Reckless Operation - Worth Fighting?

[Ace-Ace]

Hey,

Do you think it's worth fighting a reckless operation charge? Let me explain the scenario (this is 100% truthful). I was behind a friend (ricer - Ford Probe, blue neons, straight pipes (loud as shit), and a spoiler); so right there, his car draws attention (I'm in a 99 Camaro RS).

Behind him at the top light, me and my friend Jake decide "hey, lets not go to the place we're going, but lets go here instead". So off of the light, I go around him, and get in front of him to turn left, but then realize "this isn't the right way" so I go back in the right lane...and turn into a parking lot to turn around.

At no point was I ever over the speed limit, I signaled all 3 lane changes, never squealed tires, tailgated, jerked the car, or cut him off.

That IS the honest truth, and I was cited for 'reckless operation' because we were 'racing'. Do you think this is worth fighting in court? It would be my first offence of any sort.

Let Me Know,
Thanks,
Kevin

[hyper]

If the cop didnt believe you..
what makes you think the judge will?

[kosmic]

That sux. Definatly fight it, cause it is points. you dont need a lawyer or anything. I have had several tickets for drag racing in philly. You have a 50 50 chance of beating it at the first court you go to. If you dont beat it, then file for an appeal. Chances that you will beat it at appeal court are very likely. But even if you dont beat it right away you still postponed your insurance rates going up. PS file for as many continuances as you can before finally appearing in court.

good luck

[Shoplifter]

I can't get it all from your story..But changing lanes in an intersection while dressed like the dude in the "Pretty Fly For A White Guy" video is a sure bust.

[Ace-Ace]

Originally posted by Shoplifter
I can't get it all from your story..But changing lanes in an intersection while dressed like the dude in the "Pretty Fly For A White Guy" video is a sure bust.

Nice Camaro bashing. But aside from that, lanes were changed after the intersection - not in the middle of it.

[Dildozer]

I'd rather have a 300 hp camaro than any neon-lights ricer or *laugh* ford probe

[Ace-Ace]

Away from the topic again, it's a 99 RS (200 HP / 225 torque); but I'd still rather have it than probe.

Any other suggestions from anyone?

[Pipecrew]

rice racer isnt a guy with a ford probe, a guy who supes up a ford probe has too much time on his hands!


i'd fight it, or say hi to insurance premiums out of this world

[letshunt]

You can find it, but you get smoked. Your word against a cops in traffic court is about as useful as shit. Save your time and money pay the stupid fine and chalk it up to experience

[TopTGP]

People that drag race on city streets deserve to be impaled with a spike. You're either going to end up killing yourself or someone else. Sure, you may think you wont, and it will not happen to you, but when it does, and you take out a family of 4 because your to fucking imature to control your need for speed, you'll wish you were never born.

my

[jimmy3way]

If you don't fight it you have to pay.

If you do fight it, you might win, but if you lose, you only have to pay. It's not like you pay more.

It is your RIGHT to fight it, bro. Exercise that shit.

[Scootermuze]

You might be able to win that fight.. if you did as you say you did, then the cop couldn't be absolutely certain that you were racing.
You could argue that he assumed that you were racing because of the makes of the cars and the noise.
Your word against his basically..
Judges don't always side with the cops..

[Morgan]

My little 4 banger has over 200 HP. Soon to be approx. 300 HP

[ChrisH]

Ace,
Fight it. Reckless is very hard to prove for the state. If you fight it you may get it reduced to Careless, which is a huge difference.

[yys]

Get yourself a lawyer; they almost always have the charges reduced for you.