a stop at a red light. I came up next to them, and they thought they were being a hardass giving me the "stare" putting his hand over his steering wheel, revving his car.
So I decided to teach them a lesson and did a quick pull(btw, I made sure the road was clear before I did anything reckless around others), unfortunately.. when the officer saw that, the officer thought it was me and the bike that was racing, and the GTi was not involved.
When the officer pulled motorcyclist and I over, both the officer and I immediately noticed the smell of weed coming from the motorcyclist, and asked me if I knew him, immediately I said, "no" 'cause I didn't. Unfortunately he too thought he was a hardass like the GTi(probably his buddy) and stared at the cop and didn't answer his questions, ex. Have you been smoking weed?
I was completely sober, never done weed, and my last speeding ticket(which was a reckless.. I didn't notice the 25mph school zone light blinking 'cause a van was covering it, and I got trapped going 45/25 FML).. but my last speeding ticket was over 2 1/2yrs ago, and that was my ONLY speeding ticket.

I know the gravity of this offense is not small, and does not look good. So I plan on doing everything I can to back up my apology to the court and the officer who was involved with this process by attending a driver's ed school to my already good standing (currently with +1 on my drivers license, so I'll have +5). Removing my aftermarket exhaust and show a picture of me doing so, 'cause that's what probably caught the attention of the officer instead of the GTi. And finally write an apology letter.

Hey, I understand what I did was dangerous. But most of my racing has always been on the track @ MIR, VIR, Capitol, etc. This was a one time thing, and my last speeding ticket or ANY moving violation was over two years ago, and that was my ONLY moving violation ticket I've had so far. So please refrain from insults, I understand what I did wrong, I'm only asking for helpful opinions and feedbacks.

Thanks

btw, I made sure the road was clear before I did anything reckless around others)

Obviously you didn't if the cop was right there nor the blinking school zone lights. There could have also been kids around. If you couldn't see the cop, you sure as hell wouldn't have seen a kid.

The fact is, you were racing. and the fact that you were in a school zone will definately screw you - even a top dollar lawyer won't get you out of that one.

I know jail time is mandatory for anything over 90, not sure if racing in a school zone. But to be honest, after hearing what you just described, I'd be surprised if you don't see any jail time.

I don't know why you thought you had to teach the guy a lesson, next time lighten up on the testostorone - that could have been my kid.

In this case astroglide will be your friend.

-----------------------------------------------

"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

ROTFLMAO. You might be the biggest dummy who has posted to FFU all week. Let's take a look at the many ways:

CZ4A Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I got a ticket for racing.

CZ4A Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I decided to teach them a lesson and did a
> quick pull

CZ4A Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> my last speeding ticket (which was a reckless)

CZ4A Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> aftermarket exhaust

CZ4A Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> most of my racing has always been on the track

Accept your punishment and STFU.

"I decided to do a quick pull and teach them a lesson." = I was racing them

End result is you got a ticket for racing. Seems pretty clear cut to me.

Now how to get less points for the offense, you might want to contact a lawyer.

The school zone was his ticket last time. He wasn't racing in a school zone.

To the OP- you will have a problem getting it reduced much. Two years without a ticket isn't that long. Try talking to the prosecutor before the hearing and work out a plea to a lesser charge. A lawyer would be helpful. Good luck!

^^^
Thank you for clarifying.

Like I said before this was on Route 28, I would never race in a school zone, lol. And it was at 1AM, so there wouldn't have been any pedestrians walking on a highway at nighttime, sorry if my introduction was less specific.

But my question was, even with a +5 driving record along with taking a driving course before it's court issued, having only 1 moving violation, and converting my aftermarket back to stock and showing a picture of me doing so. Do you think the charges against me will be lessened, or still the same?

Reason why I'm asking for opinions/feedback is because I can't afford a lawyer, but I do plan on talking to one. If anything, I've heard there are a lot of last minute layers in the court who's willing to help for much cheaper, $300-400. My situation doesn't seem like a complicated one, very clear cut... I got tempted by people next to me to race, and I fell into that temptation. The person who told me to race went loose, and the other person who was racing smelled like he smoked weed. I was very cooperative and answered the officer's question promptly. And wouldn't the prosecutor be the officer?

Thanks

As far as the negative feedback, I understand what I did wrong, so no need to rub it in. And yes, for those who said this must be one of the dumbest thing they've seen. I understand what I did was stupid, NEVER AGAIN!

And I appreciate the advice, this is definitely a one time thing and won't happen again. I've learned my lesson, and I'm going to do everything I can to prove to the court what I did wrong and my effort to make things better.

I just hope that with what I present, my charges will be lessened.

to OP - talk to the procescutor's office and find out if they are seeking jailtime.

If they arent, then simply tell yr story to the judge and take yr lumps and learn yr lesson

we all make mistakes - sounds like you realize yours

I believe I've only got to the speed of 60mph on a 55mph. We didn't get very far, lol. But the officer wasn't able to trap our speed either. So if I were to say that in the court, would it be nothing but hot gas coming out of my ass?

I'm not trying to prove myself innocent, but anything to get my bunns off of hot coal I'd appreciate it.

Also, I don't know how many lawyers or forum members with good knowledge on traffic laws are here. But if I could get any expert advice, I'd really appreciate it.

-----------------------------------------------

"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

^^ Lol! That's gross.

For what its worth, try only racing off the line (4 reaction time) and only up to the speed limit w/o breakin' traction.... ---> if you really gotta, race

(I've mostly learned my lesson)

I'll see you at the next light. :)

Good Luck to you!

^^ Thanks

My intentions were to just do a quick pull, I stopped at 60mph on a 55mph road. In most cases, once they lose after a quick pull, they slow down 'cause there's no point in racing after that.

I wish the officer got a trap speed on me, so I can prove that I went to 60, if he trapped my speed, it might've been even slower, since I probably past him within the 50 range, we REALLY didn't get far, lol.

But from what people are saying and what I've heard, I guess hiring a defense attourney would be a good idea. But as far as where I am, I'm in good standings, +1 driving record, had only 1 moving violation, and I plan on taking a driving course to get the max +5. And see if my lawyer can do a good plea bargain. I've definitely learned my lesson, I'll keep my racing on the drag strip(I even just got a new DOT Certified Helmet, lol). And I'll change my exhaust back to stock.

But since the officer never trapped my speed, I'm curious if I said I was going 60/55, if it's considered as a valid defense. If you're familiar with Rt 28, there's a stop light next to the Centreville Cinema Movie Theatre, and Burger King right across, we got pulled over right after Burger King, I believe there's a bridge after that, but we didn't even get that far.

I can tell this is going to be a expensive process.. I think I'll stick to my exhaust/tint tickets, this racing on highway ticket's a complete kick in the balls.

"My intentions were to just do a quick pull, I stopped at 60mph on a 55mph road. In most cases, once they lose after a quick pull, they slow down 'cause there's no point in racing after that."

And I'm not trying to sound arrogant by saying this, it's not like I win races all the time. Even when I do a quick pull and I lose, I stop 'cause it's obvious I lost and there's no more point in dangering others by going at it again. And even if they decided to continue racing, I would've stopped.

But worst thing about it all was that the person who wanted to race was the one who got let go, 'cause the officer thought he wasn't racing. And I got stuck with a motorcyclist who smelled of weed.

Not saying I'm innocent, but this is probably the worst case scenario.

Get a lawyer, for your own sake. Never go to court without a lawyer, unless the lawyer you consult with believes that you are able to mount your own defense per the given situation.

I used to do a lot of that stop light racing when I was in high school, and yeah, I rarely actually went above the speed limit, I'd just race them to the limit to see who could get off the line quicker (Usually up to 55-60 MPH). Street racers can have their cars impounded, though, and that's a risk I simply am not willing to take anymore.

Some racers were actually dumb as shit, and they'd meet-up and race down winding two-lane roads as fast as they could go. A lot of those guys ended up losing their cars in crashes or prosecutions, and some lost their lives. Some raced through traffic too, and I can't imagine anything dumber than that.

I know the feeling of going WOT and and enjoying it, but be more careful about it in the future (It's simply not worth the headache). Checkout the tracks in WV and Manassas for a good time.

==================================================================================================
"And if any women or children get their legs torn off, or faces caved in, well, it's tough shit for them." -2LT. Bert Stiles, 505th, 339th (On Berlin Bombardier Mission, 1944).

you've never told us what kind of car you're running. If it's a muscle car, the +5 points might help you, but if it's a ricer, your screwed. Nah, only joking.

Seriously, the fact that you never got above 55/60 isn't going to help you any. It's the burnout/acceleration that they consider "reckless." Sometimes they call it "Exhibition of acceleration."

it sucks, but 'tis the law.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/2011 12:09AM by strates.

^^
Thanks, I go to Capitol Raceway, Virginia International Raceway, Maryland Raceway.



And I drive a Mitsubishi Evo X(CZ4A)

Why not just take your foot off the gas as soon as you cleared the intersection? If you won as far as you wanted to race, all the other guy can do is stew.

Regardless, I'd get the lawyer. Can you sell the exhaust? Maybe trade cars for something that's at least 20 lbs/hp in blue or green.

Rick

How the Hell can you afford to race with today gas prices?
How can you afford to lose your license for any amount of time the Judge chooses? How can you afford the cost in which your insurance will go up?
But what really matters did you win the race?
Just ask the people in Maryland who stand out in the Highway they know who the real winners are in the end.