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Author	Topic
DeanM (7 Posts) 5/21/2011 10:27:14 AM	Reckless Driving Ticket Hey guys, Last sunday afternoon I picked up 2 elderly passengers from jfk with 4 luggages. They didn't know the exact location. They were looking for a place between 45 and 46 st bet 8th ave on the left side. They said keep going and I went close to 46 st. Then they say "sorry the place is about 10 feet behind us, can you please back up, we can't walk too far with 4 bags". The bags were heavy. I know because I loaded'em. So I backed up. Then the cops arrived and gave me a reckless driving ticket to go to community court after having me wait over 40 minutes. Now, there was nothing reckless about backing a up a couple of feet very slowly and also there was no traffic behind me. There was no car there to honk at me. Driving 4 years yellow cab, and this is my first pink ticket. And its a criminal ticket with a misdemeanor and 5 points!! Do I need a lawyer to fight this? Anyone here that got this type of a ticket? And how did you handle it? thanks
Taxi! (27 Posts) 5/21/2011 6:22:18 PM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket That is a rare ticket! I have been driving since 1978 and know of no one getting one except where a serious accident occurred. You must use a lawyer for this ticket.
Stephen B. (34 Posts) 5/21/2011 9:11:46 PM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket Did you change lanes, when you did the backup? Did you cross the intersection, and then back-up?
staytune (74 Posts) 5/23/2011 7:18:08 AM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket you do not need any lawyer, if you really need one, use the legal aid appointed by the court. the judge will ask you. but you must go to court to answer the ticket. I had a same criminal reckless driving ticket last month, and this is what happened. I was waiting on the traffic light behind a car, my horn was not working, the car in front of me still sleeping when the light turn green, so I pull out and pass the car on infront of me, which anyone will do . the undercover patrol car was right behind me and issue a summon for reckless driving. I went to the community court and the judge offered is to take a driving safety court (on line or class room), show him the proof and he will dismiss the case wiht no points on fine and no record. which I did. and of course, the judge also will ask you if you want to use an attorney and if you cannot afford it , it will appointed by the court's legal aid service. I went to the cournt twice and end of the story. first time is to answer the ticket, and second time is to show the certificate. I do not even need to explain what happen on the violation. if you use the lawyer, lawyer might start fighting and you will keep going to cournt and get postpone.
staytune (74 Posts) 5/23/2011 4:39:50 PM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket P.S. plead not guilty.
DeanM (7 Posts) 5/24/2011 10:26:01 PM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket Hey Guys, thanks so much for replying. Stephen, I backed up in the same lane, there was no traffic behind me and I did not cross the intersection and I did not speed in reverse.. Spoke to several lawyers and they want $500 for this ticket and they're gonna go in and plea bargain with the prosecutor as if I've committed an actual crime. This is ridiculous.
DeanM (7 Posts) 5/24/2011 10:43:07 PM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket I appreciate your response staytune. I was told the same thing when I called the court. They said if I can't afford a lawyer, they will appoint one. In any case, I will plead not guilty. I am about to ask a series of question, please answer when you have time. 1. So did they appoint a lawyer for you? 2. Did the prosecutor try to plea bargain with you or did you go straight up to the judge? 3. Did you say no points, no fine, and no criminal record after taking traffic class? 4. So the judge did not even ask you to explain what happened? 5. Did the cop show up to testify against you? 6. So on your date of appearance, you pled not guilty and then the judge gave you another date to show him the certificate? Thanks so much for your time.
staytune (74 Posts) 5/25/2011 3:26:14 PM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket FYI..there were no prosecutor, the cops did not show up. the judge gave me the choice to either take the defensive driving course ,once completed with a certification, there are no points, no fines,no record or I can use the legal aid and come back on the next appointed date for hearing. you are not a serious criminal. not to worry about jail time. and of course, this also depend on what judge you will be facing. different judge different deal. good luck.
staytune (74 Posts) 5/25/2011 3:28:17 PM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket save your money. legal aid is free if you are qualify. $500 meaning 3 days work for them.
DeanM (7 Posts) 5/28/2011 12:44:19 AM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket Ok thanks. I'll do as you mentioned.
hzmkssm (6 Posts) 6/7/2011 8:48:14 PM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket I had a similar one before. I went to the court at the specified date and time, They appointed for me a Lawyer for free. I had the choice to escalate it for a trial and risk being guilty so I get 5 points and not to be able to get my citizenship when the time come to apply. I chosed the safe side and paid the court $375, no points and no criminal record.
AliDogan (1 Posts) 8/2/2011 11:25:44 AM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket dont worry its not a big deal. l got reckless driving tickets couple of times.you dont need to hire a lawyer.judge give u a deal fifty or hundered dollar.no point,no record.giving fifty or hundered up to judge.l got three tickets from same officer...reckless,speed and changing lane without signal.l went to court on the time is written on the ticket.judge offered me to pay hundered dollar all of them and l paid hundered dollar and l am good.the reason is officer doesnt have to come to court for criminal pink tickets.thats why judge gives you a good deal
DeanM (7 Posts) 8/5/2011 3:15:52 AM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket Hey Boys, First of all, Thanks for all your suggestions. You all saved me a boat load of hard earned money. And I am here to return the favor to help others in my situation.Here is what happened: - I went to the community court on 54th st near 8th ave. - stood on line for maybe 20 minutes for security check. - two people in front of me automatically got their tickets cancelled(thats what the security officer said after checking the computer). Mine was not cancelled. I must've committed a huge unforgivable crime. - I went inside and sat next to a deusch bag who was laughing and cursing at everyone that went up to the judge. - Waited about 20 minutes while the judge was calling up all the robbery cases. - then a gentleman told me to go upstairs. I did as directed. - He came upstair in a few mins with a white ticket which had the cops comments. - He came upstairs and said he was the public defender for me. You shoulda seen my eyes dazzling with happiness. - He said, there is NO ground for reckless driving since I was not speeding in reverse and I didn't injure anyone. - He said he was confident that I would win the case. - He told me to go back to the bench downstairs. - 10 mins later my case was called. And the guy argued for me. - Judge said "don't you think reversing in midtown at 2:30pm is reckless driving?" This made no sense to me. I thought the guy would counter argue for me but he immediately gave in and asked the judge what he could offer me. - Mr. Judge offered me acd which is to take a 6hr defensive driver course and 1 day of community service in midtown. In addition, I need to make sure i stay outta trouble for 6 months and then I would have nothing on my record. - Community service=garbage pickup. The one thing no master's degree holder dreams of doing in his life. - So there I was the next day in a blue uniform with a broom and a dust bin partnered with a petty theif picking up cigarette buds all over midtown form 44 street to 50 street 7th to 9th aves. for 6 hrs. - Then I did the 6hr course the next day and submitted everything to the court and trying to stay out of trouble now. By the way, I did ask the judge if I could pay a fine instead of community service. He said either I take this deal or go to trial risk losing my hack license. The land of opportunity has slammed me down against the floor and brought me down to one of the lowest levels in society. Yes, that is teaming me up with a thief to clean the streets of new york. I had no choice. But you have a choice. Don't let them do this to you. Stay outta trouble by following these unposted rules: 1. Don't ever do illegal things for the passenger. The passenger does NOT care about you. 2. Don't change 4 lanes at once. 3. Don't ever back up unless you are parking. 4. Don't discharge/pickup passengers on the crosswalk. 5. Don't cut your fellow drivers off. We're in this together. 6. Dont drop off passenger 10 feet away from curb. 7. If there is empty spot, pull in to drop off. 8. Don't speed on local streets, thats what highways are for. 9. Don't make u-turns. I'm sure there are other rules, but can't think of any other for now.
staytune (74 Posts) 11/17/2011 11:21:06 PM	Re: Reckless Driving Ticket I guess it is depend what type of Judge you are facing. and in additonal to your Don'ts, Don't make illegal U turns. Don't take up 2 lanes while driving. Don't take up 2 lanes when picking up passenger, I seen too many cab dirver is doing that, so, pls do yourself a favor not to get a summon and blocking a lane. Don't make turn middle lane or you will asking for a summon for not obeying traffic rule.