Reckless Nurse?

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On my way to work this weekend I recently got pulled over for speeding on the Dulles Toll Road in VA. VA considers anything over 80 reckless driving - a level 1 misdemeanor. I will be lucky if I avoid jail time and will probably get stuck with the criminal record. What will be the ramifications of this in terms of obtaining a license and employment? Does reckless driving = reckless nurse? My reckless driving ticket was for speeding only. No accident, no DUI. And I have a clean record otherwise.

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Specializes in Tele, Acute.

Jail time?

Criminal record, for a speeding ticket?:bluecry1:

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Jail time?

Criminal record, for a speeding ticket?:bluecry1:

Yeah Virginia sucks for traffic violations, especially with the new laws. Usually with background checks they distinguish between traffic and non-traffic violations.

It would still be in your best interest to show up to court. If you have a clean record, specifically ask the judge to drop it down to below reckless if you complete driving school. The judge will be more willing to do this if you have a decent record and your problems will be solved

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Can't really give you legal advice because of TOS but hopefully it doesn't effect you when you take the NCLEX. Best bet would be to talk to the board of nursing in your state.

And stop speeding.

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To give you an idea how bad the fines are in Va:

Let's say you were driving in a 45 that turned into a school zone but you didnt slow down. The speeding ticket from that would be more than if you set the school grounds on fire and started a 1000 acre forest fire.

I dont know about you but that seems a bit ridiculous to me.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Yep they sound crazy.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

I wouldn't normally recommend this, but when it comes to speeding in VA I really think it might be in your best interests to get a lawyer if you can afford it. I have had friends who have also faced jail time in VA for being over 80! Best to have any help you can get with this one. I am so sorry you are going through this. I travel the toll road all the time, and I am so paranoid about it. I have often wondered if being in uniform would help, I guess your problem answers that one. Good luck to you.

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Something for people to check into at the courthouse if there is a criminal charge is about the possibility of an application for expungement, to eventually clear the record.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I agree with what someone else said. You might want to hire a lawyer to go to court for you. I got a speeding ticket recently for going 88mph and had to go to court. (Wasn't in VA though) Hired a lawyer for 200 dollars. She went to court for me and got it down to improper equipment. I was really scared like you but its not on my record and didn't affect my insurance rates or my RN license. It was my first ticket and I definitely learned my lesson. Good luck. Don't stress too much. It will work out ok.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Honestly, why does someone need to be driving that fast? It's dangerous no matter how much you think you have control of the vehicle. I learned my lesson and I could have died. I was driving over 75mph and came up on an accident in the road directly in front of me. To avoid hitting that car, I tried to slow down as much as I could and swerved around the car, lost control of my car, hit the median and rolled about four times before my car stopped right on top of the roof. I managed to unbuckle my seatbelt and crawl out on my own. Lesson learned. Did not need to be driving so fast.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

a) you do know the risks of speeding, right?

b) best bet would be to contact your state BON and ask someone there what the best way to get around this would be...or what the ramifications are if you are guilty and can't get it off the record....

c) I feel for you, but how fast WERE you going?

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
To give you an idea how bad the fines are in Va:

Let's say you were driving in a 45 that turned into a school zone but you didnt slow down. The speeding ticket from that would be more than if you set the school grounds on fire and started a 1000 acre forest fire.

I dont know about you but that seems a bit ridiculous to me.

Please tell me you joking!! And I thought our state was bad! Remind me NEVER to move to your fine state! I would hate to see what they do to bank robbers or escaped cons

Anne, RNC

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