Reckless Speeding in VA--Will this affect employment?

[msulliv4]

hi, i'm 4 months away from graduating nursing school and yesterday i got pulled over going 83 on a 55 interstate. i know, stupid, and it has been more than a wakeup call for me. i just consider myself lucky that my wakeup call was a court date, not a hospitalization or a funeral.

i've been summoned to appear in court over reckless driving charges. i have a spotless driving record with +4 positive points, no criminal history whatsoever, no drugs, no drinking and driving, etc.

this charge is a class 1 misdemeanor in virginia. will that affect future employment? i will either get licensed and work in virginia or south carolina, if that affects anything. of course if i plead guilty to the misdemeanor i will report it to every employer and the BoN and explain it was just a speeding charge (not a hit and run or DUI), not to say that i'm minimizing the seriousness of the charge.

if this is going to affect me getting hired as a new grad, i'm going to hire a lawyer to see if i can get it reduced to a speeding ticket. if other nurses on here don't think this will affect me getting hired, then i'm just going to pay the fines and take the misdemeanor.

thanks in advance for any and all input.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Your thread's been moved to our Criminal History forum.

[pigginsrn]

They will knock it down to simple speed given your driving record.

[msulliv4]

based on my county court's record, i am preparing for a reckless speeding misdemeanor. do you think this will affect getting hired if i explain my situation?

[msulliv4]

do you think it would affect my employment if they don't reduce the charge?

[pigginsrn]

Go to court wearing scrubs and plead your case and positive record. The will reduce it in Virginia. No I don't think it should be a problem if you reveal it.

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

I had a reckless driving charge in CT while in nursing school. No previous record. In court, it was reduced to a speeding charge. I have been a nurse for 4 years and it has never come up and I doubt it will ever be a problem.

[Toastedpeanut]

I really don't think this will be much of a speed-bump (hehehe) in finding employment as a nurse. I mean, we're human and make mistakes too you know? Good luck in your search!