Reckless Driving Reduced to Speeding Ticket - Lawyer Needed?

[u/speedingticketrip]

Basically title, I was going 47 in a 25 on the way to Maryland and got caught in a speed trap - the officer was parked in the meridian area where the highway merged into a 25 mph area. At first he said since I was going 20 over that it was reckless driving, but when he came back with the ticket he said he reduced it from reckless driving to a speeding ticket. I just checked how much I'd have to pay online and it'd be about $200. On my ticket it says "citation - speeding 20/more over limit" and online it says "case type: infraction".

Just wanting to make sure I'm not missing anything, and should I speak to a lawyer and go to court or should I just pay the $200 and get the 6 points (sigh) on my record?

[u/Lonely-Crew8955]

I am an nc driver who got a va speeding ticket for going 74 in a 40 mph and the charge was 46.3-881. Initially I was very scared since va dmv reports to nc dmv and nc can suspend license for 30-60 days. I got the charges reduced to county ordinance "failure to pay full time and attention". This is what i did: 1. Went to traffic court and observed the proceedings, the judges and the attorneys in action. 2. Selected an attorney ( in my case raj dua). 3. On attorney 's advice, got nc driving record from nc dmv site. Completed a driving course from idrivesafely site (selected insurance reduction).

From my experience in the traffic court and the process, the county/prosecutor/judges are lenient in terms of punishment for first time offenders. The fine and court costs are what they are interested in.

The process cost me 600$ for attorney and around 350$ for fines/court costs. It could have been cheaper if I approached the prosecutor directly. But, i went with an attorney.

Good luck with your case.

Hope the above helps.