Client was on Route 28 on a Saturday morning and got stopped by a Virginia State Trooper for driving 74mph in a 55mph zone within Loudoun County.  He was cited for speeding.  Client was 18 years old and wanted to avoid an increase to his insurance premiums as they were already high due to his age.  

Client took a defensive driving course and had a clean driving record out of DC.  They were also attending the University of Chicago so we obtained a copy of their admissions letter for the Judge.  We do this because we like to show the Judge our client's background and go beyond their driving record or their speed.  It's important to humanize people in court and put a "face on the case."

Currently in Loudoun County the Commonwealth Attorney's Office (prosecutor's office) does not get involved in speeding tickets.  This means we cannot simply negotiate a reduction of the charge and have to go directly in front of the Judge for decision which means we must be prepared.

Upon our arrival we located the trooper that stopped out client and went over everything with them before court started.  We then advised the trooper what we wanted to do with the case and why.  As in most cases the trooper agreed because my client was polite and they could tell our client cared about the outcome of their case and had put some work in.

Upon appearing before the Judge we argued for a reduction of the charge which was granted.  The Judge reduced our client's speeding charge to defective equipment which is a no-point non-moving violation in Virginia.  Traffic Attorneys can be very helpful because we know what the Judge needs in order to justify lowering the charge and "putting pen to paper" to make that happen.